The 21 Most Underrated Travel Destinations in Mexico for 2025
These 21 off-the-beaten-path destinations offer authentic Mexican experiences. From colonial cities and Mayan ruins to pristine beaches and volcanic landscapes, there's something for everyone.
Say the word Mexico and what springs to mind? Endless beaches with blokes sipping Coronas. Tourists turning as pink as prawns in Cancún. Or perhaps a sombrero-topped mariachi strumming away at your general sense of sanity. Lovely stereotypes, aren’t they? Except, they’re like judging England by the queue outside a kebab shop in Stoke-on-Trent at 2 a.m.
Mexico is so much more than sunburn, tequila, and tacos (though I’d happily live on the latter two). This country is massive—bigger than you realize—and it's positively heaving with destinations that don’t get the fanfare they deserve. Forget the overrun Riviera Maya; this is a list of 21 underrated travel destinations that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Mexican travel.
Let’s venture off the beaten path, shall we? These are the 21 most underrated travel destinations in Mexico for 2025. And no, you won’t need to pack your neon sombrero or your all-inclusive wristband.
1. San Sebastián del Oeste – Jalisco’s Uncharted territory
Imagine a town so charming, it feels like it’s been plucked from the 1800s and slapped onto a glossy coffee table book. Cobblestone streets, misty mountain views, and enough tequila to tranquilize a rhino. This is not a place to check your email – it’s where you check your pulse to see if life’s slowed down enough.
2. Cholula – Puebla’s Pyramid Paradise
Yes, it has a pyramid. No, it’s not the flashy, in-your-face kind like in Egypt. This one’s covered in grass and has a church perched on top. Cholula is also home to a local craft beer scene that would make your hipster cousin weep with joy.
3. Bacalar – The Lake of Seven Colors
This is where you go when you’ve decided that oceans are overrated and you want a lagoon that looks like it’s been Photoshopped by God Himself. Forget the party boats; Bacalar is for kayaking, paddleboarding, and sitting on a dock wondering how life got this good.
4. Campeche – The Walled City You Didn’t Know Existed
Think of it as the less showy sibling of Mérida. Campeche has pastel-colored colonial buildings, an old city wall to fend off pirates (where were these in London, eh?), and seafood that’s so fresh it practically swims to your plate.
5. Hierve el Agua – Nature’s Infinity Pool
Sure, it’s a bit of a hike to get there, but Hierve el Agua is basically a natural wonder masquerading as a tourist trap. Think petrified waterfalls and thermal pools overlooking valleys so vast you might be able to see your existential crisis from here.
6. Real de Catorce – Ghost Town Chic
It’s a ghost town in the middle of nowhere. You arrive on horseback or through a tunnel that feels like it belongs in a James Bond film. And once you’re there? Desert landscapes that look like they’re auditioning for a spaghetti Western.
7. Tepoztlán – The Magical Valley
This place allegedly has mystical energy. I don’t know if that’s true, but the views from Tepozteco Pyramid are positively supernatural. Add in a weekly market that could make an ascetic monk break their vows, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
8. Pátzcuaro – Where Day of the Dead Comes to Life
Forget what Hollywood’s told you. The Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro is all candles, marigolds, and the kind of soulful reverence that makes you realize how drab Halloween actually is. Plus, the lake nearby looks like it’s been stolen from a fairy tale.
9. Izamal – The Yellow City
Yes, the entire city is yellow. Not a dull beige or a questionable mustard, but a cheerful, “I’m alive and I know it” kind of yellow. There’s also a convent, Mayan ruins, and enough charm to make even the grumpiest traveler smile.
10. Cuetzalan – Puebla’s Foggy Marvel
This is where Mexico stops being a sun-soaked postcard and turns into something out of a Gothic novel. Misty mountains, waterfalls, and markets where you can buy vanilla straight from the source. What more do you want?
11. Mazunte – The Beach You Didn’t Know You Needed
Mazunte is what Tulum was before Instagram ruined it. Quiet, eco-friendly, and with just enough hammocks to remind you that life isn’t meant to be spent upright.
12. Guachimontones – The Circular Ruins
Yes, more pyramids, but these ones are round. ROUND. Like a stack of pancakes designed by ancient architects. You’ll find them near Guadalajara, and if you’re lucky, they’ll blow your mind as much as they blew mine.
13. Xilitla – The Surrealist’s Playground
Edward James, an eccentric British millionaire, built a garden here that looks like Salvador Dalí got into a fight with the rainforest. Giant sculptures, waterfalls, and a jungle setting that’s almost too much to handle.
14. Valle de Bravo – Mexico’s Lake Como
It’s a lake town where the rich go to escape Mexico City, and for good reason. Think sailboats, cozy cabins, and sunsets so cinematic you’d swear Spielberg was involved.
15. Comala – A Writer’s Muse
This tiny town inspired one of Mexico’s greatest novels, and it’s easy to see why. Volcanic views, local coffee, and a pace of life so slow it feels like time itself has taken a siesta.
16. Todos Santos – Baja’s Artsy Retreat
It’s got surf, art galleries, and an energy that feels like what would happen if California chilled out for five minutes. Oh, and the food is a revelation.
17. Alamos – The Silver City
Once a mining town, now a colonial charm. Alamos is like stepping into a Western movie, except with margaritas instead of shootouts.
18. Tequila – Yes, That Tequila
It’s not just a drink; it’s a destination. Visit the blue agave fields, tour distilleries, and drink tequila the way it was meant to be drunk: without salt and lime, for heaven’s sake.
19. Yelapa – The Boat-Only Escape
No roads, no cars, just boats and a vibe so relaxed it feels like the universe has hit pause. Oh, and the pie ladies sell slices so good you’ll consider moving here permanently.
20. Cañón del Sumidero – The Grand Canyon’s Mexican Cousin
Why fight the crowds at the Grand Canyon when you can float through this stunning gorge in a boat, spotting crocodiles and feeling smug about your superior life choices?
21. Tlaxcala – Mexico’s Best-Kept Secret
Yes, it’s the smallest state in Mexico, but Tlaxcala packs a punch. From ancient ruins to lush forests to festivals that feel like a riot of joy, it’s proof that good things come in small packages.
So there you have it—21 reasons to veer off the beaten path in Mexico. Sure, you could stick to the Cancúns and Cabos of the world, but where’s the fun in that? Mexico is vast, varied, and more adventurous than you ever imagined. Just pack some sunscreen, a sense of curiosity, and perhaps a bottle of mezcal for the road. You’re welcome. Cheers!
