8 Off the Beaten Path Mexico Destinations

Sharing is caring!

I love Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Mexico City as much as the next gal. But there’s no denying that these places are busy. Packed to the brim with both international and domestic tourists, especially during peak times like Christmas, spring break, and Day of the Dead.

There’s a reason these places are popular. The beaches in Los Cabos are some of the best on the continent. The access to a great city and fantastic beaches is one of the things I love most about Puerto Vallarta. And Mexico City is undeniably one of the greatest cities in the world.

But maybe we can add a few new-to-us places to these same itineraries. Maybe while we’re in Mexico City, we can hop on a bus and explore somewhere that isn’t quite so popular. Maybe we can take day trips to other beaches from Puerto Vallarta. Maybe you can rent a car from Cactus Rent a Car in Los Cabos and drive up the coast to some lesser-known spots.

These are my top picks for cities and towns that are adjacent to the big hitters that I think you might love even more. 

1. Cabo Pulmo

This is one of the best hidden gems in all of Baja California Sur. Underwater lovers will not want to miss adding Cabo Pulmo to their Los Cabos itinerary. You could technically get up bright and early and do this as a day trip from San Jose del Cabo, but I really think you get the most out of an experience here if you spend at least one night. 

This would mean that you could take your time driving from San Jose del Cabo to Cabo Pulmo, stopping at the beautiful beaches along the way like La Ribera. You can get to Cabo Pulmo in time for lunch at Tacos & Beer and then you can book a tour with one of the local providers for the next morning. 

If you are a scuba diver, this is one of the best places in Mexico to go diving. However, the biodiversity here is so vast that you can also see so much simply by going on a snorkeling trip. 

Check into one of the quiet and relaxing cabins around Cabo Pulmo. If you’re looking for luxury, you won’t find it here, but if you want to get away from it all and be surrounded by nature, Cabo Pulmo is the place to be. Most of the cabins have hammocks on the front decks and there are two restaurants in town to get delicious local (and affordable) food.

2. Queretaro

Queretaro has grown as a tourist destination in Mexico, but it’s not nearly as popular as other central Mexico destinations like San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato. 

It’s a 3-hour bus ride from Mexico City, so it can easily be added to a Mexico City itinerary or onto a trip around San Miguel and Guanajuato. There are tons of things to do in Queretaro, especially for outdoor lovers. If you want to go hiking, you have the nearby Pueblo Magico of Peña de Bernal. 

It’s also a foodie paradise with incredible restaurants, one of the best craft beer bars in the country, and fantastic nightlife. It is a popular place for domestic tourism in Mexico, making it feel much more local.

3. Michoacan

One of my favorite states in Mexico, Michoacan is packed with stunning cities, incredible history, and a food culture that warrants a UNESCO World Heritage title.

It’s also only a few hours away from Mexico City by car or bus, so you can easily get here to explore on your own. 

The main reason this state was always on my bucket list was because of the Monarch butterflies in Michoacan. Every winter these magical creatures migrate from Canada, spanning four generations, until they finally make it to the forests here. It is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had in Mexico.

What I learned on this trip is that there is so much more to this state than just the butterflies, although I highly recommend adding that to your Mexico bucket list. The stunning town of Patzuaro will blow you away. This state is the home of carnitas, the slow-cooked pork tacos that make you close your eyes in delight with every bite.

Then, of course, there’s the capital city of Morelia. Wander the cobbled streets, pop into the Centro Cultural Clavijero Museum, and go shopping at the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanías. Morelia is the easiest place to get to by bus from Mexico City, so if you don’t want to rent a car in Mexico, this is your best option for exploring Michoacan by bus.

4. Riviera Nayarit

For a group of beaches that is so close to Puerto Vallarta, the beaches of Riviera Nayarit are often overlooked. You may be familiar with the most famous of these beaches, Sayulita. I love Sayulita. It’s packed with great restaurants, and fun things to do, and has a beautiful selection of hotels. But it is busy. It’s significantly smaller than Puerto Vallarta, but seemingly no less popular. 

If you want to enjoy the same beach vibes, be able to go hiking on the nearby lush jungle trails, all at a lower price and with far fewer people around, consider the towns of San Pancho, Lo de Marcos, or La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Other towns that are becoming more well-known, but that still have a nice vibe are Bucerias and Punta de Mita (outside of the popular resorts, it’s a really chill surf town).

5. Valladolid

Valladolid is certainly not unknown and I wouldn’t exactly go out and say that it is “off the beaten path.” However, when you compare it to its neighbors like Merida, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, Valladolid is a ghost town alongside these tourism hotspots. 

Its proximity to them also makes it an easy place to add onto a Yucatan itinerary. It’s smaller and more manageable than Merida but still offers a similar cuisine and history. It’s also in a fantastic location for exploring nearby cenotes and ruins.

It’s closer to Chichen Itza than Merida or Tulum and the accommodation options here are some of the most affordable in the region.

6. San Luis Potosi

Much like Michoacan, I was attracted to San Luis Potosi because of one destination in particular. The Huasteca Potosina is one of the most stunning natural areas in Mexico. It’s packed with waterfalls, crystal clear rivers for swimming, epic jungle trails for hiking, and some historical and artistic sites that have been almost taken back over by Mother Nature. 

However, the state has more to offer and could be a trip in its own right. You can add it to an itinerary that includes Queretaro or you can fly into San Luis Potosi from Mexico City, Queretaro, Monterrey, or Tijuana. It’s also connected to both Houston and Dallas, making it a pretty easy place to visit with a layover at one of those Texas hubs.

The city of San Luis Potosi has a stunning cathedral, plenty of history to explore, and some excellent food options. Again, this is one of the most affordable places to explore in Mexico if you want to get off the beaten path, away from the tourist trail, and experience a more authentic side of Mexico.

7. Sonora

One of the few places that is on my bucket list in Mexico that I still haven’t made it to. The state of Sonora has intrigued me for a few years now, particularly for its Gulf of California beaches and its wild desert terrain. I figured since I love Loreto, Cabo Pulmo, and Chihuahua so much, I’m bound to love a state that combines all of those magical things.

There are the beach towns of San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco. There’s El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar National Park which has Mars-like volcanic peaks and cinder cones. Another spot that looks amazing is the Biosphere Reserve of Cajón del Diablo which is packed with canyons and hiking trails that I want to explore.

8. Barra de Navidad (and Melaque)

About 30 minutes north of Manzanillo is a dusty bay with two beaches and two beach towns. I spent a few months living in the town of Barra de Navidad and it was some of the most peaceful times I’ve had living in Mexico.

The two towns are not completely undiscovered, however, they are significantly quieter than most other beach towns along the West Coast. It seems to have been a very popular place for Canadian snowbirds about 10-15 years ago and while there are still plenty of retirees living here, it feels like the town is changing. 

During the peak holiday season, it’s almost more popular with domestic tourists than with foreign tourists thanks to the fact that Manzanillo Airport isn’t well connected to the US the way Puerto Vallarta Airport is. You can certainly make the drive from PV airport if flying there is more convenient. I recommend taking a few days to drive along this coastline even though it’s only about 4 hours away.

Along this coastline, you have the Costa Alegre, a few beaches that are a few miles off the main highway that runs along the coast, but a world away from most built-up beach towns. There are a few hotels in Mayto, Perula, and La Manzanilla, but otherwise, these quiet beach towns are idyllic, rugged, and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. AKA perfection.

Watch a Video of Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Mexico

What areas of Mexico do you love to explore? Is there a spot that you’ve visited that totally blew you away?