9 Non-Touristy But Beautiful Cities And Towns In Mexico

Are you looking for less touristy but beautiful towns and cities in Mexico?

One can’t possibly undervalue any city or town in Mexico, many travellers regularly overlook some of the country’s most interesting destinations.

There’s no denying that Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Los Cabos are a must-visit when in Mexico, but the country has much more to offer than just beaches, ancient ruins, and resorts.

RELATED READ: Lesser Known Destinations In Mexico To Avoid Crowd This Summer

Mexico is a treasure trove of hidden gems. Given the time to explore, you’ll find anything from historic cities to gorgeous unspoilt beaches to foodie hotspots.

Here’s a list of less-touristy but beautiful towns and cities in Mexico that you might want to add to your itinerary when you go there.

9 Less Touristy But Beautiful Cities And Towns In Mexico

1. Bacalar, Quintana Roo

Bacalar is nothing like any of the popular cities on the Mexican Riviera Maya. Instead of beaches, the second-largest freshwater lake in Mexico can be found in this town in the Quintana Roo state.

At 40-kilometers-long, Bacalar Lake is also known as “the Lake of Seven Colors.”

On its south, a bewildering diversity of remarkable fossil formations can be found among the forest mangroves that surround it. Travel Instagrammers love this lake, which is why it’s becoming increasingly popular lately.

Bacalar preserves a more authentic Mexican vibe than most of the other popular tourist destinations in the area. It’s a terrific place to go if you’re interested in learning about the history and customs of the people who live there.

Every August, the vibrant Festival of San Joaquin de Bacalar, when the streets come alive with dances and amazing parades, is a significant and must-experience cultural event in the area.

Related Read:

• Famous Landmarks In Mexico
• Safest Cities To Visit In Mexico
• Best Colonial Towns In Mexico.
• Best Castles To Visit In Mexico

2. San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche

The Yucatan Peninsula’s western shore is home to the medieval walled city of Campeche. Baroque Spanish architecture and immaculately kept cobblestone streets grace these craggy limestone highlands.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Campeche is only two hours away from Merida, another beautiful city in Mexico.

There are few tourists and Western influences in this city, which is uncommon for a place recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Still, Campeche has a plethora of vacation-worthy attractions, including excellent seafood restaurants along its waterfront, a warm vibe thanks to its friendly Campechanos, a city square often brilliantly glow at night with stunning views of its Plaza Principale, and even a 7-kilometre-long boardwalk.

If you’re looking for a laid back city to visit or a romantic holiday in Mexico, Campeche is the place to go.

3. Guanajuato City, Guanajuato

Cobblestone streets wind their way through Guanajuato’s mountainous landscape and cut tunnels through the scenery, making it an Instagram-worthy metropolis.

Still not very touristy yet rich in baroque and modernist architectural elements, this locale makes an ideal backdrop for those who love taking photos.

During the Spanish occupation, Guanajuato was a centre for silver mining.

Today, the city has become a popular destination for travel photographers thanks to its hillside landscape of multicoloured buildings and dwellings.

Guanajuato’s baroque cathedrals, especially the famed Templo de la Compania and the more restrained Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, also dominate the city’s appearance.

The city’s small lanes can be explored by following a callejonada, where you’ll encounter wandering musicians lure crowds to the rugged urban environment.

Related Read:

• Best National Parks In Mexico To Visit
• Best Natural Wonders In Mexico
• Most Popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico
• Best Mayan Ruins In Mexico That You Shouldn’t Miss
• Most Best Pueblos Magicos In Mexico

4. La Paz, Baja California Sur

Located in the southwestern portion of the state, La Paz serves as the capital and largest city of Baja California Sur.

La Paz has much to offer the adventurous visitor. Walking down the esplanade along a waterfront is a fantastic way to discover the various authentic restaurants, taverns, and cafes that the city has to offer.

The cuisine of the Baja Peninsula places a heavy emphasis on seafood, however, there is also a good amount of fusion and foreign cuisine.

