Day Trips in Mexico
Explore ancient ruins, natural wonders, colonial towns, and hidden gems. All accessible as day trips from popular expat destinations.
From Oaxaca
Monte Albán
Former Zapotec capital and UNESCO World Heritage site with 360-degree valley views
Hierve el Agua
One of only two petrified waterfalls in the world with natural infinity pools
Mitla
Unique geometric mosaic stone friezes found nowhere else in Mesoamerica
El Tule
The widest tree trunk in the world at 42 meters circumference
Santiago Matatlán
World Capital of Mezcal with family distilleries lining the highway
Teotitlán del Valle
Zapotec weaving village famous for wool rugs with natural dyes
Tlacolula Sunday Market
The largest and most authentic weekly market in the Oaxaca Valley
San Bartolo Coyotepec
Home of Oaxaca's famous black pottery (barro negro)
Sierra Norte (Pueblos Mancomunados)
Community-run ecotourism across 400,000 hectares of cloud forest
From Guadalajara
Tequila
UNESCO agave landscape and legendary distilleries—birthplace of Mexico's iconic spirit
Tlaquepaque
Upscale artisan village with galleries and the world's largest cantina complex
Tonalá
Wholesale artisan market with Thursday and Sunday tianguis—40-60% below Tlaquepaque prices
Guachimontones
Mexico's only circular stepped pyramids—a hidden archaeological gem
Lake Chapala & Ajijic
Mexico's largest lake and the country's highest concentration of expats
Bosque de la Primavera
Guadalajara's 30,500-hectare forest escape with hot springs and 67+ hiking trails
From Mérida
Chichén Itzá
New Wonder of the World—Maya and Toltec architectural marvel with equinox serpent shadow
Uxmal
Puuc Maya masterpiece—more intimate than Chichén Itzá with stunning evening light show
Celestún Biosphere Reserve
Thousands of pink flamingos in protected Gulf coast estuary—peak season November-March
Progreso Beach
Mérida's closest beach—55-minute bus ride to calm Gulf waters and Mexico's longest pier
Izamal
The Yellow City—colonial Pueblo Mágico with climbable Maya pyramids and horse-drawn carriages
Homún Cenote Route
Over 20 cenotes near Mérida—cave swimming, moto-taxi tours, and the unique Cuzamá horse-cart experience
From San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Juan Chamula
Living Maya-Catholic syncretism with unique church rituals
Sumidero Canyon
Dramatic 1,000-meter canyon walls and wildlife spotting
Lagos de Montebello
59 differently colored lakes in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
El Chiflón Waterfall
Five cascading falls including the 120-meter Velo de Novia
Palenque
Crown jewel of Maya archaeology emerging from jungle
Zinacantán
Tzotzil Maya flower village with textile demonstrations and tortilla-making
From Huatulco
Puerto Escondido
World-famous surf at Zicatela beach—now just 3 hours from Oaxaca via new highway
Mazunte & Zipolite
Bohemian beach towns with yoga, sea turtles, and Mexico's only legal nude beach
Huatulco Nine Bays Tour
Boat tour through Huatulco's nine pristine bays with world-class snorkeling at Chachacual and Cacaluta
Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park
3,000-year-old Zapotec and Mixtec ruins where the jungle meets the Pacific—just 15 minutes from Huatulco
Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla
20+ jungle waterfalls with natural swimming pools—Huatulco's most spectacular natural attraction
Pluma Hidalgo Coffee Fincas
Cloud forest coffee tours in the mountains above Huatulco—discover the origin of famous Pluma coffee
From Mazatlán
Stone Island (Isla de la Piedra)
Relaxed peninsula beach escape with horseback riding and beachfront palapas—just a 5-minute water taxi from Mazatlán
Deer Island (Isla de los Venados)
Mazatlán's best snorkeling in an ecological reserve—pristine waters and a hiking trail with no facilities
El Quelite
Quintessential Mexican village frozen in time—traditional breakfast at El Mesón de Los Laurenos and rustic bakery charm
Concordia & Copala
Twin colonial gems in the Sierra Madre—handmade furniture shopping in Concordia and peaceful cobblestone wandering in Copala
Cosalá
Pueblo Mágico with authentic colonial architecture and mining history—fewer tourists than closer destinations
Teacapán
Mexico's largest Pacific coastal mangrove system—bird watching, kayaking, and authentic fishing village atmosphere
From Mexico City
Teotihuacán
Iconic Pyramids of the Sun and Moon—one of the largest archaeological sites in the Americas
Xochimilco
UNESCO floating gardens with colorful trajinera boats and mariachi bands
Puebla
UNESCO colonial city famous for mole poblano, chiles en nogada, and Talavera tiles
Tepoztlán
Mystical Pueblo Mágico with Aztec pyramid hike and weekend artisan markets
Taxco
Silver capital of Mexico with dramatic hillside colonial architecture
From San Miguel de Allende
Guanajuato City
UNESCO colonial capital with underground streets and Diego Rivera's birthplace
Santuario de Atotonilco
The "Sistine Chapel of Mexico"—30 years of frescoes covering every surface
Mineral de Pozos
Ghost mining town turned artist colony—"the next San Miguel of the 1950s"
Cañada de la Virgen
Rare west-facing Otomí pyramids with astronomical alignments
La Gruta Hot Springs
Thermal pools and underground grotto where you swim through a narrow tunnel into a domed cavern
From Querétaro
Querétaro Wine Country
Mexico's most exciting wine region—18+ wineries including Freixenet's underground cellars and 1 million annual visitors
Peña de Bernal
World's third-largest monolith—433 meters of volcanic rock with famous gorditas negras and spring equinox celebrations
Grutas Tolantongo
Mexico's hidden thermal paradise—turquoise waters flowing through a 500-meter limestone canyon owned by the indigenous Otomí community
