9 Improbably Beautiful Destinations in Mexico
San Miguel de Allende
Set in the central highlands, San Miguel de Allende definitely deserves a place on a list of top travel destinations in Mexico. The city features baroque Spanish architecture and has a cobblestone heart.
In among the historic buildings is a thriving art and cultural scene, with plenty of festivals, parades and fireworks to keep things interesting.
Chichen Itza
One of the most outstanding Mexican travel destinations is also among the seven wonders of the world — Chichen Itza, the spectacularly well-preserved Mayan site. The ruins are steeped in fascinating (and sometimes very bloody) history, so the best way to explore is with a knowledgeable guide.
More than 1 million visitors flock to Chichen Itza every year, so it can get crowded, but there are still quiet spots among the pyramids and other remnants of a lost empire where you will feel like a true explorer.
Don't waste your time on the worst tourist traps in Europe — there are far better things to see that you don't have to fight crowds to get to.
Palenque
In Palenque, jungle-clad ruins in a Mayan city of the same name are the main attraction. The Palenque temples are some of the best examples of Mayan architecture in Mexico, so they are well worth exploring. The town of Palenque isn’t as attractive as other Mexican travel destinations and mostly serves as a great jumping-off point for adventures in the area.
A great day trip from Palenque is the Cascadas de Agua Azul, a series of stunning waterfalls on the Xanil River. The terraced formation and incredibly green water make this spot one of the best places to cool off in all of Mexico.
