mexico tourist facts

45 Fun Facts About Mexico That Will Surprise You in 2024

Here’s a Fun fact about Mexico — It’s actually not called Mexico 😳

Mexico’s official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States or United States of Mexico). Besides this, there are so many fun facts about Mexico and interesting facts about Mexico that you’re about to discover. 

As a large country, Mexico is packed with rich culture, world class food, and incredible heritage and history. This actually made it difficult to narrow the list down because there are so many cool things about Mexico.

Keep reading to discover the 45 most interesting facts about Mexico — including facts about Mexico City, general fun facts about Mexico, and other interesting things about Mexico that make it so unique.

45 Interesting & Fun Facts About Mexico 

1. mexico has the world’s largest pyramid.

If you asked most people where the largest pyramid on Earth is located, 99% of them would likely say Egypt.

However, the Great Pyramid of Cholula in the Mexican Federal State Puebla happens to be the largest pyramid in the world (by volume; not height). This pyramid is in Cholula, Mexico , near Puebla City.

Incredibly, this massive pyramid is mostly buried underground!

When the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico, they put Catholic churches right on top of preexisting temples, and the Great Pyramid is located underneath the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Cholula church.

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is said to have been constructed in honor of one of the central Aztec gods, Quetzalcoatl (pronounced ketz-al-coe-uh).

At 4.5 million cubic meters, it’s massive! Visitors can tour many of its underground passageways when visiting the ancient city of Cholula.

Fun facts about Mexico

2. mexico has more than 30 pyramids.

Besides the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico has many others! Built in 900 BC, the Great Pyramid of La Venta in the state of Tabasco, is the oldest.

Located at the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins , one of the Seven Wonders of the World, you’ll find the famous Kukulkan Pyramid.

While I won’t list all the best Mexico pyramids here, one of the most interesting facts about Mexico is that it’s home to most of the world’s Mayan and Aztec Ruins.

These include the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan Ruins , Monte Alban Pyramids in Oaxaca, Tepozteco Pyramid in Tepoztlan, Templo Mayor Aztec Pyramid in Mexico City, and The Great Pyramid at Calakmul Ruins in Yucatan.

3. U.S. Citizens Make Up the Largest Mexico Expat Group 

Our number 3 interesting facts about Mexico might shock you! For all the negative press about Mexico in the mainstream U.S. news, the largest foreign-born population in Mexico are U.S. citizens.

In a twist to the decades-long trend of Mexican immigrants journeying to the United States, data indicates that in recent years, more people have done the opposite, moving from the US to its southern neighbor in droves. Source: Business Insider

According to a 2019 Business Insider magazine report, more Americans are immigrating to Mexico than the other way around.

In fact, the U.S. State Department says that 1.6 million U.S. citizens live in Mexico as of 2022 — and that number only continues to grow year after year.

4. Mexico Has No Official Language

More so than not having one single official language, Mexico actually has 68 official languages. This places Mexico as one of the most linguistically-diverse countries in the world.

Though Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world, and most Mexicans do speak Spanish, there are 68 other recognized languages.

The Maya language and Aztec Nahuatl language (pronounced nah-wah-tull) are among the most prominent indigenous languages in Mexico.

An important part of Mexican culture that many work to preserve, you might hear people speaking these native languages on your visit. However, there are more Spanish speakers than anything.

5. Mexico is the Top Latin America Travel Destination

Here’s one of the more amazing facts about Mexico for you: According to World Tourism Organization reports, Mexico sees the highest number of international visitors of any Latin American country.

This travel trend only seems to increase year after year, and now Mexico ranks as the third most-visited country in the world .

In 2019, 45 million visitors came to Mexico — the highest amount of any year on record.

Despite near-halted travel in 2020 due to Covid, Mexico still saw about 25 million international visitors in 2020.

According to the Mexican Tourism Secretary , in 2022, an estimated 66 million international visitors arrived in Mexico — which was up 19.3% from 2021.

Did our number 5 interesting facts about Mexico shock you?

As a Mexico blogger , I get asked A LOT about safety — and I get told A LOT that people don’t want to visit Mexico because it’s so unsafe. Needless to say, this was one of the Mexico interesting facts that shocked me.

6. The Meteor that Killed the Dinosaurs Hit Mexico

The huge asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs some 65 million years ago, hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula .

More specifically, the direct hit was in the town now known as Chicxulub (pronounced chee-chee-lube), a Yucatan beach town on the Gulf of Mexico.

Employees from Mexico’s state oil company, PEMEX, discovered the large crater in 1981 while they were drilling an oil well.

This massive crater is 1,950-square-feet wide (180 m²), though located underground, so visitors can’t tour it.

7. Mexico Has Some of the Friendliest and Happiest People

Here’s one of the most fun facts about Mexico culture: According to the Happy Planet Index , Mexicans are the second happiest people in the world, after Costa Ricans.

Their findings show “wellbeing in Mexico is higher than in neighboring USA,” thanks to things like universal health care and an emphasis on family and community.

Similar findings from Blue Zones place Mexicans among the happiest people on Earth.

A 2020 Condé Nast Traveler magazine reader’s poll of Friendliest Cities in the World saw two Mexico cities crack the Top 10 — Merida, Mexico took third, and San Miguel de Allende , fourth.

Did our number 7 interesting facts about Mexico surprise you? Until I moved to Mexico in 2018, it would have shocked me. However, I see everyday that Mexicans really are generally quite jovial.

8. A Mexican Invented Color TV

The inventor of color television, Guillermo González Camarena, was born in Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara .

In 1940, when he was just 23, he requested a patent for the first color image transmission system. It was eventually used in the Voyager 1 Spacecraft.

💊 Random Facts About Mexico

Birth control pills were invented by a Mexican, and invented in Mexico!

Luis Ernesto Miramontes Cardenas, a 25-year-old chemist from Nayarit state , combined progestin norethisterone in one of the first three oral birth control pills ever made.

9. Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day

As we close in on the Top 10 surprising facts about Mexico list, let’s clear up this popular misconception about Cinco de Mayo in Mexico vs Independence Day in Mexico.

One of the biggest holidays in Mexico , the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration takes place at midnight on September 16 — not May 5th, which translates to Cinco de Mayo.

It usually starts earlier in the day with partying and cultural celebrations, but officially begins with El Grito de Dolores , and is often followed by fireworks.

The Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) was the rallying call given to Mexican troops before going into battle against the Spanish.

Proclaimed by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the city of Dolores Hidalgo , this cry is said to have triggered the Mexican War of Independence.

10. Mexicans Don’t Really Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Here’s one of the most fun facts about Puebla Mexico: Outside of the city of Puebla, most Mexicans don’t celebrate 5 de Mayo .

While outside of Mexico, particularly in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo is a celebrated holiday, in Mexico, it’s really not.

For those who make the trip to Cinco de Mayo in Puebla , it’s a festive time with parades, music in the streets, battle reenactments, special foods like chile en nogada , and more.

The holiday, which commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla, is much more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico.

It also is often incorrectly labeled as Mexican Independence Day — however, that holiday takes place on September 16th.

11. Mexico has One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and among the best ruins in Mexico.

Both having about two million visitors each year, Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan Ruins near Mexico City are the country’s most visited sites.

The Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins are located about 3.5 hours west of Cancun, in Yucatan State.

This state is one of three that make up the Yucatan Peninsula, where you’ll find hundreds of Mayan Ruins in Mexico , including Coba , Uxmal , Tulum Ruins and more.

12. Yucatan was Named in Confusion

Here’s one of the more fun facts about Mexico culture: The name, Yucatan Peninsula , is said to have resulted from a miscommunication when a Spaniard asked a local Mayan the name of the area.

He replied: Ma’anaatik ka t’ann , which sounds like yucatan — and means “I don’t understand you” in the Maya language.

Chichen Itza is considered the most archaeologically-important because of the number of buildings there, and architectural styles used.

When at Chichen Itza, you’ll see about 15 structures, including the central pyramid, El Castillo AKA the Temple of Kukulkan.

13. Mexico has 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Mexico has the seventh most UNESCO World Heritage sites of any country in the world (Italy actually has the most). Here are just some of these natural and manmade landmarks in Mexico :

• The ancient ruins of Chichen Itza , Palenque , Teotihuacan and Uxmal
• The historic mines of Guanajuato
• Canals of Xochimilco Mexico City
• Downtown areas of Mexican cities including Puebla City, Oaxaca City, Querétaro City, Morelia and Zacatecas City
• Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve near Tulum

14. Mexico has 177 Magic Towns (Pueblos Magicos)

Mexico pueblos magicos , or magic towns, are similar to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, this designation is exclusive to Mexico.

There are currently 177 pueblos (smaller towns as opposed to large cities) recognized for special qualities including unique history, stunning natural beauty, cultural festivals, and more.

However, the list can (and likely will) change in the future as more towns are added, or removed. Maintained by the Mexican Tourism Secretary, they can both award and revoke the title of pueblo magico.

15. Mexico is the Birthplace of North American Printing

Rounding out the Top 15 facts about Mexico, let’s talk printing. Long before Kindles and audiobooks, Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City) was the place to get your literature in North America.

In fact, the first printing press in the New World was actually used in Mexico long before making its way to the U.S.

In 1539, the Casa de la Primera Imprenta de América, or House of the First Printing Press, was opened to publish books.

Located in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown), visitors to Mexico City can still tour this house/printing press today.

🇲🇽 Bonus Fun Mexico City Facts: Mexico City is the highest city in Mexico at 7,350-feet (2,240 m). It is the eighth highest capital city on Earth — the highest is La Paz, Bolivia, at 11,950-feet high (3,640 m).

16. Cholula Mexico is the Oldest City in North America

Cholula is the oldest city on the Americas Continent, according to World Atlas . Sources date its founding to about 2000 BC.

They place Mexico City’s founding at more than 1,000 years later, in 1325. However, some sources mistakenly call Mexico City the oldest city in North America.

Cholula, located in Puebla state, and Mexico City are only about 78 miles (126 km) from one another. As such, the general area has been inhabited for thousands of years.

In fact, the Tlapacoya archeological site near Mexico City shows evidence of humans 22,000 years ago. That’s right: American cultures existed in Mexico for several thousands of years.

17. Mexico has the Largest University in the World

The National University of Mexico was founded by Charles V of Spain in 1551, making it the oldest university in North America. It was founded a full 85 years before Harvard University.

The National University was run by the Catholic church until it came under State control in 1910.

In the 1920s, it became autonomous from the church, and its name changed to the National Autonomous University of Mexico — better known as UNAM Mexico.

Today, UNAM is considered one of the best universities in the world. When you visit Mexico City, you can also visit the campus.

In Mexico, public universities are free for citizens to attend, but UNAM is among the most competitive to get into. With more than 300,000 students, it is also the largest university in the world.

The UNAM Central University City Campus in Mexico City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with buildings made by some of Mexico’s top architects and artists.

The Central Library, designed by architect and painter Juan O’Gorman, has one of the largest murals in the world.

There are also buildings, murals and artwork by other famous Mexican artists at UNAM, like Diego Reivera and David Alfaro Siquieros.

18. Mexican Kids Don’t Get Presents on Christmas

Here’s one of the most fun facts about Christmas in Mexico: Some people and children don’t open presents on December 25th or even December 24th. This is actually when most Mexican Christmas festivities take place.

This is one of the most interesting facts about Mexico culture, and something unique to this country and other Latin countries.

Rather than giving gifts on Christmas in Mexico , essentially the birthday of Jesus, Mexicans instead exchange presents on Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day).

According to Biblical texts, this is the day the Three Wise Men arrived to give gifts to the Baby Jesus — so some children in Mexico get their holiday season gifts on January 6; not December 25.

19. Mexico’s Christmas season lasts for almost two months

Need more fun facts about Mexico Christmas? Beginning in December , you’ll find Posadas or nightly holiday celebrations throughout the country.

These can be everywhere from in people’s private homes to rented halls, and as citywide public celebrations.

The Posadas symbolize the Biblical story in which Joseph and Mary made a month-long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, in search of a place to give birth to their baby.

For many, the Mexican Christmas begins on December 12 with Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, and the Mexican Christmas season ends after Three Kings Day on January 6. This is jokingly called the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon.

However, some say it ends in February, not January. These people also include the Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas) holiday on February 2, and say the Mexico Christmas season ends on that day.

As this is not one of the major Christmas holidays in Mexico , the majority put the official ending date as January 6th, on the Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day).

20. Mexico Has Been Inhabited for About 22,000 Years

For years, archeologists could only date Mexico’s inhabitants back to the Olmec civilization , about 3,700 years ago.

Among the first Mesoamericans to create complex societies, the Olmec’s unique cultural practices influenced later civilizations, like the Maya and Aztecs.

However, in recent years the Tlapacoya archeological site near Mexico City shows evidence of humans an astounding 22,000 years ago.

At this site, they have uncovered the bones of black bear, two species of deer and a curved obsidian blade that date back thousands of years.

21. The World’s Smallest Dog Comes from Mexico

The Chihuahua is the smallest known dog breed. It was first bred in the Northern Mexican state of Chihuahua — for which the dog is named.

⛰️ Bonus Mexico Fun Fact: The state of Chihuahua is located in the Sierra Madre Occidental. This is Mexico’s largest mountain range, which covers about 121,485 square miles (314,645 square kilometers) in area.

Chihuahuas are said to be descendants of the techichi , an ancient and barkless companion from the Toltec civilization.

22. The national dog of Mexico is the Xoloitzcuintli

Speaking of bark-less dogs, Mexico’s national dog is the xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-squink-lay). They are called xolo (pronounced show-low) for short.

This ancient breed of Mexican animals are also hairless, and come in small, medium and large sizes — meaning Mexico is home to one of the only hairless dog breeds in the world.

They’re sacred to the Aztecs, and said to deliver souls to the underworld. In fact, xolos are even considered a Day of the Dead symbol for this reason, and said to have a connection to Xolotl, the Aztec god of lightning.

23. Day of the Dead is a National Holiday

Though about 85% of Mexicans identify as Catholic — the world’s second-largest Catholic population after Brazil — one of its biggest national holidays comes directly from the ancient religions.

The origins of Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead , date back to the Aztec celebration of the goddess Mictecacihuatl . This was their Queen of the Underworld.

Much like the current Day of the Dead holiday, the Aztec festival was a celebratory affair. This means that for centuries, there have been Mexico Day of the Dead celebrations .

After Mexican colonization by the Spanish, who brought with them Catholicism, the festival was moved from early-summer to fall.

The new holidays dates, November 1 and November 2, coincided with Allhallowtide, a Catholic multi-day holiday commemorating the deceased.

⚠️ Note: The holiday officially begins at midnight on Nov. 1. For this reason, some say it begins on Oct. 31, and not Nov. 1 (but it’s really the same thing).

In Mexico today, Day of the Dead is a national holiday. It is among the most important holidays in Mexico , and celebrated across the country.

Some celebrations are larger than others, like the Mexico City Day of the Dead parade , the elaborate Oaxaca Day of the Dead festival, and the Hanal Pixan Festival in Merida (AKA Mayan Day of the Dead).

24. Day of the Dead is NOT Mexican Halloween

Aside from costumes and face painting, Day of the Dead in Mexico City and the rest of Mexico is not the same as Halloween in the U.S.

The holiday is all about reuniting and partying with our departed loved ones, who’s spirits return Earth-side for just a few hours each year.

Mexico is also home to the world’s largest celebrations of Día de Muertos. There are celebrations in Guatemala (Kite Festival) and Bolivia (Day of the Skulls), but nothing tops Mexico’s grandeur.

25. Mexico has the Most Taxi Cabs in the World

In Mexico City alone, with its massive population of nearly nine million, there are more than 140,000 taxi cabs on the roads.

This is said to be the world’s largest fleet of cabs. However, nowadays there’s also Mexico ride sharing apps like Uber, DiDi and BlaBlaCar.

🇲🇽 Bonus Fun Facts About Mexico City: Mexico has 32 states , including Mexico City, which is both the capital city and a state. Much like in the U.S., each state has its own unique identity, customs and culture.

26. Mexico is the 4th Most Biodiverse Country

If you were to ask me to name 5 interesting things about Mexico off the top of my head, biodiversity would be one of them.

Located between the Arctic Circle and Equator, Mexico has a large variety of plant and animal life . In fact, Mexico has about 12% of the world’s biodiversity.

It’s the fourth most biodiverse country in the world, behind Brazil, China and Ecuador, respectively — which I find to be one of the most interesting facts of Mexico.

In the waters off the Baja California Peninsula on Mexico’s West Coast, you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of El Vizcaino, popular for Mexico whale watching .

There’s also the world’s second largest reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Cozumel Island . It is second only to the Great Barrier Reef near Australia.

Mexico has seven different climatic zones, giving it a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from cloud forests and tropical rainforests (jungles), to large lakes and lagoons, and even waterfalls and coral reefs.

In the north, you’ll find deserts, and the second largest canyon in North America, the Copper Canyon . ❄️ It also snows in northern Mexico in the winter, particularly the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

27. There are Jaguars in Mexico

North America’s largest wildcat, the jaguar, can be found in the Y ucatán Peninsula . This area is located in the southern parts of the country.

A sacred animal of the Maya, be the lookout for this rarely-spotted feline while headed into the jungles for an innocent swim in one of the best Tulum cenotes .

The rainforests and wetlands in the south are also teeming with other exotic animals and tropical plant species like coatimundis, quetzalcoatl birds , pumas, iguanas and more.

There are also more than 700 reptile species found in Mexico — the most found in any one country around the world. As you can see there are a lot of cool animals from Mexico .

28. Mexico has Almost 7,000 Miles of Coastline

If you ask most people What is Mexico known for? — they will likely say tacos , tequila and beaches .

While there’s more to the country than those things, Mexico is one of the few countries on Earth that has more coastline than it has land borders.

🗺️ Mexico’s Neighboring Countries: Mexico shares a border with Guatemala, Belize, and of course, the U.S. The U.S.-Mexico border is about 1,950-miles-long (3,145 km).

Depending on where you are in Mexico, you can swim in the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Sea of Cortez (AKA Gulf of California), Bay of Campeche, and more.

There are also several large lakes, like Lake Chapala near Guadalajara, and Bacalar Lagoon . Lake Bacalar Lagoon is also known as the Lake of Seven Color and the Maldives of Mexico.

Side Note: Did you know Mexico has its own version of the Maldives? Mexico is a land with many surprises, and there’s a lot to know about Mexico — so let’s keep going!

29. Mexico has one of the only Blowholes on Earth, La Bufadora

This is one of the Top 5 things about Mexico that shocked me when I learned about it! Located just outside of Ensenada, Mexico lies La Bufadora, which means “the blowhole.”

This natural wonder in the Punta Banda Peninsula of Baja California state (not Baja California Sur state), is a must-visit and among the most fun places in Mexico.

La Bufadora , located on a rocky cliff, has a hole that shoots water into the air up to 100-feet (30 m) above the ocean.

It is one of only a handful of blowholes in the world that reach this height; others include Halona Blowhole in Hawaii, Kiama Blowhole in Australia and Hummanaya Blowhole in Sri Lanka.

30. Mexico has the World’s Smallest Volcano

Mexico is home to the smallest volcano on Earth, Cuexcomate Volcano, located outside Puebla City, Mexico . It stands at an adorable 43-feet-tall (13 m).

When compared to the tallest volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, at 13,678-feet-tall (4,169 m), Cuexcomate is barely a hill.

31. Mexico has 42 volcanoes

There are 42 active volcanoes in Mexico, as well as thousands of inactive volcanoes.

The country is located on the Ring of Fire — the most seismically-active region on Earth. This is where you’ll find 75% of Earth’s volcanoes, and where 90% of all earthquakes happen.

The highest peak in Mexico is actually an inactive stratovolcano, the Pico de Orizaba (or, Volcan Citlaltepetl), located in Puebla state.

It stands at about 18,500-feet (5,650 m) above sea level. Pico de Orizaba is the third largest volcano in North America, and very popular for climbers.

🐰 Weird Facts About Mexico: Mexico is home to a very rare rabbit called the volcano rabbit, which lives around the volcanoes in the country.

32. Millions of Butterflies Migrate to and from Mexico Each Year

Every November , millions (possibly billions) of monarch butterflies 🦋 make their annual 3,000-mile migration from Canada to Mexico. They remain here from about November to March.

Located not far from Mexico City, the Mexico Monarch Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you visit Central Mexico during their migration season, this is one of the most fun things to do in Mexico.

One of the best places to see the butterflies in Mexico is the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Biosphere . It is located two hours from Mexico City near the lakefront town of Valle de Bravo .

33. Mexico has the Most Cenotes on Earth

Mexico is known for its beautiful cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays) — which are basically natural freshwater pools.

There are about 6,000 cenotes in Mexico, with most in the Yucatan Peninsula and near the Yucatan coast. They’re all connected as part of the largest underwater cave system on Earth.

You can learn more about the best cenotes in Mexico, and the best things to do in Yucatan, in this article: 25 Best Places in Yucatan Mexico: Ruins, Beaches, Cenotes .

🤔 What are cenotes?

The actual definition you might see for cenotes is a “sinkhole.”

This describes the process of how the cenotes came to be — as all cenotes were once enclosed in the native limestone rock, but over time some of the rock eroded, to expose the cenote water beneath.

Nowadays, thanks to YouTube, TikTok and social media, the photogenic cenotes have become popular for swimming and photography.

However, cenotes are sacred for the Mayan people , who used them as a freshwater source, places of worship, and more. In fact, so much of the Mayan world is in Mexico, and well-preserved.

34. Mexico City has the Second Most Museums of Any City

While this is one of those fun facts about Mexico City that’s hotly debated, know that Mexico City has a lot of museums .

For many years, it was widely considered that London had the most museums, followed by Mexico City.

In recent years, Moscow and Paris now claim they have the most — but this is hard to really know as it depends on how to properly define what constitutes a “museum.”

According to TripAdvisor, there are about 145 museums in Mexico City — some of which you’ll find on this list of the 51 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do in Mexico City .

Among the most fun things to do in Mexico City, head to the National Anthropology Museum, Frida Kahlo Museum, Palacio Bellas Artes, Templo Mayor, and the off the beaten path Mexico City Museum of Antique Toys.

🇲🇽 Mexico Travel Tips: Nearly all museums in Mexico City are closed Mondays. On Sundays, Mexican nationals get in free to all Mexico museums, so expect big crowds that day.

35. Mexico City was Built on a Lake – And it’s sinking

One of the most bizarre and interesting facts about Mexico City is that it’s sinking.

In fact, Mexico City has sunk so much that it was once the seventh highest capital city on Earth, but has since been overtaken by Sana’a, Yemen, which is about 30-feet (9 m) higher now.

Tenochtitlan, now known as Mexico City, was once the grand Aztec Empire capital of the world. It was torn down during the Spanish Conquest led by Hernán Cortés, which began in 1521.

You can tour the ruins of their Templo Mayor (Main Temple) in Centro Historico . Located in the heart of Mexico City, this is one of three Mexico City UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

36. The Aztecs Discovered Mexico City By Prophecy

When searching for a place to establish their capital city, Aztec priests prophesied they would see an eagle on a cactus eating a snake — and know that’s where they must set up their city.

The Aztecs ultimately found the eagle, perched on a cactus in Lake Texcoco. Since they couldn’t ignore the prophecy, they built their city on top of the lake.

As a result of unstable ground, Mexico City is sinking by about 4.75-inches (12 cm) each year.

37. Mexico’s National Symbol is the Golden Eagle

This image of the eagle remained an enduring symbol, and is pictured in the center of Mexico’s flag.

In the Mexican Coat of Arms, located in the white stripe on the Mexican flag, you’ll see an eagle on a nopal (cactus), with a snake in its mouth and talons.

38. Mexico Only has One Gun Store, Located in Mexico City

Though its sinister reputation may lead you to think otherwise, Mexico has some of the world’s strictest firearm laws and regulations.

In fact, Mexico has only one gun store in the entire country. It is located in Mexico City, and operated by the Mexican military.

To purchase a gun in Mexico, citizens have to subject themselves to background checks, fingerprinting, submitting references, being photographed, and other steps.

After satisfying all these requirements, they may buy just one gun and one box of bullets — which is one of the most fun facts of Mexico City that many aren’t expecting.

39. There are Women-Only Cars in the Mexico City Subway

Like any large city, Mexico City has higher crime rates than small cities, and higher incidents of pickpocketing and petty theft.

To compare cities, Mexico City is about as safe as New York City — and much like NYC, you must exercise caution on the subway, especially during rush hour.

In an effort to make the Mexico City Metro safer for women, the front subway carriages are for women and children only.

Also, most public buses are large with two or three cars for each one, and similarly, the front part of Mexico City buses are women only.

⚠️ For tips on Mexico City safety, check out this Ultimate Mexico City Solo Travel Guide for Female Travelers , which even non-solo travelers will learn a lot from.

40. Chocolate Originated in Mexico

Here’s one of the most delicious and interesting facts Mexico has: The ancient Mexican civilizations, including the Olmec, Aztec peoples, Toltec, and Maya, have been cultivating cacao trees more than 3,000 years ago.

In fact, the English word “chocolate” is derived from the Aztec word, xocolatl . This word comes from Nahuatl, the Aztec language.

It has long been consumed in drink form, but the cacao beans were also used as a form of currency, often valued at more than gold.

In different parts of Mexico, you can still enjoy ancient drinking chocolates, like atole , champurrado , and tascalate .

There’s also tejate , which is lovingly called “the drink of the gods.” This is one of the best Oaxaca food and drinks you need to try when you visit.

41. Mexico is the World’s Largest Beer Exporter

In 2019, Mexico exported $4.2 billion worth of beer. The Netherlands, which produces Heineken, is the world’s second biggest beer exporter with sales of $2.1 billion — only about half as much as Mexico.

🍺 What’s the best selling beer in Mexico? According to Wiki , it’s Corona, which is one of the five most-consumed beers in the world, and available in more than 150 countries.

While Corona is the most known and most consumed of all Mexican beers, there are plenty more to try, both

Next time you’re in the market, check out some of these other best Mexican beers : Dos Equis, Negra Modelo, Sol, Pacifico, Indio, Tecate, Victoria, Bohemia and Carta Blanca.

42. Mexico is the World’s Top Coca-Cola Consumer

On average in Mexico, there’s an astounding 163 liters consumed annually by each person! This translates to half a liter every day, and of course, high rates of diabetes, obesity and more.

🥤 Fun Facts of Mexico: Coca-Cola is so popular that it’s even part of the unique religious ceremony at Iglesia San Juan church in San Juan Chamula , Chiapas.

In fact, Mexico is considered the second most overweight country on Earth, behind the U.S. Many point the finger right at soda over-consumption, and the government is starting to take measures.

