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Mexico is the number one cultural haven for Americans: not only are the flights short, the weather great and the cuisine second to none, but… the cultural offering limitless.
There is only one warning.
As beautiful as they are, they are there certain cities you wouldn’t bother visiting if you put safety first, like Zacatecas where crime rates are higher; Colima, notorious for its gangs, or Morelia, where drug-related violence is rampant.
Like any other country, Mexico has both safe and non-safe parts, but the good news is: majority of culturally important destinations fit into the first category.
These include 4 of the most beautiful gems in the countrywhere immersing yourself in history does not mean endangering yourself:
Aguascalientes
Located in north-central Mexico, Aguascalientes is known for its… intact colonial structurescentered around the Spanish-built Plaza de la Patria, art museums and an abundance of spas and thermal springs – in case you haven’t noticed, it’s literally in the city’s name.
Some of the main attractions include the baroque Nuestra Señora de la Asunción cathedral, with its imposing twin towers, the 17th-century Government Palace, richly decorated with murals depicting the founding of the city, and the thermal springs of San Marcos:
This is located in the historically charged San Marcos neighborhood one of the oldest and most traditional wellness paradises in town: the water is said to have healing properties, there are lush gardens to enjoy and entrance tickets start from $5.10.
Whether you come here to relax or experience culture, you certainly don’t have to remain hypervigilant: Numbeo reportsCrime rates are low and the US State Department itself has classified the country as a Level 2 destination, meaning it is about as safe as Mexico City or Cancun.
Oaxaca City
The charming capital of the state of the same name, Oaxaca, is one compact, historically important city characterized by its melting pot of cultures, with contributions from the indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec peoples as well as the Spanish.
The Plaza de la Constitución (commonly called Zócalo), planned in 1529, is one of the oldest in Mexico, and the nearby grand cathedral is one of the few in the New World with high Gothic-style vaulted ceilings like the ones you see in Europe sees!
The Xochimilco neighborhood is every Instagrammer’s fever dream cobbled streets and colorful low housesand if it’s ancient Mexican history that floats your boat, don’t miss a visit to Monte Albán, an abandoned pre-Columbian city that’s more than 2,524 years old.
Like Aguascalientes, Oaxaca is also a Level 2 destination, and while pickpocketing is common, especially in the busy downtown area, drug-related violence and armed robberies are less of a problem that affects tourists.
Villahermosa
The capital of the state of Tabasco, in the southeast, Villahermosa is one unsung cultural hotspot founded in the mid-16th century after the demise of the once great Olmec civilization, and one of the centers of colonial-era Mexico.
The landmark Cathedral of the Lord is one of the most grandiose in Mexico, with its towering double belfries, and if you want to have your mind blown, be sure to pay Casa de los Azulejos a visit: a small museum with ancient artefacts, almost entirely covered in deep blue tiles.
The grandiose Government Palace is also not to be missed, and between us everyone heads to Mercado de Pino Suárez for a quick bite, but we prefer the more unusual Mercado de La Terminal: the $10 tortas are intended die for.
By the way, we hate to repeat ourselves at this point, but like its Level 2 counterparts, Villahermosa offers just as much safety to tourists: in simple terms, keep your wits about you and keep an eye on personal belongings when you get out. but you don’t have to worry either.
Puebla
Last but not least, Puebla is the jewel in the crown of the state of the same name, and a thriving cultural center with remarkable architectural feats, culinary delights and vast museums celebrating pre-Hispanic art – think monumental Museum Amparo.
As usual, the main building in the city is a Renaissance cathedral, which rises above a central square, although the maze of pedestrian-friendly, winding streets from the Zócalo is just as charming:
They lead to gilded Baroque chapels, such as the National Treasure Church of Santo Domingo, legendary institutions such as Biblioteca Palafoxiana, one of the oldest on the American continent with rare books and the stately municipal palace, designed by the English architect Charles James S. Hall.
You know what’s going to happen: Puebla sits comfortably alongside other entries on this list at Level 2 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and as a tourist your main concern should be to limit your movements to the heavily guarded historic center, and not- avoid touristy suburbs. and exercise caution.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