Tequisquiapan
Pueblo Mágico gateway to wine country with thermal hot springs and artisan markets
Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO missions, 5,500-foot canyon drops, and Mexico's most biodiverse reserve—home to jaguars and 600+ butterfly species
From Tulum
Tulum Ruins
Clifftop Maya fortress overlooking turquoise Caribbean—Mexico's most photographed archaeological site
Bacalar Lagoon
Lagoon of Seven Colors with ancient stromatolites—peaceful freshwater alternative to Caribbean beaches
Cobá Archaeological Zone
Tallest pyramid in the Yucatan—explore 6,500+ structures by bicycle through jungle trails
Akumal Bay Sea Turtle Snorkeling
Snorkel with wild sea turtles in their natural habitat—strict conservation regulations apply
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage wilderness—ancient Maya trading canals, dolphins, and pristine Caribbean reefs
From Sayulita
Marietas Islands
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with famous Hidden Beach—strictly limited to 116 visitors daily, book 10+ days ahead
San Pancho (San Francisco)
Cultural capital of Nayarit with cleaner beach than Sayulita, strong arts community, and mellower vibe—just 10 minutes north
Punta de Mita
Luxury resort peninsula with world-class golf, departure point for Marietas Islands, and excellent surf breaks
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Best Sunday market in Banderas Bay with marina dining and authentic fishing village vibes
San Blas
La Tovara mangrove ecosystem with crocodiles, 300+ bird species, and historic port town—a different side of Nayarit
From San Luis Potosí
Real de Catorce
Pueblo Mágico ghost town accessible only through a 2.3-kilometer tunnel
Huasteca Potosina
Mexico's most spectacular waterfalls—turquoise cascades through lush jungle
Xilitla & Las Pozas
Edward James's surrealist sculpture garden—37 hectares of jungle-reclaimed concrete dreams
La Media Luna
Thermal spring with 30–60 meter visibility and mammoth skeletons at the bottom
Santa María del Río
The "Cradle of the Rebozo"—watch artisans weave traditional shawls on backstrap looms
From La Paz
Isla Espíritu Santo
UNESCO-protected island with 600+ sea lions, 890+ fish species—Jacques Cousteau's "world's aquarium"
Balandra Beach
Mexico's most beautiful beach—crystal turquoise shallows, famous Mushroom Rock, and protected paradise
La Ventana
World-class kitesurfing mecca—consistent 15-25 knot winds, stunning bay, and laid-back beach town vibe
El Triunfo Ghost Town
Atmospheric ghost mining town with allegedly Eiffel-designed smokestack, silver history, and British cemetery
Magdalena Bay Whale Watching
Gray whales approach your boat voluntarily—mothers bring calves for human encounters in protected lagoon
From Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende
UNESCO colonial jewel with iconic pink Parroquia and world-class arts scene
Dolores Hidalgo
Birthplace of Mexican independence with Talavera ceramics and exotic ice cream flavors
La Valenciana
Mexico's finest Baroque church interior and historic silver mine tours
Cerro del Cubilete
World's largest bronze Christ statue at Mexico's geographical center
From Lake Chapala
San Juan Cosalá Hot Springs
Natural thermal pools with specialty spa treatments on Lake Chapala's shores—chocolate, mud, and herbal jacuzzis
Guadalajara City
Mexico's second-largest city—world-class museums, colonial architecture, and Mercado San Juan de Dios
Mazamitla
"Mexican Switzerland"—alpine mountain town with pine forests, waterfalls, and adventure activities
Pátzcuaro & Morelia
UNESCO colonial cities with world-famous Day of the Dead celebrations—recommended 2-3 nights
From Playa del Carmen
Cozumel
World-class diving at Palancar and Columbia reefs—35-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen
Isla Holbox
Car-free island paradise with whale sharks, bioluminescence, and pristine beaches
Xcaret, Xplor & Xel-Há Eco-Parks
All-inclusive eco-parks with zip-lines, snorkeling, and México Espectacular night show
Valladolid
Colonial Pueblo Mágico with cenotes, Yucatecan cuisine, and authentic Mexican charm
From Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita
Pueblo Mágico surf town with bohemian vibe, beginner waves, and vibrant expat scene—45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta
Bucerías
Six-mile beach, thriving arts scene, and excellent seafood—without Sayulita crowds
Yelapa
Car-free fishing village with waterfall, jungle, and old Mexico charm—boat access only
San Sebastián del Oeste
Colonial mining town in cool Sierra Madre mountains—coffee farms, tequila tasting, and escape from coastal heat
From Cabo San Lucas
Todos Santos
Bohemian artist colony with Hotel California legend, galleries, and farm-to-table dining
Cabo Pulmo National Park
North America's only living coral reef on the west coast—swim among 226+ fish species
Playa Los Cerritos
Baja's best beginner surf break—consistent waves, sandy bottom, and laid-back beach vibes
Corridor Beaches (Chileno & Santa María)
Cabo's best accessible snorkeling—free public beaches with protected coves and clear water
From Riviera Maya
Cenotes of Riviera Maya
Swim in sacred Maya sinkholes—from $6 budget gems at Puerto Morelos to world-class diving at Dos Ojos
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO biosphere with dolphins, manatees, and ancient Maya canals—DIY from Muyil or guided Punta Allen tours
Muyil Archaeological Zone
Budget-friendly Maya ruins at 70 MXN—gateway to Sian Ka'an with minimal crowds
From palenque
From puerto-escondido
Planning to relocate?
Explore our destination guides to find the perfect base for your Mexican adventure.
Explore Destinations