In the state of Oaxaca , children can no longer legally purchase soda on their own. Hopefully soon, this will help change the fact that Mexico is the largest consumer of soda.

43. Traditional Mexican Food is UNESCO Approved

In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — better known as UNESCO —  declared Mexican food an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind and Immaterial World Cultural Heritage.

Mexican cuisine is elaborate and symbol-laden, with everyday tortillas and tamales, both made of corn, forming an integral part of Day of the Dead offerings. Source: UNESCO

In short, this is a fancy way of saying traditional Mexican food is important, amazing, and a gift to mankind!

This prestigious culinary designation, which has only been bestowed to Mexico and France, highlights Mexican ingredients as well as cooking preparations.

While corn is a staple food in Mexico, it was the nixtamalization process that allowed for the creation of tortillas (as well as tamales).

🌮 Fun Facts of Mexico: Tacos are eaten all over the country, but burritos are only common in Northern Mexico cities like Monterrey and Ciudad Juarez, considered the birthplace of the burrito.

44. Mexico has 59 Varieties of Corn

For centuries, Mexican farmers have been growing corn 🌽 In fact, there’s no country in the world as socially, economically and culturally linked to corn as Mexico.

It has been one of the top staple foods, and cooking ingredients in traditional Mexican cuisine, for thousands of years. 

There are 59 varieties of indigenous corn, in colors ranging from red and blue, to green and white, which all come from the same wild species, called teosinte .

With so many varieties, there are multiple words for corn, though maíz is the most commonly-used.

45. Tomatoes Come from Mexico

Tomatoes are actually a berry, and most associated with Italian cuisine — however, they first grew in Mexico.

Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez is said to have brought the first tomato plant to Europe from Mexico in 1519.

Besides tomatoes, Mexico also gave us many of our most beloved foods including: cacao (chocolate), avocados, zucchini, vanilla, various beans and numerous types of chili peppers.

Some claim coffee also comes from Mexico, but other sources say it’s from Ethiopia.

BONUS: 10 Short Fun Facts About Mexico

Looking for 10 interesting facts about Mexico? Here’s a list of 10 short, fun facts for Mexico. Ideal for those teaching their children about Mexico, these make perfect and easily-digestible tidbits.

If you’re visiting with younger ones, these make the perfect fun facts about Mexico for kids to get them excited for the trip.

1. Mexico has the only castle in North America: Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City is the only true castle on the continent, because it’s the only place where royalty once lived — Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota.

2. Mexico is BIG: In fact, Mexico is the 13th largest country in the world.

3. It’s the 7th Most Visited Country on Earth: Mexico received 45 million international tourists in 2019.

4. It’s the 10th Most Populous Country on Earth: Mexico has a population of more than 129 million. 

5. 🇲🇽 Mexican Flag Facts: The country’s flag is red, white and green, and located in the center, there’s an eagle holding a snake in it’s claws and mouth.

6. You can’t shave and drive in Mexico: A 2008 law made this illegal, as well as putting on make-up while driving.

7. Mexicans Eat Bugs: Insects are a big part of the Mexicans diet, especially chapulines (grasshoppers), gusanos (maguey worms), and chicatanas (winged ants).

Chapulines (pronounced cha-pu-leen-es) are popular throughout Mexico, and eaten like popcorn 🍿 They’re one of the best Oaxaca foods .

8. National Dish of Mexico: Mexico actually has two national dishes, one is mole (produced moe-lay), and the other is chile en nogada .

9. Mexican children don’t get presents on Christmas: Instead, they receive their gifts on Three Kings Day, January 26. 🎁 Find out why here and discover more about one of the most fun facts about Mexico during Christmas.

10. There’s No Official Language: Mexico has the highest population of Spanish-speakers of any country, but it has 69 official languages recognized by the government.

Final Thoughts: Fun Facts About Mexico

This just scratched the surface of all the amazing and interesting facts about Mexico — but you now have a better idea of how amazing this often underrated country is.

So, just what is Mexico known for ? Though most know it simply as one big tropical Spring Break party town, I hope you’ve discovered a plethora of interesting tidbits about Mexico in this article.

In reality, there definitely are many amazing Mexico beaches — but it’s not all beaches, tacos and tequila .

For more Mexico fun facts and information, and to discover Mexico further, check out the Mexican movies and Mexico books below. These just might be your doorway to even more Mexico facts.

Best Books about Mexico

1. frida: the biography of frida kahlo.

Mexico is the country that produced one of the most famous artists of all time — Frida Kahlo. She’s also one of the most famous Mexican people of all time.

In this definitive biography on Mexico’s most famous female artist, Frida Kahlo, author Hayden Herrera examines the life and death of this Mexican icon in Frida: The Biography .

2. Like Water for Chocolate

Eventually made into a movie, Mexican author Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate tells the tale of Tita. Her lover marries her sister, though Tita hopes to win him back using her cooking skills.

Each chapter begins with a Mexican recipe explaining how to make one of the best traditional Mexican foods , like champandongo and chile en nogada .

3. Living in Mexico

A Taschen art book, Living in Mexico is a beautiful photographic journey to homes in the country — from Luis Barragan’s contemporary designs to traditional thatched-roof Mayan dwellings.

Movies about Mexico

If you prefer watching Mexico movies to reading books on Mexico , here are some of the most famous Mexican films you’ll want to check out, all featuring many famous Mexican actors .

• Y Tu Mama Tambien
• Frida : Mexico’s most famous artist
• Amores Perros
• The Mexican
• Robert Rodriguez’s Mariachi Trilogy: Desperado | El Mariachi | Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Mexico Travel Planning Guide

Should i buy mexico travel insurance.

YES — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

Can you drink the water in Mexico?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico.

Also, it helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. ( Read more )

Is it safe to rent a car in Mexico?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

Will my phone work in Mexico?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

What’s the best way to book my Mexico accommodations?

For Mexico hotels, Booking.com is the best site , but for hostels, use Hostel World . If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb.

What do I pack for Mexico?

Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.

What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend using Skyscanner .

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa. Most travelers will get a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa passport stamp a upon arrival.

• Mexico City
• Copper Canyon
• Guadalajara
• Huasteca Potosina
• San Cristóbal de las Casas
• San Miguel de Allende
• 5-Day Mexico City Itinerary
• 10-Day Baja California Road Trip
• 10-Day Chiapas Road Trip
• 10-Day Copper Canyon by Train
• 10-Day Guanajuato Road Trip
• 10-Day Yucatan Road Trip
• 10-Day Oaxaca Road Trip
• Cozumel Island
• Isla Mujeres
• Holbox Island
• Playa del Carmen
• Punta Allen
• Puerto Escondido
• Hot Springs
• Mayan Ruins
• Mountains and Valleys
• Wildlife Experiences
• Best Mexican Foods
• Best Mexican Movies
• Best Books about Mexico
• Mexican Artists

Mexico Fun Facts

• Mexico Historical Facts
• Mexican Holidays
• Day of the Dead in Mexico
• Pueblos Mágicos in Mexico

30 Mexico Fun Facts that will surprise You

• by Nellie Huang

From the origins of Mexico to its popular holidays, here are some of the most interesting Mexico fun facts that will help you better understand the country.

We all know Mexico is home to Mayan pyramids and spectacular beaches – but what else do you know about this massive country? Since moving to Mexico, I have learned so many interesting facts about this incredible, mega-diverse nation that I have to share them here with you. Here are 30 Mexico fun facts about everything from the Mexican flag to the size of its economy.

1. The name ‘Mexico’ comes from Mexica .

Mexica was one of powerful tribes of Central Mexico that first established city called Tenochtitlan on marshy island on Lake Texcoco, during 1325 AD. The Mexica formed an alliance with other peoples around Lake Texcoco and this alliance later became the Aztec empire. This is where the name “Mexico” came from.

2. Mexico is home to more Spanish speakers than any other country in the world .

About 60% of Mexicans speak Spanish as their first language. That means there are over 67 million people in Mexico who speak Spanish, making up half of the world’s Spanish-speaking population. The remaining Mexican population speak the Nahuatl, Maya and other native Mexican languages which have been spoken since pre-colonization times.

3. Mexico was partly responsible for the creation of the USA.

An interesting historical fact : Mexico fought for its independence during 1810-1821 against Spain, partially inspiring US President Thomas Jefferson to create an independent republic in North America after seeing Mexican’s successful war of independence.

4. The Mexican independence day is celebrated in fervor each year.

Mexicans celebrate their independence on September 16th every year since 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave his famous “Grito de Dolores” or “Cry of Dolores” speech on the steps of the town’s church and declared Mexico’s independence from Spain. It’s one of the most important Mexican holidays celebrated in fervor across the country.

5. Mexico is home to 35 UNESCO world heritage sites.

One of the most interesting facts about Mexico is that there are 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico. The country ranks first in the Americas and seventh worldwide by number of Heritage sites. Some of the most renown UNESO cites in Mexico are:

• Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
• Historic Centre of Puebla
• Historic Town of Guanajuato  
• Pre-Hispanic City Palenque  
• Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza  
• Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan  

6. Mexico celebrates a lot of festivals.

Every single week, there is a festival somewhere in Mexico celebrating a saint or important figure from Mexican history or culture.  In addition to these local celebrations, major Mexican holidays such as Christmas and Easter are celebrated with nationwide fiestas that draw huge crowds from across the country.  

The biggest festival of them all is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead , that occurs every year on November 1st and 2nd.  The iconic festival is a lively celebration to honor the deceased, with elaborate altars, food offerings, flowers and more. The roots of the Day of the Dead go back some 3,000 years. Read our guide to celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico City and Oaxaca Dia de los Muertos .

7. Mexico City is home to the Tenochitlan ancient city.

Although Mexico City has been host to immigrants for centuries – including indigenous Mexicans and descendants of European invaders – there’s only one true city that has remained inhabited continuously since 1524: San Juan Tenochitlan . It was largely destroyed by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés after a siege, and modern-day Mexico City now lies over its remains.

At the heart of the city was a sacred area called Templo Mayor. Within the enclosure were more than seventy buildings, and these were surrounded by a wall decorated with images of serpents. Today, the ruins of Templo Mayor can still be seen in the heart of Mexico City’s historical center.

8. Mexico City is home to more than 22 million people.

With more than 22 million people, CDMX is estimated to be the 10th-largest city in the world by 2030. Mexico city is also recognized as a mega-city (alongside New York City) due to its huge population. It is now one of the most important cultural, financial, and educational centers in the world. Check out my Mexico City itinerary .

9. The Mexican flag’s colors come from Mexico’s national coat of arms.

The green color symbolizes hope, the white symbolizes purity and the red stands for the blood Mexicans have shed to achieve independence. The Mexican flag has three equally sized vertical bands: green on the top, white and red on the bottom with an eagle and a snake on it.

10. Mexico has more pyramids than Egypt.

Another interesting fact about Mexico is that it’s home to over 60 pyramids , almost twice as many as those found in Egypt! They were built by the Aztecs and the Mayas. The Aztecs were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization, while the Mayas were a civilization spread across modern-day Mexico and Central America. Check out our guides to Mayan ruins all over Mexico.

11. Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid.

Mexico not only has a large number of pyramids, it also has the biggest pyramid on Earth. The Teotihuacan Pyramids are massive structures located just an hour outside Mexico City that were built by the ancient Mexican civilization of the same name over 2,000 years ago. Today, you can easily visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids on a daytrip from Mexico City. Read our guide to visiting Teotihuacan.

12. Mexico has the highest number of endangered species in the world.

Some of Mexico’s most colorful and treasured species are being driven to the brink of extinction. Over 60% of Mexico’s 113 threatened species are classified as endangered. Some of these endangered species include the vaquita porpoise, leatherback sea turtle, Mexican gray wolf, scarlet macaw, and jaguar.

13. Mexico is home to over 200 volcanoes, more than any other country in the world.

Mexico has around 200 volcanoes, but only about 48 are considered active. The state of Chiapas is home to the highest concentration of volcanoes in all of Mexico, with 5 large and 30 small peaks within its borders. The most active volcanoes of the country are Popocatepetl, Colima and El Chichon, which had a major eruption in 1982.

14. There is a large disparity of wealth distribution in Mexico.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helú’s net worth is estimated at US$ 69.6 billion (10th richest in the world). In comparison, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto’s annual salary is US$152,000; Mexican police officers average an annual salary of US$14,000 and teachers’ monthly salaries begin at $1,237 pesos (US$ 90). In Mexico’s wealthiest city, Monterrey , you’ll find the glitzy neighborhood of San Pedro side by side with the crime-ridden Colonia Independence.

15. Mexicans drink more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation in the world!

Mexicans consume the most Coca-Cola per capita in the world, with the state of Chiapas topping the charts with average daily consumption of 2.2 liters of Coca-Cola . Among the reasons why Coca-Cola is so popular in Chiapas are the limited access to clean drinking water and aggressive marketing campaigns in indigenous languages. Unsurprisingly, diabetes is a major problem in San Cristobal de las Casas , claiming more than 3,000 lives per year.

16. Mexicans also eat more chocolate than any other country.

Every year Mexicans eat an average of 70 pounds of chocolate, more than any other country. In Mexico’s colonial period, the Aztecs made a bitter drink from cocoa beans called ‘chocolatl’ which was served warm to the emperor Montezuma every night.

Chiapas is known to produce the best chocolate in Mexico; here are some of the best cafes in San Cristobal de las Casas to try them. Besides chocolate, there are also all kinds of traditional Mexican sweets .

17. Mexicans introduced chocolate to Europe.

Mexican chocolate was introduced to Europe by Hernan Cortez upon his return from Mexico . It quickly became a popular treat for royalty all over Europe due to its unique spicy flavor that made it quite different from European chocolates at that time. By 1700, chocolate had become a popular drink throughout Mexico and Europe.

Oaxacan chocolate is the best in the country. When in Oaxaca, be sure to drop by Mayordomo Oaxacan (which has a few chains around the state) for a cup of hot chocolate. It’s prepared in the traditional way, made frothy with a stirrer. Read more on things to do in Oaxaca .

18. Tequila is named after a town in Jalisco state where it originates .

You didn’t think I would write a list of Mexico fun facts and forget to mention tequila, would you? Tequila is the birthplace of the iconic drink and it’s a small town located 1 hour from Guadalajara in northwest Mexico called Jalisco. Read my guide to Tequila, Jalisco.

19. Mezcal is not tequila!

Many people confuse mezcal as a type of tequila – but it is actually the other way round. Tequila is a type of mezcal made using blue agave or maguey plants, while mezcals can be made with over 30 different types of native-grown agaves. Mezcal is a perfect drink to accompany any kind of Mexican antojito (street food).

20. Mexico has a rich variety of fresh fruit.

A Mexico fun fact that probably doesn’t surprise you! There are over 60 kinds of bananas grown in Mexico, and Mexico produces almost half the pineapples found across the world! Regardless of where you go in Mexico, you’ll find the freshest fruit and licuado (smoothies).

21. Chihuahuas are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

In the 1880s, Mexican merchants began selling the small dog to border tourists, many of whom brought them back to the U.S. to keep as pets. Back then, the dog didn’t have an official name. So the people named it after the Chihuahua region in which it was seen.

22. But Mexico’s national dog is Xoloitzcuintli.

The Xoloitzcuintli, or Mexican Hairless Dog, is a native dog from Mexico and it’s quite unique in appearance. Its real name is a combination of Xolotl, the Aztec god of lightning and death (naturally), and itzcuintli, the Aztec word for dog. The Xolo dog has always been a Day of the Dead symbol as the dog is believed to be a guardian of the spirits in their underlife.

23. Mexico has won more Olympic gold medals for boxing than any other country!

Mexico won its first Olympic gold medal in boxing way back in 1968, and has held onto that number one spot ever since. It has also produced many other sports champions, including track athlete Paola Longoria, who holds three world records for racquetball.

24. The most famous Mexican artist is Frida Kahlo.

One of the most famous Mexican artists of all time, Frida Kahlo is well known throughout the world for her outstanding art work and strong personality. Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. 

In Mexico, she is considered a national heroine and one of the country’s most outstanding cultural figures. Today tourists flock to her old home in Coyoacan, Mexico City, which has been converted into the Frida Kahlo Museum .

25. Mexico is home to the world’s longest-living person!

The woman recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person, Leandra Becerra Lumbreras, died at the age of 127. She was a purported Mexican revolutionary and supercentenarian who claimed to have been born August 31, 1887 which would have made her the longest living person in history.

26. Mexico City has the world’s second largest subway system.

One of my favorite Mexico fun facts, Mexico City has an impressive subway system, which ranks as the second largest in the world after that of Tokyo. The entire system is 142 kilometers long, serving 182 stations.

On that note, Mexico is also home to a remarkable engineering feat: el Chepe train . Climbing from the Pacific Coast to the Copper Canyon , it snakes through the vast, rugged landscapes of Mexico’s largest state, Chihuahua. This 656km track is a true engineering feat, boasting 37 bridges and 86 tunnels, and was completed after 60 years of construction in 1961.

27. Mexico City is sinking.

This isn’t one of those happy Mexico fun facts, but it’s true. Mexico City was built over an ancient dry lake bed which means that there just isn’t enough drainage into the subsoil for all the people living there. Plus, the soft soil beneath the megalopolis’ streets can compress under pressure. At this rate, it’s expected that Mexico City will be at sea level by 2050!

28. Mexico has the most number of bullrings in the world.

Spain’s history as a colonial power has resulted in the country having approximately 225 bullrings. The season for bullfighting runs from November through April, as previously stated. It seats 41,262 people and is the world’s largest bullring (November to April is bullfighting season). This is one of those Mexican traditions that we don’t condone as it involves animal cruelty.

29. Mexico has several colored lakes.

Another interesting fact about Mexico is that it is home to colorful lakes and seas. The beautiful pink lakes of Las Coloradas are located deep in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula . The brilliant pink hue of these saline lagoons is due to red algae, plankton, and brine shrimps that thrive in the salty environment. You can book a daytrip to the pink lake from Cancun or visit this as part of your Yucatan road trip .

30. Mexico is home to the world’s second-largest coral reef system.

The second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef, encompasses around 600 miles of meandering coastline from Cancun down to Guatemala and Belize. The reef forms a significant shallow-water habitat for marine animals, creating some of the best dive sites in the world. Scuba divers alert, you’ll love diving the waters off Cozumel Island , Playa del Carmen , and Cancun !

Phew! That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed learning about these fun Mexico facts. Feel free to leave a comment below if I’ve missed any interesting fact on Mexico!

Further Reading on Mexico

I hope you’ve like this list of Mexico fun facts! If you are planning to travel around Mexico, check out other articles I’ve written on Mexico:

• Mexican Historical Facts
• Mexican Food Guide
• 30 Mexican Holidays and Traditions
• 25 Best Books about Mexico
• 30 Best Mexican Movies
• Day of the Dead Symbols & Meanings
• Oaxaca Day of the Dead Guide
• 10 Day Yucatan Road Trip Itinerary
• 10-Day Guanajuato Itinerary
• 5 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
• 30 Things to Do in Monterrey
• 20 Fun Things to Do in Valladolid, Mexico
• 15 Cool Things to Do in Cozumel, Mexico

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. if you book a stay through one of my links, I get a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. Thank you for your support!

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2 thoughts on “30 Mexico Fun Facts that will surprise You”

more fun facts please : lol

Interesting facts , however, the largest pyramid in the world is the one in Cholula, Puebla no Teotihuacan as is stated in the fact no. 11.

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15 Fun Facts About Mexico

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: December 18, 2023

Mexico is one of the top countries to visit because of its vibrant culture, delicious food , and historic structures. While most people simpley go to Mexico to bake on an all-inclusive resort, it is a country full of history and culture, beautiful landscapes and endless beaches. So let’s enjoy some fun facts about Mexico to understand the country a bit better. Read on to learn Mexican facts you never knew!

Table of Contents

Interesting Mexico Facts

Mexico is situated in the southern part of North America, sharing its borders with the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. To the west, Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, which offers a stunning coastline along the western edge of the country.

To the east, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea provide Mexico with an extensive coastline along the eastern side. With its diverse geographical features, Mexico enjoys a unique position as a bridge between North America and Central America, offering a rich blend of cultures and natural landscapes.

1. Its Name Is Not What You Think

One of the first fun facts about Mexico is that its name is not really Mexico. Mexico’s official name is the United Mexican States aka Estados Unidos Mexicanos. This country is divided into states just like the U.S.

Mexico has 31 states and a Federal District. Every Mexican state has its own police, regulations, and laws.

The Federal District, Distrito Federal, was once the capital of Mexico. Most people believe that the capital city was always Mexico City, but this wasn’t the case until 2016.

It gets tricky to remember because Mexico City’s metropolitan area is within the Federal District. Only those living in the Federal District are considered capital dwellers.

2. Mexico Is More Than a Beach Destination

Travelers tend to make their way out to Mexico for a vacation on the beach . Yet, the country is much more than a beach destination.

Mexico has a rich history as they have 34 UNESCO world heritage sites within their borders. Some of the most popular historic centers include Mexico City, Puebla, and Guanajuato.

It is also home to more than a handful of ancient ruins , the most famous being Chichen Itza, and the agave fields of Tequila.

The country is in the middle of the circum-Pacific Belt, more commonly known as the “Ring of Fire,” a place known for its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

3. Home to the World’s Smallest Volcano

Outside of Puebla, you’ll find the  smallest volcano in the world , Cuexcomate Volcano. The volcano is only 13 meters 43 feet tall and its diameter at the base is about 23 meters (75 feet). looks like a tiny hill. Cuexcomate is often referred to as a “volcano” due to its distinctive appearance, but it is actually a dormant geyser or a volcanic vent.

Cuexcomate is part of local folklore and legends in Puebla. According to one legend, it was formed when the devil himself tried to destroy the city with a large stone but was thwarted by the intervention of the Virgin Mary, who turned the stone into a tiny volcano.

Cuexcomate has a conical shape that resembles a miniature volcano, complete with a crater at the top. It is covered in grass and vegetation, giving it a very picturesque appearance.

4. There’s a Volcano Rabit in Mexico

This is one of the coolest Mexico facts because it means Mexico is home to a rare rabbit that lives near volcanoes called the volcano rabbit.

5. World ’s  Largest Pyramid is in Mexico

Along with being home to the smallest volcano, Mexico has the largest ancient pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest monument ever created in the world. The world’s largest pyramid, known as the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Pirámide Tepanapa), is located in Cholula, a city in the Mexican state of Puebla. It is often mistaken for a natural hill due to its overgrown appearance and is sometimes referred to as the “Great Pyramid of Cholula” or “Tlachihualtepetl,” which means “artificial mountain” in the indigenous Nahuatl language.

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid by volume in the world, surpassing even the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It covers an enormous area of around 45 acres and rises to a height of approximately 55 meters (180 feet). he pyramid’s construction began in the 3rd century BCE by the ancient civilization known as the Olmec-Xicalanca, although it was expanded and modified by subsequent cultures, including the Maya and the Aztecs. It took centuries to complete the pyramid’s construction.

6. It Has Animals Big and Small

The jaguar is the largest wildcat in North Americ a and can be found near the Mayan ruins or roaming the Mexican jungles.

Mexico is also home to the smallest dog breed known to man, the Chihuahua. This dog breed originated in Mexico in the state of Chihuahua, hence the name of the breed.

7. U.S. Citizens Make Up the Largest Immigration Group in Mexico

In Mexico, the largest foreign-born population is actually United States citizens. In fact, more Americans are immigrating to Mexico than vice versa.

A lot of Americans find the food surprising when they move or visit Mexico. Mexican food in the United States is considered Tex-Mex while authentic Mexican food is different.

In Mexico, people don’t eat Chipotle-style burritos or burritos filled with rice. Burritos aren’t that popular in Mexico unless you are in the northern region.

Another difference between the Mexican food found in the United States vs. the food found in Mexico is that the authentic version isn’t very spicy. Instead, it tastes sour because of the use of limes.

8. Mexico Home to the First Printing Press

In North America, the first printing press was established and used in Mexico City. This dates all the way back to 1539 at the  House of the First Printing Press , or Casa de la Primera Imprenta de América.

The first printing press was actually used in Mexico way before making its way to the United States.

9. We Can Thank Mexico For Chocolate

Chocolate Originated in Mexico with its origins in Mesoamerica. The ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs and the Maya, were among the first to cultivate and use cacao (the source of chocolate) for culinary and ceremonial purposes.

Cacao beans were highly prized by these civilizations and were used as a form of currency and trade. They were also used to make a bitter, frothy beverage that was often flavored with spices and chili peppers.

So, while chocolate in its original form as a cacao-based beverage was developed in Mesoamerica, it was the Europeans who adapted and sweetened it, leading to the creation of the chocolate bars, truffles, and other confections we enjoy today.

10. We Can also Thank them for Avocados and the tasty Tomato

Avocados: Avocados, scientifically known as Persea americana, are native to south-central Mexico. They have a long history of cultivation in the region, dating back thousands of years. The Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of Mexico were among the first to cultivate avocados. The word “avocado” itself is derived from the Aztec Nahuatl word “?huacatl.” Avocados have since become a popular fruit worldwide, known for their creamy texture and numerous health benefits.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes, scientifically known as Solanum lycopersicum also have their originas in Mexico. The indigenous peoples of Mexico, including the Aztecs, cultivated and consumed tomatoes long before they were introduced to other parts of the world. Tomatoes were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century, and they eventually became a staple in many cuisines worldwide. The tomato plant is part of the nightshade family and produces a wide variety of tomato types, from small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak varieties.

Both avocados and tomatoes have had a significant impact on global cuisine and are widely enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including guacamole and salsa made with tomatoes and avocados, respectively.

11. Mexico City Is Sinking

Mexico City is literally sinking each year. In North America, Mexico City is the oldest city and has the highest elevation. It’s also built over the ruins of Tenochtitlán, a city on a lake. Read more: 10 Best Things to do in Mexico City for an Epic Trip

Tenochtitlàn was an Aztec city in which the Aztecs made systems of canals and dikes to prevent floods. When the Spanish came along, they drained the lakebed instead of containing the flood control work.

The Mexican population in Mexico City grows each year requiring more water to get pumped out. As a result, the city is sinking about 6 to 8 inches every year.

12. Not Everyone in Mexico Speaks Spanish

Officially, Spanish is the national language of Mexico and Mexico is the world’s largest Spanish speaking country. Yet, Mexico’s native people don’t always speak it. There are 68 other recognized languages spoken around the country and Mexico does not have a defined official language.

13. Cinco de Mayo Is Not Celebrated in Mexico

In 1821 on September 27th, Mexico declared independence. However, over a decade before in 1810 on September 16th, the independence war began. Because of this, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th.

Cinco de Mayo is common in the United States as a day for people to party and have fun. Mexican immigrants in the United States might celebrate this day.

