Mexico for First Timers

All 41 places on this map are pinned at their exact location, grouped into 6 areas (Mexico City, Yucatán & Riviera Maya, Oaxaca and more). Each one comes with a short note on what it is and why it is worth your time. Browsing is free, and with an Ikuzo account you can copy the whole map and reshape it into your own trip.

Mexico City

Xochimilco Trajineras

Float the ancient canals on a brightly painted trajinera boat with mariachis drifting by. Come with a group, bring snacks and drinks, and agree on the price before boarding.

Metropolitan Cathedral

The largest cathedral in the Americas, built over three centuries right on the Zócalo. Free to enter, and the tilting floors show how the city sinks into the old lakebed.

Chapultepec Castle

The only real castle in North America, sitting on a hill inside Chapultepec Park with sweeping views over Reforma. Go early to beat the crowds, closed on Mondays.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida's cobalt blue family home in Coyoacán, kept much as she left it. Tickets sell out days ahead so book online before your trip.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

A gorgeous marble palace with murals by Diego Rivera and Siqueiros inside. For the classic photo, head to the Sears cafe across the street for the rooftop view.

Coyoacán

A colorful colonial neighborhood of plazas, churros and street life, perfect to pair with the Frida Kahlo Museum. Grab a coffee around Jardín Centenario and wander.

Teotihuacan

The massive Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, about an hour northeast of Mexico City. Arrive at opening time for cool air and empty avenues, buses leave from Terminal Norte.

Templo Mayor

The excavated ruins of the main Aztec temple of Tenochtitlan, just steps from the cathedral. The attached museum holds the stunning carved monoliths found on site.

National Museum of Anthropology

Mexico's best museum and home of the Aztec Sun Stone. Plan at least half a day and focus on the Mexica and Maya rooms if short on time.

Zócalo

The enormous main square at the heart of the historic center, ringed by the cathedral and the National Palace. Start your Mexico City visit here and explore the surrounding streets on foot.

Yucatán & Riviera Maya

Chichén Itzá

The most famous Maya site in Mexico, centered on the perfect El Castillo pyramid. Arrive right at 8am opening or stay overnight in Valladolid to beat the tour buses from Cancun.

Valladolid

A relaxed pastel colored colonial town that makes the perfect base between Chichén Itzá and the coast. Stroll Calzada de los Frailes and try the local longaniza sausage.

Uxmal

A stunning Maya city an hour south of Mérida, far quieter than Chichén Itzá and arguably more beautiful. The rounded Pyramid of the Magician and the carved Governor's Palace are the highlights.

Tulum Ruins

The only major Maya site perched on a cliff above the Caribbean. Small and very popular, so go at 8am opening and bring a swimsuit for the beach below.

Quinta Avenida Playa del Carmen

The buzzing pedestrian spine of Playa del Carmen, packed with restaurants, shops and street performers. Touristy but fun for an evening stroll, ferries to Cozumel leave from the nearby pier.

Playa Paraíso Tulum

Postcard white sand and turquoise water just south of the Tulum ruins. Beach clubs rent loungers, or lay your towel on the public stretch for free.

Playa Norte Isla Mujeres

Shallow calm water and powdery sand on the north tip of Isla Mujeres, one of the best swimming beaches in Mexico. Take the ferry from Cancun and rent a golf cart to loop the island.

Cenote Suytun

The famous cave cenote with a stone platform lit by a beam of light from above. The light shaft is best around midday, expect a queue for the photo.

Cenote Ik Kil

A dramatic open air sinkhole with vines hanging down to deep blue water, five minutes from Chichén Itzá. Swim early or late to avoid the midday tour groups, life jackets are provided.

Mérida Plaza Grande

The lively main square of the Yucatán capital, surrounded by the cathedral and pastel colonial mansions. Free cultural events most evenings and great regional food nearby.

