Brightly coloured cities and celebrations; punchy flavours; vast murals and big art; ancient civilisations; vast deserts where it's cactus only up to the horizon; steaming-jungle-fringed perfect beach resorts with bright oceans - thinking of Mexico makes you think big and bold.
Diverse and cosmopolitan in places, and pristine and ancient in others, this is an incredible country, and unsurprisingly one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Visiting Mexico is about getting out there in amongst it in the sunshine, whether ‘it’ be the outdoor market places of a big city, a dense jungle, under the ocean, up a desert mountain peak, or just on the beach. With so much variety on offer it can be a daunting task to pick the best places to stay in Mexico, but we've done the hard work for you! Here's our pick of the best places to visit and why....
Many of the best places to stay in Mexico are clustered along the spectacular coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya and the Baja California Peninsula. Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities by population, offers the perfect city break with its sizzling skillet of strong colours and flavours. Taxco, the mountain town known for its silver, is nearby.
On the Pacific Coast you’ll find Oaxaca, Jalisco with its capital Guadalajara, and that famous party town, Acapulco - in the town's heyday this was where JFK took Jackie on their honeymoon. In the north is La Paz and the Sea of Cortez, where you can swim with whales and dolphins, much loved by kayakers, leading to the Baja Peninsula, boasting some of Mexico’s most wild and dramatic sea and landscapes.
If you’re interested in ancient Mexican cultures visit Puebla, known for traditional food, colourful pottery, and colonial architecture, located near the pre-Hispanic archaeological sites of Tlaxcla and Cholula. Cholula is the largest man-made monument ever constructed.
Then there's the Yucatán Peninsula. Its coastline is a colourful display of bright azure waters, lush green jungle, white sands and silvery Mayan ruins. Its colonial cites are graceful, its resorts lively and its landscape - dotted with small villages and run through with national parks and biospheres - is largely unsullied by overdevelopment. This is where you’ll find some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling, both at sea and in the strange cenotes or sinkholes which lie underneath the jungle.
Quintana Roo is the flashy end of the Yucatán Peninsula, with spectacular Caribbean coastline and some incredible Mayan Ruins. Home to famous beach holiday destinations Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum, Quintana Roo’s jungle interior has some wonderful Maya-Mexicano communities, as well as the spectacular ancient sights at Coba. Yucatán is the northern part of the peninsula, it’s where you’ll find Mérida, the region’s jungle-set colonial cultural capital. Nearby is Chichén Itzá, the Yucatán’s largest and most famous Mayan ruin, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Use our guide to the best places to stay in Mexico and start to plan your trip of a lifetime!
If you fancy the beach you may also want to check out our lists of the 15 Best Beach Hotels on Mexico's Pacific Coast and the 25 Best Hotels on the Riveira Maya
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Tulum
A charming small hotel well located in Tulum itself. Rooms and apartments have a boho-chic feel with natural materials, driftwood sculptures, and dreamcatchers. The best have kitchenettes and private hot tubs. There's a large pool and a casual courtyard restaurant. Well priced and very friendly.
Bacalar
A cool natural space in the centre of a Mexican paradise. Twelve chic rooms are simply but beautifully styled with light-earthy tones and artefacts made from natural materials. All have private terraces complete with hammock. Healthy breakfasts are served and it is just a short stroll to the lagoon.
Tulum
A charming small hotel well located in Tulum itself. Rooms and apartments have a boho-chic feel with natural materials, driftwood sculptures, and dreamcatchers. The best have kitchenettes and private hot tubs. There's a large pool and a casual courtyard restaurant. Well priced and very friendly.
Tulum (MZ 6 LT 21)
A grown-up boutique property set within Tulum but just 15 minutes from the beach. Moody interiors are dark and undeniably romantic. Some of the suites offer private terraces with hot tubs. The lively bar serves excellent cocktails and is known for its DJ lineups. A chic stay.
Todos Santos ( B.C.S.)
A colourful delight of a property set amidst rolling hills and just minutes from the beach. Chic rooms feature muslin draped beds, contemporary art and large terraces complete with a hammock. A tranquil pool provides the ideal spot to soak up some rays. Ideal for completely unwinding.
Todos Santos
Nestled behind a heritage brick facade, this contemporary guesthouse sits in downtown Todos Santos, Mexico. The property is oriented around a charming interior courtyard with a pool. In the guestrooms, a pastel palette complements the exposed walls. Lounge on the sunny roof terrace; a stylish hotel.
Jalisco (Talpa de Allende)
A charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Talpa de Allende. Beautifully renovated rooms keep the building's original features (exposed beams and tiled floors) but the walls are whitewashed and there's modern furniture. With a terraced restaurant and bar, this is an easy city base.
Guadalajara (Col. Vallarta San Lucas, Guadalajara)
A smart modern hotel located just outside the Historic District. Spacious rooms are simple and clean in their design with large swathes of glass, crisp white linen, and dark wood furniture. The roof terrace with a pool, bar, and restaurant is the real lure. A well-priced city stay.
Mexico City
This new hospitality concept blends Mexican and Japanese design in a boutique hotel neighbouring Mexico City's Little Tokyo. Minimalist suites, inspired by Japanese lifestyle and local materials, have tatami mats on terrazzo stone and sliding walls. Relax in the rooftop hot tub; a chic, fusion stay.
Mexico City
A hip B&B hitting the mark on style, sustainability and location. A grand building, lovingly renovated, mixing antiques and contemporary pieces. Stunning rooms feature four-posters and luxurious bathrooms. The owners have created a laid-back vibe popular with families, artists and lovers alike.
Playa del Carmen (Q.R.)
Boutique self-catering apartments in the heart of Playa del Carmen, with kitchens, lounges and balconies. Locally inspired decor and custom furniture give each apartment character. It boasts a small breezy rooftop pool with great views, and a discounted local beach club, 1km away.
Playa del Carmen (Gonzalo Guerrero)
A stylish adults-only hotel set in a buzzy area of Playa del Carmen. Interiors are chic and contemporary; rooms are decorated in soft grey hues with clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern art. However, it is the vibey rooftop with a pool, restaurant, and cocktail bar that steal the show.
San Miguel de Allende (Downtown)
An atmospheric property in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. Spacious rooms are traditional in style with white washed walls, fireplaces, enormous windows, four-poster beds and luxurious bathrooms. With easy access to the city's main attractions this makes for a tranquil and easy base.
San Miguel de Allende
This boutique hotel is located in a heritage building in downtown San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Rooms boast original tiled floors, high ceilings and unique artworks; book the Pilar Suite for a walk-in wardrobe and fully-equipped kitchen. Unwind with a drink by the rooftop pool; a chic bolt-hole.