Most are unaware that Cinco de Mayo is a day to commemorate the Battle of Puebla that happened in 1862. The people of Puebla do celebrate this day.

14. At Christmas, Mexican Children do Not Receive Gifts

In Mexico, the Christmas tradition of not giving presents to children on Christmas Day, known as “Nochebuena,” is quite different from the customs in many other countries. Instead, Mexican children eagerly anticipate gifts on a different day, which is known as “Día de Reyes” or “Three Kings’ Day” on January 6th. This tradition is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and has religious and historical significance.

Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and the placing of the Baby Jesus figurine in nativity scenes. The exchange of gifts is traditionally reserved for Día de Reyes, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. This day commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men, (often referred to as the “Tres Reyes Magos” or simply “Los Reyes,”) to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Wise Men bring gifts to children in a similar fashion on the night of January 5th, leaving presents by their beds or shoes.

15. Growing Corn Is a Tradition

For centuries, Mexican farmers have continued the tradition of growing corn. This important crop has been threatened by trade agreements and genetically modified variations, but Mexico preserves natural seeds. They are multiple words that can describe corn because there are 59 varieties of it in Mexico.

16. It Has More Catholics Than Italy

Another one of the interesting facts about Mexico is that it has a large Catholic population. Brazil is the only country that has a bigger population of Catholics than Mexico.

17. A Mexican Inventor Contributed to Developing the Color TV

Guillermo González Camarena was born on February 17, 1917, in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1934, at the age of 17, he filed his first patent related to television.

González Camarena’s most significant achievement came in 1940 when he developed an early color television system, which he called the “Trichromatic Sequential Field System.” This system used rotating color wheels in the transmitter and receiver to reproduce color images. He patented this invention in Mexico and the United States.

In 1940, Guillermo González Camarena successfully transmitted the first color television signal in Mexico, marking a historic milestone in the development of color television technology. His contributions to color television were recognized internationally.

18. It’s Not a Third World Country

The Cold War is to thank for the term “third world.” It was created as one of three geopolitical alignment divisions. Countries aligned with the United States were considered “first world” at the time. Allies of the Soviet Union were “second world” countries. The countries not aligned with either were called “third world.”

Even when the Cold War ended, the term remained. “Third world” became another name for poverty while the other two divisions are unheard of.

The gap between the poor and rich in Mexico is large, but they are not considered a poor country because of their GDP per capita. Mexico offers enough attractions like other developed countries.

19. Mexico Differs From Latin America in Many Ways

From the culture to the language, Mexico is vastly different from Latin America. For one, Mexico is in North America, not Latin America. When it comes to the language, Mexican Spanish is kind of like slang. It’s a unique variation of Spanish.

If you’ve ever studied Spanish in school, you may already be aware of this fact. Spanish teachers reiterate how different the Spanish language can be across the world.

Latin America and Mexico are similar when it comes to toilet paper. Yes, you read that correctly, toilet paper. In Mexico and Latin America, they prefer that you throw toilet paper in the trash instead of flushing it down the toilet. Places that are closer to the ocean in Mexico tend to be stricter about this.

In fact, a friend of ours from India noticed that India and Mexico, are More Similar Than You’d Think

20. Mexico Has the Oldest University in North America

When you think of old universities in North America, your first thought may be Harvard. However, the oldest university in North America is actually the National University of Mexico located in the capital city of Mexico City. It was founded in 1551, 85 years before Harvard was.

21. Mexico Has Some Odd Foods

Many foodies travel to Mexico for authentic Mexican cuisine. The most adventurous of foodies may stroll through a market and buy grasshoppers, scorpions, and spiders to enjoy during their next meal. This may be a horrifying sight for the average joe, but some of these crawly critters have great flavor. Why else would you find the people of Mexico selling them for consumption?

If you can get over the oddness of eating bugs, you’ll find some tasty treats that are high in protein and, of course, are organic. There are tons of edible insects in Mexico to choose from.

It wasn’t meat that got the Aztecs through the day, it was fat-free bugs they found roaming the grounds. If you are feeling risky, sample a delicious critter during your  travels in Mexico .

22. It has Foods we know and Love As Well

From enchiladas to Tacos, Mexican food is some of the most recognizable and best on the planet. Mexicos national dish is Mole pronounced “moh-lay”) which is a rich and flavorful sauce that is a staple in Mexican cuisine. It is used to enhance the flavors of meats like chicken or turkey and is made from various ingredients, including dried chiles (such as ancho, pasilla, and mulato), chocolate (usually unsweetened), spices (like cinnamon, cumin, and cloves), garlic, onions, tomatoes, and sometimes fruits (like plantains or raisins) and nuts (such as almonds or peanuts).

23. Mexico is the World’s Largest Beer Exporter

This Mexico fact caught me by surprise. I had no idea that Mexico is the world’s largest exporter of beer. I have always enjoyed Corona and yet, it exports so much more. In fact, Mexico exported $4.2 billion USD worth of beer in 2019. That’s double what the next closest exporter sold at 2.1 billion.

24. Mexico is Regularly listed as One of the Most Popular Tourist Destinations

Mexico is a popular tourist destination. In fact, it is regularly listed in the top 10 most visited tourist destinations in the world. Currently, the World Tourism Organization has it listed as the sixth-most visited country in the world for tourism activities. With its long sandy beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ancient Ruins and vibrant cities it’s no wonder it is such a sought after destination.

25. Facts About the Mexican Flag

The Mexican flag is oen of three National Symbols of Mexico. It consists of three vertical stripes of equal width. The colors of the flag, from left to right, are green, white, and red. “Verde,” “Blanco,” and “Rojo.” The Mexican flag was first adopted on February 24, 1821

In the center of the white stripe, there is Mexico’s national emblem, known as the “Mexican Coat of Arms” or “Escudo Nacional.” It features an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak. This emblem represents the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, which later became Mexico City.

Each color on the Mexican flag holds specific symbolism. Green represents hope and independence, white symbolizes purity and religion, and red stands for the bloodshed by those who fought for Mexico’s independence.

Record-Breaking Flag: In 2010, Mexico set a Guinness World Record for the largest flag ever flown. The enormous flag, measuring 2,011 meters long, was displayed in celebration of the country’s bicentennial.

26. Mexico is one of the Cradles of Civilization

Civilization in Mexico is thought to date back to 8000 – 12000 BC. We have all heard of the Mayans and Aztecs, but fewer people know of the Toltec Civilizatoin. The Toltecs were a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization that is often regarded as one of the great civilizations of ancient Mexico, and their influence extended over a wide area, particularly in what is now central Mexico.

The Toltecs are known for their highly organized and urbanized society. They had a hierarchical social structure with a ruler at the top, followed by nobility, priests, and commoners. The Toltec state was ruled by a king, and their society had a warrior class.

The exact reasons for the decline of the Toltec civilization are still a subject of debate among scholars. Some theories suggest internal conflict, environmental factors, or external invasions. Around the 12th century, Tula was abandoned, marking the decline of the Toltec state. However, the Toltecs had a significant cultural and artistic impact on subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Aztecs.

27. The Spanish Ruled Mexico for 300 Years

The Spanish rule of Mexico as New Spain lasted for nearly 300 years, from the early 16th century to the early 19th century. The Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519, and by 1521, he had defeated the Aztec Empire, led by Emperor Moctezuma II. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico.

In 1535, New Spain was officially established as a viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire. The capital of the viceroyalty was Mexico City (formerly Tenochtitlan). New Spain included present-day Mexico, Central America, and parts of what is now the southwestern United States.

On September 27, 1821, the Mexican War of Independence culminated in the signing of the Plan of Iguala, which led to Mexico’s independence from Spain. The first Mexican emperor, Agustín de Iturbide, briefly ruled, but Mexico later became a republic.

Fast Facts About Mexico

• Currency – $1USD Mexican Peso = .20
• The highest Peak in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba in South Central Mexico and stats at 5,636 meter (18491 ft) above sea level
• Mexico’s National Dish is Mole (pronounced Molay)
• Official National Bird – Golden Eagle. You’ll find the Golden Eagle on its National Symbols, the Flag and Coat of Arms.

Fun Facts About Mexico That Will Make You Want to Take a Trip!

Mexico may be at the top of the list to travel because of the beautiful beaches and amazing views. Yet, this country has much more to offer than what people typically seek out.

If you’re looking for rich history, ancient structures, and amazing food, Mexico is the place to be. Don’t settle for a day on the beach when you could be experiencing much more!

Consider these fun facts about Mexico when planning a future trip. Check out our other  travel planning resources  to make your trip a success!

• Things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
• The Best Cancun Day Trips
• 19 Best Things to do in La Paz, Mexico
• 25 Best Places To Visit in Mexico
• Best Things to do in Cancun, Mexico
• Cenotes in Photos – Discover Mexico’s Extraordinary Underground Caves
• 23 Interesting and Fun Facts About Florida
• 21 Fun and Interesting Facts about Puerto Rico
• 12 Fun and Interesting Facts about Brazil

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

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2 thoughts on “15 Fun Facts About Mexico”

Amazing experience. We are planning to travel after this pandemic and Mexico is one on our list. Thanks for sharing.

awesome fun facts about Mexico. thanks for sharing funny travel experience with us.

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70+ Fun Facts About Mexico For Travelers

Fun Facts About Mexico for Travelers

Introduction.

• Are little-known
• Add a new or exciting perspective to a discussion about a place or issue.
• Make me laugh, cry, or smile.

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 fun facts about mexico for travelers, 6 facts about mexico’s economy.

• The median household income ranges from $400 a month in Chiapas and $1500 a month in Mexico City. (Most occupations pay between 20% and 25% of their US equivalent).
• Mexico has more taxicabs than any other country. 
• Mexico developed the  tube, which made color TV possible in 1941 . 
• Cochineal is a solid red dye from insects feeding on Oaxaca cactuses. While most of Mexico’s wealth during the Spanish colonial period came from gold, silver, and other minerals,  cochineal  also contributed to Mexico’s early economic success. I went to visit a cochineal farm, and it was fascinating.
• The Mexico-US border is the most visited in the world.
• Mexico is the world’s  11th largest economy in purchasing power parity   (PPP) and the  tenth-largest population worldwide . The per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by PPP is a bit above the worldwide average PPP per capita.

17 Facts About Mexican Culture

• There are  35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites   in Mexico .
• The   Great Pyramid of  Cholula  in Puebla is the largest in the world. 
• The  Chichen Itza  Pyramid in Mexico is one of the world’s new Seven Wonders.
• Chihuahuas , the world’s smallest dog, come from the state with the same name (Chihuahua) in Mexico. 
• Mexico City has the second-largest collection of museums  globally, including a Museum of Tolerance and Memory and another dedicated to Economics. The Zocalo, or main square, in Mexico City is the world’s third-largest plaza.
• The term  Gringo or Gringa  is often a generic term for foreigners of European origin. However, some Mexicans only use Gringo to refer to people from the US. Similarly, most people of Asian descent are called  Chinos  (Chinese), and those of Middle Eastern descent are called  Turcos  (Turks). Either way, it is not meant as an insult.
• Recent DNA results show a  surprising genetic diversity among Mexicans, including more East Asian and African ties than expected.
• Mexico is the second-largest Catholic country in the world. 
• Most Mexican states allow same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption. 
• Mexico is the 7th most visited country in the world. 
• Mexico has 613,000 Arab Mexicans . These Arab-Mexicans significantly influenced Mexican culture, including food. (Kibbeh, for example, is often found on Yucatecan restaurant menus). Two of Mexico’s wealthiest people, Carlos Slim and Alfredo Harp Helu, are Middle Eastern. The actress, Selma Hayek, is also Arab-Mexican.
• Mexico’s Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico  (UNAM) is one of the ten largest universities worldwide, and tuition is less than $1000 a year for Mexican citizens (and only $1000-$2500 a year for foreigners. It ranks as one of the top 100 Universities in the world.
• The Virgin of Guadalupe is one of the most important Mexican symbols. The Basilica of Guadalupe (also known as La Villa) is the most visited Catholic shrine globally. Every December 12th, millions of Mexican pilgrims visit the famed cloak of Guadalupe. (The Virgin of Guadalupe is an important symbol throughout the rest of the Americas as well).
• Mexico’s national sport is the charreada. Like a rodeo, In the Charreada , cowboys demonstrate their lassoing skills and make their horses dance to music.
• Anthony Quinn was born in Mexico to an Irish father and a Mexican mother. His parents immigrated to the US soon after his birth. His father even allegedly rode with Pancho Villa.
• Mexico has around 100,000 Mennonites . Until recently, nearly all these Mennonites lived in Chihuahua and Durango. Many have recently moved to escape from the drug-related violence in Northern Mexico. Some have established new communities throughout the State of Campeche. The Mennonites are famous for their Queso Chihuahua.
• Chihuahua also has several Mormon communities. Mitt Romney ‘ s father, George Romney, was born in one of these communities. The Mormons started these communities to practice polygamy in 1885; Many Mormons (including George Romney’s family) returned to the US during the Mexican revolution. A small non-official offshoot of the Mormon church still practices polygamy in a couple of communities in Mexico. (Polygamy is not, however, permitted by the Church today).

6 Facts About Mexico’s Languages

• Mexican Spanish has more   Arabic words than the Spanish spoken in Spain .
• Mexico has 69  different indigenous languages .
• While there is little supporting evidence,  scholars are often surprised by how much indigenous North American languages resemble Chinese or Japanese . Mayan has surprising similarities to Chinese.
• Mexico is the  largest Spanish-speaking country  in the world.
• The  Spanish borrowed numerous Nahuatl words  (from the Aztecs) that later became part of the English language, including chile or chili and avocado (from  aguacatl,  the Nahuatl name for testicles), chocolate, coyote, peyote, guacamole, ocelot, and mescal.
• Mexican Spanish often uses expressions with ¨mother¨ and ¨father¨ – madre and padre – colloquially to mean things like ¨ coo l¨ (padre) or ¨ hell no ¨ (¨ ni madre ¨).

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• Mexico is the  world’s largest beer exporter . 
• Tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, vanilla, chocolate, corn, and chilies are all  foods from Mexico . (Mexico has 59 endemic corn varieties). 
• People in the State of Oaxaca often eat chapulines  (grasshoppers).
• Mole , Mexico’s national sauce, was rumored to be developed by nuns at the Convent of Santa Clara in Puebla when they needed to prepare a special dish for the arrival of the Archbishop. The nuns put together all the leftover spices and food and made a sauce over a turkey that pleased the Archbishop immensely. 
• Huitlacoche  is a delicious but somewhat expensive condiment. Huitlacoche refers to a fungus that grows on corn (in English, the fungus is called ¨corn smut¨).
• Mexico has the world’s largest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola . (Mexico has the world’s most obese people and the highest per-capita diabetes rate in the world). In 2013, the Mexican government implemented a special tax on soft drinks to pay for some medical services needed to deal with Mexico’s love affair with Coca-Cola.
• Mexico is by far the world’s largest consumer of bottled water. (The use of bottled water is a significant reason tourists to Mexico seldom get Montezuma’s revenge (traveler’s diarrhea) anymore).
• Mezcal refers to any agave-based alcoholic drink and can come from anywhere in Mexico.
• Tequila can only be produced in five Mexican states- Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco- and must be made from blue agave. (Most Tequila, however, comes just from Jalisco).
• Tequila may be suitable for lowering cholesterol and easing digestion and sleep.
• Pulque , an agave-based spirit like Tequila and mezcal, was consumed in Teotihuacan in 150 BC.
• Tequila has five different classifications depending on how long it is aged before bottling. The most expensive is Extra Añejo which ages for three years before production.
• I recommend visiting one of Yucatan’s traditional honey producers. The  Yucatan’s Mellipona honey is among the world’s best and has numerous health benefits. The production methods are similar to those of the Mayans a thousand years ago.
• Mexico’s cuisine is one of UNESCO’s  Intangible Cultural Heritages .

6 Facts About Mexico’s Natural History

• Mexico is the  fourth country in the world in terms of biodiversity . Check out the  boojum trees  and  whales in Baja California , if you have a chance. 
• The  Chicxulub crater  in the Yucatan formed from a meteorite that hit the earth and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs more than 66 million years ago. 
• Around 20 million  Monarch butterflies travel from Canada to Central Mexico annually, usually in January or February. (I highly recommend visiting the butterfly sanctuaries in the Estado de Mexico or Michoacan).  
• The w orld’s most used border is between Mexico and the United States . (The longest border separates the US and Canada). 
• The Spanish drained Lake Texcoco and built Mexico City on top. As a result, Mexico City sinks every year.
• Sac-Actun  in the Yucatàn is the world’s most comprehensive underground cave system- 216 miles long.

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22 facts about mexican history   and government.

• The  Olmecs  (1400-300 BC) were the first Mesoamerican civilization in Mexico. (I recommend seeing artworks from the Olmecs at museums in Jalapa and Villahermosa and the famous Olmec Head at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City). 
• Teotihuacan  (about 60 kilometers North of Mexico City).was one of the world’s largest cultural centers around 200-300 AD..(population: 125,000).
• Many people mistakenly believe that the  Mayan  and Aztec civilizations no longer exist. However, many aspects of traditional Mayan life- particularly their artistic, culinary, and linguistic tradition- remain (though with changes), particularly in rural Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. (I know people in the Yucatan who speak Mayan as their maternal language). 
• 1.7 million Mexicans speak  Nahuatl, the Aztecan language. In addition, traces of Aztec civilization remain in the daily Mexican language (particularly in place and food names), cultural traditions, and food.
• The Aztecs believed that Hernan Cortez , the Spanish conqueror, was their god, Quetzalcoatl. (Interestingly, the Incans had a similar belief about Pizarro, their Spanish conqueror).  
• The Mayans abandoned the most important centers of Mayan culture (except Tulum) in the 10th-14th century (200-600 years before the Spanish arrival in 1521). Current scholars attribute the decline of these cities mainly to deforestation and drought.
• The Spanish enlisted tribes from the periphery of the Aztec Empire to assist them in overthrowing Aztecan Emperor Moctezuma .
• Friar Diego de Landa burned many Mayan books and idols in Mani, Yucatan.
• “Tetec dtan. Ma t natic a dtan.” which equals “You speak very rapidly; we don’t understand your language” or “
• Yucatán” which translates to “Land of the Yuca.”
• The Spanish developed such an elaborate caste system in Mexico that they made murals to explain their 16 different castes to the local population. The Spanish separated castes according to how much European, indigenous, and African blood a person had.
• Mexico’s first independent head of state was  Emperor Iturbide . Iturbide’s reign lasted for less than a year. Iturbide developed the Mexican flag.
• In 1821, Mexico’s territory incorporated modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras, and much of the Southwestern USA.
• The USA acquired most of the former Mexican territory in the   Mexican-American War  (known in Mexico as the US intervention in Mexico) between 1846 and 1848.
• The San Patricio (Saint Patrick’s) Batallion (made up of Irish immigrant Catholics) deserted the US army and joined the US forces during the Mexican-American War.
• In 1853, William Walker, an American physician, lawyer, journalist, and mercenary, captured La Paz, the capital of Baja California (which he renamed the “Republic of Lower California”), to establish a slave-holding overseas American colony. A federal grand jury subsequently indicted Walker for violating the Neutrality Act of 1794. However, Walker’s invasion garnered a lot of support in the Southern and Western U.S. William Walker then successfully invaded and ruled Nicaragua in 1857 for one year until a coalition of Central American armies defeated him.
• While there is not much evidence that Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln had any contact, many people see clear parallels in their lives. Both came from similar humble backgrounds, had similar liberal beliefs, were Presidents of their countries during the same time, and practiced and studied law (Benito Juarez was the first indigenous president. You can visit his humble childhood home in Guelatao, Oaxaca),
• The Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla; however, the Mexican lost the war, and Emperor Maximilian ruled Mexico for five years. Many Americans believe Cinco de Mayo is an important holiday in the US, but it is not. 
• The Mexican revolution shared many ideological similarities with the Russian revolution. The PRI (the Institutional Revolutionary Party) remained in power for 75 years using a mixture of leftist rhetoric, coopting leftist ideologues and institutions, and import substitution economic policies. Until the Mexican financial crisis in 1982, the US and Mexico in public were not very friendly, but behind the scenes, the relationship was closer than it seemed. PRI’s deft maneuvering of political power (while appearing democratic) earned PRI the nickname of the Perfect Dictatorship by Peruvian Noble Prize Winner Mario Vargas Llosa.
• Since the 1990s, the Mexican government has made significant changes. It is now part of a trade alliance with Canada. The US (previously called NAFTA (North American Free Trade Alliance. NAFTA is now called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, USMCA).and has a fledgling democratic government. (in the past 21 years, the three political parties governed Mexico). Mexico is the  US’s third-largest trade partner .
• Mexico’s official name is the United States of Mexico,  Estados Unidos de Mexico .
• Mexico’s president and deputies  can only serve one six-year term at a time.
• Pope John Paul visited Izamal  in Yucatán in 1993 and condemned the conditions that forced the indigenous population in North and South America to live in poverty, including colonialism. The town of Izamal painted all its buildings yellow and ochre in celebration of the pope’s visit. The pope spoke at  Izamal’s  monastery, which has the second-largest open-air atrium in the world.

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Paul Heller has been a lifelong avid traveler and language learner and teacher, Even as a child, he told Santa Claus that he wanted to visit all the children worldwide. At seven years old, Paul wanted to retire to Mexico. At eight, he memorized the name, capital, location, and some facts about every country worldwide. At twelve, he found a book "Lonely Planet: Southeast Asia on a Shoestring" and started developing his own itinerary for a future round-the-world trip. He remained obsessed with travel; after getting a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and working as an administrator, He spent his vacations going to different countries around the globe studying language, touring, and volunteering. In 1994, he quit his job and lived in Russia as a volunteer English instructor. He discovered that he loved teaching languages. In 2004, he decided to make a living out of his travels and founded a community of people who love to travel just like him. He developed 5 three-hour classes about living and traveling long-term worldwide which he taught in over 50 adult education programs throughout the US. After his parents passed, he realized his dream of traveling around the world; cruising and touring some of the most remote places like the North Atlantic, Patagonia, and Oceania; and learning new languages (he knows Spanish, Italian, French, and Russian). Paul encourages everyone to learn foreign languages. He knows that it can be frustrating and slow but that anyone can learn a language if they put in the work and, most importantly, learning a language is well worth the time and effort because it opens up a whole new set of people, ideas, and cultures. He is currently spending the next chapter of his life in Mérida, México. He is excited about using this blog and his classes and workshops to inspire and equip fellow Fifty Plus Nomads with the language, cultural, and psychological skills necessary to be successful and happy long-term travelers and expats over 50.

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35 Fun Facts About Mexico

Last updated on November 5, 2022

From high mountains and deep canyons throughout its interior to thousands of kilometers of sandy beaches, and to the deserts and rain forests within, Mexico really has it all. Add in the delectable cuisine and the fact that Mexico has 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the most in all of the Americas and 7th in the world), and there’s no wonder that it cracks the top ten of the most visited countries in the world.

So how much do you know about it? Read on for a whole bunch of fun facts about Mexico.

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Think you already know EVERYTHING about London? Then go ahead and test your knowledge with our quiz, or if you’re not quite ready for that, read on to learn some facts we bet you didn’t know.

General Facts About Mexico

~ The currency used is the Mexican Peso, although American dollars are also often accepted. See conversation rates here .

~ The most popular tourist destinations (according to this report ) include Mazatlan, San Miguel de Allende, and Cancun.

~ International airports: Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Cancun International Airport (CUN), and Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) are the three busiest airports in the country.

~ When is the best time to visit Mexico? High season for travel to Mexico is between December through April . This is also the best time for trips to the country that are heavily focused in outdoor activities.

~ Mexico is located on the continent of North America and shares borders with the United States in the north and Belize and Guatemala in the south.

~ The landmass of Mexico is 758,449 square miles (1,964,375 square kilometers), making it the 13th largest country.

~ The USA-Mexico border is the second-longest in the world at approximately 3,155 km long .

~ Mexico is located in the ‘ Ring of Fire ’ which is the biggest volcano and earthquake region in the world. For a long time, Mexico was also believed to have the world’s smallest volcano – Cuexcomate – which actually turned out to be an inactive geyser.

~ There are 32 states in Mexico.

~ The majority of the larger cities are located in areas within the southern part of the country.

~ Several low coastline plains have high mountainous heights and high tables at the center of southwestern Mexico.

~ The capital city, Mexico City, is sinking – because it was originally built on a lake. It is sinking between 6 to 8 inches per year.

Biodiversity

~ Mexico ranks fifth in the world in terms of biodiversity with almost 50,000 species.

~ There are 48 active volcanoes in Mexico including the smallest in the world, a 43-meter high Cuexcomate volcano near Puebla City.

~ The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North America. It covers 250,000 square miles through six Mexican states and portions of Texas and New Mexico.

~ The Mexican national dog is the Xoloitzcuintli, and it is the smallest recognized dog breed to exist.

~ The country has almost 500 beaches! (This might just be the best of the fun facts about Mexico!)

People and Languages

~ The population of Mexico is over 126 million, making it the 10th most populous country in the world.

~ The official language is Spanish, although there are over 60 Indigenous languages that are also used.

~ Mexico has the most Spanish speakers in the world.

~ The largest chunk of the Mexican population (80%) is Christian after Roman Catholicism was introduced by the Spanish colonists.

~ The actress Selma Hayek, guitarist Carlos Santana, artist Frida Kahlo, and the soccer players Jose Hernandez and Guillermo Ochoa are among the most famous Mexicans.

~ Mexico was the home site of many advanced Mesoamerican civilizations – most famously, the Maya and the Aztecs.

~ The oldest complex civilization in Mexico is the culture of Olmez (1200-400 BC), Founded between 800 and 200 BC.

~ Cholula is the oldest city of Mexico and was established between 800 and 200 B.C.

~ Mexico City has more than 180 museums, the second-most in the world after London, England.

~ Chichen Itza, a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayans, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

~ Mexico has the world’s biggest pyramid: the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

~ Dia de los Muertos , or Day of the Dead, is the most important celebration in Mexico, but this colorful celebration is not the same as Halloween. It is an extensive celebration of life and death, where families and friends gather over several days to celebrate the deceased.

~ No gifts are delivered on Christmas. Instead, Mexicans give presents on the 6th of January in celebration Dia de Los Reyes , or Three Wise Men Day.

~ Mexican food is reputed to be some of the world’s best, even having made UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Popular dishes are tacos, tamales, chilaquiles, pozole, mole poblano, and so much more.

Quirky Facts About Mexico: These are Just for Fun!

~ Mexico holds more Guinness World Records than any other country in Latin America.

~ Chocolate originated in Mexico. Thousands of years ago, the Aztecs and Mayans were the first to cultivate the cacao plant.