Still, La Paz is an excellent base from which to explore the natural wonders of the Baja Peninsula and its environs. The island of Espiritu Santo is the most well-known of its day excursions.

Except for seals and seabirds, as well as a plethora of aquatic species, this island is completely uninhabited, save for a few beach campsites for guests who want to stay on the beach. Tours departing from La Paz to the island can be organized with relative ease.

5. Merida, Yucatan

As the cultural centre of western Yucatan, Merida attracts attention for its artsy aura. All around town, historical antiques have been converted into tourist attractions.

The streets that run through the heart of the town are lined with boutique hotels, art galleries, stores, cafes, and restaurants.

More than just a mingling of Spanish and indigenous influences may be found throughout the city. The Romanesque cathedral and the Casa de Montejo were built from the ruins of local pyramids in the classic Spanish style.

However, the town’s layout and appearance are heavily influenced by France. A great example of this is the lovely Paseo de Montejo, which is lined with magnificent Beaux-Arts houses. Take a walking tour of Merida’s historic centre to experience all that the city has to offer.

Related Read:

• Best Waterfalls In Mexico To Visit
• Best Cenotes To Visit In Mexico
• Best Spring Break Destinations In Mexico
• Best Surfing Spots In Mexico

6. San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas

San Cristóbal de las Casas, a town in Chiapas, has been named a Pueblo Magico, or Magic Town. San Cristobal serves as the centre for the wonderful indigenous populations who live in the region’s mountain settlements.

Colonial architecture is what makes San Cristobal de las Casas so beautiful. The historic core of the town is a compact and pedestrian area full of stunning churches, cobblestone lanes, and pastel-coloured low-rise buildings.

Additionally, the city houses the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, where you can examine both traditional indigenous textiles as well as more contemporary examples.

Mountain biking, horseback riding, and zip-lining are just a few of the options available if you’re adventurous. A visit to Sumidero Canyon, El Chiflon Waterfalls, or Lagunas de Montebello National Park, among others, is also well worth it.

7. Taxco, Guerrero

Taxco de Alarcon, a mountain village in Guerrero, is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. An easy drive south of Mexico City, this unspoilt destination is still mostly unknown. It’s worth deviating from the usual tourist path to see.

As far as Mexican cities go, this is one of the most distinctive. You wouldn’t expect to find stacks of Mediterranean-style structures in Mexico, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in this “city of white” constructed into the mountainside.

If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican vacation, Taxco is your best bet. Slopes and mountains abound, making it visually appealing from virtually every vantage point.

In terms of taking Instagram-worthy photos, there’s no better place than Taxco, Mexico.

If you are travelling to Mexico soon, do not rule out this city just because it was not included in the list of Mexico’s most popular places.

8. Todos Santos, Baja California Sur

Todos Santos, an hour’s drive from Cabo San Lucas, is one of Baja’s supreme picturesque towns. Its population is a strange mix of New Age spiritualists, surfers, artists, and fishermen. It also has a world-class gastronomy culture, despite avoiding the heavy tourism of other cities in the region.

This one-of-a-kind, artsy desert oasis, evocative of Taos, New Mexico is nestled among historic mango and palm plantations.

They offer spectacular vistas of powdered white sands and the bright Pacific. The city’s rich history, centuries-old traditions, and welcoming hospitality, combined with modern comforts, make Todos Santos an ideal Mexican getaway.

9. Zacatecas City, Zacatecas

The Colonial town of Zacatecas is Mexico’s second-highest city at 8,100 feet above sea level. A visit here allows travellers to go back in time through its stunning 18th-century architecture.

These include many civil and religious buildings from the colonial period, such as the cathedral, which dominates the centre of town.

These buildings are considered one of the most beautiful examples of Churrigueresque architecture in the country, among other things.

Zacatecas has long been admired for the abundance of silver and other mineral reserves found in the region. The city also organizes the well-known Holy Week Cultural Festival, which attracts more than 50 dancers and other performers from around the world.