This is a familiar story. Whether you schedule your trip from traditional themed media, social or the web, the message is the same: remove these promoted destinations and move off the bit track.
But what if, in order to make a clear hole in your nose, you miss the best of what you want to see and do?
After all, could there be a crowd somewhere or no reason to be able to charge more than the average entry fee? And a place on the tourist trail brings other benefits as well: a guide who speaks your language, regular transport connections and useful amenities like cafes and toilets. The only reason you didn’t discover it anywhere first is so it doesn’t make your timeless worthwhile.
If you travel to Mexico and stay away from publicity, you will miss UNESCO-listed archeological sites, fabulous beaches, and super-beautiful cities. But, do you really want to give it all up? We don’t think so.
Here are some top tourist destinations that you should promote on your next trip to Mexico.
The Yucatan Peninsula headliners will take your breath away no matter what you share with them. The royal pyramids of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza and the cliff-top Temple of the Wind God in Tulum are not extraordinary. The details of their carvings and their cultural significance make this pair indomitable. Cool off in a nearby cenote. These dramatically flooded caves are scattered throughout the region, formed by water on the bottom of the accessible limestone floor.
Mexico has been blessed with some jaw-dropping dramatic landscapes, not least El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. Take a boat trip to see the wave-cut arch, and on a quiet day, you’ll be able to wrap your toes around the white sand beach next to it.
When the water becomes shiny, when the waves hit the rocks, you can understand how the erosion has created this suffocating marine environment. Either way, this is not where you want to pass.
Take the world-famous railway for a spectacular trip through the canyons and ghats of Copper Canyon. No roads: Either you catch a train, or you hike.
The changes in the scene are as wild as the ride; You can see the high peaks of the Sierra Madre Mountains above the forest slopes but the mere steep face, the waterfalls, and the natural view of the arid desert. Elite and side-trips are equally varied, from the picturesque Mennonite Village to the thrilling zip-line.
The colorful San Miguel de Allende is no secret. Its well-established historic center is filled with colonial-era buildings, and it is beautiful to miss the archangel Paroquia de San Miguel in its pink limestone glory. But this small town is also a joy for its many art galleries and cafe culture.
Part of its appeal is just looking at the world and let’s face it, it would be much less interesting if no one was there. So after dark, there’s nothing better than staying in the middle of his rooftop bar chat because the light is shining like a star carpet below.