~ When state oil company employees were drilling a well in the Yucatan in 1981 they discovered a massive crater with a depth of over 600 meters. This is believed to be site of where a meteor hit 65 million years ago and wiped out the dinosaurs.

~ Mexico drinks more Coca-Cola than any other country in the world.

Now that you’ve studied up these fun facts about Mexico, take our travel trivia quiz about Mexico and see how you do!

This post was compiled by the Travel Trivia Challenge (TTC) team . TTC was founded by Dalene and Pete Heck who traveled the world non-stop for almost 8 years.

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Planning a trip to Mexico? Here you will find 40 interesting facts about Mexico that you should know before you visit Mexico.

interesting facts about mexican culture

Mexico is the largest country in Central America, but some associate it with North American countries.

It borders the United States to the north, Guatemala, and Belize to the south. Between it and Cuba, which lies east of it, separates the Yucatan Canal named after the Yucatan Peninsula, above which lies the Gulf of Mexico.

Along with the western canopy, it borders the Pacific Ocean.

Many areas in Mexico are tourist attractions - in the center and mountain area live the descendants of natives, who have lived there for thousands of years, and they maintain diverse, fascinating, and colorful cultures.

The name Mexico is derived from the name Mashika, the name of the tribe that invaded the area before the Spanish takeover in the 16th century.

Mexico General facts

Mexico is a federation located in Central America.

Area: 1,964,375 square kilometers

Population: 115 million people.

Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the south.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City and has a population of about 22 million, it is the largest city in Mexico.

The most populous in the world, after it you will find Guadalajara with a population of about 4 million.

Currency: Mexican peso.

Economy: The economic system used in Mexico is a free economy. It is a mixture of modernization and outdated equipment and technologies in both industry and agriculture. , Remittances of Mexicans from abroad, tourism, and industry.

The food in Mexico is known for its spiciness, mainly thanks to Habanero, the Mexican chili grown on the Yucatan Peninsula. The great variety of traditional dishes, and the way they are prepared in each city or village, provide a rich culinary experience.

Culture: For 3000 years some of the most developed Native American cultures existed in Mexico. These include the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. The Spaniards who arrived in the 16th century (1521) halted these cultures and marked the beginning of the colonial period for 300 years.

40 interesting facts about Mexico

1/ The capital, Mexico City, drowns a little each year. The city was built on a lake and is drowning at a rate of 15-20 cm per year. The city's infrastructure, water supply, and unique architecture are in real danger.

2/ Mexico ranks 11th on the list of the most populous countries in the world, with over 121 million inhabitants.

3/ In addition to Spanish, there are 67 official languages ​​in Mexico.

4/ Chocolate, corn, and chili have been exposed to the wider world thanks to Mexico.

5/ Artists can pay state taxes with their artwork.

6/ The largest pyramid in the world is in Mexico, and not in Egypt as is commonly thought. A rifle is covered in vegetation and it looks like a hill.

7/ Mexico's 34th president, Pedro Lescourine, was in office less than an hour before retiring.

8/ Mexico City has the largest taxi fleet in the world, with over 100,000 active taxis every day.

9/ There is a town in Mexico where residents participate in mass boxing to ask the rainforest for a rainy and successful season.

10/ The rich Mexican culture is a multi-layered structure that contains the ancient, pre-Columbian cultures like the culture of the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs, as well as the modern cultures in which there is a very strong Spanish influence. It takes a lot of time and effort to get to know the culture in all its shades but one visit to Sokalo - the main square of Mexico City is enough to enjoy its musicality and joy.

11/ The most impressive structures in Mexico are divided into two periods - the amazing Mayan pyramids are considered one of the wonders of the world. They are interesting and built according to celestial bodies and the directions of sunrise and sunset. The second most impressive group are the buildings from the Spanish period - including the National Palace in central Mexico City - which display colonial construction at its best.

12/ Mexican food sometimes has a slightly dubious reputation, but in fact, it is incredibly delicious and interesting cuisine. The most prominent ingredients are corn and beans, both of which make countless delicious dishes. It is also important to mention the hot pepper (chili), oregano, and cinnamon that are used in many dishes. Mexican-born chocolate is of course another important ingredient in Mexican cuisine. Many claims that turkey cream in sauce (Mole Poblano de Guajalote) is the national dish.

13/ Tequila is the official drink of Mexico. To prepare it, the thorny agave plants are distilled. All tequila production is concentrated in Mexico in the Jalisco region.

14/ Football is the most popular sport. The Mexican team usually manages to qualify for the finals of the World Cup although it is not good enough to win important tournaments.

15/ The Blue House, the home of the painter Frida Kahlo in Mexico City, is interesting and intriguing even for non-art lovers. It does not have many paintings by Kahlo, but it has photographs, documentation of her life, and especially a fascinating glimpse into the painter's private life. Kahlo was born in this house that belonged to her family, lived there most of her life, lived there for a long time with Diego Rivera, and died in it. There is now a cozy cafe in the courtyard, which allows visitors who do not yet want to leave the place to stay in the Blue House until the closing moments. Address: 247 Londres corner of Allende Street in the Coyoacan district, southwest of the city.

16/ On the beach stands one of the most famous, popular, and beautiful Mayan sites. Tulum is located about 140 km south of Cancun and many visitors visit it on day tours. The uniqueness of the site lies in the fact that it is located on a cliff overlooking the sea. The place served in the 13th century as an important trading port and was well preserved. A circular walking route revolves around it with an impressive sight. There are some wonderful views of the beaches from here. A short drive north (about an hour and a half) leads back to Cancun.

17/ The Huichol Art Market in Puerto Vallarta: The Huichol is one of the last unique ethnic groups to meet in Mexico. They piously preserve the costumes, language, customs, and traditions of their ancient culture. The Huichol descend from the Sierra Madera to sell their artifacts and artwork in the Puerto Vallarta market. The city is located on the west coast of Mexico, west of Guadalajara. The most typical works of the Witchol are composed of many-colored beads, which are pressed into a surface smeared with wax. This creates shapes and textures with many beautiful shades.

18/ In the El Rosario Reserve you can see in the best and most comfortable way the wonderful monarch butterflies. The reserve is located in the mountains of the Michoacan region, which are covered with a thick target. Between November and March, these forests are filled with millions of large, orange monarch butterflies. The sight is considered one of the most beautiful natural spectacles in the world and the dream of many travelers. The Michoacan region is located on the western coast of Mexico, just west of Mexico City.

19/ The Puuc Road leads to some of the most beautiful Mayan sites. "Fook" in the Mayan language means hill or low ridge. The inhabitants of this area operated in about 800 AD at several sites, Umshal being the main one among them. The road also leads to four small sites that visit a different, much more isolated experience, which is several times more appropriate for Indiana Jones-style fantasies about visiting mysterious and almost abandoned places. The sites are Kabah, Labna, Xalpak and Sayil. In some, the entrance is free, and in others at a very low price.

20/ Mexico has given birth to chocolate, many of the varieties of corn we eat, and the widespread use of hot chili in stews. All of these were discovered in Europe and the rest of the world after the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century.

21/ The National University of Mexico was founded in 1551. It was founded by Charles V of Spain. This fact makes this university the oldest in the Americas.

22/ Millions of Monarch butterflies make their way from the United States from Canada to Mexico every year. The amazing sight of migratory butterflies and their colonies is considered among the most beautiful in the natural world. Special reserves allow visitors comfortable viewing of butterflies, although excision and construction operations destroy extensive parts of the butterflies natural environment.

23/ The border between Mexico and the United States is the second-longest in the world only the border between the United States and Canada is longer. Because of many attempts to cross the border to find more comfortable work and livelihoods in the United States, this border is considered particularly problematic and huge sums are invested each year to protect it and prevent smuggling and illegal crossing.

24/ Mexico is the country with the second-largest Catholic population in the world. Only in Brazil do more Catholics live. In all, more than 90 million Catholics live in Mexico.

25/ The city of Mexico City is built on the ruins of the ancient Aztec site of Tenochtitlan. The city is built over an underground lake and it sinks every year by 18 inches. The researchers assume that the subsidence of the city is due to the increased pumping of water from the underground reservoir.

26/ Snakes often appear in the ancient mythology of the inhabitants of Mexico. They are found on buildings, in ancient paintings, and works of art. The most famous is the god Kokulkan snake carved on the side of the famous pyramid at Chichen Itza and the winged snake Kochalkotel which appears on many sites.

27/ When the Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortez arrived in the area of ​​Mexico in 1519, the Aztecs believed he was the god Catzalquatel who had returned home. They offered him the drink of the gods - hot and liquid chocolate.

28/ After three hundred years of Spanish conquest, the Rev. Father Hidalgo led the revolt that began in September 1810. Hidalgo is now considered the father of the modern Mexican nation and the local Independence Day was celebrated on September 15th.

29/ Although Mexicans do not have an official language, they do have an official drink and more. Tequila is a world-famous alcoholic beverage, and its main production house is undoubtedly Mexico, which proudly boasts it. Tequila is made from the leaves of a plant called 'blue agave', whose spectacular color is - of course - bright blue.

30/ Mexico has several impressive successes in the field of cuisine, which it has managed to market to the world. At their head is the beloved chocolate, which was imported from it only about 600 years ago to Europe and has become a popular dish. Mexican cuisine also loves corn, and various corn snacks we are familiar with coming straight from it.

31/ In the state of sombrero and hot chili, there has been a real employment problem for many years. According to US government estimates, about half of Mexico residents are not employed. This fact is followed by a sad reality of poverty prevailing in many parts of the country.

32/ Cancun is well-suited for visiting millions of tourists a year because it was pre-built as a resort town for tourists in the early 1970s. The roads are good, the public transport in the area is efficient, the tourist services are friendly and accessible and the signage is clear. Of course, there are also countless hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, shopping sites, and golf courses.

33/ Cancun is a gateway to the Mayan world - the ancient culture of Native Americans who lived on the Yucatan Peninsula. Near the resort are important archeological sites such as Chichén Itzá which is one of the most impressive Mayan sites, or the city of Tulum. These are world heritage sites not to be missed and are worth a day trip.

34/ Since the Mayans still live in Mexico, it is possible to visit the village of the people on the way to Chichen Itza or Tulum. Good food, straw huts, local alcohol, and folk dances will welcome you. At the Mayan Museum in Cancun, you can learn more about this culture.

35/ Isla Mujeres ("Island of the Women") is 13 km on a ferry ride from Cancun. It has a reputation for being a sleepy place (after all, it is an island in the Caribbean), but it does not lack interesting places like Hacienda Mundaca, its estate The ruined and mysterious slave trader from the 19th century, or a site where you can meet a lot of sea turtles. The beaches of the island of women are beautiful - the recommended one is Playa del Norte in the north.

36/ Mexico is home to no less than 1,041 species of birds, 439 species of mammals, 989 species of reptiles and amphibians, and about 27,000 species of plants. About ten percent of the world's animal and plant species are found in 1.4 percent of the earth's soil.

37/ Gringo is a nickname for a resident of the United States, and basically for any foreigner not born in Mexico.

38/ Color television is a Mexican invention

In 1940, at the age of 22, Guillermo González Camarena developed a color television transmission system: the STSC system.

He funded it with royalties paid to him for a song he wrote: "Rio Colorado." In 1942 he obtained the patent, and four years later he made the first distribution in color, from certain offices in Mexico City.

39/ Every year on November 2, a special event is held throughout Mexico: the Day of the Dead where Mexico celebrates with those who have passed away. On the morning of the event, the family members bother about the graves and altars of their loved ones. They clean the tombs, light candles and incense, decorate the tombs with large and bright flowers, pray, reminisce about the dead, sing, eat and drink in a sort of morbid picnic. The food intended for the event is based on spicy meat, chocolate, and sugar cookies in the shapes of human and animal skulls. At six in the afternoon, the bells ring every thirty seconds to summon the dead. They will ring all night long, and at sunrise the next day the ringing will stop and the family and celebrants will return to their homes. The source of the festivities is the native peoples of Mexico who believed that the souls of the dead return every year to visit their relatives to eat, drink and rejoice.

40/ Chihuahua, considered the smallest dog breed, is named after the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico after American tourists first saw it there about a century ago.

I hope the facts about Mexico will help you to know Mexico better and more interestingly before you visit Mexico.

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The 15 best places to visit in Mexico

Oct 9, 2023 • 14 min read

Explore Mexico's stunning landscape and see the best the country has to offer © Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Cantinas and cathedrals. Art and archaeology. Mariachis and mountains. Ruins and rainbow reefs. Mexico makes a mesmerizing escape for lovers of adventure, romance, history, culture, food, and fiery festivals .

Then there are the much-lauded  beaches with clear, blue waters you’ll want to step right into and silent paradise islands without a soul in sight. From the deep canyons of Chihuahua to the peaks of Veracruz, these are the best places to visit in Mexico .

1. Mexico City

Best place for art and vibrant culture

Wondering where to go for your first trip to Mexico? Start in the bustling capital that brims with skyscrapers, markets, gardens and parks , awe-inspiring museums and more than 22 million residents.

Top Mexico City sights include “Casa Azul,” better known as Museo Frida Kahlo , where the celebrated artist lived and died. High-spirited high jinks and chihuahua-sized micheladas are on offer when catching a lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) match at the sprawling Arena México .

For artsy folks, Mexico City is where many of the country's top muralists left behind their most important works. Peruse Diego Rivera's cinematic murals in the Palacio Nacional and the social-realism work of José Clemente Orozco in the Palacio de Bellas Artes .

For a taste of culture, float along the ancient canals of Xochimilco with a mariachi band serenade, or savor piping-hot tacos from the many street-food stalls in the downtown areas before catching a show at one of the city’s 160-odd theaters. You might be lost for words, but you’ll never be short of things to do in Mexico City.

Planning tip : Couple your Mexico City stay with a trip to see the pyramids at Teotihuacán . This archaeological site is located 50km (31 miles) northeast of Mexico City, and it was one of the largest in the Americas in the pre-Columbian era. Visit during the vernal equinox to celebrate spring.

2. Isla Holbox

Best island for bioluminescence and flamingos

For its size, Isla Holbox packs a strong biodiversity punch. Only a mile wide and 26 miles long, this is one of the best places to visit in Mexico to see bubblegum-pink flamingos in the wild (head to Punta Mosquito), catch a glimpse of whale sharks (between mid-May and mid-September), and witness the mesmerizing show of bioluminescent phytoplankton glimmering in the water. Comparable to sparkling underwater fireworks, these glowing micro-organisms are best seen on moonless nights.

Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh) is a laid-back dream of an island off the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula .

With no vehicles to disturb the peace (cars are banned), sandy streets lead to endless beaches with warm, inviting water that’s waist-deep at most for adults. The island’s one alleged drawback? Questionable wi-fi, which encourages travelers to disconnect.

3. San Miguel de Allende

Best place for craft shops and folk art

This Mexican beauty has it all: a fantastic spring-like climate, extraordinary light, breathtaking architecture, superb handicraft shopping, and well-attended art workshops. With a high gallery-to-resident ratio, San Miguel de Allende is one of the best places for creative types to visit in Mexico.

The cobbled city has been luring retirees and bewitching artists since the first art institute opened in a former convent back in the 1930s. It then enticed Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady, who came to drink, write and read poetry in the 1960s (the latter stayed there until his death).

Today, San Miguel de Allende’s narrow, sloped streets house boutiques and cafes that dangle multicolored ribbons from wrought iron window bars, and its vibe is akin to a sepia-toned postcard from the past.

Buildings in the historic district adhere to a color code of saffron, rusty orange, ochre, terracotta, and mustard yellow. Grab a birdseye view of them from one of the city’s numerous rooftops, like Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, a firm favorite.

Planning tip : San Miguel de Allende is a three-hour drive north of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato . Visit in spring to see the purple jacaranda trees in full bloom.

Best place for lagoon living and Maldives vibes

Everything about Bacalar is magical. Not only was it recognized by the Mexican government as a Magic Town ( Pueblo Mágico ) in 2006, but it’s also known for its ethereal jewel-toned lagoon, serene spas offering Mexican healing rituals and a distinct bohemian vibe.

Diners enjoy live music sessions beside bright indoor murals at tropical restaurant-meets-gallery El Manati , and wellness-minded travelers experience temazcal sweat ceremonies and copal cleansings at Casa Hormiga boutique hotel.

The prized activities in Bacalar are kayaking, paddleboarding and boating on the 26-mile Bacalar Lagoon , which is known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors (Laguna de Los Siete Colores) due to its mesmerizing gradient of blues and greens.

The town also has a 90m-deep (295ft) cenote (freshwater pool) and an old Spanish fortress . Nicknamed “the Maldives of Mexico,” unhurried Bacalar is one of the best places to visit in Mexico to get away from it all.

Planning tip : Bacalar is in the state of Quintana Roo, close to Mexico’s border with Belize. To get there using public transportation, take the ADO bus from Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

5. Guadalajara

Best city for mariachi music, tequila and fine dining

Guadalajara , Mexico's second-largest city, is a dynamic cultural hub in the state of Jalisco. This is the tequila-producing region where Mariachi music was born, as well as charrería , Mexico’s national sport (don’t miss September’s annual International Mariachi and Charrería Festival).

Must-sees in Guadalajara include a lienzo (a charrería arena), the vivid frescoes of the Instituto Cultural de Cabaña – a testament to the genius of one-handed muralist José Clemente Orozco – and the three-story Mercado San Juan de Dios , Latin America’s largest indoor market.

Despite being deeply rooted in tradition, Guadalajara has recently gained recognition for its modern gastronomic excellence with multiple appearances on the coveted World’s 50 Best lists. Delight in upscale, globalized Mexican cuisine and cocktails at Alcalde and El Gallo Altanero.

Planning tip : Guadalajara's allure extends beyond its city limits. Use it as your gateway to Lake Chapala (one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country), the agave-clad fields of Tequila, or other charming Magic Towns like Tlaquepaque or Tapalpa.

6. Puerto Vallarta

Best place for sand, adventure and LGBTIQ+ events

With climactic and wild scenery, Puerto Vallarta is a popular vacation destination for Mexicans and foreign travelers alike. Framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Bahía de Banderas (Bay of Banderas), it's a place where thrill seekers conquer rugged terrain and rappel down waterfalls, and families frolic on sun-kissed beaches – Playa Conchas Chinas , Playa Las Gemelas and Playa Mismaloya are noteworthy sandy spots.

The city is also popular among LGBTIQ+ travelers; there are gay-friendly Puerto Vallarta hotels, beach bars, restaurants, and nightlife establishments. Lovers take to the Zona Romantica (Romanic Zone) for alfresco meals, and strolling along the picturesque Malecon boardwalk, with its numerous bronze sculptures and street performers, is one of the best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

There's also plenty going on in the ocean, where you can see humpback whales breaching on the horizon, pods of dolphins rising from the waves, and mother turtles arriving to lay their eggs.

Planning tip : The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta to witness a baby turtle release is between July and December. Selected hotels like Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa host newborn turtle release ceremonies.

7. Playa del Carmen

Best place for beach-meets-city vibes

Playa del Carmen is the best of both worlds: a thriving city with a bounty of enticing restaurants and pinch-me-please white sand beaches (one is even connected to a cenote). The palm-lined Quinta Avenida is the city's bustling artery with an eclectic mix of shops, lively street performances, and gourmand-pleasing international eateries.

In this versatile beach destination, families build sandcastles alongside digital nomads and solo travelers seeking spirited adventures, while night owls congregate around Calle 12 (12th St) for throbbing nights at Mandala, La Vaquita and Coco Bongo. Another Playa del Carmen accolade is the variety of rooftop bars, from the sleek UMI Rooftop and Tokyo Kitchen to the laid-back BeRoof .

From Playa (as locals call it), day trips to Riviera Maya towns like Akumal (known for turtle encounters) are all within easy reach using colectivos (minivans). There is also a direct ferry to Cozumel with Winjet or Ultramar .

8. Chichén Itzá

Best place to see pre-Columbian architecture

If you’ve always wanted to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is one of the best places to go in Mexico. With origins dating back to the 5th century, this is undoubtedly the most popular of Mexico's ancient sights.

From the imposing, monolithic El Castillo pyramid (where the shadow of the plumed serpent god Kukulcán creeps down the staircase during the spring and autumn equinoxes) to the Sacred Cenote and curiously designed El Caracol observatory, Chichén Itzá is spectacular.

Planning tip : Book a Chichén Itzá tour with an English-speaking guide to learn about the mind-blowing legacy of Maya astronomers . Note that the heat, humidity and crowds in Chichén Itzá can be fierce, so try to explore the site either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, though keep in mind that the 5pm closing is a hard exit. There is also a post-sunset sound-and-light show .

9. Zihuatanejo

Best place for an Old-Mexico feel

Zihuatanejo benefited from the fortunes of neighboring resort town Ixtapa, which Mexico’s tourism body carefully developed in the 1970s. This was a direct attempt to replicate the Caribbean splendor of Cancún on the Pacific coast.

Ixtapa’s hotspot status trickled 6.5km (4 miles) south to Zihuatanejo, which feels like a sleepy fishing village elevated by a handful of relaxed seaside sanctuaries like Thompson Zihuatanejo on Playa La Ropa .

In this blissed-out traditional Guerrero town, there are storied, curiously named beaches that are great for surfing, diving, fishing and seafood-feasting in the presence of crashing waves.

Take a walk on Playa Las Gatas (Cat Beach), reportedly named after land wildcats or the whiskered nurse sharks in Zihua’s waters, or make a dash for the aforementioned Playa La Ropa (Clothes Beach), the town’s most popular beach, which incorporates a legend of a Spanish shore wreckage containing washed silk clothes.

Best place for quiet beaches

La Paz , the capital of Baja California Sur, has something for every kind of beach lover. The city is a delightful springboard to adventures on the Sea of Cortez, home to 39% of the world’s marine mammals.

Around 40 minutes from La Paz, Playa El Saltito feels tranquil and isolated during the sweltering days, and its crystal waters come alive with bioluminescence at night. Though competition is tough, Playa Balandra , with its unique mushroom-like rock formation, is heralded as one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches.

The impossible-to-miss destination in the region is the Unesco-listed Espíritu Santo  island, where you can camp under a canopy of stunning stars, snorkel with playful sea lions and even peek at congresses of clumsy blue-footed boobies. A number of operators run activities here, including kayaking and snorkeling.

Best place for wellness and boho vibes

Over the years, Tulum shed its former name (Zama), and its position as a secluded and sleepy beach-meets-jungle town in Riviera Maya and subsequently ripened into a world-famous pilgrimage for honeymooners, hedonists and holistic tourists. The spirituality-focused traveler will find a host of things to do in Tulum ranging from cacao ceremonies to pre-Hispanic sound healing and open-air rooftop yoga classes.

Tulum is a well-rounded destination with scrumptious restaurants and bars, and accommodations for all budgets, from waterfront shacks to top-end resorts and thatch-roofed boutique boltholes like La Valise Tulum .

The beaches are postcard-ready, the most celebrated stretch being Playa Ruinas with its strikingly well-preserved Maya ruins perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. There are also numerous attractions in the surrounding area, such as the massive Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an , the secluded fishing village Punta Allen and the ruins of Cobá .

Planning tip : Tulum Pueblo (the town center) is where the really cheap eats and sleeps are found, but it’s a 20-minute bike ride or 12-minute taxi to the beach. Plan ahead to find well-priced beach accommodations if that’s where you’d prefer to stay.

12. Los Cabos

Best place for glitz, glamor and parties

Sister cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo need no introduction. The former is notorious among party-hearty North American crowds, while the latter is more sedate with art galleries, celebrity-frequented luxury resorts, upscale boutiques and over-the-top decadent tequila tasting rooms.

Together, these perennially sunny spots on the southernmost tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula have become two of the top places to see in Mexico.

Under the blazing Cabo sun, golfers chase their dreams on emerald greens designed by legendary champion Jack Nicklaus, and surfers tackle world-class surf breaks.

Not many beaches are safe for swimming, but other outdoor pursuits like deep-sea fishing, spotting sea lions and whale watching (from mid-December to mid-April) keep water babies coming back.

13. Pico de Orizaba

Best place for a superlative trek

Pico de Orizaba is a symmetrical, snow-capped volcano on the border of Puebla and Veracruz states. Also called Citlaltépetl, it’s the highest peak in Mexico and the third-highest mountain in North America, with a summit elevation of around 5636m (18,491ft) above sea level.

Dormant but not extinct, the last recorded eruption was in 1846, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico for serious climbers – professionals prep there before taking on Mount Everest. Treks start from the small village of Tlachichuca, and the ascent requires some technical skills – Pico de Orizaba is the ultimate trekking and climbing challenge in Mexico.

If sea-level thrills are more to your liking, there's plenty on offer in the town of Orizaba, including a beautiful riverside walk, a couple of impressive museums and galleries and a unique "Iron Palace. " The perfect introduction to Veracruz state's most appealing town is to hop into the cable car up to the park atop 1240m (4068ft) Cerro del Borrego.

From this lofty, green perch, you can admire the domes and bell towers of the city's many historic churches and the surrounding mountainous terrain, including the snowcapped summit of Pico de Orizaba.

14. Copper Canyon Railway

Best train ride

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico (Copper Canyon Railway) remains one of Latin America’s best rail trips. Also known as the Chepe Express (from the “Ch” of Chihuahua and “P” of Pacífico), trains climb from sea level at Los Mochis to the town of Creel via the sensational rocky landscapes of the rust-hued Copper Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of Mexico”).

Vistas from your window during the train journey include alpine forests, subtropical valleys, Tarahumara villages and glimpses of some of the world’s deepest canyons.

Overnight en route at cinematic lodges overlooking the canyon's edge, or stay for days of exploring, hiking, horseback riding and even zip-lining in one of the best places to see in Mexico.

15. Oaxaca City

Best place for mezcal and cultural celebrations

Once the capital of the Zapotec Civilization, the state of Oaxaca is now better known as Mexico’s primary mezcal-producing region. Fine mezcals distilled around the state make their way to low-lit, atmospheric establishments in Oaxaca City like La Popular, El Destilado and La Mezcalerita, and savvy locals guide thirsty patrons on popular tours to experience the city one smoky sip at a time (check out Mezcouting and Oaxacking ).

The frequent colorful fiestas in Oaxaca City also win smiles from cultural travelers. The city’s population swells at the start of November during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, when Mexican families honor and celebrate their lost loves with round-the-clock vigils, joyful offerings, and parades.

One of the most unique things to see in Oaxaca City is the merrymaking during Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) on December 23. During this competition dating back to 1897, the young and old carve radishes into scenes that are displayed in Zócalo to much fanfare.

Planning tip : Venture two hours outside of Oaxaca City to reach Hierve el Agua , a jaw-dropping petrified waterfall-like formation. You can take a bus, rent a car or hire a driver to take you to these mineral-rich infinity pools.

