2022 Travel Guide to Mexico

Mexico is a country with many attractions; from beautiful beaches to deserts, mountains and ruin-filled jungles, it offers a wide variety of experiences depending on where in the country you visit. It's also easy to travel to for many North Americans, with relatively easy flight connectivity. Mexico has been one of the easiest countries to enter during the pandemic, with plenty of travelers choosing Mexico over other destinations because of its entry requirements.

Travel to Mexico in 2022 is expected to be quite high, since it has routinely rated better than many other popular destinations throughout the pandemic. Read on to learn more about everything you need to know about traveling to Mexico in 2022.

Mexico is one of the easiest countries to enter during the pandemic, making it quite popular as an international destination for North Americans. That being said, the U.S. Department of State has classified the country as a Level 3: Reconsider Travel country because of COVID-19 and the risk of violent crimes, including kidnappings, which are widespread throughout the country.

Our recommendation? If you're traveling to Mexico, get vaccinated, learn a little Spanish and don't leave your common sense at home. Crime is everywhere, so make sure you travel smart. Taking tours with well-known tour operators, avoiding wearing expensive jewelry or watches, staying at reputable resorts and researching areas that might not be safe in your destination are only some tips to help keep you safe during your travels.

Mexico is home to plenty of well-known and well-loved destinations for North American travelers. That being said, there are three that are sure to stand out this year among the others.

Los Cabos is a destination made of two cities: San Juan del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Both offer incredible beaches along the biodiverse Sea of Cortez, where travelers can spot large stingrays, dolphins, sea lions and all matter of sea life. They're also known for their food: this is the place where foodies flock to try out not just local Mexican cuisine, but also the wealth of incredible restaurants created by the innovative chefs who call this place their home away from home. San Jose del Cabo's 23400 District is the place to find the best food in the region, while both cities offer art galleries and other cultural festivals, like the Los Cabos International Film Festival.

The second notable Mexican destination is known for being the heart of Mexican culture and history: Guanajuato. Comprising a whole state instead of a single city, Guanajuato is home to towns and cities notable for their Spanish Colonial architecture, cathedrals, vineyards, mezcal and more. It's home to San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage City and Mexican "Pueblo Magico," or Magic Town, as well as Dolores Hidalgo, the site of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. Home to historic structures both ancient and colonial, Guanajuato offers plenty to discover for the discerning traveler.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the Riviera Maya. Home to some of the most popular beaches and resorts along the Mexican Caribbean, the Riviera Maya is diversifying itself by putting greater focus on its interior: its Mayan ruins, for example, as well as its mysterious cenotes and biodiverse jungles, including the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, which travelers can actually stay in thanks to a few gorgeous and eco-conscious resorts and lodges. No matter which destination a traveler visits, there's sure to be incredible food and even more incredible natural wonders.

There is no limit to Mexico's attractions. From foodie capitals to natural wonders and remnants of ancient civilizations, it really does have something for everyone (or even a few somethings). Nonetheless, here are just five of some of the year's best attractions.

The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is an incredible place. Like its name suggests, the reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses jungles, the Mesoamerican Reef, Mayan ruins and more. Located within are some of the region's greatest natural wonders, including a variety of colorful birds and animals like tapirs and jaguars. Environmentally conscious travelers and outdoor lovers can both enjoy taking a tour through the national park.

Another great opportunity for outdoor adventures are the archaeological zones, featuring ruins built by the region's pre-Columbian civilizations. There are about 180 of these zones throughout Mexico, so rest assured that you'll most likely be able to visit at least one wherever you visit in the country. Some of the best include Teotihuacán, near Mexico City; Chichén Itzá, west of Valladolid in the Yucatan Peninsula; Tulum, in Tulum; Toniná, located south of Palenque in Chiapas; and Palenque, just west of the modern-day city of Palenque in Chiapas. Each of these places offer incredible structures like pyramids, ball courts, mysterious cenotes and more that are sure to astound and educate all who visit.

Mexico is known for its beaches, both on the east coast and the west coast, so it wouldn't be right not to mention some of the activities, besides sunbathing, that can be enjoyed around the coast. On the Pacific coast, travelers during the winter and early spring months can delight in seeing thousands of whales as they migrate, feed, mate and give birth in the warm waters off the coast. Visitors to destinations like Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos can enjoy seeing the whales off the coast or even during a boat tour. On the eastern coast, near the Gulf of Mexico, travelers can enjoy calmer, warmer waters with dolphins, sea turtles and plenty of other marine life. Whether you're a snorkeler or a scuba diver, the Mesoamerican Reef is a great option to enjoy seeing all the diversity of coral reefs while on vacation.

One family-friendly adventure attraction is Xcaret Park, located in Cancun. Xcaret Park is an amusement park, water park, eco-park and more. Families visiting Xcaret Park can wander through a nature sanctuary, enjoy Mexican culture through programs and shows, play in the water park or enjoy other activities, like ziplining.

