Mexico famous for

The six best Mexico places to visit this year are:

Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is a calm island in the Caribbean Sea. Its two famous tourist spots are Cancun and Tulum. The surprising aspect of this place is its car-free policy. You can explore it only by bike, golf cart, or on foot.

This beach provides the rare moment to swim alongside whale sharks, making for an unforgettable tourist experience. If you are interested in birdwatching bliss, visit the Yum Balam Nature Reserve.

You will also find street murals and art installations in this place that reflect its heritage and community spirit.

San Miguel de Allende

This Mexican tourist attraction is tagged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its notable architecture is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, a church with a neo-Gothic façade. If you love nature, go to El Charco del Ingenio. This botanical garden is a calm oasis with a vast collection of cacti and other native plants.

For art lovers, Fabrica La Aurora is an art and design centre located in a former textile factory. Here, you can browse through art galleries, attend workshops, and see the creative process of local and international artists.

Another famous place is El Jardin. Visit this place for shopping and restaurants.

Bacalar

Bacalar is a hidden gem in Mexico's Quintana Roo state. It is also called the ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours.’ The most famous site in this town is Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar. This fortress cum museum welcomes visitors to delve into Bacalar's rich history.

To explore nature, Cocalitos is a must-visit place. This eco-park is famous for its stromatolites, ancient living organisms. You can also enjoy swimming and kayaking there.

A short drive away is Cenote Azul. It is one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula and is ideal for diving. You must also visit the nearby Mayan ruins of Chacchoben and Dzibanche.

Los Cabos

Los Cabos island is at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. It is noted for its pristine beaches and luxurious resorts. When in this place, visit El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. This natural rock structure is a famous spot for whale watching and snorkelling. The Arch of Los Cabos marks the spot where the Pacific Ocean conflicts with the Sea of Cortez.

If you love adventure, visit Wild Canyon Adventures and indulge in the largest zipline course in Baja. The park also offers a glass-bottom gondola ride.

Puerto Vallarta

This place is situated along the Pacific coast of Mexico. When in Puerto Vallarta, visit the serene oasis of Isla Cuale. However, this island is accessible only by footbridges from the mainland. You may also take a short boat ride to the Marietas Islands.

Another thing you must not miss here is the Malecón. Walking through the streets, you can view sculptures, street performers, and vendors. In the city south, visit Los Arcos, a group of granite islands jutting out from the sea, forming natural arches. It is a protected area with abundant marine life.

Mexico City

Whether you are a history buff, art enthusiast, or foodie, there's something in this city for you. When here, visit the Basilica of Guadalupe. It is an important pilgrimage site in Catholicism. You can also take a colourful trajinera ride through the ancient canals of Xochimilco.

For the city's best views, head to the observation deck of Torre Latinoamericana's skyscraper.

For culinary delights in Mexico, try the following dishes:

Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican breakfast. It consists of lightly fried corn tortillas chopped into quarters with green or red salsa toppings. You can complement this dish by sprinkling it with fresh Mexican cheese, like queso fresco, and adding a dollop of Crema.

You can enjoy Chilaquiles with shredded chicken garnished with raw onion rings.

Chiles en Nogada

Chiles en Nogada is made with poblano peppers. These peppers are first roasted, and then the skin is removed. They are filled with a tasty mix of minced meat, fruits, and spices. After that, a sauce made from walnuts called Nogada is poured over the peppers. This sauce adds a creamy flavour that goes well with the meat filling. Finally, the dish is decorated with red pomegranate seeds and green parsley leaves.

Because of its garnishing, this dish shows the colours of the Mexican flag.

Enmoladas

Enmoladas are corn tortillas rolled around a filling of shredded chicken. They are then bathed in a mole sauce. Other ingredients of this dish are chilli peppers, chocolate, spices, and sometimes nuts and seeds, which create a deep flavour.

They are also garnished with queso fresco, sliced onions, and a drizzle of sesame seeds. Enmoladas can be enjoyed as a main course or with rice and beans.

Pozole

Pozole is a traditional Mexican stew made with pork, hominy (corn kennels), and a mixture of spices and seasonings. The base of Pozole is broth, which is seasoned with chiles such as Guajillo or Ancho.

Before you enjoy this stew, garnish it with fresh toppings of shredded cabbage, diced onions, sliced radishes, and lime wedges. Remember that each region in Mexico has its variation of Pozole, so be ready for surprises.

Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil is a classical Mexican pork dish. It combines pork with a special red sauce made from achiote seeds and sour orange juice. People in the Yucatán area of Mexico coat the pork in banana leaves and cook it in a hole in the ground, which is how the dish got its name—'pibil' means 'buried.'