This article was first published Jun 24, 2021 and updated Oct 9, 2023.

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21 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Mexico

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Mar 1, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Mexico is a country that will take your breath away. It's a country that has something to please absolutely everyone, from endless sunshine to stunning scenery, beautiful sandy beaches , gourmet cuisine, culture, art, festivals, mountains, and so much more.

So important are Mexico's ancient Aztec and Mayan sites and historic colonial cities that many have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites , ensuring they'll remain unchanged for generations to come. Interestingly, these Mayan ruins – including places like Guanajuato, Chichén Itzá, and Uxmal – are often as popular as traditional beach vacation spots like Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen.

Of course, Mexico has some of the most modern and vibrant cities in the world, too, from its capital, Mexico City to smaller urban hotspots like Guadalajara, Guanajuato, and Monterrey.

Topping the whole experience is the country's rich culture, a fascinating mix of native people, as well as colonial influences from Spain, that shows up in everything from the country's culinary creations to its vibrant music and dance traditions. It's also a country rich in flora and fauna, as it is spread across climate zones that encompass everything from arid deserts to lush tropical rainforests.

To ensure you plan the very best Mexican travel itinerary possible, check out our list of the best places to visit in Mexico.

1. Cancún and the Mayan Riviera

2. puerto vallarta, 3. cabo san lucas, san jose del cabo, and the los cabos corridor, 4. copper canyon: mexico's grand canyon, 5. mexico city's historic center, 6. chichén itzá: the mayan metropolis, 7. guanajuato, 8. ixtapa and zihuatanejo, 9. the ancient fortress of tulum, 10. cozumel: island life, 11. guadalajara, 12. mérida: yucatán's white city, 13. oaxaca: a taste of real mexico, 14. historic morelia, 15. riviera nayarit, 16. mazatlan, 17. cenotes, yucatan peninsula, 18. costa oaxaquena, 19. palenque, chiapas, 20. isla holbox, 21. huasteca potosina, san luis potosi.

For most first-timers to Mexico, their first stop will be Cancun or the surrounding beach towns up and down the coast of what is called the Mexican Caribbean, or the Riviera Maya . Cancun's airport is the second busiest in the country and it's all because tourists are flocking to the powder-white beaches , all-inclusive resorts, and endless activities.

The top destinations in the Mexican Caribbean are Cancun, Playa del Carmen , Tulum , and the island of Cozumel . But you'll find many other smaller destinations worth a visit, too, like the small village of Puerto Morelos , the tiny island of Isla Mujeres , and the magnificent turquoise-colored lake, Laguna de Bacalar.

My favorite things to do in the Riviera Maya are to pop in and out of the small coastal towns to escape the business of the main cities. Puerto Morelos is a must for its white-sand beaches, sandy streets, outdoor cafes, and small boutique shops. I also really love the village of Bacalar that sits overlooking the lagoon. Go here for raw, unspoiled nature, epic sunsets over the lake, and a rising boutique hotel scene.

But Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are positively brimming with fun things to do, such as dolphin and stingray swims; snorkeling among reefs and tropical fish; as well as scuba diving in the world's largest underwater museum, a spectacular collection of sculptures submerged at depths of up to eight meters.

Then, of course, the region has many ancient Mayan ruins , with some of the closest sites within walking distance of the beaches, while the largest and most impressive – Chichén Itzá and Tulum – are just a few hours away.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cancún

Puerto Vallarta started as a small fishing village, drawing visitors with its broad beaches and misty, jungle-covered mountains. Today it's one of the largest and fastest-growing coastal cities in the country , expanding at lightning speed and catering to every type of traveler. Still, Puerto Vallarta has protected pockets of untouched architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic homes, so you'll still be able to catch a glimpse of its fishing village vibes. I loved it so much that I now call it home and spend about three to six months there every year.

Nowadays, thanks to the many things to do in Puerto Vallarta , the city is as likely to attract an older cruise ship audience looking to swim with the dolphins as it is younger travelers looking for adventure, found here in activities as diverse as paragliding and jet skiing.

The best introduction to Puerto Vallarta begins in the Zona Romantica, the oldest part of the city . Here you'll find narrow, cobblestone streets that zig-zag up into the mountains. Walking the streets of the Zona Romantica, be sure to drink in the gorgeous colors, from the purple bougainvillea blossoms to the burnt orange of the terracotta tile roofs.

Other great neighborhoods to explore include Centro for the famous crown-topped Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cinco de Diciembre for the shopping and beaches, and Versalles for its thriving restaurant scene. You'll also have the marina and Hotel Zone for more high-end shopping and fabulous resorts.

Of course, like any good resort destination in Mexico, you can't leave the city without visiting the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta . The beaches in the Zona Romantica are the busiest, thanks to a long string of open-air restaurants that runs along the length of the coastline. For quieter beaches, head north along the bay back towards the airport and the marina. Beaches like Playa Camarones, for example, are much quieter and cater to a local crowd.

Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Puerto Vallarta

At the southern tip of the beautiful Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos – often referred to simply as "Cabo" – is one of Mexico's top beach destinations. Consisting of a large stretch of coastline that extends from the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo and known as the Los Cabos Corridor (Corredor Turistico), this 30-kilometer stretch of pristine beaches attracts visitors the world over for its clear waters, diving, snorkeling, and fishing (it also hosts the world's largest marlin contest).

What I love most about Cabo is its landscape. The drive from the airport down the corridor towards Los Cabos is one of the most beautiful stretches of natural beauty, with endless views of saguaro cacti, red rock desert mountains, and crashing cobalt-colored sea.

Cabo has so many fantastic things to do , as well, from visiting the natural rock formations at El Arco de Cabo San Lucas , to swimming and snorkeling on its calmer beaches. Keep in mind, many of the beaches around the peninsula are not safe for swimming. But a handful of beaches are renowned for their warm, calm, cove-like waters and fantastic snorkeling conditions. Playa Chileno is one of my favorites.

For some of Los Cabos' history and culture, the city of San Jose del Cabo is perfect. Its downtown has cobblestone streets, a massive main square, and dozens of art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. San Jose del Cabo is my favorite place to visit when I'm visiting the Los Cabos destination, particularly for its farm-to-table food scene at places like Flora Farms, Acre, and Tamarindos .

Numerous resorts have sprung up that cater to all tastes and budgets, from luxurious spas to golf-centered properties offering some of the best courses in North America. For the most part, however, Los Cabos most appeals to big-budget travelers. It is one of the luxury capitals of Mexico.

Read More: Baja Road Trip: Driving from San Jose del Cabo to Rosarito

Chihuahua, one of Mexico's most northerly states – it shares the border with New Mexico in the US – is home to one of the country's most visited natural attractions, the stunning Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre).

Located in a region known as the Sierra Madre Occidental and consisting of a spectacular group of deep canyons, Copper Canyon is in fact larger and deeper than its better-known cousin, the Grand Canyon. Taking its name from the distinctive copper-green coloring along its steep canyon walls, these amazing natural structures were formed by six rivers that converge in the Rio Fuerte before draining into the Gulf of California.

Thanks to the area's increased popularity as a travel destination, there are numerous options available to those wanting to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty, from scenic rail trips aboard the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico to more adventurous excursions by bike or even on horseback.

Mexico City is one of my favorite cities in the world. I'd argue that Mexico City can compare with some of the world's most famous and iconic historic capitals like Paris, Rome, and London. This thriving, ancient city is stunningly beautiful, rich with history and culture, and buzzing with some of the world's best restaurants and hotels.

Mexico City (Ciudad de México) is not only the capital of the country and the seat of government, but it is also one of the country's most popular alternative travel destinations thanks to its many world-class museums, art galleries, and attractions. Don't be put off by its size. Instead, focus your efforts on the historic city center (Centro Histórico de la Ciudad), a 15-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting more than 1,400 important colonial buildings from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

It's here, you'll find most of Mexico City's major highlights , many within walking distance of Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución, or the Zocalo), the city's bustling main plaza, including the National Palace , the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor with its Aztec relics. Adding to the whole experience are the huge volcanic mountains overlooking the city, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl , each over 5,000 meters tall and offering a perfect excuse to get out and explore the stunning scenery in this part of the Mexican Highlands.

Tip: Head to the rooftop restaurant at the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico for one of the best views over the Zocalo. At night, you'll have a front-row seat for the colorful lights that cast an impressive glow over the centuries-old buildings.

A popular day trip for those visiting Cancún and Playa del Carmen or the Yucatán capital of Mérida , the magnificent Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites, as well as one of the biggest and best restored. Highlights of a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site are numerous. A must-see here is the massive El Castillo , also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, and at 30 meters high, the site's tallest structure.

Another noteworthy point of interest here is the magnificent Caracol , an almost 1,000-year-old observatory that stands a testament to just how advanced the Mayans were. The building is notable for the narrow slits in its walls allowing the sun to penetrate twice per year, so priests could accurately determine the date. Also of interest are the site's numerous statues, including many examples of the famous Mayan Chacmools holding their sacrificial vessels as they continue to protect these old temples.

• Read More: Visiting Chichén Itzá from Cancún: Highlights, Tips & Tours

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many old colonial buildings, winding lanes, and narrow alleys, Guanajuato is a city that just begs to be explored on foot. A particularly pleasurable experience is visiting its many plazas, including the delightful Jardin de la Union , the city's main square with its splendid old architecture. It's here, you'll find the beautiful old San Diego Church and the majestic Juárez Theater , along with fountains and flower beds, cafés, and restaurants.

Afterward, head underground to the city's subterranean streets, part of a network of tunnels that once carried a river but are now used by cars and pedestrians wanting to get around the city quickly.

Known as an art city, Guanajuato is home to many fine galleries, as well as interesting museums, none more so than the Museum of Quixote , dedicated to the works of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The city also hosts Latin America's most important festival in honor of the writer, the International Cervantino Festival . And if you've got the stomach for it, check out the city's famous Mummies of Guanajuato exhibit, with its many naturally mummified remains of locals who died during an outbreak of cholera in the mid-19th century.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Guanajuato

While there's no denying the appeal of Mexico's larger beach resorts, there's much to be said for paying a visit to some of the country's many smaller vacation destinations. Two of the very best are the towns of Ixtapa and its neighbor, the much smaller former fishing village of Zihuatanejo on the country's Pacific coast.

Although the larger of the two, the former coconut and mango-producing town of Ixtapa has been carefully master-planned as a tourist hub to good effect – its streets and beaches are uncluttered and easy to get around. Be sure to book one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Ixtapa.

The contrast to traditional beach resorts is even greater in beautiful Zihuatanejo, which has worked hard to keep its small-town feel. Still, the town offers a lengthy list of things to do . Lying along a small, well-protected bay, it's a delightful and safe town to explore, home to a number of fine hotels and restaurants. Fun activities include shopping in its fish market or, better still, taking a fishing excursion to catch something of your own.

Famous as the only fortified Mayan settlement located on the coast, the ancient city of Tulum is one of the Yucatán Peninsula's most visited attractions. In the Mayan Riviera and within easy reach of the beaches of Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel, the site's well-preserved ruins can be seen for miles around due to their location atop 12-meter-high cliffs overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is also famous for its tall walls, giving the site the feel of a fortress and suggesting a military, as well as religious significance. Dating from the 13th century, the town was inhabited up until the Spanish arrived in 1544 and contains many other important archaeological finds, including the Temple of the Frescoes (Templo de los Frescos), with its sculptures and reliefs, and the Castillo , the site's largest building, famous for its cliff-side location.

• Read More: Visiting Tulum: Attractions, Tips & Tours

The island of Cozumel has pretty much everything needed for a perfect Mexican getaway. Located 20 kilometers from the Yucatán Peninsula, this lush tropical paradise takes its name from the ancient Mayan, "Ah-cuzamil," which translated means "land of the swallows," and has long been inhabited. And while the first visitors to the island were reputedly Mayan pilgrims, followed by European smugglers and pirates, modern-day travelers are drawn here by the promise of endless sunshine. The top beaches for these sun-seekers are Playa San Juan , Playa San Francisco , and Playa Santa Rosa , to name but a few.

Many are attracted to Cozumel by the superlative diving experiences to be enjoyed around its coral reefs. These beautiful locations are rich with fish and other marine life, and it's relatively easy to include at least a little underwater activity by booking a diving experience through your resort (or ahead of your travel), or simply grabbing a pair of flippers and a mask when you get here.

If you're into serious diving, head to the Palancar Reef on the southwest tip of the island. Here, you'll be rewarded with an undulating seabed that plunges from its shallow spots to depths of 80 meters. A relatively new experience includes diving around man-made landmarks, including sculptures and bronze figures, as well as structures deposited to encourage coral growth.

Be sure to drag yourself away from the island's crystal-clear waters long enough to see at least a little of the island's capital, San Miguel de Cozumel. Here, you can grab a ferry for a day trip to either Playa del Carmen or Cancún , or explore top tourist attractions such as the Island Museum with its fascinating displays relating to the island's history, or partake in some shopping or dining.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Cozumel

Second only to Mexico City in size, Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, has successfully conserved its unique mix of colonial and native Tapatíos influences. Famous for its broad avenues flanked by picturesque parks and fine old buildings notable for their European flair, Guadalajara is a hotbed of traditional Mexican culture, from the mariachi music that seems to emanate everywhere, to its fascinating Charreadas, a type of rodeo that is usually accompanied by festivities such as dancing, singing, and plenty of great food.

It's a fun city to explore on foot due to the four large squares that together form the shape of a cross and comprise the old city center. The best of them, Plaza de Armas , is the perfect place to begin a sightseeing tour and includes such notable buildings as the 17th-century Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) and the beautiful Baroque Guadalajara Cathedral (Catedral de Guadalajara), built between 1558 and 1616.

Whenever I visit Guadalajara, I like to explore the Colonia Americana neighborhood , which is within walking distance of Centro. Its leafy, tree-lined streets are flanked by great restaurants and galleries, and it has some of the best hotels in the city. Villa Ganz Boutique Hotel is a personal favorite, housed in a 1930s villa with a beautiful and tranquil backyard.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Guadalajara

The capital of Yucatán, Mérida is one of Mexico's finest old colonial cities and is perfectly located to serve as a base from which to explore the region's many fine Mayan sites, including Chichén Itzá and Tulum. It's an equally popular day trip or overnight stopover from the resorts of the Mayan Riviera. Established in 1542 by the Spanish, Mérida is laid out on a grid pattern, making it easy to explore its numerous attractive parks and fine old buildings.

European influences are everywhere, particularly in the old city squares and plazas where evidence of French architecture can still be seen. It's also a remarkably neat and tidy city, something of a badge of honor for its citizens who like to dress in white, giving the city its long-standing nickname of Ciudad Blanca, the "white city."

My favorite place to hang out in Merida is near the Parque de Santa Lucia . Not far from the broad and historic Paseo de Montejo Boulevard, and close to the shopping and restaurants of Calle 59, Parque Santa Lucia is in the heart of the action and a nice, shady spot to escape the infamous Merida humidity.

• Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Mérida

Capital of the state of the same name, Oaxaca is one of the most popular city destinations for travelers interested in sampling a taste of the real Mexico. An interesting mix of native indigenous and Spanish elements, the city has remained largely untouched by the kind of large developments that have sprung up in some of the country's other popular destinations, and as a consequence, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

In addition to its unspoiled city center and old architecture, the city has become a cultural hub that draws crowds for its numerous events and festivals, including the spectacular Guelaguetza , an indigenous festival that takes place each July and includes traditional dancing, costumes, music, food, and crafts. The city also makes a great jumping-off point to explore the splendid surrounding scenery, along with numerous ancient ruins such as those of the Monte Alban .

One of my favorite things to do in Oaxaca is to take a trip to the magical Hierve El Agua natural mineral pools . These beautiful clifftop pools , which are open to the public for swimming, have spectacular views out over the surrounding valley and mountains. Even more impressive, from a distance, the spillage from the pool has calcified to the cliff below, creating the illusion of a waterfall frozen in time.

If you happen to extend your stay in Oaxaca, it's worth a trip down the mountains to the coast to experience some of the state's very best beaches .

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions & Places to Visit in Oaxaca

A gem of a city, the colonial-era Morelia is a delightful place to linger in Mexico, whether you're here for a few days or longer. Little change has been made to the layout of this historic city, founded in 1541, and thanks to the more than 200 well-preserved buildings that date back many hundreds of years, the entire downtown core has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

A highlight of a visit is spending time in the magnificent Plaza de Armas . Laid out nearly 500 years ago, this large public square is perfect for those who like to explore on foot. In addition to its many great cafés, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, here you'll find everything from statues of revolutionary heroes to attractive stretches of gardens and pleasant fountains, making for one of the prettiest cityscapes in all of Mexico.

Nearby attractions you'll want to visit include the attractive Morelia Cathedral , built from local stone over a period of 100 years, starting in 1640, and still dominating the skyline to this day. Be sure to pop inside, too, and spend time examining interesting features, including its amazing artwork. A short walk from here is another must-see: the Morelia Aqueduct . Completed in 1789 and featuring over 250 arches, it, too, was built of local stone, and for years was the city's main source of drinking water.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Morelia

If you haven't heard of it yet, chances are you will very soon. Riviera Nayarit is the stretch of coastline north of Puerto Vallarta that begins in the neighboring state of Nayarit. Familiar towns that stick out might include Sayulita , or the luxury enclave peninsula that is Punta Mita. But Riviera Nayarit has so much more to explore and is practically overgrown with natural beauty.

While Puerto Vallarta was building and expanding, surfers for decades have been flocking to the jungle-beaten paths and virgin beaches to the north. The picture is a little different these days, as once-fishing villages have turned to sleepy boutique hotel towns. Five-star resorts and villas dot the hillsides, and former surf towns have been reinvented as havens for yoga retreats and boho-chic galleries. The ultra-high-end luxury is well on its way.

Still, the more north you go up the coast, the more you'll be traveling back in time to a simpler time of Mexico beach beauty – complete with rolling, emerald-colored peaks, craggy cliffs that plummet into the ocean, and nothing but a string of shady palapas along golden-colored sand, as far as the eye can see.

A personal favorite along the Riviera Nayarit is the small village of San Pancho . It neighbors Sayulita, but receives a fraction of the tourists and is geared much more toward travelers "in the know." Things are changing, and soon San Pancho will be less of a well-kept secret, but for now, it's one of those coastal gems that makes you feel like you have the entire place to yourself.

I adore Mazatlan. In my opinion, it is one of the most underrated places to visit in Mexico . It's one of the only historic cities on the sea, which means visitors to Mazatlan have the best of both worlds. Starting from the Centro Historico, you can walk the cobblestone streets of Mazatlan's history. The Spanish colonial architecture reveals beautifully decorated cathedrals, broad plazas, and buildings bathed in bright, almost vibrating, colors.

The Centro Historico is where you'll find the charming, boutique hotels of Mazatlan, as well as its best restaurants. Directly across the main street from the historic downtown is a stretch of beautiful shoreline, which is a rarity in Mexico's historic cities.

Be sure to explore the Plaza Machado , surrounded by historic buildings, and home to the beautiful Angela Peralta theater. A walk around the square will get you to the heart of the city, and it's one of the most vibrant places for street performers, arts and crafts fairs, murals, and much more.

Up the coast is where the beach resorts can be found. These all-inclusive beachfront resorts have beautiful pools, rooms with strong air-conditioning, and sweeping views out to the Pacific. Mazatlan is also a wonderful home base for outdoor activity, from surfing and hiking to ATVing on the beach.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Mazatlan

One of the best things to do in Mexico is to head underground into its mysterious world of cenotes. Most prevalent on the Yucatan peninsula, Cenotes are large sinkholes in the earth that give entrance to a web of underground rivers and caves carved out of the ancient limestone bedrock. You can find more than 6,000 cenotes in this part of Mexico.

The Mayan people believed that cenotes were the entrance to the underworld, and are still considered to be sacred spots. Many of them are on privately owned land and are protected, but visitors can explore them through organized tours. The gorgeous, crystal-clear pools of water are mesmerizing and can be wonderful places to visit for snorkeling or scuba diving.

Exploring the caves underneath the earth's surface is another popular activity, with centuries-old stalactites and stalagmites that give these cavernous spaces an eerie, other-worldly vibe.

Down from the mountains of Oaxaca City – a 10-hour bus ride, to be exact – the elevation descends rapidly towards the stunning coast of Oaxaca. This stretch of the Pacific is one of the last wild coasts of Mexico. Over the years, it has managed to evade mass development, remaining one of the truest, raw, and wild places to experience undeveloped beaches.

The main town along the Oaxacan coast is Huatulco , a series of nine bays carved out of the coastline. Here is where you will find the majority of hotels and restaurants, as well as a port. As you go farther north, things become much more rugged and remote. You'll pass through the hippie beach havens of Mazunte and Zipolite, before you reach the surf mecca of Puerto Escondido.

Puerto Escondido, or "Puerto" to the locals, is my favorite spot along the entire Oaxacan coastline . Stroll along Playa Zicatela, the main beach in Puerto. This is where the famous Mexican Pipeline crashes just offshore, and is the best place for surfing in all of Mexico . The beach is strewn with lively restaurants, swimwear boutiques, and spots for a fresh juice or acai bowl.

Today Puerto Escondido is seeing a flurry of hotel and restaurant development, and before long it will probably become one of the many Tulums of Mexico, with boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and shopping. But the spaces in between these hives of activity are where you truly get lost in the craggy, mountainous splendor of the Oaxacan coast.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Puerto Escondido

The beauty of Mexico's Mayan ruins is that many remain tucked away in thick, lush jungle. Coming upon them only helps to set the tone of these "lost" cities. Palenque, located in the jungles of the southern state of Chiapas, is one of the most magical Mayan archaeological sites. And seeing as it's not as easy to get to as Tulum or Chichen Itza, you'll feel like you've stepped into another world when you visit.

The ruins of Palenque date back more than 1,000 years and are thought to be one of the rival cities with other Mayan cities like Calakmul and Tonina. The site is most famous for its Temple of the Inscriptions, a pyramid temple with hieroglyphics that have been integral in helping archaeologists interpret the Mayan language.

A huge portion of the city remains unexplored, the rest shrouded in the surrounding jungle. Still, what has been uncovered is breathtaking to explore.

Flecked off the northeastern corner of the Yucatan peninsula, Isla Holbox is about as close as Mexico gets to its own Caribbean island. The car-free, skinny barrier island is accessed via a very quick ferry ride from the port town of Chiquila.

Once on-island, visitors will find the pace slows way down. Sandy roads run the length of the island, from the small main town all the way to the farther, palm-fringed reaches. This island is all about taking it slow, from the daily yoga activities to the laid-back beach restaurants and boutique hotels.

Barefoot and casual, this island has long been on the backpacker and digital nomad trail. It started to gain serious traction in the last few years, and more brand hotels are taking interest in it. But for now, it still remains one of the best-kept secrets along the Mexican Caribbean.

Mexico has many deep canyons and raging rivers, but none is as beautiful as the La Huasteca Potosina region. The Huasteca region of Mexico is the area home to the Indigenous Huasteca people, and it spans many states. But the region in the state of San Luis Potosi is particularly known for its epic waterfalls.

This hot and humid jungle is simply bursting with tropical flowers that explode from the thick, green foliage. Its veins are coursing with bright blue water, which give way to beautiful ribbons of gushing falls – and swimming holes to go along with them.

Huasteca Potosina is not terribly convenient to get to, but it is particularly appealing to adventure travelers who want to see a side of Mexico that few international travelers get to experience.

More on Mexico

Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rain forests in the south and east.

Mountains cover much of Mexico. Between the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in the east and the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west lie small mountain ranges on the Central Plateau. These regions are rich with valuable metals like silver and copper.

The stretch of land called the Yucatán Peninsula juts into the Gulf of Mexico from Mexico's southeastern tip. It was once the home of the Maya civilization, an ancient culture whose amazing buildings can still be seen today.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Mexico is the product of a rich Native American heritage, three centuries of Spanish rule, and a shared border with the world's richest country, the United States . Today, many Mexicans are mestizos, which means they have a mix of Native American and Spanish blood.

Throughout its history, Mexico has been home to great artists. The Maya and other Native Americans made impressive murals, sculptures, and jewelry. Modern Mexican artists include great painters, photographers, sculptors, and muralists.

Mexicans take sports seriously. In ancient times, losers of a ritual ball game were once put to death. In some dangerous sports, like bullfighting and rodeo (which was invented in Mexico), competitors still put their lives on the line.

Few nations on Earth support as many plant and animal species as Mexico does. Located partway between the Equator and the Arctic Circle, it is a refuge for animals fleeing extreme cold in the north and intense heat in the south.

In northern Mexico, deserts are full of plant and animal species that have found ways to survive the harsh environment. On Mexico's west coast, gray whales swim thousands of miles each year from Alaska to breed in the waters off Baja California .

The rain forests and coastal wetlands of eastern Mexico are home to thousands of tropical plant species and elusive animals like jaguars and quetzal birds.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

Mexico is rich in natural resources, like oil, silver, copper, and agricultural products. Its economy boasts a rich diversity of agricultural crops, highly productive oil fields, a growing manufacturing base, as well as strong trade with the United States and Canada .

The Olmec people, Mexico's first complex society, emerged in the southeastern part of the country around 1200 B.C. They were later followed by the Maya, the Toltec, and the Aztec peoples.

Mexico's ancient societies built great cities and huge pyramids, created remarkable works of art, and even studied the stars and planets to determine when to plant crops and hold ceremonies.

In the early 1500s, the Spanish arrived in Mexico. The Aztec people got sick from smallpox and other diseases that the Spanish brought with them. The Spaniards also seized and destroyed the Aztec capital, called Tenochtilán. The Spanish ruled Mexico until 1821.

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Mexico Facts

Interesting mexico facts for kids.

Here are some interesting Mexico Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

• Population : 130 million people live in Mexico (2024)
• Capital : Mexico City with 22 million inhabitants is the country's biggest city. 
• Name : United Mexican States (in Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos )  
• Government : Democracy, Republic
• Language : Spanish
• Literacy : More than 95% of the population over the age of 15 years can read and write
• Religion : Christians, mainly Roman Catholics (78%)

• Currency : 1 peso = 100 centavos
• Flag colors : green, white and red
• National Symbols : golden eagle and national colours green, white and red
• History : Mexico was conquered and colonised by the Spanish from the 16th century. 
• President : Andrés Manuel López Obrador (since 2018, the next elections will be held in July 2024!)

Mexico Facts | National Symbols

The flag is shows three bands in green, white and red. The emblem on the white ground shows an eagle standing on a cactus with a snake in the beak.

What do the colours in the flag stand for? The colours of the Mexican flag stand for independence, unity and religion. The legend describes, that the Aztec settled and built their capital city which they named Tenochtitlan, which is today Mexico City, on the place where they saw and eagle sitting on a cactus, eating a snake.

