Mexico Cities and Regions

Once known more for crime and smog, Mexico’s capital is experiencing a cultural revolution fueled by a rising economy. Hotels, shops, and art galleries are opening throughout the city at breakneck speed.

Stretching south from Punta Brava and Cancún to Punta Allen, the area’s resorts and white-sand beaches offer total indolence and a chance to visit nearby Mayan ruins. See our Mayan Riviera, Cancún, and Playa del Carmen Travel Guides

This hillside, desert city has been attracting artistically inclined expats like Beat-generation idol Neal Cassady since the '30s. Expect an assortment of alluring shops, art galleries, and restaurants. See our San Miguel de Allende Travel Guide

Mexico’s second-largest city gave birth to the charro (cowboy) and tequila. Today, it’s a mecca for decorators seeking Mexican antiques, furnishings, and artwork. The town’s architecture runs from neoclassical to baroque.

Mexico’s most beautiful state is rich in art and history and fiercely proud of its Zapotec heritage. Explore its untouched coastline and awe-inspiring ruins, and sieze the opportunity to try a traditional Temazcal sauna. See our Oaxaca Travel Guide

Small beach hideaways dot this stunning stretch of Pacific coast from Puerto Vallrta to fishing port Manzanillo. Although Puerto Vallarta is undergoing dizzying development, the small, cobblestone-fishing-village feel remains. See our Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide

In between popular, southerly Tijuana and party-happy, northerly Cabo San Lucas, the Pacific-facing Baja peninsula shelters small port towns and white-sand beaches. Diving and water sports are popular draws. See our Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide

Best known as a scuba-diver’s paradise, the island of Cozumel is ringed with Technicolor coral reefs. On land, it’s a dream Caribbean destination too, with a lively small town (San Miguel), long, palm-shaded beaches, lush jungle, and ancient Mayan ruins. See our Cozumel Travel Guide

One of the Mexican Riviera's most fabled hotspots, Acapulco is deeply ingrained in the sun seeker's subconscious as a pilgrimage-worthy destination. Some say the resort has had its heyday, but like a fallen celeb pushing back into the spotlight, the "Queen of Mexican Beach Resorts" is having a comeback. See our Acapulco Travel Guide

Located at Baja’s Bahía de Todos Santos, Ensenada – the country’s second most visited port-of-call – is about 75 miles from the border. In spite of its proximity to the U.S., the city is known for its authentic Mexican charm and character, a far cry from the chaotic nearby towns of Tijuana and Rosarito. Mariachi music drifts in and out of cantinas amid the chatter of sport fishermen and day trippers from San Diego. See our Ensenada Travel Guide