Our last great Mexican attraction for 2022 is the food: travelers shouldn't miss out on tasting some of the best of Mexican cuisine. Whether you'll be tasting the age-old mole in Oaxaca or eating freshly caught marlin in Los Cabos, regional Mexican cuisine is something that should never be ignored on a trip to Mexico. Make sure to research any regional dishes where you'll be headed before you leave so you can make a list of foods to try; you won't regret it.

Mexico is a great destination for its events, too. From February's many Carnaval fiestas to the Spring Equinox celebrations at some of the biggest Mayan ruins during March to the Festival Internacional del Cine, one of Latin America's most important film festivals, also to be held in March to the incredible Dia de Los Muertos festival in November, travelers can enjoy a full calendar of events wherever they go. Foodie fests, sailing competitions, religious festivities and film fests are all available to enjoy throughout the country. Our tip? Research your travel dates to see if you can catch any of the in-person events yourself.

Traveling to Mexico with a family is a great idea; resorts often offer kids' clubs and included children's programming to make days on the property more fun and to give adults a bit more time to themselves. Mexico's attractions are suitable for children of many different age levels, and even teenagers love the beach. The most popular destinations in Mexico for families are most likely those found on the two coasts, especially Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Maya, including Cancun. Both of these places offer plenty of activities children can remember forever, like whale watching tours, dolphin excursions, snorkeling and just playing on the beach with their family.

Romantic vacations, honeymoons, even destination weddings and elopements can all be enjoyed in Mexico no matter where you visit. Beach lovers can enjoy visiting the Mexican Caribbean, Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta, where they'll find great food, beach vibes and plenty of luxurious resorts to spend time with a loved one. Puerto Vallarta offers more city vibes for the urban explorers: it even has a district called the Romantic Zone! History and culture lovers should try San Miguel de Allende or even the Mexican Caribbean, where they can explore some of the most notable archaeological zones.

Traveling as a group can sometimes be a daunting task; our first tip would be to make sure to communicate well prior to planning your trip to make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of trip they'll be signing up for. A trip to Cancun, for instance, might be fun for those who love nightlife, but if you'll be traveling with an older crowd or one that isn't into nightlife, it's better to know before you book anything, or even choose your destination. That being said, Mexico offers plenty of destinations that can be explored with a group. Its broad base of both luxury and premium all-inclusive resorts ensures that a group can stay together and maximize their dollars on added expenses like group tours and keepsakes instead of on food or something else they'd have to pay for while not staying at an all-inclusive. That's why there are no two or three best destinations for groups in Mexico; it all depends on the group itself.

Solo travel is another travel type that can lead to a lot of anxiety, especially as a solo woman traveler. Mexico is a destination where solo travelers should take increased safety precautions, since traveling in numbers is generally safer than traveling solo. That being said, our best recommendation is to travel to Mexico with a tour or stay at a resort in an area like the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos. From your resort, you can book safe excursions with well-known tour operators, or just sit back and enjoy the beach with a cocktail.

Mexico is in itself a foodie destination, so you really can't go wrong wherever you end up traveling! The state of Oaxaca is the best place to taste Mexico's most signature dish, mole, while coastal towns and cities are great for regional dishes featuring fresh seafood. The state of Guanajuato is known for both its mezcal, a type of alcohol made from agave plants, as well as wine and strawberries. San Jose del Cabo's 23400 District is one of the best places to eat delicious meals that aren't exclusively Mexican, but rather a variety of different flavors, fusions and cultures. One the other side of Mexico, Cancun and the other cities along the coast offer something similar, but still tie closely with Mexican roots.

Different parts of Mexico are great for different types of adventures. Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit offer the Pacific Coast's great surfing and sailing opportunities, while the Mexican Caribbean is great for scuba and snorkeling in the usually calm waters. Every area in Mexico is great for on-land adventures, including ATV-ing, hiking and wandering through ancient ruins. Adventurers wanting to see something truly special can hike up to Oaxaca's Hierve el Agua waterfalls, one of only two petrified waterfalls in the entire world! Animal lovers can enjoy visiting the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, or one of the nearby animal sanctuaries.

Mexico is a great place for sports enthusiasts, too. From sailing in Los Cabos to golfing it up in the Mexican Caribbean or in Guanajuato, there's plenty to do for lovers of warm-weather sports. Fans of soccer, or football, can enjoy visiting Mexico City's Aztec Stadium to watch a high-intensity match with the Mexican national football team.

As you've read by now, there's a lot to recommend in Mexico to an interested traveler. The food is one of the greatest parts of Mexico: home to incredible dishes and ancient traditions (think: chocolate!), Mexico is a home of many flavors and deserves to be discovered as much for its history and beaches as it does for its cuisine. It's also a notable destination because of its wealth of archaeological sites. It's the only country in North America with that many remnants of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations, and it should be recognized for its wealth of pre-Columbian structures.