What is Mexico Famous For?

Mexico is a must-visit destination, drawing countless tourists to explore its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and fascinating historic sites. From food to outdoor adventures, there is something for everyone! 

When you book an all inclusive vacation, you’ll get to experience all the wonders of Mexico’s diverse and exciting regions. Read on to learn what you shouldn’t miss on your next visit!

Stunning Beaches

Mexico has some of the most famous beaches in the world. Along the diverse coastline, you’ll find white and yellow sand beaches, hidden cenotes, and beautiful bays offering shelter from the open ocean. Each tourist destination, from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, offers a unique experience that visitors will never forget. 

Mexico touches both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, each of which offers one-of-a-kind sights, experiences, and activities. 

The country’s Caribbean coastline is beloved for its clear blue water, white sand beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Riviera Maya is a popular area, including cities such as Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. Beaches here are white sand, which is finer and remains cool in the heat of the day. The water is stunningly clear, making it possible to see marine life of all kinds, from fish to sea turtles. 

No surprise then that it’s an excellent place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Along the coast, you’ll find the Mesoamerican Reef, where you can spot some of the most stunning underwater life in the region. 

The Pacific coastline includes cities like Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Known for its rugged cliffs and cooler waters, this side of Mexico tends to be a bit less crowded. 

The Pacific coast is full of yellow sand beaches, which means it will be significantly hotter on land and rougher on your feet! That said, the Pacific Ocean tends to be colder and rougher, making it less pleasant for swimming but excellent for water sports like surfing. 

Top-rated beaches in Mexico:

• Playa Paraiso, Tulum (Caribbean)
• Playa del Carmen (Caribbean)
• Playa Mujeres, Cancun (Caribbean)
• Punta Mita (Pacific)
• Playa Acapulquito (Pacific)
• Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres (Caribbean)
• Playa Las Gatas, Zihuatanejo (Pacific)
• Playa Zicatela, Oaxaca (Pacific)

Ancient Ruins

The land now known as Mexico was once the home of ancient civilizations like the Maya and the Aztecs. Many of their buildings are still standing and remain some of Mexico’s most stunning architectural sites. 

Chichen Itza is one of the most famous ancient architectural sites on the planet. Declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World by UNESCO in 2007, the city was built by the Mayans between 1100 and 1400 years ago! Some of the pyramids were built to track seasons or astronomical events, and visitors can still see the famous “snake” visible during the spring and autumn equinox. 

Teotihuacan is another site located in the Valley of Mexico. This mysterious city was constructed by a pre-Aztec civilization nearly two thousand years ago. It may have been a religious center for these ancient people and remains a subject of fascination to this day. 

Palenque is a smaller archeological site in southern Mexico. Once overgrown by rainforest, it has since been excavated and now displays some of the best-preserved Mayan art and architecture in existence. 

Other sites to visit:

• Coba
• Uxmal
• Calakmul
• Yaxchilan

World-Famous Cuisine

Mexican food is known around the world. In fact, it’s so famous that it was even recognized by UNESCO! 

Most visitors will probably be familiar with dishes like mole, tacos, tamales, and chilaquiles (although they may not have had the authentic version!). But Mexico is a diverse country whose cuisine varies significantly by region, so you will always have the chance to try something one-of-a-kind. 

Regional specialties you have to try include: 

• Mole — Oaxaca is serious about mole sauce. You can find seven different versions of this cacao-based sauce, some of which have as many as 20 ingredients!
• Cochinita Pibil — Travel to Yucatan to taste this slow-cooked pork roast, adapted from Mayan cuisine.
• Mexico City street food — Foodies will love exploring the rich street food culture of la Merced Mercado. Must-trys include tacos al pastor, tlacados, birria, and barbacoa. 

Tequila lovers should plan to make a special trip to Jalisco, the biggest producer of tequila in Mexico. Roughly 98 percent of the blue agave liquor made in the country comes from Jalisco. Many distilleries in the region offer tasting tours, letting you sample the unique flavors of the birthplace of tequila.

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Unique Festivals and Celebrations

Mexico is home to many celebrations and festivals that take place throughout the year. Some are for holidays celebrated around the world, while others are a uniquely Mexican experience. 

One of the most famous is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This celebration takes place every year on November 1. It is a time to set up altars to remember dead loved ones. This colorful festival is famous for its strings of papel picado to symbolize mortality, sugar skulls on altars, and strewn marigold petals. 

If you’re visiting Oaxaca, you may get a chance to attend Guelaguetza, a celebration rooted in the indigenous culture of the region. Originally a festival for sharing and worship, Guelaguetza has developed into a celebration of dancing and community. 

Mexican Independence Day, which takes place on September 16, is another major celebration. It is marked by concerts, fireworks, music, and most famously, the ringing of the historic bell that signaled the start of the Mexican War of Independence.

Natural Wonders

Mexico is full of amazing natural sites that go far beyond the beaches! The country is home to a dedicated ecotourism movement, which offers visitors the chance to enjoy its natural beauty up close, from swimming on coral reefs to hiking up volcanoes. 

Cenotes — If you’ve never heard of a cenote, you’ll want to plan a trip. These underground freshwater caverns are located along Mexico’s coastline. It’s an amazing experience to swim inside a cave and explore its hidden treasures. 

Copper Canyon — Copper Canyon is a popular hiking destination in northern Mexico. Located in the Sierra Madres, these canyons have a unique coloring that earns them their name. 

Whale Watching — Both of Mexico’s coastlines offer the chance to spot some truly unique marine life. Baja California, on the country’s Pacific Coast, is known for its whale-watching spots. Multiple whale species can be seen, including friendly gray whales, which actively interact with humans in Baja as nowhere else on Earth. 

Monarch Butterfly Migration — The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located in Angangueo, Mexico. Tourists visiting here will get the chance to see the monarchs by the thousands after they migrate from the north.

Mariachi Music and Mexican Folk Traditions

Even if you’ve heard Mariachi music before, you’ve never heard it like it’s played in Mexico. Mariachi is just one of Mexico’s amazing folk traditions that you have to experience firsthand. 

Mariachi music developed over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries through various regional musical styles. It is considered a type of music that encapsulates the soul of the country and is played at gatherings in restaurants, festivals, weddings, and more. 

People around the world recognize mariachi culture in traditional charro outfits and performances such as the Jarabe Tapatio, or Mexican Hat Dance. In 2011, mariachi music was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. 

Colonial Cities and Architecture

Mexico’s unique colonial architecture is known throughout the world. Cities like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, and Puebla are some of the best places to take in this European-style architecture with New World adaptations. 

You can instantly recognize this unique architecture in the country’s open plazas, colorful streets, stunning cathedrals, and much more. It came to be known as Mexican Baroque, resulting in countless masterpieces of construction known around the world. 

Chocolate: Mexico’s Sweet Legacy

The world’s favorite candy has its origins in the Olmec and Mayan cultures of Mesoamerica. Cacao was prized by these peoples and used both as currency and in religious rituals. Today, Mexico proudly carries on the tradition of chocolate production, and it remains an important part of its culture.

Ready to Experience the Best of Mexico? Book Your All-Inclusive Escape Today!

There are tons of things that make Mexico a wonderful place to visit, from stunning beaches to rich cultures of food, music, and more. Want to plan your next vacation? Book an all inclusive vacation to Mexico with All Inclusive Outlet to get top deals for travel and accommodation.