10 Secret Places in Mexico

Merida, Yucatan

Fly Into: Merida or Cancun (190 miles away)
Why Go: It's a cosmopolitan cultural capital

The cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida has become a favorite destination among European travelers. They come for the colonial history (only Mexico City has a larger historical center), the region's best museums, and a fabulous Sunday market. Walk the narrow brick streets in the tree-lined historical Plaza Grande and you'll see majestic white-limestone buildings and a cathedral built in the 1500s with stones from Maya pyramid ruins. From here, you can easily day-trip to the Maya archaeological sites of Chichen Itza (75 miles away) and Uxmal (50 miles away).

If You Go: Shop the busy Sunday market at Plaza Grande, which fills with locals selling crafts, playing live music, and dancing in traditional dress. Rent a bike any Sunday morning, when the city closes sections of the road to traffic to create the Bici Ruta bicycle route.

Tlaquepaque/Guadalajara, Jalisco

Fly Into: Guadalajara
Why Go: Traditional pottery and tequila tours

One of Mexico's top destinations for arts and crafts, Tlaquepaque (pronounced "tlah-kay-PAH-kay" and roughly translated "Place above clay land") is known for its long history of pottery making. Visitors come to browse the clay ceramics and other fine arts in the trendy shopping district of this quaint colonial village that was absorbed by urban sprawl and is now a part of Guadalajara. At the Regional Ceramics Museum, you can learn the ancient techniques that locals still use for working the clay. For a quintessential tequila experience, ride a luxury train to the town of Tequila, about 90 minutes away, to see the agave landscape and how the spirit is processed.

If You Go: The best shopping is along the pedestrian-only Independencia and nearby Avenida Juarez. Find craft stalls, fresh flowers, and food vendors at the mercado, open daily. Hear mariachis perform traditional music as you enjoy a cocktail or a meal at El Parian.

Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

Fly Into: Chihuahua City (255 miles away)
Why Go: This canyon one-ups the Grand Canyon

For the adventurous, Copper Canyon is Mexico's answer to the Grand Canyon, only bigger. These green-hued walls are longer and deeper than the grand walls in neighboring Arizona and have plenty of stunning waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, caves, and rock formations to explore. If you arrange an excursion to the bottom of the canyon with a Tarahumara guide, you'll see a remote village of the native Tarahumara people, who are known for their long-distance-running and basketry skills. To get to the canyon, it's a six-hour trip on the popular El Chepe train from Chihuahua City.

If You Go: Hike, mountain bike, or go horseback riding with a local guide. Copper Canyon Adventure Park, which opened in 2010, has a scenic gondola over an abyss and seven zip lines connected with two sky-high suspension bridges.

Puebla, Puebla

Fly Into: Puebla or Mexico City (82 miles away)
Why Go: Mexico's best mole poblano

In the country's central highlands, just beyond two imposing volcanoes southeast of Mexico City, is a gem that has it all: a beautiful landscape, gold-encrusted baroque churches, winding streets, fountains, and exquisite Talavera pottery. Then there's Puebla's historic claim to fame: the victory (against impossible odds) over the French on May 5, 1862, for which the Cinco de Mayo holiday was named. But Puebla's greatest source of pride is its food. The city is the birthplace of mole poblano (chile, nuts, and chocolate sauce, poured over chicken), chiles en nogada, and chalupas.

If You Go: Don't miss the gorgeous display of books at Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the oldest library in the Americas. A 30-minute drive from Puebla is the archaeological site of Cholula and one of the world's largest pyramids.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Fly Into: Oaxaca
Why Go: Festivals, arts, and mezcal

In Oaxaca ("wa-HAH-kah"), the fiesta never ends. No matter when you visit, you're bound to encounter a celebration of one kind or another in this festive capital city. Brass bands, dancing, traditional processions, and fireworks are usually part of the festivities. You can also get a glimpse into the colonial city's culture at two weekly markets or in the many museums and art galleries around the main square. Travel just outside of town to see villagers creating Oaxaca's renowned handicrafts: black-clay pottery and alebrijes, colorful painted animal carvings.

If You Go: Sip your way along the region's new mezcal route and learn that the handcrafted spirit, like tequila, is produced from a species of agave but is imparted with a smokier flavor. Visit two nearby archaeological sites, the hilltop Monte Alban (6 miles away) and Mitla (28 miles away), with ruins of palaces and a number of tombs.

