Destinations of the week
The most overrated tourist attractions in Mexico — and where to go instead
By Madeline Diamond, INSIDER From Business Insider
The INSIDER Summary:
Mexico is a popular tourist destination, but like every beautiful destination, there are spots to avoid.
Instead of going to the uber-touristy Cancun, visit the pristine Isla de Mujeres nearby.
Instead of visiting Xcaret Park, enjoy the incredible Uxmal ruins.
Mexico is full of beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and rich local culture, not to mention Travel + Leisure’s top-ranked city of 2017, San Miguel de Allende. However, as with any popular vacation destination, there are also many overrated spots.
Popular destinations such as Cancún and Cozumel are often overpriced and overcrowded, for example. Instead, check out more laid back and under-the-radar spots like Tulum and Yelapa. In fact, why not avoid the beach all together and explore the beauty of central Mexico in the cities of Guadalajara and Tequila?
Keep reading to see how you can get off of Mexico’s beaten path.
Instead of visiting touristy Xcaret Park, enjoy the incredible ancient Uxmal ruins.
The Uxmal ruins are some of Mexico’s most impressive.Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock and posztos/Shutterstock
Xcaret Park is an “eco theme park” that celebrates Mexico’s natural surroundings and culture. However, the park’s admission is pricey and you’re not getting an authentic experience when it comes to Mexican history. Not to mention how crowded it can be.
Instead of essentially visiting a Mayan ruin-themed amusement park, check out the practically untouched Uxmal ruins, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Mayan city’s giant temples are in surprisingly great condition considering that they are thousands of years old. You also won’t want to miss the giant Pyramid of the Magician, which towers above the site.
Instead of going on an expensive boat tour, go snorkeling in a cenote.
Visit a sea cave to get a closer look at marine life.Cassiohabib/Shutterstock and Africa Studio/Shutterstock
A boat tour may sound like a fun way to spend a day, but these trips can get crazy expensive, and if you want to experience the true beauty of the ocean, you’re better off going snorkeling.
Mexico is known for its beautiful sea caves, such as Two Eyes Cenote (Dos Ojos) in Tulum, which offers amazing snorkeling and scuba diving in crystal clear, mineral-rich waters.
Instead of trying to find a spot on the crowded beaches of Cabo San Lucas, check out the more peaceful beaches of Tulum.
Tulum is an underrated gem.Jo Ann Snover/Shutterstock and maxuser/Shutterstock
The beaches in Cabo are beautiful, but they’re also some of the most crowded. Tulum is just as stunning, with its clear blue water and ancient ruins along the water, but generally less touristy. Tulum is a great option for a more low-key beach vacay in Mexico, plus, wedding planners love it for destination weddings.
Instead of visiting the Zócalo in Mexico City, enjoy the colorful architecture of San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel de Allende was named the best city of 2017 by Travel + Leisure.dubassy/Shutterstock and Bill Perry/Shutterstock
Mexico City has great restaurants and museums, but it can be overwhelming and packed. The city’s main square in particular, the Zócalo, is an impressive sight, but it’s filled with tourists and people trying to peddle cheap souvenirs.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende.Bill Perry/ Shutterstock
Instead, visit the more off-the-beaten-path San Miguel de Allende, which was named the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure this year. Its colorful streets and gorgeous architecture make it the perfect vacation destination for those looking to immerse themselves in Mexican culture in a more urban way.
Instead of going to Cancún, visit the quieter beach town of Isla Mujeres.
Isla Mujeres is right next to Cancún, but it has a totally different atmosphere.Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock and
Isla Mujeres has all the benefits of an isolated island paradise but with the accessibility of a major vacation destination. The small island is only 8 miles from Cancún by boat, but it is much more relaxed than the infamous Spring Break location.
Though small, there’s plenty to do on Isla Mujeres, as the island has beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and even an underwater museum.
Instead of just doing tequila shots at Señor Frog’s, go on a tour of the oldest tequila distillery in Latin America.
See how tequila gets made in Tequila, Mexico.T photography/Shutterstock and Marcel Kriegl/Shutterstock
Drinking tequila in Mexico is a must, but why not take the extra step to learn about how it is made?
Leave your hotel and the touristy bars like Señor Frog’s behind and go straight to the source: the town of Tequila, outside of Guadalajara. While there are many distilleries and tasting rooms in the city, La Rojeña is the oldest one in all of Latin America.
From brick ovens that cook agave to barrels used for aging, you’ll get an inside look at the popular beverage that people often associate with Mexico. Plus, you can bring home an authentic souvenir.
Instead of buying cheap souvenirs at shopping malls, head to Mercado de Jamaica for local treats and fresh flowers
Mercado de Jamaica in Mexico City is perfect for authentic souvenirs.erlucho/Shutterstock and Doc G./Yelp
Instead of buying a magnet or t-shirt in touristy spots like La Isla Shopping Village in Cancún, which has many stores that can be found back in the US, look into buying specialty items like chocolate, mole paste, and local candies.
Mexico City has tons of markets that specialize in everything from antiques to homemade gifts, but one of the best is the Mercado de Jamaica. The traditional market has been around since the 1950s, and features a plethora of handmade wares.
Instead of just staying in beach towns like Cozumel, venture inland to the beautiful city of Guadalajara.
There’s more to Mexico than just beautiful beaches.posztos/Shutterstock and IDEA LAB Production/Shutterstock
There are many gorgeous cities in Mexico that don’t get enough attention because they’re not near the ocean. Sure, the beach in Cozumel is great, but inland Mexico will show you an entirely different side of the country — and a much less crowded one.
Guadalajara is a hub for artists, and as a result there are tons of hip restaurants, galleries, and modern architecture mixed with historic charm.
Instead of battling crowds at tourist-filled bars, visit the relaxed beach bar scene in Yelapa.
Yelapa’s laidback vibe is a far cry from Puerto Vallarta.Chris Howey/Shutterstock and salajean/Shutterstock
Yelapa is less than 60 miles south of the popular vacation destination of Puerto Vallarta, but the two beach towns couldn’t be more different.
Instead of paying a premium for drinks in a crowded setting, consider taking a break from the resort scene and cozying up in a smaller beach town. Yelapa is known for its small community of beachside bars that will provide a much more relaxing setting than the wild nightlife of better-known resort towns.
Instead of going cliff jumping at Ik-Kil Cenote, go on a more fulfilling adventure at the Las Pozas sculpture garden.
Instead of going cliff jumping at Ik-Kil Cenote, go on a more fulfilling adventure at the Las Pozas sculpture garden.
Las Pozas is a garden filled with unique stone sculptures in the middle of the rainforest.schlyx/Shutterstock and Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock
Cliff jumping is fun, especially in one of Mexico’s many cenotes, like Ik-Kil Cenote, but instead of waiting in line over and over again just to jump in a big pool, consider visiting a sculpture garden that’s in the middle of a rainforest and 2,000 feet above sea level.
Located in San Luis Potosi State Park, the Las Pozas garden was created by the English poet Edward James. It features a multitude of sculptures, and perfectly combines art and adventure.
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