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🌎 Bucket List Mexico: 30+ Must-Do Adventures Across the Country

Since we began exploring  Mexico, Joe and I have been discovering just how endlessly diverse and magical this country really is. Every region seems to hold a new adventure. We started putting together a list of experiences we dream of doing across Mexico, both to inspire our own travels and to share ideas with fellow adventurers. This is our Bucket List Mexico, arranged by region, with everything from cultural festivals to wild nature escapes.  Hope you come to love this country as much as we do!

 

Northwest Mexico

Closest airports: Tijuana (TIJ), Los Cabos (SJD), La Paz (LAP), Chihuahua (CUU), Hermosillo (HMO)

  • Wine Tasting in Valle de Guadalupe (TIJ) – Mexico’s premier wine country near Ensenada, known for boutique vineyards, farm-to-table dining, and stunning desert-meets-ocean views. Perfect for a weekend from San Diego/Tijuana.

  • Pet the Gray Whales in Magdalena Bay (LAP) – Between January and March, gray whales migrate to Baja California Sur’s calm lagoons. Here, you can get up close to these gentle giants in a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

  • Whale Watching in Punta de Mita (PVR) – Just north of Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas offers some of Mexico’s best humpback whale watching from December to March. The charming surf town of Punta de Mita makes a great base.

  • Ride “El Chepe” Train through Copper Canyon (CUU) – Mexico’s only passenger train winds through the vast Copper Canyon, deeper and longer than the Grand Canyon. The ride features dramatic bridges, tunnels, and Tarahumara villages.

  • Sandboarding in the Samalayuca Dunes (CUU) – Just outside Ciudad Juárez, these rolling desert dunes are perfect for adventure seekers. Try sandboarding or ATV tours across the surreal golden landscape.

Central Mexico (Mexico City, Puebla, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, Colima)

Closest airports: Mexico City (MEX/TLC), Puebla (PBC), LeĂłn/Guanajuato (BJX), Morelia (MLM), Colima (CLQ), San Luis PotosĂ­ (SLP)

  • Ride a Hot Air Balloon Over Teotihuacán (MEX) – At sunrise, hot air balloons drift above the ruins. It’s one of the most magical ways to see Mexico’s ancient history.

  • Cruise the Canals of Xochimilco (MEX) – Brightly painted trajineras (boats) float along pre-Hispanic canals where mariachi music, food, and flowers create a festive scene.

  • Swim in the Thermal Waters of Tolantongo Caves (MEX) – Nestled in the mountains of Hidalgo, these turquoise thermal pools cascade down cliffs, offering both relaxation and adventure in cave rivers.

  • Hike in Itza-Popo National Park (PBC/MEX) – Between Mexico’s two famous volcanoes, PopocatĂ©petl and IztaccĂ­huatl, hiking trails offer alpine views and crisp mountain air.

  • Experience DĂ­a de Muertos or Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato City (BJX) – Guanajuato bursts with art, music, and tradition during the Cervantino Festival and DĂ­a de los Muertos. The colorful colonial streets make the celebrations unforgettable.

  • Visit ParicutĂ­n Volcano (MLM) – One of the world’s youngest volcanoes, born in a Michoacán cornfield in 1943. You can hike across lava fields to see the church half-buried in ash.

  • Mingle With Monarchs in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MLM) – Millions of monarch butterflies migrate here each winter, covering the oyamel fir trees in orange and black. A magical natural spectacle.

  • Visit the Surreal Garden of Xilitla (SLP) – Created by artist Edward James, this jungle garden of concrete stairways, arches, and sculptures feels dreamlike and mysterious.

  • Swim in the Huasteca Potosina Waterfalls (SLP) – A lush region of jungle rivers and turquoise cascades. Perfect for canyoning, swimming, or relaxing by natural pools.

  • Hiking to the Top of an Active Volcano in Colima (CLQ) – Volcán de Fuego is Mexico’s most active volcano. Adventurers can hike nearby trails to witness smoke plumes and dramatic landscapes.

