The Ultimate Mexico Travel Guide - Part 1: The Northern States
This week's Destination of the Week is Mexico. From beautiful beaches to stunning festivals and bustling cities, Mexico is the ultimate destination. Although seen by many people in the UK as a beach destination, Mexico has much more to offer. The country has some of the best of what Latin America has to offer making it somewhere that should definitely be on your bucket list. In this series, we’ll take you from the north to the south taking you through the best things to do in each of Mexico's 32 states.
Starting in the north this week, we’re moving down the states geographically. In this article, we’ll be showing you the wonders of:
Click on each to skip to its section. As you will come to see, the north of Mexico is full of things to do. There are opportunities to see cities, and relax in beach resorts or take cultural trails that explore local and indigenous cultures. due to the natural geography of the region, there are certain states that make excellent destinations for adventure tourism.
Baja California
Baja California has two cities which you should check out. Mexicali, the state capital, is full of entertainment and things to do. It also has a number of waterfalls, hot springs and some cave paintings that you can go and visit in the Guadalupe Canyon. The other city in the state is one you’ve likely heard of, Tijuana. The clash of cultures here is clear for all to see due to its proximity to the US border. It is a modern city, whose food and culture reflect a mix of American and Mexican. Rosarito is the best choice for spending time at the beach. With beautiful golden sand and great waves perfect for surfing, it’s the state's best beach.
Rosarito
Baja California Sur
Moving Southward into Baja California Sur, the state is well known to tourists and it caters to them well, taking advantage of its many beaches which run around the peninsula as well as its stunning natural features that are great for adventuring in. The capital city of La Paz reflects this and is tranquil, with much to do in the town, it has a number of beautiful beaches such as El Tesoro and Bahia de los Suenos that you can walk along or if you want to enjoy the water, you can go scuba diving or sailing. Alternatively, try the popular resort of Los Cabos. Famous for its arching stone cliffs, golden sand beaches and bustling centre, Los Cabos offers plenty to do both in and out of the city. A buzzing marina, great restaurants and tons of shops and souvenir malls ensure you’ll never be short of things to do. Home to more than just beautiful beaches though, Baja California Sur is also home to mountain ranges, deserts and mines all of which are waiting to be explored. If you’re looking for history outside of the cities, discover the Sierra la Giganta in Baja California Sur, among the natural beauty of the mountains, these cave paintings date back thousands of years.
Los Cabos
Sonora
Moving eastwards along the border with the USA, there is Sonora and its capital city Hermosillo. Hermosillo is known as the city of sun, due to its stunning sunsets, it is also full of history with landmarks such as Catedral Metropolitana de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion and stunning city squares Plaza Bicentenario and Plaza Zaragoza. Amongst its historic buildings is a wide selection of bars, restaurants and coffee shops as well as numerous museums where you can find out more about the area. Starting in Sonora and stretching down much of the country, the Sierra Madre Occidental is a breathtaking mountain range full of rocky mountains covered in luscious green and sweeping valleys full of rivers, waterfalls and much more. It is an excellent place for those who love adventure tourism. Looking for beaches? The area of Puerto Penasco is home to several great resorts and has many golf courses for those who want to play a few holes.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a large state on the border with Texas and New Mexico whose state capital city holds the same name. The city is home to several stunning historical buildings including a beautiful baroque-style cathedral, The Metropolitan Cathedral of Chihuahua, a large country house and the Palacio de Gobierno, an 18th-century government building which showcases the murals of major Mexican historical events. Within the stretch of the Sierra Madre Occidental that sits in southern Chihuahua, you can take a train tour through the Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon). Alongside the views from the canyon, you can also enjoy several adventure activities there such as rappelling, mountain biking and ziplining.
Copper Canyon
Coahuila
The state of Coahuila is a state of mostly desert but it also has a number of beautiful swamps, lagoons, mountains and forests that are great for exploring. There are, however, three that stand out: Poza Azul, Minas de Marmol and the Dunas de Yeso, all of these are a must if you travel to Coahuila. In Coahuila, you can also explore religious sites such as the Religious Sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe or the Church of San Bernardo in Guerrero.
Nuevo Leon
A northern state sandwiched between mountains, the standout of Nuevo Leon is its capital city of Monterrey. The third largest city in Mexico, it is the business and industrial centre of the region. With a modern and cosmopolitan feel, you can taste the amazing local cuisine in its many restaurants or discover the rich history and culture of the region in the many museums in the city. Step back in time and visit Barrio Tradicional, a neighbourhood which is still built in the colonial style. In this district are many restaurants, bars and cafes. A must-see is in the Paseo Santa Lucia area which holds the longest artificial river in Latin America you can take a boat up and down and discover the tourist attractions along it. Get out and adventure in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains which run through Nuevo Leon. Not to confused with the Sierra Madre Occidental which runs along the western side of Mexico, its eastern counterpart offers visitors to Nuevo Leon the opportunity to explore rivers, waterfalls, valleys and mountains which provide endless activities. For an even more authentic experience take a trip to one of the amazing towns in the state such as Santiago or Linares.
Tamaulipas
Bordered on one side by the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Caribbean coast of Mexico on the other, Tamaulipas is unlike any other Mexican state. It is blessed with many native species famous to the region including jaguars, macaws, crocodiles and deer. Nowhere is this better exemplified than at the Cielo Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that not only houses a diverse range of flora and fauna but also has archaeological remains and fossils within it. Explore the state's capital Ciudad Victoria, which is full of history or make the most of Tamaulipas' coastline at Playa Bagdad. Home to long stretches of beaches, restaurants and shops it is set in the wetlands just outside the city of Matamoras, which shares a border with Texas.
Durango
A sparsely populated state characterised by desert in its eastern half and forest and the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in its west. The state of Durango is home to Guadiana Park, which is an adventure lover's dream with opportunities to hike, kayak and rappelling. It is also perfect for ecotourism activities. For something more adrenaline-focused, you can take a zipline over a waterfall at Salto de Agua Llovida. The state capital of Durango is a city of the same name. The city's historical centre is in fact a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the over 1000 historical buildings dating back to colonial times. You can explore more about the city's history at the Museo de la Ciudad 450 which sits in a converted palace.
Sinaloa
Sitting on Mexico's Pacific coast, Sinaloa offers those who visit 650km of coastline making it perfect for those looking for sun and sand. The main beach resort in the state is Mazatlan. A hotspot for beachgoers in the mid-20th century, the city has recently regained its allure. Combining 20km of golden sandy beaches, a historic centre and a number of high-end hotels, Mazatlan is the perfect spot. The picturesque old town features lots of gorgeous buildings such as churches and plazas. Stretching out from the old town is the promenade which makes for an excellent place to take in a sunset. Explore the state's colonial past in Culiacan, the state's capital. Alongside this, you must take a trip to the zoo or the botanical garden in the city whilst there. Whilst anywhere in Mexico, you should try and visit a Pueblo Magico (Magical Town). These are towns across Mexico that are awarded this designation for keeping and maintaining the original architecture, traditions, history and culture of their town and community. There are 132 of these across Mexico and are an excellent way to take a deep dive into Mexican culture and to explore the beauty and history of the towns. You can visit 4 of them in Sinaloa, El Rosario, Cosala, Mocorito and El Fuerte.
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Mazatlan
That’s it for part one. We hope this has helped you see what the north of Mexico has to offer. For inspiration on other destinations read our other blog, take a look around our website or call us on 01157843388. If you know where you’re looking to book call us, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Mexico, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.