More about the meaning of colours in flags

Mexico Map and Geography

Mexico is located on the North American continent and shares borders with the USA in the North and Belize and Guatemala in the South.

The border between Mexico and the USA is the second longest border in the world and is about 3,155 km/ 2,000 miles long.

Below you can see a map of Mexico, click on the map to zoom in to see more cities and detailed information.

Mexico has mountains in the eastern and northern parts of the country, rainforests in the southern and eastern parts and deserts in the West.

Most of the bigger cities are located in the southern parts of the country. There are low coastal plains, high-rugged mountains and a high tableau in the centre of the country.

The climate varies from tropical climate to desert climate.

Mexico has four time zones!

Mexico is situated on the ‘Ring of Fire’, the world’s most prominent volcano and earthquake region. However, the volcanos on Mexico's Baja California, a popular tourist destination, are mostly dormant.

The peninsula to the west of mainland Mexico is called Baja California. Over 120 species of cactus are growing there!

Mexico Facts | Geo Superlatives

• Mexico has the world's largest Spanish speaking population and Mexico is also the second most populous country in North America - after the USA. 
• The highest peak in Mexico is a volcano. It is called 'Pico de Orizaba' or 'Volcan Citlaltepetl' and is 5,636 m/ 18,491 ft high. This is also the third largest volcano in Northern America. 
• The longest river in Mexico is the Río Bravo del Norte (also referred to as Rio Grande). This river begins in the southwestern USA and flows into Mexico.
• The largest lake in Mexico is Lake Chapala near Guadalajara.
• The " cardon cactus " is the world's biggest cactus! The Mexican giant cactus measures up to 21 metres/ 70 feet in height and can be seen in the deserts of Baja California. These cacti can live up to 300 years.

Landmarks and Attractions in Mexico

Mexico is one of the world's top travel destinations and for US travellers, Mexico is the top destination. And Mexico houses 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! So much to explore in this North American country.

Mexicans love children, so families are always welcome everywhere! There are some great attractions for kids, among the most popular with families are:

• Chichen Itza : built by the Maya people is a World Heritage Site and visited by more than one million people every year.

• Acapulco : The bay on the Pacific Ocean is home to Mexico's most popular beach city with golden sandy beaches, lots of holiday resorts and known by families for it's magnificent water sports park. Mexico's busiest port is quite a sight too.

• Oaxaca : Visit the archaeological site of the Monte Alban ruins, shop at the city's colourful market or marvel at the famous rock formations and bubbling waters at Hierve el Agua which means 'bubbling of the water'.

• Mérida : The city's Mayan cultural heritage is displayed in the fascinating Mayan World Museum (Gran Museum del Mundo Maya), the Dzibilchaltún ruins and archeological site, as well as a rich colonial heritage as seen on the city’s Plaza Grande and the main boulevard Paseo de Montejo or the Catedral de Merida.

• Agave landscape at the foothills of the Tequila volcano:  The blue agave plant is used to produce the famous tequila spirit. Agave plantations and tequila distilleries are dotted all over the region.

• Mexico City : the capital city is built on the site of the former Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. Make sure to also visit the ruins of the ancient Aztec pyramids at nearby Teotihuacan. 

• Teotihuacan : The ancient city ruins of Aztec monuments such as the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl are stunning. This was once the most most powerful centre in the Americas - only 50 km/ 31 miles north east of the capital Mexico City

Mexico Facts  Mexican People and Languages

Most people in Mexico speak Spanish. Mexico is the country with the most Spanish speakers in the world.

More people speak Spanish here than in Spain, because many more people live in Mexico and the country is also more than three times bigger.

Most Mexicans (80%) are Christians as Roman Catholicism was introduced by the Spanish colonists. La Virgen de Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe) is considered the Patron saint of Mexico.

Mexicans are known as very friendly and welcoming foreigners, they are really fond of kids. Mariachi are the popular musicians who play folk music. They mainly use string instruments, but also trumpets are sometimes played. The groups are often invited to play at birthday parties, weddings and other family celebrations. 

On 1 and 2 November the Mexicans celebrate the Dia del los Muertos, a special festival to remember the deceased members of the family. The family gathers around the homes and in the graveyards and there are many decorations to remember the family members that have passed on.

Famous Mexican are among many others: the actress Selma Hayek, the guitarist Carlos Santana and the soccer players Javier Hernandez and Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico Facts | Mexico Animals

Mexico is one of the most bio-diverse countries on earth. The country has the most reptile species in the world housing over 700 reptile species and also has the second most (over 430) mammal species in the world.

In Mexico, there are jaguars, pumas and huge iguanas. Whales, manta rays and manatees are common in the oceans and can sometimes by spotted of the Yucatan coast. In the jungles of southern Mexico, one can encounter various types of lizards, monkeys and colourful birds, such as parrots.

More Mexico Facts: Mexico Economy

Mexico's main trading partners are the USA, which is the most important parter for exports and China and Japan who also sell many products to the Mexicans and thus are Mexico's biggest import partners.

The main exports from Mexico are corn (maize), oil, fruits and vegetables, silver, coffee, cotton.

Oranges, watermelon, lemon, pineapples and avocados are the most popular and most consumed fruits in Mexico.

Mexico's largest cities are:

• Mexico City: more than 22 million inhabitants
• Guadalajara: about 4 million inhabitants
• Monterrey: about 4 million inhabitants
• Tijuana: about 2 million inhabitants

Did you know that Mexico is the second largest city in the western hemisphere? Only Sao Paolo in Brazil is bigger! 

Mexican Food

Chocolate, chilies and corn come originally from Mexico.

The main staple food is corn and rice, fruits and vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, lamb and along the coastal regions also seafood. Chilli peppers are usually among the main ingredients in many Mexican dishes.

One dish many of you will think of is ' chilli con carne ', a dish with spicy mince meat and kidney beans but this is not really a Mexican dish, but only a Mexican-style dish!

Instead enchiladas, tortillas and tacos are typical Mexican dishes and very popular in Mexico!

Other typical Mexican food:

• guacamole : avocado dip made with mashed avocados, salt and lime or lemon juice, often also with chilli peppers
• tortilla : Mexican corn or wheat flour flatbread is eaten with almost every dish. A  tortilla  is usually filled with meat, cheese, potato or vegetables
• tostada : crunchy tortilla that has been fried in oil
• enchilada : stuffed tortilla that has been baked in chilli sauce 
• nachos : tortilla chips often served hot with melted cheese or spicy mince sauce, usually eaten as a snack
• tamales : stuffed and steamed dough pockets wrapped in banana leaf or corn husks

• pan de muerto : sweet bread roll baked for the 'Day of the Dead' which is celebrated on 1 and 2 of November
• chile verde : stew cooked with lots of spicy green chilli 
• elote : the Mexican version of 'corn on a cob', a popular street food

Did you know that…?

Hot chocolate was considered the sacred drink by the Aztecs!

Mexico Facts | Resources

• Central Intelligence Agency. "Mexico." WorldFactBook .  Last updated 23 May 2024. Last accessed 30 May 2024
• The Associated Press. "Mexico Population Rises to 126M." APNews . 25 January 2021. Last accessed 30 May 2024
• Embassy of Mexico in the UK. "Symbols of Mexico." Embamex . Last accessed 30 May 2024
• Mexico Daily Post. "What is the most consumed fruit in Mexico?" MexicoDailyPost.news . 5 March 2024. Last accessed 30 May 2024

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15 Surprising Facts About Traveling To Mexico (Tourists Should Prepare For)

There are a lot of surprising facts that tourists need to know before they begin traveling to (and around) Mexico.

Many people travel all over the world each year, and a lot of them are big fans of visiting certain parts of Mexico. Mexico is a beautiful place, so it is easy to see why so many people like to travel there so often.

According to theplanetd.com , this is a place that is very beautiful to look at, and it has a really cool and fun atmosphere. Like any other part of the world, there are some dangerous areas, but there are also many safe spots in Mexico as well.

But there are a lot of things that people need to know before they go there. Here are some of the things travelers should be aware of if and when they plan to visit Mexico.

15 Visitors Should Stay Away From Celaya

There are safe places for people to visit in Mexico, but there are also dangerous spots as well. According to numbeo.com , one sketchy area there is the city of Celaya. The crime rate there is high, which means people should not visit that area. There are better places to go.

14 Security Had To Be Increased In The City Of Coatzacoalcos

Coatzacoalcos is another spot foreigners should avoid if they can. According to mexiconewsdaily.com, the security in this place recently had to be increased. Hopefully, that will make it a safer spot in the near future, but it is still dangerous for now. Many people were seriously harmed there in 2018.

13 There Are Some Parts Of Acapulco That Are Unsafe

Lots of people tend to visit Acapulco all the time, but that doesn’t mean that all of that area is safe. According to foxnews.com, there are some spots in Acapulco that should be avoided, as they can be quite dangerous. This is one of the most dangerous places in Mexico.

12 There Are Some Really Well-Known Criminal Groups In Guanajuato

Mexico is definitely a place that everyone should visit, but there are some areas of Mexico that people should be cautious in. According to mexiconewsdaily.com, one of those places is Guanajuato, which is the home of many groups of criminals. This is a very serious thing visitors should know about.

11 Chihuahua Might Be Fun To Visit, But It’s Not Very Safe

Chihuahua is the name of a cute dog breed, but the city is a different story entirely. According to usatoday.com, this area of Mexico is a very dangerous area. In fact, the crime rate in this spot recently rose quite a bit, so visitors should consider that fact before they visit.

10 There Are Some Pretty Beautiful Beaches To Check Out Around Cancun

According to tripadvisor.com, there are some really nice beaches that people should visit when they go to Mexico. Many of them are located in Cancun. That’s definitely an area that can help visitors create some truly awesome memories with their friends and family members. People shouldn’t miss the beaches there.

9 Mexico City Is Full Of Culture

Mexico is more than just a bunch of beautiful beaches and good food. According to matadornetwork.com, this is a place that actually has a lot of culture as well. Those who go there will likely want to check out places in Mexico City, which is a fun place to visit.

8 Those Who Visit Might Run Into Some Famous Faces

People who go to Mexico have a high chance of running to some famous people. According to popsugar.com, there are lots of famous people who visit this place, one of which is actor Brad Pitt. Pitt was spotted in Mexico  with a couple of his children a few years ago.

7 Every Visitor Needs A Tourist Card

One thing every visitor needs to know before they visit Mexico is that they need something first. According to tripsavvy.com, before anyone can travel around Mexico, they need something that is referred to as a tourist card. All foreigners need to have one of these before they plan to visit.

6 Leave The Tap Water Alone

Lots of people say that no one should drink tap water in Mexico. According to tripsavvy.com, that’s for a good reason. It’s unhealthy, but those who visit that place can get plenty of bottled water, as well as other beverages, while they are there. They can still stay hydrated.

5 Certain Scams Are Prevalent There

Mexico is a fun place to go, but there are some scams to watch out for. According to travelleming.com, it is not uncommon for people to get scammed when they try to rent cars there, so that is definitely something visitors need to watch out for since it happens frequently.

4 There Is A Lot More To See Than Just The Beaches

A lot of people who have not been to Mexico seem to think that this place only has one thing to offer: beaches. But according to travellemming.com, there is actually a lot more to Mexico than that. Going off the beaten path can make for some very interesting stories.

3 Botanas Are Something Visitors Should Check Out

Botanas are a thing that people of all ages will enjoy. According to travellemming.com, that’s because they’re snacks that people in Mexico eat. They’re usually served to people between the main meals they plan to eat throughout the day, and sometimes visitors can get them for free in certain places.

2 Get Some Pesos

Since Mexico is no stranger to tourists, there are plenty of places that accept currency from the United States. However, people who go there still need to have some pesos. According to travellemming.com, it is typically a bad idea for foreigners to use money that comes from the United States.

1 Take The Bus

Mexico’s busses are something that everyone needs to check out. According to travellemming.com, one of the reasons why people should travel on busses when they go there is so they can get around the place easier. Another reason is so that visitors can get a look at the whole country.

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Mexico

By Mike Kaplan · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Mexico is one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations with over 20 million foreign visitors a year. Famous for its tequila, the Aztecs and the Mayas , Salma Hayek, Day of the Dead, drug wars, Lucha libre, Corona beer and the beach resorts on the Pacific and Caribbean side, Mexico can offer something for every sort of traveler.

From Pre-Columbian ruins and historic colonial towns to white powdery beaches and huge canyons, this country offers visitors a wide range of things to do. For ideas on the best places to visit check out our list of the top tourist attractions in Mexico.

25. Monte Alban

Monte Alban, or White Mountain, was once the ancient capital of the Zapotec people. Overlooking the Valley of Oaxaca, Monte Alban is one of the top archeological sites in Mexico. In addition to spectacular views over the valley, visitors will be able to see the ruined buildings around a broad, flat hilltop terrace, the Gran Plaza, that runs north to south.

Two large pyramid mounds terminate the great plaza at the ends, and the sides of the space are lined with stepped platforms and terraces.

24. San Miguel de Allende

In the Bajio mountains of Central Mexico, there is a small colonial destination known as San Miguel de Allende. The city is bursting with history: It was founded by a San Franciscan Monk, played a big role in the war for Mexican independence from Spain and was a vital spot on the Mexican silver trail.

Today, it is best known for its colonial architecture and enchanting cobblestone streets. Historic buildings like the pink Teatro Angela Peralta and the Santuario de Atotonilco, an enormous church complex, are among the top attractions in the city.

23. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

The annual Monarch butterfly migration is one of nature’s great spectacles and a top attraction for visitors to Mexico’s central highlands. Each year, millions of Monarch Butterflies make the journey from eastern Canada to the forests of western central Mexico, a journey that spans up to 3,000 miles.

The Monarch butterflies spend their winter hibernation clustered in small areas of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, before they travel to the north again.

22. Great Pyramid of Cholula

Outside of Puebla is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, an archeological site that is home to the largest pyramid in the world. Also known as Tlachihualtepetl, the Great Pyramid of Cholula was built in four stages, the first of which began 2,300 years ago. Much of the pyramid is now overgrown though and appears to be a natural hill topped by a Catholic church.

This is the “Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios” which was built by the Spanish in 1594. Visitors are able to tour more than four miles of underground tunnels that showcase the sheer size and scope of this incredible landmark.

21. El Malecon

The boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta , also known as El Malecon, is a marvelous seaside promenade that border the blue waters of the Pacific. Most of El Malecon is exclusively for pedestrians, making it a safe place to take photos and admire the view.

Statues line the boardwalk, there are often elaborate sand displays on the beach, and there are also countless local establishments that cater to visitors. It is possible to stroll along El Malecon and stop for handmade souvenirs, some fresh seafood or a few tropical drinks at a local bar.

The ancient Mayan city of Uxmal is one of the most historically and culturally significant attractions in Mexico. Roughly 55 km (35 miles) south of Merida in Yucatan, the city was constructed primarily in the ninth century. Uxmal was once the capital of the region, and it is a prime example of Puuc architecture.

Various stone levels, along with elaborate stonework, gives the pyramid structures a grand appearance. Not to be missed is the Magician’s Pyramid, the tallest of the pyramids at Uxmal.

19. Zipolite

Along the Pacific Coast in the Oaxaca region is Zipolite, a one-mile beach that retains a progressive, hippie vibe. In decades past, Zipolite was a nude beach, although that is far less common today.

Zipolite attracts travelers in search of a counter-culture vibe, and it still retains an authentic Mexican atmosphere despite the tourists from all around the world. While the beach itself is the main attraction, Zipolite is also well known for Av Roca Blanca, a street just off the beach that offers bars, shops and cafes.

18. Museo Nacional de Antropologia

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia, or National Museum of Anthropology, is both the largest and most visited museum in all of Mexico. Located in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park, the museum boasts an enormous collection of artifacts and exhibits relating to the pre-Columbian heritage of the country. This includes Mayan and Aztec pieces, such as the famed Stone of the Sun, which is the original Aztec calendar stone.

17. El Tajin

El Tajín was an important gulf coast city, founded by the Classic Veracruz culture. Most of the buildings at the site were constructed between 600 – 900 AD. Surrounded by the green jungle, these ruins are believed to have been the political and administrative center of the entire civilization.

Today, visitors can see more than 150 identified buildings, although just a dozen are restored and open to the public at any given time. Of note is the Pyramid of Niches, the most impressive structure at the site.

16. San Ignacio Lagoon

There are several places to go whale watching in Mexico, but none is so spectacular than San Ignacio Lagoon. Located off the coast of Baja California Sur, the lagoon is the winter home to a number of Eastern Pacific gray whales.

During the winter months, gray whales come to give birth in the shallowest parts of the lagoon. San Ignacio Lagoon is now Latin America’s largest wildlife sanctuary, and there are many guided boat tours that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the gray whales.

15. Bonampak Murals

Bonampak is an ancient archeological site in the state of Chiapas. While there are many Mayan structures at Bonampak worth exploring, the most famous is the Temple of Murals. This temple is where the Bonampak Murals can be found, a collection of ancient art that helps explain the history and culture of the Mayans. Hundreds of figures were painted in three different rooms, each of which tells a part of a narrative in bold turquoise, red and yellow hues.

14. Isla Mujeres

Surrounded by the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, just eight miles from Cancun , is Isla Mujeres. This island is a hotspot today, but it also has significance for the region’s cultural heritage. Isla Mujeres, which translates to the island of women, was sacred to the Mayan goddess of childbirth.

Today, travelers arrive by ferry from Cancun to relax on the scenic beaches, visit the local turtle farm, scuba dive or snorkel in the clear waters or just relax away from the Cancun beach crowds.

See also: Where to Stay in Cancun

13. Santa Prisca Church in Taxco

El Templo de Santa Prisca, or the Santa Prisca Church, is a magnificent Baroque structure located in the city of Taxco . Built in the 18th century, the church is a colonial landmark that was commissioned by a prosperous Spanish mine owner.

Made from pink stone, boasting large twin towers and decorated with tiles, this is an ornate monument that no architecture enthusiast would want to miss. Inside, nine enormous altarpieces stretch from the floor to the ceiling, and each is covered in gold.

12. Acapulco Cliff Divers

Acapulco is the original Mexican resort town which came into prominence by the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. No visit to Acapulco is complete without watching the cliff divers perform their impressive jumps into ocean.

They have been doing it since the 1930s, although today the divers are professionals. You can see the dives from a small platform by the cliff for a small entrance fee, or eat at the La Perla restaurant which offers a good view of the divers.

11. 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.

10. Catedral Metropolitana

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.

See also: Where to Stay in Mexico City

9. 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.

8. 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.

Located just off the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is a popular destinations 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 it’s beautiful coral reefs and amazing variety of tropical fish.

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.

5. 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.

4. Copper Canyon

The Copper Canyon is in fact a network of canyons which together are several times larger than the Grand Canyon. The most popular way to explore the Copper Canyon is on the “Chihuahua al Pacifico” Railway. The track passes over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 2,400 meter (7,900 feet) above sea level featuring spectacular views of the canyons below.

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 which should not be missed. Accommodation in Tulum can range from simple cabanas to 5 star luxury resorts.

2. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is the largest of the Maya cities in the Yucatan Peninsula and one of Mexico’s most visited tourist destinations. The most famous landmark of Chichen Itza is the temple-pyramid of El Castillo. The design of the temple has special astronomical significance.

Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with 91 steps, which together with the shared step at the top, add up to 365, the number of days in a year. Other highlights of Chichen Itza include the Great Ballcourt and El Caracol, a circular temple which served as an astronomical observatory.

1. Teotihuacan

In the 2nd century BC a new civilization arose in the valley of Mexico. This civilization built the flourishing metropolis of Teotihuacán and it’s huge pyramids. The Pyramid of the Sun was built around 100 AD and is the largest pyramid in Teotihuacán and all of Mexico. The construction of the smaller Pyramid of the Moon started a century later and was finished in 450 AD.

Seven centuries after the demise of the Teotihuacán empire the pyramids were honored and utilized by the Aztecs and became a place of pilgrimage. Mesoamerica’s greatest city is just 31 miles (50km) northeast of Mexico City and can be reached by bus or taxi.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Mexico

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12 Most Amazing Volcanoes in Mexico

12 Prettiest Small Towns in Mexico

10 Best Vacation Spots in Mexico

10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

7 Most Amazing Pyramids in Mexico

Reader interactions.

June 17, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Acapulco with all its problems is still absolutely gorgeous and always has been. It’s ashamed they don’t protect it more.

February 5, 2017 at 7:41 pm

Monarch butterfly is pretty good place to visit mostly during February and March

August 22, 2016 at 9:21 am

We just went this summer to Teotihuacan, it was awesome!!! We have been to Mexico 5 times in the last 15 years but this is the first time we have gone anywhere besides visiting my husband’s family. We need to see some of these other places also someday!!!

March 31, 2016 at 1:41 pm

Don’t forget Uxmal ruins, much more beautiful than Chichen Itza in my opinion.

October 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm

What about Guadalajara?!

March 17, 2014 at 1:51 pm

This is a great list of attractions in Mexico. Those who are visiting should consider trying to visit at least a couple of these during their vacation.

February 26, 2013 at 11:41 pm

Attractive Pictures, makes one feel like Catching a Plane immediately to few destinations as above. Good Luck to the people from Touropia who made the research. Thanks and best regards. Raj

January 23, 2013 at 2:42 pm

Excellent research! This is a wonderful resource for travellers to the region.

November 13, 2012 at 3:51 pm

Nice job on the tourist attractions! They are beautiful and acurrately correct. This also helped me very much on my project about Mexico. So thank you so so so much!!!!!!!!!! The only flaw is the paragraph about Palenque because where it says Palenque is much smaller than it Mayan neighbor cities, “it” is supposed it’s.

August 19, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Guanajuato is really an amazing little city, happy to see it made the list!

January 31, 2012 at 12:40 pm

Chichen Itza is a beautiful place ! I was there viewing the temple pyramid . It is amazing ! You should visit , xoxo Day Day

August 31, 2011 at 12:53 pm

Acapulco and Tulum have beautiful beaches. I was there watching the cliff divers jump into the see. Awesome. But cozumel will make you fall in love with the underwater.

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The developed tourist resorts and big cities are invariably more expensive than more remote towns, and certain other areas also have noticeably higher prices – among them the industrialized north. Prices can also be affected by season and many hotels raise their prices during busy times of the year. Summer, Christmas and Easter are the peak times for Mexican tourists and areas like Acapulco and Cancún, which attract large numbers of overseas visitors, put their prices up during the high season. Special events are also likely to be marked by price hikes.

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17 days  / from 1590 USD

The Magic of the Yucatan and Mexico City

Explore the magic of the Yucatan Peninsula: from colonial towns like Merida to Archaeological sites like Uxmal and Calakmul, close to the Guatemala border, to beaches in Bacalar and Tulum, this itinerary shows you the real Yucatan before heading out to explore Mexico City.

15 days  / from 1430 USD

Mexico City, Oaxaca & the Yucatan

Explore Central Mexico with its ever-busy capital Mexico City, visiting Teotihuacan and the famous museums in the city. Further on to Oaxaca City, the gateway to the Archaeological Site Monte Alban. Afterwards, continue to the white beaches of the Yucatan: Cancun and Isla Holbox await.

18 days  / from 1735 USD

Fascinating Mexico: From Guanajuato to the Yucatan

Discover Mexico from fascinating San Miguel de Allende over busy Mexico City all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula. This itinerary combines public transportation with domestic flights to ensure you can make the most of discovering fascinating Mexico within two weeks.

Nonetheless, wherever you go you can probably get by on US$450/£290/€403 a week (you could reduce that if you hardly travel around, stay on campsites or in hostels, live on basic food and don’t buy any souvenirs, though this requires a lot of discipline); you’d be living well on US$650/£418/€582.

As always, if you’re travelling alone you’ll end up spending more – sharing rooms and food saves a substantial amount. In the larger resorts, you can get apartments for up to six people for even greater savings. If you have an International Student or Youth Card , you might find the occasional reduction on a museum admission price, but don’t go out of your way to obtain one, since most concessions are, at least in theory, only for Mexican students. Cards available include the ISIC card for full-time students and the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) for for under-31s, both of which are available from youth travel firms such as STA Travel. A university or college photo ID card might even work in some places.

Most restaurant bills come with fifteen percent IVA (Impuesto de Valor Añadido, or Valued Added Sales Tax) added; this may not always be included in prices quoted on the menu. Service is sometimes added to bills; if not, the amount you tip is entirely up to you – in cheap places, it’s typically 10–15 percent, but more like 15–20 percent in smarter venues.

Theoretically 110 volts AC, with simple two-flat-pin rectangular plugs – most North American appliances can be used as they are. Travellers from the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australasia and South Africa should bring along a converter and a plug adaptor. Cuts in service and fluctuations in current sometimes occur.

There are no reciprocal health arrangements between Mexico and any other country, so travel insurance is essential. Credit cards (particularly American Express) often have certain levels of medical or other insurance included, and travel insurance may also be included if you use a major credit card to pay for your trip. Some package tours, too, may include insurance.

Internet cafés are easy to find in all the larger cities and resort destinations, and the level of service is usually excellent. One or two offer cheap VOIP phone calls too. In smaller towns and villages, such facilities are still rare. Depending on where you are, internet access can cost anything from M$8 to M$25 an hour. Major tourist resorts can be the most expensive places, and in these areas it’s best to look for cheaper internet cafés around the town centre and avoid those in the luxury hotel zones. Internet facilities in large cities are usually open from early morning until late at night, but in smaller towns they have shorter opening hours and may not open on Sundays. Wi-fi (generally free) is widespread in hotels, hostels, restaurants, cafés and even town plazas.

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Mexico, buy a Skyroam Solis , which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as $6 a day.

There are no federal laws governing homosexuality in Mexico, and hence it’s legal . There are, however, laws enforcing “public morality”, which although they are supposed only to apply to prostitution, are often used against gays. 1997 saw the election of Mexico’s first “out” congresswoman, the left-wing PRD’s Patria Jiménez, and in 2003 the federal parliament passed a law against discrimination on various grounds including sexual preference. In 2005, however, a gay man from Tampico successfully claimed political asylum in the US after demonstrating the extent of persecution he faced in his hometown. There have been more positive moves recently, though: in June 2015 the Supreme Court issued a “jurisprudential thesis” that changed the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

There are a large number of gay groups and publications in Mexico. The lesbian scene is not as visible or as large as the gay scene for men, but it’s there and growing. There are gay bars and clubs in the major resorts and US border towns, and in large cities such as the capital, and also Monterrey, Guadalajara, Veracruz and Oaxaca; elsewhere, private parties are where it all happens, and you’ll need a contact to find them.

