The Top 5 Cities in Mexico

All talk of walls aside, Mexico stays among the most engaging destinations for American tourists. Reasons to enjoy the nation are numerous on the food front alone– tacos, conchas, sotol, pulque, mole, and did we discuss tacos?– but chief among the aspects that draw Travel + Leisure readers regularly is the diversity of experiences they discover there. And nowhere is that more evident than in Mexico’s cities, which are richly varied, each offering a cultural experience you will not find anywhere else.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the world– to share their viewpoints on the top cities, islands, cruise liner, spas, airline companies, and more. Readers ranked cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and general worth.

Guadalajara, our fifth-place winner, has made a name for itself among tourists for a vibrant arts and culture scene where locals are extremely inviting. It’s the whipping heart of the country’s mariachi tradition, but it also has Modernist architecture, contemporary art galleries, and a flourishing tech market. “Even the police are friendly,” kept in mind one reader. “They let us explore a building even though it was closing time. Our tourist guide took us to the best restaurants for lunch. Could’ve invested a month there.”

Oaxaca, which took 3rd place, draws visitors for its multilayered cooking heritage, handicraft traditions gave through generations, and easy access to ancient websites that provide a deeper appearance at Mexico’s native roots. “You can discover most any kind of home entertainment and shopping,” observed one traveler. “Ancient sites, along with vibrant and interesting ages old villages, are all within brief drives.”

And of course, there’s CDMX: always a favorite, No. 2 Mexico City has actually gotten more popular than ever with tourists. “Potentially one of the most interesting cities in The United States and Canada,” gushed one frequent visitor. “I address least once per year, and whenever I do it’s a brand-new and exciting experience.” The city is huge and vast, which just suggests more opportunities to chase down precisely what talks to you, whether it’s roaming Chapultepec Forest, strolling the ruins of Templo Mayor, scoping out art work by Diego Rivera and glimpsing Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, or perusing the products at Merced. Don’t miss the opportunity to check out stylish Condesa and boho Roma, take in the night life in Zona Rosa, and consume your method through Tepito.

Listed below, learn which other cities made the cut, and which talked-about town snagged the top spot.

5. Guadalajara

Rating: 84.49

4. Mérida

Score: 85.70

3. Oaxaca

Rating: 89.16

2. Mexico City

Rating: 89.30

1. San Miguel de Allende

Score: 90.23