  • Whitewater Rafting on the RĂ­o Antigua (VER) – Near Jalcomulco, the river offers thrilling rapids surrounded by lush jungle. A top spot for adventure sports in Mexico.

  • Attend a Lucha Libre Match (MEX) – In Mexico City’s iconic Arena MĂ©xico, masked wrestlers put on theatrical, high-energy battles. It’s a mix of sport, drama, and Mexican pop culture.

Southern Mexico (Oaxaca & Chiapas)

Closest airports: Oaxaca (OAX), Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ), Villahermosa (VSA)

  • Hierve el Agua (OAX) – Petrified waterfalls formed by mineral springs create surreal cliffside pools. You can swim with epic views of the Sierra Madre mountains.

  • Attend Day of the Dead in Oaxaca City (OAX) – Oaxaca is one of the best places to experience DĂ­a de Muertos, with elaborate altars, parades, and candlelit cemeteries.

  • Release Baby Turtles in Puerto Escondido (PXM) – Along the Pacific coast, turtle sanctuaries let visitors help hatchlings reach the ocean at sunset. A heartwarming conservation experience.

  • Sleep in the Lacandon Jungle (TGZ/VSA) – Deep in Chiapas, the Lacandon Jungle offers eco-lodges and access to hidden ruins and waterfalls. It’s one of Mexico’s most biodiverse regions.

  • Take a River Trip Through Sumidero Canyon (TGZ) – Towering limestone cliffs rise above the Grijalva River, home to crocodiles, monkeys, and tropical birds. Boat trips reveal the canyon’s dramatic scale.

  • Trekking to Waterfalls in Chiapas (TGZ) – The state is filled with turquoise waterfalls like Agua Azul, Misol-Ha, and El ChiflĂłn. Each offers natural swimming pools in lush jungle settings.

  • Take a Trip to the Jungle of Chiapas (TGZ) – Beyond waterfalls and canyons, Chiapas is full of Mayan ruins, indigenous villages, and wild rainforest to explore.

Yucatán Peninsula (Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Campeche)

Closest airports: CancĂşn (CUN), MĂ©rida (MID), Cozumel (CZM), Chetumal (CTM)

  • Sail the Lagoon of Seven Colors in Bacalar (CTM) – This crystal-clear lagoon shines in multiple shades of blue. Sailing, kayaking, and swimming in cenotes make it a paradise for nature lovers.

  • Swim Through RĂ­o Secreto in Riviera Maya (CUN) – An underground river with stalactites and clear waters. Guided tours let you explore its hidden caves.

  • Swim in Cenotes (CUN/MID) – The Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with natural sinkholes filled with fresh, turquoise water. Swimming in these jungle pools is a magical experience.

  • Check Out Street Art in Holbox (CUN) – This car-free island is famous for colorful murals, laid-back vibes, and whale shark tours in season.

  • Head to the Yellow City of Izamal (MID) – A colonial town where nearly every building is painted golden yellow. It’s also home to an impressive convent and Mayan ruins.

  • See the Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas (CUN/MID) – Striking pink saltwater lagoons on the northern Yucatán coast. Best visited during midday when the color is brightest.

  • Swimming With Whale Sharks in Isla Mujeres (CUN) – Each summer, gentle whale sharks migrate off the coast of Isla Mujeres. Snorkeling alongside them is awe-inspiring.

  • Attend a Cacao and Temazcal Ceremony (CUN/MID) – Indigenous traditions blend chocolate rituals with steam lodge purification. It’s a deeply spiritual and cultural experience.

  • Kayak Through the Mangroves to See Flamingos (MID) – In Sisal, pink flamingos gather in massive flocks. Kayaking lets you glide quietly among them

Whether you’re sipping wine in Baja, swimming in a jungle cenote, or celebrating DĂ­a de Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico offers a lifetime of unforgettable adventures. Each region has its own magic, and the more you explore, the more layers of history, flavor, and beauty you’ll uncover.  Joe and I can’t wait to check more of these off the list.  Hope you can join us on an adventure!