As far as popular attitudes are concerned, religion and machismo are the order of the day, and prejudice is rife, but attitudes are changing. Soft-core porn magazines for gay men are sold openly on street stalls and, while you should be careful to avoid upsetting macho sensibilities, you should have few problems if you are discreet. In Juchitán, Oaxaca, on the other hand, gay male transvestites, known as muxes , are accepted as a kind of third sex, and the town even has a transvestite basketball team.

You can check the latest gay rights situation in Mexico on the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission website, and information on the male gay scene in Mexico (gay bars, meeting places and cruising spots) can be found in the annual Spartacus Gay Guide , available in specialist bookshops at home, or online at spartacus.gayguide.travel .

Lavanderías ( laundromats ) are ubiquitous in Mexico, as the majority of households don’t own a washing machine. Most lavanderías charge by the kilo, and for a few dollars you’ll get your clothes back clean, pressed and perfectly folded, in less than 24 hours. Many hotels also offer laundry services that, although convenient, tend to charge by the item, adding up to a considerably greater cost.

There’s virtually no chance of finding temporary work in Mexico unless you have some very specialized skill and have arranged the position beforehand. Work permits are almost impossible to obtain. The few foreigners who manage to find work do so mostly in language schools. It may be possible, though not legal, to earn money as a private English tutor by advertising in a local newspaper or at a university.

The best way to extend your time in Mexico is on a study programme or volunteer project . A US organization called AmeriSpan selects language schools in countries worldwide, including Mexico, to match the needs and requirements of students, and provides advice and support. For further information, call (US or Canada) t 1 800 879 6640 or t 1 215 531 8001, or see amerispan.com.

Volunteers need to apply for a voluntary work visa (FM3), for which you will need to present a letter of invitation from the organization for whom you are volunteering.

Mexican postal services ( correos ) can be quite slow and unreliable. Airmail to the capital should arrive within a few days, but it may take a couple of weeks to get anywhere at all remote. Packages frequently go astray. Post offices (generally open Mon–Fri 8am–4.30pm, Sat 8am–noon, sometimes longer at the central office in big cities) usually offer a poste restante/general delivery service: letters should be addressed to “Lista de Correos”. Mail is held for two weeks, though you may get around that by sending it to “Poste Restante” with “Favor de retener hasta la llegada” (please hold until arrival) on the envelope. Letters are often filed incorrectly, so you should have staff check under all your initials. To collect, you will need your passport or some other official ID with a photograph. There is no fee.

For personal mail, Mexican addresses begin with the street and house number. The number goes after the street name (Juárez 123 rather than 123 Juárez), and is followed if appropriate by the floor or apartment number ( planta baja means ground floor). After that comes the cólonia (the immediate neighbourhood), then the town, then finally the zip code and the state (on one line in that order – in the case of Mexico City, “México DF” is the equivalent of the state).

Sending letters and cards home is also easy enough, if slow. Anything sent abroad by air should have an airmail ( por avión ) stamp on it or it is liable to go by surface mail. Letters should take around a week to North America, two to Europe or Australasia, but can take much longer (postcards in particular are likely to be slow). Anything at all important should be taken to the post office and preferably registered rather than dropped in a mailbox, although the dedicated airmail boxes in resorts and big cities are supposed to be more reliable than ordinary ones. Postcards or letters up to 20g cost M$11.50 to North America or the Caribbean, M$13.50 to the British Isles, Europe or South America and M$15 to Australasia, Asia, Africa or the Pacific.

The process of sending packages out of the country is drowned in bureaucracy. Regulations about the thickness of brown paper wrapping and the amount of string used vary from state to state, but any package must be checked by customs and have its paperwork stamped by at least three other departments. Take your package (unsealed) to any post office and they’ll set you on your way. Many stores will send your purchases home for you, which is much easier. Within the country, you can send a package by bus if there is someone to collect it at the other end.

Reliable options available outside of Mexico include Mexico road maps published by Globetrotter (1:3,500,000), GeoCenter (1:2,500,000), Hallwag (1:2,500,000) and Freytag & Berndt (1:2,000,000).

In Mexico itself, the best maps are those produced by Guía Roji, who also publish a Mexican road atlas and a Mexico City street guide. Guía Roji maps are widely available – try branches of Sanborn’s or large Pemex stations – and can also be ordered online at tienda.guiaroji.com.mx .

More detailed, large-scale maps – for hiking or climbing – are harder to come by. The most detailed, easily available area maps are produced by International Travel Map Productions , whose Travellers’ Reference Map series covers various regions of the country. INEGI, the Mexican office of statistics, also produce very good topographic maps on various scales. They have an office in every state capital (addresses on their website at inegi.org.mx – click on “Productos y Servicios”, then on “Atención a Usuarios” and finally select “Centros de Información INEGI”). Unfortunately, stocks can run rather low, so don’t count on being able to buy the ones that you want.

The Mexican peso , usually written $, is made up of 100 centavos (¢, like a US cent). Bills come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1000, with coins of 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 and $10. The use of the dollar symbol for the peso is occasionally confusing; the initials MN ( moneda nacional or national coin) are occasionally used to indicate that it’s Mexican, not American money that is being referred to. We have generally quoted prices in Mexican pesos (M$). Note, however, that these will be affected by factors such as inflation and exchange rates. Check an online currency converter such as XE or OANDA for up-to-date rates . Some tour operators and large hotels quote prices in US dollars, and accept payment in that currency.

The easiest way to access your money in Mexico is in the form of plastic , though it’s a good idea to also have some cash back-up. Using a Visa, MasterCard, Plus or Cirrus card, you can withdraw cash from ATMs in most towns and tourist resorts. By using these you get trade exchange rates, which are somewhat better than those charged by banks for changing cash, though your card issuer may well add a foreign transaction fee, and these can be as much as five percent, so check with your issuer before leaving home. Local ATM providers may also charge a transaction fee, typically around M$30; generally speaking, rates and fees make it cheaper to use an ATM for more than around $100/£70, but to change cash in a casa de cambio for anything much less than that. If you use a credit card rather than a debit card, note all cash advances and ATM withdrawals obtained are treated as loans, with interest accruing daily from the date of withdrawal. Travellers’ cheques are increasingly difficult to change in Mexico, but it is possible to get a prepaid card , like a form of travellers’ cheques in plastic, which you charge up with funds at home and then use to withdraw money from ATMs – MasterCard, Visa and American Express all issue them. Some ATMs in big city centres and resorts can issue US dollars as well as pesos.

Banks and exchange

Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, often with shorter hours for exchange . Commission on currency exchange varies but the exchange rate is fixed daily by the government. Not all banks can change money, and only larger branches of the big banks, plus some in tourist resorts, will change currencies other than dollars – and even then at worse rates than you would get for the dollar equivalent.

Casas de cambio (forex bureaux aka bureaux de change) have varying exchange rates and commission charges, and tend to have shorter queues, less bureaucratic procedures and longer opening hours. The exchange rates are generally better than at banks, but always worth checking, especially for travellers’ cheques. Some casas de cambio will change only US dollars, but others take euros, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling and other currencies. $100 bills usually attract a better rate than small bills. Again, it’s worth shopping around, especially if you intend to change a large sum. Even in a casa de cambio, you’ll need your passport to change money.

Guatemalan quetzales and Belizean dollars are best got rid of before entering Mexico; otherwise, your best bet for changing them is with tourists heading the other way – try weswap.com , a useful website that allows travellers to swap foreign currency with each other. It is a good idea to change other currencies into US dollars at home before coming to Mexico, since the difference in the exchange rate more than outweighs the amount you lose in changing your money twice. In some touristy places, such as Acapulco and Tijuana, US dollar bills are almost as easy to spend as pesos. If you’re desperate, hotels, shops and restaurants that are used to tourists may change dollars or accept them as payment, but rates will be very low.

It’s almost impossible to generalize about opening hours in Mexico; even when times are posted at museums, tourist offices and shops, they’re not always adhered to.

The siesta is still around, and many places will close for a couple of hours in the early afternoon, usually from 1pm to 3pm. Where it’s hot – especially on the Gulf coast and in the Yucatán – everything may close for up to four hours in the middle of the day, and then reopen until 8pm or 9pm. In central Mexico, the industrial north and highland areas, hours are more like the standard nine-to-five, and shops do not close for lunch.

Shops tend to keep long hours, say from 9am to 8pm. Museums and galleries open from about 9am or 10am to 5pm or 6pm. Many have reduced entry fees – or are free – on Sunday, and most are closed on Monday. Some museums close for lunch, but archeological sites are open all day.

Local phone calls in Mexico are cheap, and some hotels will let you call locally for free. Coin-operated public phones exist but internal long-distance calls are best made with a phonecard (sold at newsstands and usable in public phones on almost every street corner). Slightly more expensive, but often more convenient, are casetas de teléfono ( phone offices ), mainly found at bus stations and airports. Calling abroad with a phonecard or from a caseta is expensive. Some internet offices offer VOIP international calls , which may be cheaper, but the line will not be as good. Skype is generally the best option.

It is also possible to call collect ( por cobrar ). In theory, you should be able to make an international collect call from any public phone, by dialling the international operator ( t 090). If you have a calling card from your home phone company, you can use the company’s toll-free number and have the call billed to you at home.

Calling Mexico from abroad, dial the international access code (011 from the US or Canada, 00 from Britain, Ireland or New Zealand, 0011 from Australia, 09 from South Africa), followed by the country code for Mexico, which is 52. Mexican numbers are ten-digit including the area code ( lada ), which is usually three digits, although Mexico City (55), Guadalajara (33) and Monterrey (81) have two digit area codes. The number itself is usually seven digits, again excepting Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, where phone numbers have eight digits. If dialling from abroad, you dial the area code immediately after the 52 for Mexico. If dialling long-distance within Mexico, or from a mobile, you need to dial 01, then the area code and the number. If dialling from a landline with the same area code, you omit it. The area code for toll-free numbers is 800, always preceded by the 01.

Mobile phones

To use a mobile phone in Mexico is expensive if you simply take your own phone and use it under a roaming agreement. If you are there for any length of time, buy a prepaid phone (around M$500, including a varying amount of call credit). You can buy a Mexican SIM-card to get a Mexican number for your own handset, but this involves registering your identity (so you’ll need a passport, and you may need to go to the phone company’s main office), something that doesn’t always work for a foreigner, so make sure your mobile works before you leave the store. Your phone charger will not work in Mexico if it is designed for a 220–240v electricity supply. Calls from mobiles are pricey and with a SIM-card from abroad you pay to receive as well as make international calls.

Like landlines, Mexican mobile phones have ten-digit numbers of which the first two or three are the area code. Generally speaking, to call a mobile from a landline, first dial 044 if it has the same area code, 045 if not, or the international access code plus 52-1 if calling from abroad, and then the ten-digit number; note, however, that some mobile numbers work in the same way as dialling landline numbers – unfortunately, you cannot tell from the number alone how it will work.

It’s easy enough to get prints made from a USB-stick in Mexico. Film is also manufactured in the country and, if you buy it from a chain store like Sanborn’s rather than at a tourist store, costs no more than at home. Slide film is hard to come by, and any sort of camera hardware will be expensive.

Mexico is not a country that offers any special difficulties – or any special advantages – to older travellers , but the same considerations apply here as to anywhere else in the world. If choosing a package tour, consider one run by firms such as Road Scholar ( w roadscholar.org ) or Saga ( w saga.co.uk ), which specialize in holidays for the over-50s.

Do remember that Mexico’s high altitude, desert heat and tropical humidity can tire you out a lot faster than you might otherwise expect. As far as comfort is concerned, first-class buses are generally pretty pleasant, with plenty of legroom. Second-class buses can be rather more boneshaking, and you may not want to take them for too long a journey.

Senior citizens are often entitled to discounts at tourist sights, and on occasion for accommodation and transport, something which it’s always worth asking about.

Five time zones exist in Mexico. Most of the country is on GMT–6 in winter, GMT–5 in summer (first Sun in April till last Sun in Oct), the same as US Central Time. Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Chihuahua are on GMT–7 in winter, GMT–6 in summer (the same as US Mountain Time). Baja California is on GMT–8 in winter, GMT–7 in summer, the same as the US West Coast (Pacific Time); and finally, Sonora is on GMT–7 all year round, and does not observe daylight saving time. The state of Quintana Roo changed time zones in early 2015, moving to GMT–5 in winter and GMT–4 in summer, bringing it into line with Eastern Standard Time.

Public toilets in Mexico are usually decent enough, but in bars or hole-in-the-wall restaurants, they can be quite basic, and may not have paper. It’s therefore wise to carry toilet paper with you. In bus stations, you usually have to pay to use them. Paper should usually be placed in a bin after use, rather than flushed, as it may otherwise block the plumbing.

Toilets are usually known as baños (literally bathrooms) or as excusados or sanitarios . The most common signs are “Damas” (Ladies) and “Caballeros” (Gentlemen), though you may find the more confusing “Señoras” (Women) and “Señores” (Men) or even symbols of the moon (women) and sun (men).

The first place to head for information , and for free maps of the country and many towns, is the Mexican Government Ministry of Tourism ( Secretaría de Turismo , abbreviated to SECTUR ; sectur.gob.mx , with travel information at visitmexico.com ), which has offices throughout Mexico and abroad.

Once you’re in Mexico, you’ll find tourist offices (sometimes called turismos ) in most towns. Each state capital will have one run by SECTUR, but most are run by state and municipal authorities; sometimes there’ll be two or three rival ones in the same town. Many tourist offices are extremely friendly and helpful, with informed staff and free information and leaflets by the cart-load, but some are barely capable of answering the simplest enquiry.

An estimated five percent of Mexicans have some kind of significant disability , and Mexico has made massive advances in accessibility in recent years, although problems still remain. Ramps and wheelchair accessibility are now the norm in public buildings, and braille is increasingly common on public notices too. The real scandal so far as people with disabilities are concerned is the continued abuse of those confined to residential institutions or living on the street.

Hotels vary, but especially at the top end of the market, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find accommodation and tour operators who can cater for your particular needs. If you stick to beach resorts – Cancún and Acapulco in particular – and high-end tourist hotels, you should be able to find places that are wheelchair-friendly and used to disabled guests. US chains are very good for this, with Choice, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Leading Hotels of the World, Marriott, Radisson, Ramada, Sheraton and Westin claiming to have the necessary facilities for at least some disabilities in some of their hotels. Check in advance with tour companies, hotels and airlines that they can accommodate you specifically.

Unless you have your own transport , the best way to travel in Mexico may be by air; buses still rarely cater for disabled people and wheelchairs. Kerb ramps are increasingly common, especially in big cities, but less so in smaller places, where streets and pavements may not be in great nick, and people are not especially more likely to volunteer help than at home. Depending on your disability, you may want to find an able-bodied helper to accompany you.

Children under the age of 18 can enter the country either with their own passport or on the passport of a parent with whom they are travelling, but if they are not accompanied by both parents, they will need written consent from whichever parent is not with them (or from both if they are on their own).

Travelling with younger kids is not uncommon – most Mexicans dote on children and they often help to break the ice with strangers. The main problem, especially with small children, is their extra vulnerability. They need protecting from the sun, unsafe drinking water, heat and unfamiliar food. Chile peppers in particular may be a problem for kids who are not used to them. Diarrhoea can also be dangerous for younger children: rehydration salts are vital. Ensure that your child is aware of the dangers of rabies and other animal-borne illnesses; keep children away from all animals and consider a rabies shot.

For touring, hiking or walking, child-carrier backpacks are ideal: they can weigh less than 2kg. If the child is small enough, a fold-up buggy is also well worth packing – especially if they will sleep in it while you have a meal or a drink.

Public holidays

The main official public holidays, when virtually everything will be closed, are listed here. Many places also close on January 6 (Twelfth Night/Reyes).

• Jan 1 New Year’s Day
• Feb 5 Anniversary of the Constitution
• March 21 Birthday of Benito Juárez
• Late March/early April Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
• May 1 Labour Day
• Sept 16 Independence Day
• Nov 20 Anniversary of the Revolution
• Dec 12 Virgin of Guadalupe
• Dec 25 Christmas Day

The Mexican media can be very sensationalist, and news is mostly local, and often heavily slanted towards the government, but for Spanish-speakers there is an independent press as well as some interesting programmes on TV.

Few domestic newspapers carry much foreign news, and the majority of international coverage does not extend beyond Latin America. Most papers are lurid scandal sheets, brimming with violent crime depicted in full colour. Each state has its own press, however, and they do vary: while most are little more than government mouthpieces, others are surprisingly independent.

If you read Spanish, you could try Reforma,which has a good reputation for independence and political objectivity, while the more left-wing La Jornada is quite daringly critical of government and organized crime, and its journalists regularly face death threats as a result. The press has gradually been asserting its independence since the mid-1990s, tackling such subjects as human rights, corruption and drug trafficking, though journalists still face danger if they speak out, not only from shady government groups but also from drug traffickers. Reporting on links between the two is particularly dangerous. At least 26 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2009, according to press freedom NGO Reporters Without Borders, who rate it as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

You can usually pick up a dozen channels in Mexico without cable or satellite. Four are run by the main TV company, Televisa, and another couple by TV Azteca. Canal 22 tends to show cultural programmes, though they are often rather dry. Canal Once is the most original and independent channel, and frequently has something quite interesting on, especially late in the evening. Cable and satellite are widespread, and even quite budget hotels offer numerous channels, many of them American.

On Mexican TV you can watch any number of US shows dubbed into Spanish, but far and away the most popular programmes are the telenovelas – soap operas that dominate the screens from 6pm to 10pm and pull in millions of viewers. Each episode takes melodrama to new heights, with nonstop action and emotions hammed up to the maximum for riveted fans. Plot lines make national news, and telenovela stars are major celebrities, despite their ludicrously over-the-top acting styles.

Radio stations in the capital and Guadalajara (among others) have programmes in English for a couple of hours each day, and in many places US broadcasts can also be picked up. Reactor (in Mexico City on 105.7MHz FM), plays a mix of music including modern Mexican sounds, and from México state, Radio Chapingo (1610kHz AM) plays the traditional music of indigenous ethnic groups as well as modern Mexican music of various genres. If you have a short-wave radio, you can get the Voice of America and at certain times, Radio Canada.

Most travellers visit Mexico without catching anything more serious than a dose of "Montezuma’s Revenge". You will still want the security of health insurance, but the important thing is to keep your resistance high and to be aware of the health risks linked to poor hygiene, untreated water, mosquito bites and undressed open cuts.

Lack of sanitation in Mexico is much exaggerated, but a degree of caution is wise. Avoid food that looks like it has been on display for a while or not freshly cooked, and always peel fruit before eating it. Avoid raw shellfish, and don’t eat anywhere that is obviously dirty (easily spotted, since most Mexican restaurants are scrupulously clean). Salads are healthy, but think twice before eating them if you have a sensitive stomach. In general, keep an eye out for cleanliness of street stalls – beware of food that has been left out to breed germs rather than food that has been freshly cooked.

There are no required vaccinations for Mexico, but it’s worth visiting your doctor at least four weeks before you leave to check that you are up to date with tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A shots, as well as a rabies shot and anti-malarial pills if you’re going to be in areas where they are recommended.

Diarrhoea ("Montezuma’s Revenge", or simply turista as it’s also known in Mexico) is the medical problem you’re most likely to encounter, and no one, however cautious, seems to avoid it altogether. If you go down with a mild dose unaccompanied by other symptoms, it may simply be due to your body being unfamiliar with the local bacteria, but if your diarrhoea is accompanied by cramps and vomiting, it could be food poisoning of some sort. Either way, it will probably pass of its own accord in 24 to 48 hours without treatment. In the meantime, it’s essential to replace the fluid and salts you’re losing, so drink lots of water. If you have severe diarrhoea, and whenever young children have it, add oral rehydration salts – suero oral (brand names: Dioralyte, Electrosol, Rehidrat). If you can’t get these, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt and three of sugar in a litre of water.

Avoid greasy food, heavy spices, caffeine and most fruit and dairy products; some say bananas, papayas, guavas and prickly pears (tunas) help, while plain yogurt or a broth made from yeast extract (such as Marmite or Vegemite, if you happen to have some with you) can be easily absorbed by your body when you have diarrhoea. Drugs like Lomotil or Imodium plug you up – and thus undermine the body’s efforts to rid itself of infection – but they can be a temporary stop-gap if you have to travel. If symptoms persist for more than three days, or if you have a fever or blood in your stool, seek medical advice.

Malaria and dengue fever

Malaria, caused by a parasite that lives in the saliva of female Anopheles mosquitoes, is endemic in some parts of Mexico. Areas above 1000m (such as the capital) are malaria-free, as are Cancún, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and all the beach resorts of the Baja and the Pacific coasts. Daytime visits to archeological sites are risk-free, too, but low-lying inland areas can be risky, especially at night. According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the main risk areas are Chihuahua, Chiapas, Durango, Nayarit and Sinaloa, with rare cases in Campeche, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Sonora, Tabasco and the municipality of Othon P. Blanco in the southern part of Quintana Roo, bordering Belize. Chloroquine (brand names: Nivaquin, Resochin, Avloclor, Aralen) is the recommended malaria prophylactic for travellers to Mexico; you need to start taking the pills one week before you arrive and continue for one month after you depart. Chloroquine is unsuitable for sufferers from various complaints such as epilepsy and psoriasis but daily proguanil (brand name Paludrine) can be used in its place. Consult a physician before beginning any course of medication; see wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for more information on malaria in Mexico.

If you go down with malaria, you’ll probably know. The fever, shivering and headaches are like severe flu and come in waves, usually beginning in the early evening. Malaria is not infectious, but can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal if not treated quickly, so you should seek medical help immediately.

The most important thing, obviously, is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. Though active from dusk till dawn, female Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to bite in the evening. Wear long sleeves, skirts or trousers, avoid dark colours, which attract mosquitoes, and put repellent on all exposed skin, especially feet and ankles, which are their favourite targets. Plenty of good brands are sold locally, though health departments recommend carrying high-DEET brands available from travel clinics at home. An alternative is to burn coils of pyrethrum incense such as Raidolitos (these are readily available and burn all night if whole, but break easily). Sleep under a net if you can – one that hangs from a single point is best if you’re going to buy one (you can usually find a way to tie a string across your room to hang it from). Special mosquito nets for hammocks are available in Mexico.

Another illness spread by mosquito bites is dengue fever, whose symptoms are similar to those of malaria, plus a headache and aching bones. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes are particularly prevalent in urban areas during the rainy season and fly during the day, so wear insect repellent in the daytime if mosquitoes are around. The only treatment is complete rest, with drugs to assuage the fever – and take note that a second infection can be fatal.

Other bites and stings

Other biting insects can also be a nuisance. These include bed bugs, sometimes found in cheap (and, occasionally, in not so cheap) hotels – look for squashed ones around the bed. Sandflies, often present on beaches, are quite small, but their bites, usually on feet and ankles, itch like hell and last for days. Head or body lice can be picked up from people or bedding, and are best treated with medicated soap or shampoo.

Scorpions are mostly nocturnal and hide during the day under rocks and in crevices, so poking around in such places when in the countryside is generally ill-advised. If sleeping in a place where they might enter (such as a beach cabaña), shake your shoes out before putting them on in the morning, and try not to wander round barefoot. Some scorpion stings are dangerous and medical treatment should always be sought – cold-pack the sting in the meantime. Snakes are unlikely to bite unless accidentally disturbed – walk heavily and they will usually slither away. A fifth or so of Mexico’s snake species are venomous, the most dangerous being rattlesnakes (cascabel, found in the north), coral snakes (coralillo, found particularly in Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Chiapas), and the nauyacas (found mainly in the south and the Yucatán). If you do get bitten or stung, remember what the snake or scorpion looked like (kill it if you can do so without receiving more bites), try not to move the affected part (tourniquets are not recommended due to dangerous risk of gangrene – if you do use one, it is vital to relieve it for at least ninety seconds every fifteen minutes), and seek medical help: antivenins are available in most hospitals. Black widow spiders also exist in Mexico; tarantulas are more fearsome-looking, but a lot less dangerous.

Altitude and heat problems

Two other common causes of health problems in Mexico are altitude and the sun. The solution in both cases is to take it easy. Arriving in Mexico City (2240m), in particular, you may find any activity strenuous, and the thin air is made worse by the high concentration of pollutants. Allow yourself time to acclimatize. If going to higher altitudes (mountain climbing, for example), you may develop symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), such as breathlessness, headaches, dizziness, nausea and appetite loss. More extreme cases may include vomiting, disorientation, loss of balance and coughing up of pink frothy phlegm. A slow descent almost always brings immediate recovery.

Tolerance to the sun, too, takes a while to build up: use a strong sunscreen and, if you’re walking during the day, wear a hat or keep to the shade. Be sure to avoid dehydration by drinking enough (water or fruit juice rather than beer or coffee and aim to drink at least three litres a day), and don’t exert yourself for long periods in the hot sun. Be aware that overheating can cause heatstroke, which is potentially fatal. Signs are a very high body temperature without a feeling of fever, accompanied by headaches, disorientation and even irrational behaviour. Lowering body temperature (a tepid shower, for example) is the first step in treatment.

Less serious is prickly heat, an itchy rash that is in fact an infection of the sweat ducts caused by excessive perspiration that doesn’t dry off. A cool shower, zinc oxide powder and loose cotton clothes should help.

Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, or through saliva, and thrives in conditions of poor hygiene. It can lay a victim low for several months with exhaustion, fever and diarrhoea, and can even cause liver damage. The Havrix vaccine has been shown to be extremely effective; with a booster after six months, protection lasts for ten years.

Hepatitis symptoms include a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, general malaise, orange urine (though dehydration can also cause this) and light-coloured stools. If you think you have it and are unable immediately to see a doctor, it is important to get lots of rest, avoid alcohol and do your best not to spread the disease. If medical insurance coverage is an issue, you can go to a pathology lab (most towns have them) to get blood tests before paying a greater amount to see a doctor.

More serious is hepatitis B, which is passed through blood or sexual contact, in the same way as HIV, but more easily. A hepatitis B jab is recommended if you will be in contact with those with weaker immunity systems, for example, working around medical patients or with children. Ideally three doses are given over six months but if time is short, there are other options that take one to two months, with a booster given after a year.

Other diseases

Typhoid and cholera are spread in the same way as hepatitis A. Typhoid produces a persistent high fever with malaise, headaches and abdominal pains, followed by diarrhoea. Vaccination can be by injection or orally, though the oral alternative is less effective, more expensive and only lasts a year, as opposed to three for a shot in the arm. Cholera appears in epidemics rather than isolated cases – if it’s about, you will probably hear about it. Cholera is characterized by sudden attacks of watery diarrhoea with severe cramps and debilitation. The vaccination is no longer given, as it is ineffective.

Immunizations against mumps, measles, TB and rubella are a good idea for anyone who wasn’t vaccinated as a child and hasn’t had the diseases, and it’s worth making sure you are covered for tetanus. You don’t need a shot for yellow fever unless you’re coming from a country where it’s endemic (in which case you need to carry your vaccination certificate).

