As a honeymoon and tourist destination, Mexico really has it all.
Perfect, pristine beaches, exciting jungle adventures, vibrant, buzzing cities and a rich, fascinating culture make it one of the best vacation spots in the world.
Mexico’s most famous vacation destinations are pretty well known. Places like Cancun, Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula, while undoubtedly stunning, are headline attractions for love birds and holidaymakers. One can find plenty of relaxing and romantic accommodation options to fit your every preference. But Mexico is a surprisingly easy and friendly place to explore, so getting away from the well known spots can be a great idea.
So if you are planning a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, or just considering your next awesome trip, why not branch out and explore Mexico’s Pacific west coast. You’ll discover some extraordinary locations, a bunch of hidden gems, and plenty of gorgeous spots that aren’t yet on the mainstream tourist trail.
If you want to discover some of the best places that Mexico has to offer, and really dive into the beauty and extravagance that this amazing country is known for, then read on and be prepared to take a new look at the best destinations to visit in Mexico.
Best Honeymoon Destinations in Mexico for Adventurous Couples
1. Baja California
The Baja California peninsula is a slim finger of land stretching down from California in the US, parallel to the Mexican mainland. Separated from the rest of the country, Baja California has its own distinct vibe and way of life. The landscape is a remarkable combination of arid desert, towering mountains and gorgeous beaches, with the desert and mountains running right down into the sea.
Valle de Guadalupe
The Valle de Guadalupe is Mexican wine country, and Ensenada is the start of the main wine route. The Spanish colonists originally brought vines to this part of the world in the 16th century, and the valley is now full of exceptional little wineries.
Described as the ‘Napa Valley of Mexico’, a gentle tour through the high altitude vineyards, with wine tastings and fine dining restaurants everywhere you turn, is an exceptional way to start your Mexican adventure.
La Paz
The capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a pretty little city with two major attractions. The first is Balandra beach, an almost completely circular bay surrounded by sand dunes. Due to the natural rock formations the water in the bay never gets much higher than waist height, and swimming in the warm waters while manta rays swim peacefully around you is a pretty special experience.
The second is the magnificent, majestic whale sharks that feed in the plankton-rich waters of the Bay of La Paz. These gentle giants tend to visit from October to February, and there are a wealth of tour operators that allow you to swim and snorkel with them, a beautiful and humbling experience.
If you love whalesharks, do you know you can spot them in Thailand as well?
Cabo Pulmo
The Sea of Cortez between the peninsula and the mainland was described by Jacques Cousteau as ‘the world’s aquarium’, and is one of the richest and most amazing marine ecosystems in the world. Cabo Pulmo, just south of La Paz, is a stunning Marine National Park, and the oldest reef off the coast of North America. The scuba diving and snorkelling here is unparalleled, with an extraordinary array of multicolored fish and coral, as well as barracuda, sea lions, rays, sharks and even whales. For underwater enthusiasts, this is a must-visit.
Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a charming town on the west coast of the peninsula, with a wonderfully hippie atmosphere and famous for its regional crafts and art scene. It offers stunning beaches, a gorgeous ambiance, and is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in some of the best arts and culture of this excellent part of the world.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is probably the most well known destination in Baja California, famous as a Spring Break location for adventurous college students as well as more refined tourists. However while it can be rowdy during certain times of the year, there is plenty to recommend it even for those wanting to avoid the party scene.
Cabo San Lucas is a lively little town with great restaurants and some excellent beaches, stunning rock formations, and one of the best places in Baja to see gray whales. San Jose del Cabo (the other ‘Cabo’ that makes up Los Cabos) is a more laid-back, traditionally Mexican town with a superb artistic community, and is a great alternative to the more touristic sights along the coast.
2. Nayarit
Overlooked by tourists for many years in favour of the Yucatan peninsula, the unspoilt beaches of Nayarit are finally getting the attention they deserve. Nayarit combines lush, verdant jungle with perfect golden beaches, and is a great place to mix adventurous exploration with full-on relaxation. This part of Mexico is still relatively undiscovered, so expect even the ‘popular’ beaches to seem pretty quiet when compared to more famous destinations!