Laguna Bacalar

The Lagoon of Seven Colors, a long freshwater lake in every shade of blue near the Belize border. Take a sailing or pontoon tour and swim at the Los Rapidos channel.

Playa Palancar Cozumel

A quiet beach on Cozumel's southwest coast fronting the famous Palancar reef. Snorkel trips leave right from the beach club, and it is far calmer than the cruise pier area.

Oaxaca

Hierve el Agua

Petrified mineral waterfalls and infinity pools on a cliff edge about 90 minutes from Oaxaca. Bring a swimsuit and combine it with Mitla and a mezcal distillery on a day trip.

Templo de Santo Domingo Oaxaca

Oaxaca's showpiece baroque church with a dazzling gold interior, anchoring the walkable historic center. The former convent next door houses the excellent Culturas de Oaxaca museum.

Monte Albán

The ancient Zapotec capital on a flattened mountaintop with 360 degree views over the Oaxaca valleys. Only 20 minutes from the city, go in the morning before the heat.

Mitla

A Zapotec ceremonial site famous for its intricate geometric stone mosaics, unique in Mexico. Smaller than Monte Albán and easy to pair with Hierve el Agua.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

Oaxaca's famous food market, home of the smoky pasillo de humo grilled meat alley. Come hungry and try tlayudas, mole and chocolate de agua.

Central Highlands

Acueducto de Querétaro

A 1.3 km colonial aqueduct of 74 pink stone arches marching through the city. Best photographed from the Mirador de los Arcos at sunset before dinner in the lively centro.

Callejón del Beso

Guanajuato's legendary alley where the balconies almost touch, tied to a tragic love story. Tradition says couples must kiss on the third step for seven years of luck.

Great Pyramid of Cholula

The largest pyramid on earth by volume, now a grassy hill topped by a yellow church with Popocatépetl volcano behind. Walk the excavated tunnels, an easy half day from Puebla.

Puebla Cathedral

One of Mexico's grandest cathedrals with the tallest bell towers in the country, on Puebla's zocalo. Pair it with the talavera tiled streets and a plate of mole poblano.

Monumento al Pípila

The best viewpoint over Guanajuato's jumble of colored houses, reached by a short funicular ride from behind Teatro Juárez. Come for sunset when the city starts to glow.

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

The pink neo gothic church that made San Miguel de Allende famous, glowing over the main square El Jardín. The whole centro around it is a UNESCO listed stroll of galleries and rooftop bars.

Taxco

A whitewashed silver mining town spilling down a mountainside, crowned by the baroque Santa Prisca church. Ride a white VW Beetle taxi up the steep lanes and shop for silver jewelry.

Pacific & Baja

Mazatlán Old Town

Mazatlán's restored 19th century centro around the Plazuela Machado, full of sidewalk cafes and pastel facades. Combine it with a stroll along the longest malecón in Mexico.

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas

The granite arch where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, the icon of Los Cabos. Take a glass bottom boat or water taxi from the marina and hop off at Lover's Beach.

Sayulita

A boho surf town an hour north of Puerto Vallarta with gentle waves perfect for a first lesson. Weekdays are much calmer than weekends when Guadalajara empties into town.

Malecón Puerto Vallarta

A mile long oceanfront boardwalk lined with sculptures, street food and bars. Walk it at sunset from the church of Guadalupe down to the Zona Romántica.

Todos Santos

A laid back desert oasis town of galleries and farm to table restaurants an hour from Cabo. Home of the Hotel California and close to wild Pacific surf beaches.

Chiapas

Palenque

Jungle covered Maya ruins where howler monkeys roar over the Temple of the Inscriptions. Go at opening when the mist still hangs in the trees, easily the most atmospheric site in Mexico.

Cañón del Sumidero

A canyon with sheer walls up to 1000 meters high, best experienced on the boat ride from Chiapa de Corzo. Watch for crocodiles and monkeys, and visit the roadside miradores for the top down view.