Rabies exists in Mexico and the rabies vaccine is advised for anyone who will be more than 24 hours away from medical help, for example if going trekking in remote areas. The best advice is simply to give dogs a wide berth, and not to play with animals at all, no matter how cuddly they may look. A bite, a scratch or even a lick from an infected animal could spread the disease – rabies can be fatal, so if you are bitten, assume the worst and get medical help as quickly as possible. While waiting, wash any such wound immediately but gently with soap or detergent and apply alcohol or iodine if possible. If you decide to get the vaccination, you’ll need three shots spread over a four-week period prior to travel.

Getting medical help

For minor medical problems, head for a farmacia – look for a green cross and the Farmacia sign. Pharmacists are knowledgeable and helpful, and many speak some English. One word of warning however: in many Mexican pharmacies you can still buy drugs such as Entero-Vioform and Mexaform (both used to treat diarrhoea), which can cause optic nerve damage and have been banned elsewhere; it is not a good idea, therefore, to use local brands unless you know what they are. Note that the purchase of prescription drugs without a Mexican prescription is illegal; a US prescription will not suffice.

For more serious complaints you can get a list of English-speaking doctors from your government’s nearest consulate. Big hotels and tourist offices may also be able to recommend medical services. Every Mexican border town has hundreds of doctors (dentists, too) experienced in treating gringos, since they charge less than their colleagues across the border. Every reasonably sized town should also have a state- or Red Cross-run health centre (centro de salud), where treatment is free. Treatment at health centres should be adequate for minor problems, but for anything involving an overnight stay, go to a private hospital (for which your travel insurance should cover you).

What about the water?

In a hot climate and at high altitudes, it’s essential to increase water intake to prevent dehydration. Most travellers, and most Mexicans if they can, stay off the tap water. A lot of the time it is in fact drinkable, and in practice may be impossible to avoid completely: ice made with it, unasked for, may appear in drinks, utensils are washed in it, and so on.

Most restaurants and licuaderías use purified water (agua purificada), but always check; most hotels have a supply and will often provide bottles of water in your room. Bottled water (generally purified with ozone or ultraviolet) is widely available, but stick with known brands, and always check that the seal on the bottle is intact since refilling empties with tap water for resale is common (carbonated water is generally a safer bet in that respect).

There are various methods of treating water while you are travelling, whether your source is from a tap or a river or stream. Boiling it for a minimum of five minutes is the time-honoured method, but it is not always practical, will not remove unpleasant tastes and is a lot less effective at higher altitudes – including much of central Mexico – where you have to boil it for much longer.

Sterilization and purification

Chemical sterilization, using either chlorine or iodine tablets or a tincture of iodine liquid, is more convenient, but leaves a nasty aftertaste (which can to some extent be masked with lime juice). Chlorine kills bacteria but, unlike iodine, is not effective against amoebic dysentery and giardiasis. Pregnant women or people with thyroid problems should consult their doctor before using iodine sterilizing tablets or iodine-based purifiers. Too many iodine tablets can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Inexpensive iodine removal filters are available and are recommended if treated water is being used continuously for more than a month or is being given to babies.

Purification, involving both filtration and sterilization, gives the most complete treatment. Portable water purifiers range in size from units weighing as little as 60g, which can be slipped into a pocket, up to 800g for carrying in a backpack.

Mexicans are generally very courteous, and in some ways quite formal. It is common, for example, to address people as señor or señora, while being too brusque can give quite a bad impression.

Most Mexicans are also quite religious, and about three-quarters are Roman Catholic; you will often see little altars by the roadside, and many people cross themselves whenever they pass a church. It is wise to avoid open disrespect for religion unless you are sure of your company. While male travellers will find the country very easy-going, women may encounter a few difficulties arising from traditional Latin machismo.

Sexual harassment and discrimination

Machismo is engrained in the Mexican mentality and, although it’s softened to some extent by the gentler mores of indigenous culture, most women will find that a degree of harassment is inevitable.

On the whole, most hassles will be limited to comments (piropos, supposedly compliments) in the street, but situations that might be quite routine at home can seem threatening without a clear understanding of the nuances of Mexican Spanish. Avoid eye contact – wearing sunglasses helps. Any provocation is best ignored – Mexican women are rarely slow with a stream of retaliatory abuse, but it’s a dangerous strategy unless you’re very sure of your ground, and coming from a foreigner, it may be taken as racism.

Public transport can be one of the worst places for harassment, especially groping in crowded situations. On the Mexico City Metro, there are separate women’s carriages and passages during rush hours. Otherwise, if you get a seat, you can hide behind a newspaper.

Problems are aggravated in the big tourist spots, where legendarily “easy” tourists attract droves of would-be gigolos. Away from resorts and big cities, though, and especially in indigenous areas, there is rarely any problem – you may as an outsider be treated as an object of curiosity, and usually, such curiosity can also extend to friendliness and hospitality. On the whole, the further from the US border you get, the easier things will become.

The restrictions imposed on drinking are without a doubt irksome: women can now drink in cantinas, but even in so-called “ladies’ bars”, “unescorted” women may be looked at with suspicion. Even in the roughest places, you are unlikely to be refused service nowadays, but whether or not you would feel comfortable drinking there is a different matter.

At expensive restaurants in tourist resorts, waiters and waitresses are used to American tipping levels (15–20 percent), but elsewhere levels are more like those in Europe (10–15 percent). In mid-range and upmarket hotels, you will be expected to tip chambermaids (a few dollars, depending on the standard of the hotel and the length of your stay) and porters (ten to twenty pesos or a dollar is fine). It is not usual to tip taxi drivers, but small tips are expected by petrol-station and car-park attendants and the bagboys at supermarkets (all of these will be happy with a few pesos of small change).

The craft tradition of Mexico, much of it descended directly from arts practised long before the Spanish arrived, is still extremely strong. Regional and highly localized specialities survive, with villages throughout the republic jealously guarding their reputations – especially in the states of Michoacán, Oaxaca and Chiapas, as well as the Yucatán Peninsula. There’s a considerable amount of Guatemalan textiles and embroidery about, too.

To buy crafts, there is no need to visit the place of origin – shops in Mexico City and all the big resorts gather the best and most popular items from around the country. On the other hand, it’s a great deal more enjoyable to see where the articles come from, and certainly the only way to get any real bargains. The good stuff is rarely cheap wherever you buy it, however, and there is an enormous amount of dross produced specifically for tourists.

FONART shops, in major centres throughout Mexico, are run by a government agency devoted to the promotion and preservation of crafts; their wares are always excellent, if expensive, and the shops should be visited to get an idea of what is available. Where no such store exists, you can get a similar idea by looking at the best of the tourist shops.

Among the most popular items are: silver, the best of which is wrought in Taxco, although rarely mined there; pottery, made almost everywhere, with different techniques, designs and patterns in each region; woollen goods, especially blankets, which are again made everywhere, and sarapes from Oaxaca – always check the fibres and go for more expensive natural dyes; leather, especially tyre-tread-soled huaraches (sandals), sold cheaply wherever you go; glass from Jalisco; lacquerware, particularly from Uruapán; and hammocks, the best of which are sold in Mérida.

It is illegal to buy or sell antiquities, and even more criminal to try taking them out of the country (moreover, many items sold as valuable antiquities are little more than worthless fakes) – best to just look.

For bargain hunters, the mercado (market) is the place to head. There’s one in every Mexican town which, on the traditional market day, will be at its busiest with villagers from the surrounding area bringing their produce for sale or barter. Mercados are mainly dedicated to food and everyday necessities, but most have a section devoted to crafts, and in larger towns you may find a separate crafts bazaar.

Unless you’re completely hopeless at bargaining, prices will always be lower in the market than in shops, but shops do have a couple of advantages. First, they exercise a degree of quality control, whereas any old junk can be sold in the market; and second, many established shops will be able to ship purchases home for you, which saves an enormous amount of frustrating bureaucracy.

Bargaining and haggling are very much a matter of personal style, highly dependent on your command of Spanish, aggressiveness and, to some extent, experience. The old tricks (never showing the least sign of interest – let alone enthusiasm, and walking away, will always cut the price dramatically) do still hold true; but make sure you know what you want, its approximate value and how much you are prepared to pay. Never start to haggle for something you definitely don’t intend to buy – it’ll end in bad feelings on both sides. In shops there’s little chance of significantly altering the official price unless you’re buying in bulk, and even in markets most food and simple household goods have a set price (though it may be doubled at the sight of an approaching gringo).

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Travel and tourism in Mexico - Statistics & Facts

Tourism in mexico during covid-19, international and domestic tourism in mexico, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Share of tourism contribution to GDP in Mexico 2010-2022

Tourism spending in Mexico 2010-2022, by type

Quarterly tourism workforce in Mexico 2018-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Inbound tourism volume in Mexico 2016-2022

Largest hotel companies in Mexico 2022, based on revenue

Further recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic Countries in the Americas with the highest inbound tourist arrivals 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of tourism jobs in Latin American countries 2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Latin American and Caribbean World Heritage Sites 2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Leading global countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading countries in the Americas in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2023

Countries in the Americas with the highest inbound tourist arrivals 2019-2022

Countries with the highest number of international tourist arrivals in the Americas from 2019 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of tourism jobs in Latin American countries 2022

Number of jobs related to travel and tourism in Latin America in 2022, by country (in millions)

Number of Latin American and Caribbean World Heritage Sites 2022, by country

Number of World Heritage properties in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2022, by country

Leading global countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index 2023

Leading countries in the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) worldwide in 2023

Leading countries in the Americas in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2023

Leading countries in the Americas in the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) in 2023

Key economic figures

• Premium Statistic Share of tourism contribution to GDP in Mexico 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism GDP in Mexico 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism GDP in Mexico 2022, by activity
• Premium Statistic Tourism FDI in Mexico 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Tourism establishments in Mexico 2010-2020
• Premium Statistic Quarterly tourism workforce in Mexico 2018-2023

Tourism sector as a percentage of gross domestic product in Mexico from 2010 to 2022

Tourism GDP in Mexico 2010-2022

Contribution of the tourism sector to the gross domestic product in Mexico from 2010 to 2022 (in billion Mexican pesos)

Tourism GDP in Mexico 2022, by activity

Contribution of the tourism sector to the gross domestic product in Mexico in 2022, by economic activity (in billion Mexican pesos)

Tourism FDI in Mexico 2010-2022

Foreign direct investment in the tourism sector in Mexico from 2010 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

Tourism establishments in Mexico 2010-2020

Number of establishments in the tourism sector in Mexico from 2010 to 2020 (in 1,000s)

Number of employees in the tourism sector in Mexico from 1st quarter 2018 to 2nd quarter 2023 (in millions)

Tourism volume and expenditures

• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism volume in Mexico 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism spending in Mexico 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Per capita spending of inbound tourists in Mexico 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic hotel guests in Mexico 2010-2020
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Mexico 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Cruise passenger traffic in Mexico 2022, by port
• Premium Statistic Most visited archeological sites in Mexico 2022
• Premium Statistic Quarterly accommodation and holiday package spending in Mexico 2016-2020

Number of international tourists in Mexico from 2016 to 2022 (in millions)

Inbound tourism spending in Mexico 2016-2022

Expenditure of international tourists in Mexico from 2016 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Per capita spending of inbound tourists in Mexico 2016-2022

Average expenditure per trip of international visitors in Mexico from 2016 to 2022 (in U.S. dollars)

Number of domestic hotel guests in Mexico 2010-2020

Number of domestic tourists in hotels in Mexico from 2010 to 2020 (in millions)

Domestic tourism spending in Mexico 2010-2022

Expenditure of domestic tourists in Mexico from 2010 to 2022 (in billion Mexican pesos)

Cruise passenger traffic in Mexico 2022, by port

Number of cruise passengers in Mexico in 2022, by port (in 1,000s)

Most visited archeological sites in Mexico 2022

Most popular archeological sites in Mexico in 2022, by number of visitors (in 1,000s)

Quarterly accommodation and holiday package spending in Mexico 2016-2020

Quarterly expenditure on accommodation and tour packages in Mexico between 2016 and 2020 (in billion Mexican pesos)

Hotel industry

• Premium Statistic Number of hotels in Mexican states 2023
• Premium Statistic Largest hotel companies in Mexico 2022, based on revenue
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy in Mexico 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate in Mexico 2019-2022, by type of location
• Premium Statistic Occupancy rates in key Mexican hotel markets 2022
• Premium Statistic Main tourist destinations in Mexico 2020-2022, by number of occupied rooms
• Basic Statistic Top Mexican resorts 2023, by user ratings

Number of hotels in Mexican states 2023

Number of hotel establishments in Mexico as of June 2023, by federal state

Leading companies in the hotel industry in Mexico in 2022, by net revenue (in billion Mexican pesos)

Hotel room occupancy in Mexico 2010-2022

Occupancy rate of hotel rooms in Mexico from 2010 to 2022

Hotel room occupancy rate in Mexico 2019-2022, by type of location

Room occupancy of hotel establishments in Mexico from 2019 to 2022, by type of location

Occupancy rates in key Mexican hotel markets 2022

Tourist destinations with highest hotel room occupancy in Mexico in 2022

Main tourist destinations in Mexico 2020-2022, by number of occupied rooms

Leading travel destinations for overnight tourism in Mexico from 2020 to 2022, by number of occupied hotel rooms

Top Mexican resorts 2023, by user ratings

Best-rated resorts in Mexico in 2023, based on user scores

Traveler preferences

• Premium Statistic Most popular holiday destination type for Mexicans 2022
• Premium Statistic Most popular domestic holiday destinations in Mexico 2022
• Premium Statistic Favorite aspects of domestic holiday trips for Mexicans 2022
• Premium Statistic Favorite aspects of outbound holiday trips for Mexicans 2022
• Premium Statistic Favorite type of holidays for Mexicans 2022
• Premium Statistic Breakdown of Mexican holidaymakers 2022, by travel companion

Most popular holiday destination type for Mexicans 2022

Most common type of travel destination for leisure travelers from Mexico as of June 2022

Most popular domestic holiday destinations in Mexico 2022

Most common domestic travel destinations in Mexico as of June 2022

Favorite aspects of domestic holiday trips for Mexicans 2022

Preferred amenities of domestic leisure tourists in Mexico as of June 2022

Favorite aspects of outbound holiday trips for Mexicans 2022

Preferred amenities of international leisure tourists from Mexico as of June 2022

Favorite type of holidays for Mexicans 2022

Preferred type of vacation trips by tourists from Mexico as of June 2022

Breakdown of Mexican holidaymakers 2022, by travel companion

Distribution of leisure tourists from Mexico as of June 2022, by travel companionship

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15 Facts About Chichen Itza, One Of The 7 Wonders Of The World

• Chichen Itza is a top cruise attraction, with many tourists visiting from nearby ports on organized tours.
• Local vendors sell goods near Chichen Itza, although tourists should be prepared for potential persistence.
• Chichen Itza was discovered twice and was used as an observatory by the Mayans. It is being restored and may have been used for sacrifices.

Chichen Itza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is a historic site situated in Yucatán, Mexico. While most people realize that Chichen Itza was built by the Mayans thousands of years ago, there are many things tourists don't realize about this marvelous attraction. There are many interesting facts about Chichen Itza that everyone should know before visiting.

Chichen Itza refers to an archeological site, not the pyramid within it, which is the site's most popular tourist attraction. The pyramid itself was built to serve as a temple and a castle and is known as El Castillo - there are a lot more facts about Chichen Itza that you may want to know about both the site and the pyramid before you visit.

UPDATE: 2023/10/26 16:37 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Is Much More To Understand When Coming To See Chichen Itza

This article has been updated with new information regarding Chichen Itza, as well as two lesser-known facts about this world-famous monument. Whether someone is coming from their cruise, shopping with locals, or wanting to learn more about this iconic structure, Mexico is filled to the brim with history and Mayan culture!

Chichen Itza Is One Of The Most Visited Cruise Attractions

• Cruise passengers account for much of the tourism at Chichen Itza.

Something to know about Chichen Itza in Mexico is that it brings most of its tourists from cruise ships porting in nearby areas. Cozumel is a landing point for many cruisers, with them hopping on a bus to witness the ancient Mayan structure in real-time. For this reason, people will almost always have the option of booking a tour of the site via their cruise company, as it's continuously one of the most in-demand choices among people coming to the country. From water to Chichen Itza!

Guachimontones is another prehistoric site in Mexico worth checking out for anyone with time to spare on the mainland.

Related: The Longest Bike Trail In The World Spans All The Way From Canada To Mexico

There Are Locals Selling Goods Near The Famous Monument

• Local vendors line the streets entering Chichen Itza.

Although this sometimes doesn't sit well with tourists, there are hoards of vendors selling goods just hundreds of feet from Chichen Itza. Most people are fairly calm about selling to tourists, although it has been reported vendors bombarding buses filled with guests in the area, as well as flagging them down at the monument. It's best to say no thanks and move on from the area if this persists. Or, if you want a handcrafted gift, then supporting vendors is a great idea: whatever makes everyone feel most comfortable.

It Was Discovered Twice

• Chichen Itza underwent two major discoveries, one in 514 AD and another in 1841.

One thing most people do not know about Chichen Itza is that it was discovered twice. In 514 AD, a priest by the name of Lakin Chan discovered the site that is known as Chichen Itza. It is believed that Chan was also referred to as Itzamna. Chichen Itza translates as “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” Over the years following its abandonment, Chichen Itza was lost, and Mexico fell into turmoil and was ravaged by a series of wars. In 1841, American Explorer John Lloyd Stephens stumbled upon this site once again and turned it over to Mexico.

Related: Mayapan: Visit One Of The Yucatan's Most Stunning But Rarely Visited Mayan Sites

It Was Used As An Observatory

• At one point, Chichen Itza was used as an observatory.

The Chichen Itza is a marvelous site due to its rich architecture and historical value, but it also houses evidence that the Mayans were definitely ahead of their time. For starters, the Chichen Itza housed craftspeople, artisans, and scholars and was by no means a civilization of simple people. The Mayans were people of science and math and especially excelled in the field of astronomy. For this reason, tourists can visit the Mayan observatory known as El Caracol, which once was used by the Mayans to gaze into the heavens and study the motions of Venus.

It's Built With Diverse Materials

• The pyramids of Chichen Itza have been made with local materials, such as mica.

The pyramids of Chichen Itza have been a popular attraction for ages, but now they are being questioned, or rather, the method in which they were built. Historians have analyzed the buildings and structures located within this site and have found a variety of diverse materials that do not originate locally in Yucatan, Mexico . One of these materials is mica, which was used by the Mayans during construction to insulate their buildings, but there is one problem. Mica is found 2,000 miles away from the pyramids in Brazil, and scientists are baffled as to how it was transported without vehicles.

It Was Built Near Sinkholes

• This structure was built near sinkholes, often believed to be used for human sacrifice.

Another thing most people do not know about Chichen Itza is that it was built near sinkholes. While your first reaction to reading that might be confusion or worry, there was a very good reason for the Mayans establishing their community near two sinkholes. The area is generally spotted with numerous sinkholes in the limestone earth and is stable. They actually provided the only source of freshwater to the people of the area as there are no rivers or lakes nearby. Therefore, Chichen Itza was built near two massive sinkholes to ensure water availability year-round. These sinkholes are called cenotes and have clean water in them ( cenotes are also one of the top tourist attractions of the Yucatán Peninsula ).

It Is Being Restored

• Many restoration projects have kept Chichen Itza looking beautiful after all these years.

One thing most people find surprising about the buildings in Chichen Itza, particularly El Castillo, is the incredible condition it is in after all these centuries. This is due to the restoration projects headed by the Mexican government and some universities to ensure these structures stand the test of time.

Restoration efforts began in 1923 when Sylvanus Morley, an archaeologist, headed an expedition to the pyramid and realized it had suffered a great deal of decay. After gaining entrance to the pyramid, restoration efforts were started and continue to this day; due to this, El Castillo is stronger than ever.

It May Have Been Used For Sacrifices

• Many believe that sinkholes surrounding Chichen Itza were used for sacrifices during times of heartache.

Next up on this list is a morbid fact about Chichen Itza, which is not entirely butterflies and rainbows. The Mayans were peaceful and smart people but also believed in curses and sacrifice to the gods they worshiped. The sinkholes mentioned above were frequently used for sacrifices during times of adversity, such as a drought or famine. The Mayans would choose a person to be sacrificed to the gods in hopes that this would bring them luck. In addition to sacrifices, the Mayans were also big fans of death penalties, which were gruesome and publicized to maintain order and spread fear.

It Isn't Entirely Mayan

• The Chichen Itza was built in two stages: the pre-Classic and the latter period.

Next up is a fact that startles most people when they hear it, and it truly is shocking. Historians suggest that this famous Mayan community may not have been entirely Mayan, and that is true. The Chechen Itza was built in two stages, the pre-Classic and the latter period. The pre-Classic period was greatly influenced by the Mayans, but following an invasion of Toltecs in the 10th century, this all changed. As a matter of fact, the most iconic buildings of Chichen Itza, such as the Temple Pyramid El Castillo, may have been built by the Toltecs and not the Mayans.

There Are Smaller Pyramids Within

• There is a smaller pyramid cluster hiding below the El Castillo.

Another fact to know about Chichen Itza is that while the huge pyramid of El Castillo looms at a whopping 98 feet , it is, in fact, hiding something beneath it. Within the pyramid are two smaller pyramids that stand at 65.5 feet and 33 feet. The smallest of the three pyramids is believed to have been built by the Mayans, as it features a unique Colombian-style architecture style. In contrast, the other pyramids have Mexican influences in them. Scientists are studying the smaller pyramid to learn more about the ways of the Mayans, as the ways of the Toltecs are shown on El Castillo with its carvings and sculptures.

Related: This Forgotten City Has The Tallest Mayan Pyramid (& Its Not Chichen Itza)

There Was A Death At The Itza

• Tourists in modern times are not permitted to climb or even touch Chichen Itza.

Tourists at the Chichen Itza are frequently disappointed to know that they cannot climb to the top of the pyramid, and here is why. Until 2006 , tourists were allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo to gaze upon the sculptures at the top. That was until an American tourist stumbled on her way down and fell to her death. These accidents are increasingly common, and for this reason, the steps of El Castillo are restricted. In addition to providing an added layer of safety to tourists, this ensures the structure will not be damaged by the feet of hundreds of thousands of tourists climbing the steps.

That said, this Mayan pyramid in Mexico DOES allow climbing , so that's something to think about.

Chichen Itza's Glory Declined Mysteriously

• The Mayans are said to have vanished sometime around the 14th century.

This once great empire met its sudden doom when the Mayans who once inhabited this land mysteriously left in the 14th century and never returned to it once again. The Chichen Itza was a symbol of perseverance and power to the Mayans, who had moved around, ravaged by warfare until settling in the Itza. Their civilization was one of the most advanced of its time. Still, it met its sudden end due to a series of issues, such as drought and famine. After the fall of Chichen Itza, the Mayans persevered in the North till the 16th century.

Chichen Itza Has The Largest Mayan Ballcourt

• Chichen Itza is home to the largest Ballcourt known in Mesoamerica.

Much is not known about the Mayan Ballgame, but it would seem that for the Mayans, the game was more ritual in nature. The game was associated with human sacrifice, and the exact rules remain unknown (except it would seem players could only use their hips and thighs. Chichen Itza is home to the largest Ballcourt known in Mesoamerica .

Chichen Itza Has A Sacrificial Cenote

• There is a sacred cenote at Chichen Itza, where sacrifices occur.

At Chichen Itza, visitors can find the Sacred Cenote . It is an ancient sinkhole that the Mayans believed was sacred. Numerous artifacts have been discovered at the bottom of this cenote, including things associated with sacrifice, like gold, jade, incense, and human bones. The human skeletons include warriors, children, and maidens. Also, at Chichen Itza, visitors can see the Mayan baths where sacrificial victims were ritually cleaned before their sacrifice.

Chichen Itza Is One Of The Most Touristic Mayan Sites

• Chichen Itza remains one of the most popular Mayan sites in the world.

Chichen Itza is not only one of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico, but it is also likely the most popular Mayan archeological site in all of the ancient Mayan world. It is far from the only ancient Mayan city to have impressive ruins. Still, it is one of the most accessible and best known, and it benefits from being in Mexico (Tikal is remote in the jungle in Guatemala). Chichen Itza attracts around 2 million tourists every year.

Thailand Relaxes Its Visa Program: Longer Stays For Tourists And Digital Nomads

Beginning next week, Thailand will roll out an initiative that will allow travelers from 93 countries to stay up to 60 days, and relax rules for digital nomads, students and retirees.

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Thailand is pulling out the stops to attract more tourists from a larger pool of countries and for longer stays.

T his week, Thailand’s government announced that it is significantly relaxing its visa program, approving longer stays for tourists, students and remote workers in an initiative that will allow travelers from 93 countries (up from 57) to stay 60 days (up from 30).

The changes will go into effect on June 1.

For digital nomads, as well as self-employed and remote workers, visas will extend to five years—a significant jump from 60 days—with each stay limited to 180 days, Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said at a press conference. Previously, digital nomads were allowed only two 30-day stays.

Foreign postgraduate students will be able to stay an additional year after graduation.

In addition, Thailand is drastically lowering insurance requirements for foreign retirees. Currently, retirees aged 50 years and up must have health insurance coverage of 3 million baht (nearly $82,000). The new requirement will be just 440,000 baht ($12,000).

Thailand is hoping these moves will collectively help juice its stuttering economy. Earlier this month, the finance ministry reduced its 2024 economic growth forecast to 2.4% from 2.8%. The country is aiming for a record 40 million foreign tourism arrivals in 2024, with an anticipated revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95.3 billion).

Around the world, there’s a marked trend toward fewer countries requiring traditional paper visas affixed in a passport, according to UN Tourism’s latest Tourism Visa Openness Report , which revealed that just 47% of travelers in 2023 required a traditional visa, falling steadily from 77% in 2008 and 59% in 2018. Instead, travelers are finding looser rules and less friction when traveling to destinations around the world. Today 21% of the world’s population does not need any visa—up from 17% in 2008—and visa-on-arrivals and eVisas are popping up around the world.

This trend is most visible in the Middle East and Africa. Consider that in 2015, about seven in 10 people in the world needed to obtain a visa prior to visiting the Middle East. By last year, that figure had dropped to 57%.

The list of countries soon eligible for visa-free short stays in Thailand include large tourism source markets like China and India, as well as U.S., U.K., Albania, Cambodia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka, UAE and Uzbekistan.

A Thai visa-on-arrival will soon be available for 31 countries (up from 19), including Armenia, Fiji, Malta, Saudi Arabia and Serbia.

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