10 Essential Destinations In Mexico Jessica Festa - Gadling
go to original July 18, 2012

While many think of Mexico as a country that's too dangerous to visit, there are actually many beautiful, safe and historically rich cities worth making a trip for.

While Tulum features one of the most well preserved ancient civilizations in the country, Copper Canyon features an extreme adventure park inside its ravine. Additionally, Guadalajara boasts magic villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 684 historical monuments, while Guanajuato has an entire underground road system and an active mining community. These are just some of the experiences to be had in these worthwhile cities in Mexico.



Ixtapa - Zihuatanejo

Located on the Pacific Coast, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is about 150 miles northwest of Acapulco, and belongs to a section of the Mexican Coast known as the Costa Grande. This town has been developed as a tourist attraction along with the modern tourist resort of Ixtapa, three miles away. The area is now the third most visited area in Mexico after Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, and the most popular for fishing, surfing and scuba diving due to the abundance and size of the fish and the variety of species. Moreover, the coral reefs here were determined by the University of the Sea of the State of Oaxaca to have the most dense and organism-abundant coral reefs in the world.



Oaxaca

The city is surrounded by fascinating archaeological sites, traditional villages and small towns. It's the perfect place to visit if you're looking to learn about pre-Hispanic architecture, art from the Baroque period, colonial history, religion and culture traditions through dance, music, painting and cuisine. Additionally, the valley and mountain landscapes provide opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding and climbing.



Puerto Escondido

Set on the beautiful Pacific Coast of the state of Oaxaca, the city is popular among backpackers and surfers. It's popular Zicatela Beach provides optimal waves for the sport, and in November surfers come from all over the world to compete in tournaments and enjoy the scenery. The area is also well-known for its famous surf break, the Mexican Pipeline. Furthermore, Puerto Escondido is considered the oldest tourist attraction in the region of the Oaxacan Coast, with its numerous markets, golden sand beaches, culinary scene, coffee culture, vibrant nightlife, water sports, wildlife and laid-back atmosphere.



Puerto Vallarta

This is the place to go to learn about Mexico's art scene. There are more than 30 art galleries in the area, featuring a variety of works from local, national and international artists. You'll see native indigenous art, traditional Mexican silverware, glasswork, pottery, folk art, contemporary paintings, sculptures and more. If you want to combine the outdoors with creativity, you can take a walk along the seaside promenade and immerse yourself in outdoor art that has been being showcased since 1976. In fact, the iconic image of the city, a nine-foot high seahorse sculpture, was the first piece of art put up in the area. If you'd like to get to know locals, make sure to take part in one of the weekly art walks, which are a very big part of the social scene in Puerto Vallarta.



Tulum

Tulum is a hot spot for yoga tourists on the southern edge of Riviera Maya, as well as history enthusiasts. Many know the area for its famous Pre-Columbian Maya walled city, which was one of the last cities built by the Mayas and one of the best preserved. In 2011, over 670,000 visitors went to the archaeological site. Additionally, the ruins are set with a tropical beach backdrop, giving it a mix of education and relaxation. Many tourists love to come here to get ancient Mayan treatments, as well, and see where these indigenous cultures used to unwind.



Guadalajara

Known as the "pearl of the west," Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco. The city has deep colonial roots, which can be seen through its architecture. Moreover, it is the birthplace of many icons of Mexico's national identity, like Tequila, Mariachi music and Charreria, the national sport. Each year, the city host's various international events, like the International Book Fair, the Mexican Film Festival and various arts and culture happenings.

If you look at a snapshot of Guadalajara by the numbers, you'll also realize what makes this place an essential destination. It features 684 historical monuments, three "magic villages," three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 20 museums, 30 contemporary art galleries, 700 restaurants, 200 bars and nightclubs and 350 international events throughout the year.



Guanajuato

Located halfway between Mexico City and Guadalajara, this city has one of the finest examples of colonial architecture. It also has a mining history that is still alive today, with its mines being granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Make sure to visit Mina de Rayas, the oldest mine of the city found in 1550, and Mina de Valenciana, a mine still in operation that is so rich it supplied enough silver to provide funds for the Spanish Empire and its colonies. Another really unique aspect of Guadajuato is it contains a network of underground tunnels that are used as roads.

If you visit from October 3 to 21, the city is hosting their annual "Festival Internacional Cervantino." Thousands of visitors come each year to experience Mexican culture through dance, theater, music, opera and visual arts.



Huatulco

Known as the "Bahias de Huatulco," the collection of nine bays attracts many eco-tourists. In June of 2011, Huatulco became the first city in the Americas to receive EarthCheck's Gold Certification, which recognizes sustainable tourism. They take into consideration environmental legislation, biodiversity, water conservation and energy usage. Huatulco also combines history with their ecotourism, featuring a 2,600 year old Eco-Archaeological Park Copalita. Encompassing an area of 81.14 hectares, it features diverse flora and fauna as well as pre-Hispanic structures and ruins.



Isla Mujeres

One of 10 municipalities in Quintana Roo, the city offers a plethora of water activities and adventures, like whale shark tours, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. Moreover, it has an interesting history, as for about 1,000 years it was a Mayan refuge for goddess Ixchel.



Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

At 7,546 feet deep, Copper Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon and at least four times larger. However, while the Grand Canyon is a giant crack in the Earth, Copper Canyon is actually a system of eleven large canyons and numerous smaller ones. The area is ideal for hiking, biking and climbing, and inside the canyon resides an adventure park that is still being developed to be one of the biggest in the world. According to Copper Canyon Adventure Park staff, the area currently features the third largest cable car in the world, the second longest zip line on Earth and an obstacle course that includes rappelling, rock climbing and horizontal traverses.

Photos by Mexico Tourism Board

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!