Nowadays, even if people don't cook it under the ground, the dish is still made with the same flavours. This dish is served with tangy pickled onions and a spicy sauce from habanero peppers.

Barbacoa

Barbacoa involves slow-cooking meat, typically beef, lamb, or goat. The process starts with marinating the meat in several spices, including cumin, oregano, and chilli peppers.

Traditionally, barbacoa is prepared by cooking the meat in a pit dug in the ground, covered with maguey leaves. This process gives the dish an earthy aroma.

Once cooked, the meat is slivered and served in tacos, burritos, or alongside rice and beans.

Seafood from Veracruz

Also called 'Pescado a la Veracruzana,' this dish is made with white fish like red snapper, cooked in a tomato sauce with onions, peppers, olives, and capers. The sauce also has garlic, oregano, and bay leaves for extra flavour. The fish is simmered in the sauce until perfectly cooked. You can consume this dish with rice or bread.

Tamales

Tamales consist of a soft, steamed dough called 'masa.' It is made from nixtamalised corn and is then filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, chillies, or any combination thereof. The masa is spread onto corn husks or banana leaves, which serve as a wrapper.

Aguachile

Aguachile is a seafood dish found on the beaches of Sinaloa, Mexico. It is made with raw shrimp or fish soaked in lime juice until they turn white. Cucumber, onion, and avocado may be added on top for extra crunch and creaminess.

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

This festival is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November each year. It coincides with the Catholic observances of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

People make beautiful altars with candles, bright flowers, and paper decorations in their homes.

Guelaguetza Festival

The Guelaguetza Festival takes place in the city of Oaxaca. This festival displays the rich culture of Oaxaca's eight regions through music, dance, food, and traditional attire.

Originating from pre-Hispanic times, the festival was initially a religious event dedicated to the gods of corn and harvest, Centéotl and Pitao Cocobi. Over time, it evolved to honour the Virgin of Carmen, combining indigenous and Catholic traditions.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa means ‘Holy Week.’ It occurs for one week every year, ending just before Easter Sunday.

The celebration starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus is said to have entered Jerusalem. People sell and buy palm leaves, which are then taken to church to be blessed. There are also parades where people act out stories from the Bible.

Día de la Independencia

Día de la Independencia is celebrated on September 16th. It is a special day that remembers when Mexico started fighting for freedom from Spain in 1810 after a famous shout called the "Cry of Dolores." Celebrations begin on the night of September 15th. People all over Mexico show their love for their country by decorating everything in green, white, and red, the colours of their flag. The next day, there is a big parade with soldiers to show how strong and proud Mexico is.

Jarabe Tapatío

The Jarabe Tapatío is Mexico's national dance. It began as a courtship dance in the 19th century and has become a national pride symbol. The dance displays a flirtatious yet respectful interaction between a man and a woman. Traditionally, women wear the china poblana attire, while men dress as charros. Mariachi bands often perform this dance's music.

Danza de los Viejitos

The Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Little Old Men) is a folk dance from Michoacán. It humorously celebrates the wisdom and experience of the elderly. In this dance, people dress up like older men and women, wearing masks with funny old faces. They put on hats, white shirts, and bright ponchos. The dancers act like they are old, strolling and using canes.

Mexico is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the Americas. The ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, and Palenque are windows into pre-Columbian civilisations established long before Europeans set foot on the continent.

Not only the places but also Mexican art are renowned worldwide. Legendary figures like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera have left a great mark on the global art scene. The country's art galleries, murals, and handicraft markets prove its people's creativity and passion.

Now that you have learned about Mexico and are thinking of planning a trip to this country, make sure you first invest in medical insurance for travel abroad. Travelling insurance provides financial coverage against any uncertainty that may arise on your trip. For example, if you had to extend your stay in Mexico due to unavoidable circumstances covered under the policy, the travel insurance plan pays for the extended hotel stay.

Similarly, if you lose your passport, Tata AIG travel insurance will cover the costs of obtaining a duplicate passport.

Which ancient civilisations are Mexico known for?

Mexico is famous for its rich history of Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec civilisations. The Yucatan Peninsula has ruins like Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing Mayan civilisation.

What is Mexico's most famous beach destination?

Mexico has many beaches, but the most famous one is Cancun.

What food is Mexico known for worldwide?

Mexican cuisine is famous for tacos, enchiladas, and guacamole. This place is also renowned for chocolate, tequila, and mezcal.

What are some iconic Mexican landmarks?

The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, the colourful architecture of Guanajuato, and the coastal beauty of Cancun and the Riviera Maya are famous attractions.

What festivals are Mexico known for?

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and the Cinco de Mayo are famous festivals celebrated in this country.