Mexico is a vast, diverse and enchanting country that has a lot to offer. From the rocky beaches of the Pacific coast to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, plus all the breathtaking treasures in between, this magical country is sure to mesmerize its visitors.

Mexico has several beautiful and exotic places that are worth a visit. In this article we’ve cherry picked 5 of our top favorite places in Mexico for you to savor:

Puerto Vallarta

A buzzing and cheerful resort city in Mexico’s state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta offers its visitors ravishing sandy beaches, stylish restaurants and charming cobbled streets to explore under the glaring Mexican sun.

Set against rugged mountains and green jungles, this easygoing coastal city has a relaxed style of living and an old-world charm that complements its natural beauty, rich culture and traditions. But there’s a lot more to PV than its scenery. You will find an endless variety of things to see and do here – parasailing or jet skiing on the beaches like Playa de los Muertos, diving and snorkeling at Los Arcos and Islas Marietas, river rafting, viewing exotic wildlife by zip lining through the most scenic forests, relishing the delicious food, finding a hidden boutique in the Zona Romantica (Old Vallarta), sipping a cocktail at one of the bars along the Malecón, dancing / letting your hair down in a Havana-style nightclub, or even swimming with the dolphins in the Pacific Ocean! If art and culture is your thing, PV has enough art galleries and public sculptures along the streets to keep you hooked. Visitors can also participate in The Old Town Art Walk (held in El Centro every Wednesday from October to May) and find some contemporary as well as historic pieces that symbolize the Mexican culture. Vallarta is a vacationer’s dream come true!

Isla Mujeres

Also known as the ‘Island of the Women’, Isla Mujeres is a tiny island off the Yucatan Peninsula, at a short distance from Cancun (Mexico’s premier party destination). This perfect tropical paradise offers an atmosphere that is strikingly different from the glitzy beaches, bars, nightclubs and craziness of Cancun. What’s most attractive about this island is its peaceful & comforting atmosphere along with its historic charm. There’s not much going on here and that’s its unique selling point! The Great Mayan Reef runs along it which makes it an attractive destination for snorkeling and diving fanatics. Swim, snorkel, dive or just pamper yourself with the sweet art of doing nothing! Colorful hammocks and Caribbean-style casas instead of beds and golf carts for moving around, a trip to this tiny island (this island is just 5 miles long!) is sure to relax your senses.

Oaxaca

A picturesque mountain city in South-Central Mexico, Oaxaca has the vivacious feel of a small Mexican town with a rich cultural history. Apart from its natural beauty, this world heritage city is famous for its art and crafts, spontaneous fiestas in the streets, beaches with world-famous surfing opportunities, natives, unparalleled street markets and culinary delights. Besides the fabulous colorful crafts called Alebrijes, the locals here are also experts in textiles, black pottery and jewelry. Oaxaca is also known for offering some unique culinary treats like chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), salsita de gusanos (maguey worm sauce), quesillo (string cheese), chorizo (spicy sausage), mescal (alcoholic drink prepared from the maguey cactus plant), tamales and several varieties of mole, a sauce prepared with chiles and chocolate.

When visiting, make sure you tour some of the brilliant colonial architecture and also the neighboring area which has ample deserted stretches of coastline, thick forests and gorgeous waterfalls.

Tulum

The visually spectacular mix of limestone Mayan temples and the white sand Caribbean beaches make Tulum one of the most fascinating and interesting destinations on the Mayan Riviera. Located on the southern stretch of the Mayan Rivera — the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – Tulum is most famous for its namesake Mayan ruins. But it also has pearly white beaches, turquoise water and plenty of jungle to explore. Try snorkeling at one of the several cenotes, or take a canal trip through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve which is home to more than 100 mammal species and more than 300 species of birds, go for diving excursions to the coral reef (the second-largest barrier reef in the world) or deep into the cenotes, explore the unique wildlife or swim with the dolphins at the Delphinus Xel-Ha Eco Park. When it comes to food there is incredible variety in Tulum. Icing on the cake: Tulum experiences fantastic weather all year round. Sunny days and cool evenings – just the perfect weather needed to indulge in outdoor activities and exploring this enchanting town.

Cabo San Lucas

Once known as the “millionaire’s sandbox,” Cabo San Lucas, also called ‘Cabo’, is a tourist hotspot and offers its visitors clean and pristine beaches, authentic regional cuisine and quiet sunsets that make for a delightful vacation. The off-beat location and pure beauty of Cabo make it a seaside paradise. Cabo has something for every kind of visitor, from water-sports enthusiasts to shopaholics to hardcore romantics. The dramatic sunsets and peculiar restaurants of Cabo San Lucas provide a perfect setting for a romantic getaway. Cabo is bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Sea of Cortez, meaning water sports are high on the lineup. It has fantastic sites for diving, snorkeling and fishing. By day, it’s an outdoor paradise with a full range of sporting activities like horseback riding and golf. Loved for its sandy beaches, world class diving locations and holiday feel, the best part of Cabo is unquestionably the beautiful natural rock formations that stick out from the turquoise sea.