Mexico has always been a bucket list-worthy destination with its unique culture, divine gastronomy, and diverse landscape that encompass deserts, mountains, lush jungles, and white sandy beaches. As one of the few countries still accessible to American travelers, the appeal of Mexico has increased exponentially.
In today’s world, the decision to travel is one that should be made once taking into consideration the coronavirus situation in both your destination and your point of origin. Having done this research and taken the proper precautions, FLY BROTHER’s own Ernest White II recently ventured out to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to assess what travel is like nowadays… and to enjoy some oceanfront views.
In Ernest’s experience, the businesses operating in the airport and within Mexico are working to ensure proper COVID-19 regulations are in place. “Airline and airport employees wore plastic face shields over their masks and plastic gloves, and check-in counters at the airport and hotels have a plexiglass partition separating the employee from the passenger,” said Ernest.
Other precautions included filling out a health questionnaire at the airport, the presence of information desks staffed with doctors throughout the airport terminals, and of course, mandatory mask-wearing in public spaces.
Whether you decide to visit Mexico now or in a distant future, don’t make the common mistake of simply sticking to Cancun. While that party capital has its lure, this enormous country has much more to offer.
Here are seven places to visit in Mexico that aren’t Cancun.
PUERTO VALLARTA
Puerto Vallarta is arguably one of the most beautiful resort towns in Mexico with white sand beaches, photogenic colonial architecture, and looming mountains and hills. While English is widely spoken there, Puerto Vallarta also maintains much of its authentic Mexican charm and feels less like a tourist trap than other resort-filled cities like Cancun. Beyond enjoying the charming location set along Banderas Bay, travelers can hike, go on a whale watching tour, and visit iconic landmarks such as Los Arcos and Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
MERIDA
The Yucatan Peninsula may be known for its beaches (i.e. Cancun and Tulum), but its capital city of Merida is the perfect place to take a break from the sun and immerse in the region’s cultural offerings. Mérida has a vibrant arts scene with plenty of galleries and theaters, as well as Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, a contemporary museum celebrating Mayan culture through its art, history, and handicrafts. The city’s main street, Paseo de Montejo, is lined with impressive white stone mansions, while examples of colonial architecture can also be seen throughout the city. Near nightly cultural events are also easy to find in Merida.
Honorable Mention: The nearby city of Izamal is also worth a visit while in the Yucatan region even just as a day trip from Merida. Known as the Ciudad Amarilla (Yellow City), Izamal earned its nickname for an obvious reason: every single building there is painted yellow. That alone is a sight to behold, but for an added historical appeal, an ancient Mayan ruin also sits in the middle of Izamal.
GUADALAJARA
Perfect for people looking to immerse themselves in Mexican culture, Guadalajara offers a wide variety of museums and cultural sites such as the Teatro Degollado, the Guadalajara Cathedral, and the Hospicio Cabañas, a neoclassical building listed as a UNSECO World Heritage site. Mariachi was born in Guadalajara and the nearby town of Tequila is the birthplace of Mexico’s most famous liquor. The combination of these two make for a lively nightlife scene in Guadalajara. For a daytime adventure and an up-close look at how tequila is made, the agave fields are easily accessible with many offering tours.
MEXICO CITY
Once mostly known for its high crime rates, Mexico City has undergone a transformation in recent years becoming a haven for foodies, culture seekers, art aficionados, and the hipsters that always accompany this kind of vibrant and modern scene. In Mexico City, the country’s capital, travelers can easily indulge in exquisite Mexican dishes, as well as a variety of international cuisine with new restaurants constantly opening. History buffs can get their fix at one of the many museums preserving Mexican heritage, while both amateur and expert art admirers shouldn’t miss the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Palace). Frida Khalo fans can also visit the iconic artist’s home, which now serves as a museum and is the ultimate homage to her life and work.
OAXACA
Surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range and mostly untouched by the overdevelopment seen in other popular destinations around the country, Oaxaca is still a traditional Mexican city. This is the place to stroll through bustling markets, admire colonial architecture, learn about the city’s highly present indigenous culture, and salivate over Oaxaca-specific delicacies. The city center is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with plenty of centuries-old buildings and attractions to discover. As an added bonus, Oaxaca hosts several festivities throughout the year, including one of Mexico’s best Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
San Miguel de Allende may not have many cultural sites to visit, but this small town in central Mexico makes up for that with its charm. Colonial buildings mix with contemporary cafes and trendy art galleries, giving the entire city a feeling of old worlds colliding with new ones. The slow pace of life here makes San Miguel de Allende the perfect place to relax or even enjoy a romantic getaway, but be sure to keep your plans flexible. That slow pace doesn’t equate a lack of things to do. This town has a calendar full of year-round festivities celebrating everything from art and music to religious holidays.
Honorable Mention: A stay in Guanajuato, a city on the UNESCO World Heritage list, can easily be added to a trip to San Miguel de Allende. Known for its subterranean streets and tunnels, there are plenty of unique nooks and crannies to discover in this colorful colonial city.
LOS CABOS
In an almost Martian-like landscape where the desert meets the sea, Los Cabos encapsulates the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, as well as the Resort Corridor that lies between them. Surfers and divers flock to this southernmost point of the Baja California peninsula to take advantage of its year-round pleasant weather and its fierce waves. For a few months in spring, marine life enthusiasts can go whale watching, while golfers can always take in the seaside views from the green.
These seven destinations are only a small preview of all that Mexico has to offer. In a country so large and diverse, every kind of traveler can find many ways to enjoy Mexico–from the budget backpacker to the luxury seeker.
So which corner of Mexico appeals to you most?
Let’s Fly!