Sayulita
Once a sleepy fishing village, Sayulita is now a wonderfully bohemian, hippy-chic little seaside town, full of charming independent bars and restaurants, with some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico on its doorstep. Densely forested jungle runs right up to the edge of town, meaning that eco-resorts and jungle lodges are the order of the day here, while the charms of Sayulita are echoed in even smaller, more relaxed towns nearby like San Pancho.
Some of the best attractions around Sayulita are incredibly remote, like the beautiful town of Yelapa which is only accessible by boat, or the extraordinary Marieta Islands. Created thousands of years ago by volcanic activity, these untouched little specks of paradise are teeming with birds and marine life, and are also home to the remarkable ‘hidden beach’, the Playa del Amor, which you can only get to by swimming!
Mexcaltitán de Uribe
Probably the closest you’ll ever get to the lost city of the Aztecs, Mexcaltitan is a magical town frozen in time. Located on a tiny island on the Laguna Grande de Mexcaltitan, about 400 meters across, the town floods on a regular basis leading it to be called ‘the Venice of Mexico’. Locals get about predominantly by boat, and the unique traditions, crafts, food and culture here date back to the foundation of the Aztec civilization. This tiny island is widely considered to be the birthplace of the Mexica culture which eventually ruled most of Mexico after conquering Tenochtitlan, modern day Mexico City.
Have you heard of Cenotes? Do you know that Mexico has one of the most beautiful ones?
3. Oaxaca
Oaxaca has hit the headlines in recent years as one of Mexico’s most exciting tourist destinations. It is a truly remarkable place with an extraordinary amount to offer – an internationally acclaimed cuisine, a rich cultural heritage and some of the most impressive scenery in the country. The city itself is a wonder of traditional Mexican authenticity, stunning Zapotec ruins and a stunning restaurant scene, but the rest of the state has loads to offer too.
Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City is a vibrant, colourful place to visit with an extraordinary range of cultural highlights, as well as some of the best food in the country. You could spend an entire vacation exploring the museums and galleries tucked away down the picturesque cobbled streets of the historic centre, but you should also make time to visit the awe inspiring Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, as well as the incredible natural infinity pools at the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua. You’ll also need to ensure you spend plenty of time discovering the amazing cuisine of the city, and there are plenty of amazing restaurants to keep you going. Finally, every trip to Oaxaca should include a thorough exploration of the state’s most famous product, mezcal. There are loads of places to try this fiery spirit in the city, but for the most authentic experience hit the road to one of the many traditional distilleries just outside of town.
Oaxaca’s Pacific coast
Oaxaca’s Pacific coast is a treat. A stretch of coastline full of amazing wildlife, hidden lagoons and brilliant surfing beaches. Best of all, it remains off the beaten track for most international tourists, meaning it has retained a unique charm and atmosphere that makes it a special place to visit.
The main hub for visitors is Puerto Escondido, a buzzy town right on the sea which boasts great nightlife, a lively atmosphere and some of the best surf breaks this side of Hawaii. The vibe in the town is mellow but happening, and the crowd tends to be young and friendly.
If even the laid-back excitement of Puerto Escondido is too much for you, heading south down the coast brings you to the delights of Mazunte and San Agustinillo. Here the hippy vibe is strong, the beaches are almost empty, and there’s nothing stopping you spending all day chilling to the sound of waves breaking on the sand.
For nature lovers Oaxaca’s Pacific coast is a paradise. The beaches at Mazunte and Puerto Escondido are breeding grounds for Olive Ridley sea turtles, and you might be lucky enough to see the arribada, when thousands of turtles arrive en masse to lay their eggs on the beach together. Similarly lagoons like La Ventanilla just beyond the dunes are full of crocs, iguanas, monkeys and a staggering array of birdlife.
So here concludes all the best honeymoon destinations in Mexico for adventure lovers. Where will you flock to?
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