Akumal, Quintana Roo

Fly Into: Cancun (66 miles away) or Playa del Carmen (23 miles away)
Why Go: To snorkel with sea turtles near the beach

An easy drive on a modern four-lane highway south of Cancun brings you to this quiet little town on the Riviera Maya's Half Moon Bay. In Akumal, or "Place of the turtles," green and loggerhead sea turtles make the calm Caribbean bay their home year-round. This year alone, more than 30,000 hatchlings have been released by volunteers and visitors of Akumal's ecological center. Snorkel out from the palm-lined white sandy beach to see the graceful swimmers—some as big as semitruck wheels—and hear them munch on sea grass. There are only a handful of small hotels, casual restaurants, and artisan shops in this low-key, get-away-from-it-all destination.

If You Go: Rent snorkel or scuba gear on the beach at Akumal Dive Center or Akumal Dive Adventures. The Jungle Place spider monkey sanctuary is just west of Akumal.

Ensenada, Baja California

Fly Into: San Diego (88 miles away) or Tijuana (72 miles away)
Why Go: For wine country that's still affordable

Near the U.S. border in northwestern Baja, Ensenada sits at the edge of Mexico's most popular wine-producing valley, Valle de Guadalupe. There are rustic family cellars, large award-winning wineries, vineyards with cute B&Bs, and upscale restaurants that give the region an authentic charm similar to Tuscany or Napa, but without blowing the budget. And, since this coastal town is also a fishing village, fresh hauls of seafood fill the boardwalk's open-air fish market and tacos that are sold from Ensenada's legendary street carts.

If You Go: Taste wine at more than 55 wineries in Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe. Try fresh seafood tostadas at La Guerrerense, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's. Take a whale-watching excursion to see grey whales migrating in January, February, and March.

Campeche, Campeche

Fly Into: Merida (105 miles away)
Why Go: Seaside forts, colonial architecture, and pirate legends

On the west side of the Yucatan Peninsula opposite Cancun, the capital city of Campeche is a colonial beauty in pastels. Walk the streets of Old Town to see the stately, well-preserved buildings awash in pink, blue, and yellow; these were once protected from pirate attacks by the surrounding city walls and maritime bastions. Many of Campeche's forts and watchtowers are now museums that reveal stories of this city's history as a major shipping port between New Spain and America.

If You Go: Step inside historical strongholds that now house attractions like Campeche's archeological museum, the Museum of Ships and Weapons, the Botanical Gardens, and a museum about piracy. Just outside of town is the Edzna archaeological site's ancient Maya temples and underground irrigation canals.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

Fly Into: Leon (95 miles away) or Mexico City (175 miles away)
Why Go: It feels like Europe, but it's closer and cheaper

This pretty World Heritage city, a three-hour drive northwest of Mexico City, is an enclave for expats—mostly entrepreneurs and students drawn by San Miguel de Allende's renowned arts and language schools. Studio openings, artist workshops, and boutiques filled with local art are everywhere. English is spoken throughout San Miguel, but that doesn't mar the charm of this historical city in the heart of Mexico. Rising and falling over hillsides around the central plaza are 64 city blocks graced with well-preserved baroque colonial architecture that will remind you of Italy or Spain.

If You Go: Step into the stunning Parroquia San Miguel Arcangel cathedral, one of many churches near the main square. Just outside of town, see pre-Hispanic pyramids or soak in natural hot springs.

Sayulita, Nayarit

Fly Into: Puerto Vallarta (30 miles away)
Why Go: Boho-chic surf-town vibe

Sayulita is synonymous with peace, love, and surfing. This little laid-back Riviera Nayarit beach town just north of Puerto Vallarta is a top Mexican surf spot. Experience the bohemian vibe in beachfront restaurants and local bars and on the beach, where the sound of drums accompanies friendly gatherings. Diversity is the norm here. Local fishermen mix with expats and international visitors in the village's coffee shops and fish-taco joints. Homes and B&B bungalows dot the forested hillside overlooking the ocean.

If You Go: Sign up for a surf camp at one of the many surf schools. Sailing charters to secluded beaches and on-the-beach horseback-riding tours are affordable in Sayulita. Shoppers will find colorful boutiques with local Huichol arts and crafts.

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