Mexico’s Top Destinations Beyond the Beaches

Although Mexico's beaches are a great attraction for tourists from all over the world, this country also has cities to enjoy extraordinary cultural, gastronomic, and fun experiences. These are some of best places beyond the beach to spend the holidays.

Guadalajara is one of the most beautiful and vital cities in Latin America, and its hotel and gastronomic services place it at the level of the best capitals in the world. In this fun city, the birthplace of iconic symbols of Mexico such as tequila and mariachi music, travelers don't have time for boredom. In the City Center, visitors can enjoy streets and buildings more than 500 years old and designed in Baroque, Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Contemporary styles.

Not far from this area is the Colonia Americana, one of Guadalajara's oldest and most trendy neighborhoods, where tourists can see many European-style residences built in early 1900 by essential architects and remodeled time later with good designs that alternate classic and contemporary styles.

Although Guadalajara's gastronomic offer is one of the most diverse in Mexico, its most distinctive dishes are Carne en su jugo (juicy meat), which consists of a mixture of steak with bacon, tomatoes, and ground chilies. Another popular meal is tortas ahogadas, made with a special bread filled with meat dipped in tomato and spicy sauces. These two dishes are added to the birria, a preparation based on sheep meat, goat, or beef, with sauce from a mixture of peppers and cooked underground for five hours.

The most recommended places to visit are the Allende Garden, the Casa Allende Historical Museum, and, especially, the imposing temple and oratory of San Felipe Neri, one of the most important examples of colonial architecture in the country. In addition, for art lovers, the former La Aurora Textile Factory exhibits collections of books, paintings, and sculptures that visitors enjoy throughout extensive exhibition areas.

Another space that tourists should not miss is the Ignacio Ramirez Cultural Center, located in one of the most important historical buildings of San Miguel de Allende, built-in 1754. Visitors can take art workshops and enjoy exhibitions by renowned local painters.

In addition, for those looking for wellness experiences, there are spas in the San Miguel de Allende area that offer treatments and relaxing massages in thermal waters and natural springs. Finally, in the Botanical Garden of San Miguel de Allende, tourists carry out activities to connect with nature in an environment of the rich biodiversity of Mexican cacti.

In this town, founded in 1528 and located in the mountains of Chiapas, near Guatemala, life is quieter and slower. Its enchanting natural environment invites the visitor to walk its countless paths and enjoy the fresh air of the thick forest in which this charming place locates.

The town preserves impressive colonial buildings, such as the former convent of Santo Domingo, one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque and indigenous art fusion. This building was built by the Dominican friars between 1547 and 1551 and featured fascinating ornaments, including angels and sirens, that make it unique among Mexico's historic buildings. Other places to visit are the Amber Museum and the Casa del Jade, precious elements that the pre-Hispanic communities of Chiapas worked with great skill. In this place, tourists enjoy an essential collection of jade carvings by artists from the Zapotec, Olmec, Aztec and Toltec cultures.

The gastronomic offer of this charming rural destination in Mexico is based on dishes prepared with organic food cooked with traditional recipes. However, there are also restaurants and gourmet hotels that offer international food menus and, especially, the fabulous gourmet coffee of the region, considered one of the best in Mexico.

In this spectacular Neoclassical-style building, the Regional Museum exhibits a fantastic collection of pieces of Mayan culture. Another place not to be missed is the Palace of the Spanish conqueror Francisco de Montejo, built in the 16th century, which today is an important museum hosting an essential collection of works of art.