Most Famous Places In Mexico

Mexico is a long favorite vacation destination for North Americans. It is becoming increasingly popular among tourists from Europe seeking to enjoy the country’s seemingly endless sunshine, stunning scenery and beautiful sandy beaches along with is rich cultural heritage. Mexico is also a top destination for the history lovers because it features ancient Aztec and Mayan that are acknowledged as UNESCO World heritage sites. Here are some of the most famous places in Mexico that you shouldn’t miss during your visit.

Teotihuacan

In the 2nd century BC, a new civilization arose in the valley of Mexico. This civilization built flourishing metropolis of Teotihuacan and its huge pyramids. The pyramid of the sun was built around 100 AD and it is the largest pyramid in Teotihuacan and all of Mexico. The construction of the smaller pyramid of Moon was started a century later. Seven centuries after the demise of the Teotihuacan empire the pyramids were honored and utilized by the Aztecs and became a place of pilgrimage. Mesoamerica’s greatest city is just 31 miles Northeast of Mexico city and can be reached by Bus or Taxi.

Chicken Itza

Chicken Itza is the largest Maya city on the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the most visited places in Mexico. Chicken Itza is the pyramid of the El Castillo temple. The design of the temple has special high significance. The surface of each pyramid consists of 91-step stairs, which, when combined with a step-by-step step, add up to 365, the number of days in a year. Other highlights of Chicken Itza include the Great Ball court and El Caracol, a circular temple that served as a star.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Just outside of Tulum is Cenote Dos Ojos, one of the country’s largest underwater cave systems. The name means the cavern of two eyes, referring to the two sinkholes connected by a long passageway. The water in the caverns is filtered through limestone, making it exceptionally clear. As a result, Cenote Dos Ojos is wildly popular with both snorkelers and more serious scuba divers, some of whom head deep into the underwater cavern.

Catedral Metropolitan

There is no shortage of things to do, see and explore in Mexico City, but a top attraction is unquestionably the Catedral Metropolitana. It is the oldest and the largest cathedral in Latin America, and the 16th century structure dominates the city’s central plaza, known as the Zocalo. The architecture is a blend of styles, including heavy influences from baroque and Mexican churrigueresque design. In addition to the architecture, the Catedral Metropolitana boasts an extensive art collection as well as catacombs beneath the main structure.

Guanajuato

Nestled in the mountains of the Sierra de Guanajuato lies the beautiful colonial city of Guanajuato. The city was founded in 1554 next to one of the richest silver mining areas of Mexico. The 16th-century mining boom led to the construction of beautiful haciendas and fine colonial buildings. Guanajuato streets and many colorful alleyways spread out in every direction while most of its traffic is served by a network of underground tunnels making it an excellent city for pedestrians.

Dias des los Muertos, Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca is well known for having one of the best Dia de Los Muertos festivals in Mexico, a holiday celebrated in many parts of Latin America. In Mexico the festival can be traced back thousands of years ago to indigenous cultures such as the Zapotec and Aztec. In Oaxaca the Day of the Dead Festival starts at the end of October when families prepare the tombs for the return of the spirits. During this time tombs and home altars are decorated with flowers and families leave offerings for the spirits in the cemeteries.

Cozumel

Located just off the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The underwater world around Cozumel was discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1959 who called it one of the best diving areas in the world. Since that time Cozumel has become a National Marine Park to protect the delicate balance of its beautiful coral reefs and amazing variety of tropical fish.

El Arco

El Arco is an incredible arch found in Cabo San Lucas. This unique rock formation marks the spot where the Pacific Ocean becomes the Gulf of California. The arch has become an icon of Cabo San Lucas, and it can be viewed from several angles. A stroll along the beach gives the opportunity for amazing pictures of El Arco, not to mention views of the blue waters, the gray whales that frequently frolic in the ocean and additional rock formations along the coastline.

Palenque

Palenque is an archaeological site that was located on the western edge of the Maya empire in the present-day state of Chiapas, Mexico. Palenque is much smaller than some of its Mayan neighbor cities, but it contains some of the finest architecture and sculptures the Maya ever produced. Most structures in Palenque date from about 600 AD to 800 AD including the Temple of Inscriptions, the only Mesoamerican pyramid built as a funerary monument.

Tulum

Tulum is situated on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It once served as the major port of the Mayan city of Coba. Tulum was built around 1200 AD when the Mayan civilization was already in decline and therefore lacks the elegance of some other famous sites. The tropical beach backdrop however makes this a stunning top attraction that should not be missed. Accommodation can range from simple cabanas to 5 star luxury resorts.