These are the top 5 places to visit in Mexico in 2026, according to travel experts

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Chatty abuelas gossiping on their porch all day, pastel-colored colonial houses that carry more history than an average lifeless suburb ever could, and the smell of grilled carnitas coming from a street vendor somewhere in a bustling malecon:

Sooner or later we will all long for it a little bit of it Me-ji-co ourselves.

But Mexico is such a vast country, filled with so much cultural diversity, that picking a single destination to start the year can quickly seem like a daunting task. Except it doesn’t have to be:

Our fellow travel experts write in American news have taken it upon themselves to rank the best places to visit in Mexico this year, and if you are running out of time to make a decision on your vacation plans and you don’t have time for 20, Shall we take a look at the top 5?

Zihuatanejo, Guerreiro

A relaxed seaside resort Northwest of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo is known for its long stretches of sandy beaches, like the palm-tree-lined Playa La Ropa, a thriving surfing culture and good old Mexican boutique hopping in the Pacific.

Be sure to pack your ocean gear as it is also an excellent destination for scuba diving 30 tourist-friendly dive sites. Down Paseo del Pescadora promenade that runs along the ocean, you will find small shops selling beautiful ceramics and handicrafts.

Of course, it’s not a trip to a Mexican city without checking the local market off your list: Mercado Municipal serves delicious street food and fresh produce that impresses. Their ceviche de pescadomade with freshly caught white fish, lime and local chillies, however, certainly steals the show.

Ixtapa, Guerrero

Ixtapa, number 4, is in fact a short drive from the previous town and is distinguished by its rapidly developing beach: every year more and more hotel towers and seafood restaurants seem to appear on the edge of the bend. white sandy beach of El Palmar.

A lively spot packed with authentic Mexican eateries, Ixtapa Marina is right next to a golf course designed by Robert von Hagge: we’re talking marina views on an 18-hole, par-72 dune-style layout, complete with sand traps to keep the fun going.

If you’re not particularly passionate about golf, how does playing with dolphins sound? Delfiniti is a family-friendly dolphinarium known for its interactive dolphin action: feel free to get up close, pet and splash around the tank with these wonderful creatures.

La Paz, Baja California Sur

The capital of Baja California Sur, La Pazis a (as its name implies) peaceful city on the shores of the Sea of ​​Cortez, famous for its long Malecon promenade, golden sandy beaches surrounded by azure blue water and cozy restaurants overlooking the water.

Balandra Beach is the most popular beach in the area due to its location crystal clear, shallow waterline and the dramatic rock formations that flank it, although Playa Pichilingue is just as picturesque, with its turquoise bay and seafood restaurants.

A UNESCO protected reserveThe island of Espiritu Santo is a magnet for sea lions, and if you visit La Paz between December and April, you should know that this is the high season for whale watching and swimming with whale sharks, two major highlights of the Sea of ​​Cortez.

Guanajuato, Guanajuato

A cultural colossus of Mexico, like Mexico City and Guadalajara, Guanajuato is a colonial-era treasure that became relevant as a silver mining center and entered modern times as an open-air museum perfectly preserved from the 17th century:

The colonial core is dotted with pastel-colored mansions and intersected by cobbled streets. Among the yellow crops Basilica Colegiata and the fortress-like Alhóndiga de Granaditaswho played a key role in the Mexican War of Independence, history is everywhere to be seen, touched and experienced.

For the enthusiasts among us: don’t miss it Callejon del Beso (or Alley of the Kiss), a picture-perfect passageway lined with historic buildings so that lovers standing on opposite balconies can easily reach across the void and kiss. Hence the name.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, a paradise island off the coast of Cancun, is officially the top destination Mexico for 2026 according to American newsand we won’t be the ones to object: palm trees that seem to touch the sky, pristine white sand, blue-green colored seas and perfect island vibes everywhere?

It’s no wonder it was crowned best island south of the border. Whether it’s avoiding the seaweed plague during the sargassum season, the low crime rate or the unspoilt nature: Mujeres delivers value for money.

The best thing about it is that it is so small, only 7 km long and 0.6 km wide, it can be explored by golf cart or even on foot! Discover lost Mayan temples in the south, try ceviche and browse boutiques in ‘Downtown’, or simply find your favorite spot at Playa Norte and bask in the Caribbean sun.

Vinicius Costa

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Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.