The Insider Guide to the States of Mexico
By Mexico Insider Staff | Last updated on June 12, 2022
Mexico is a large country and there are many options for travel destinations. In total, there are 32 states in Mexico that are very different in terms of things to do and activities. Mexico is only popular as a beach vacation but very few people know that Mexico has 6,000 cenotes. This is the highest number of cenotes in the world. There are over 45,000 named mountains with the popular Pico de Orizaba (5,636m/18,491ft) being the highest of them all. There are hundreds of waterfalls all over the country and of course, the main attractions are the colorful towns and cities.
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ALL MEXICO STATES
Discover all 32 states of Mexico in 100+ cities with detailed information for all traveler types
MOST VISITED MEXICO STATES
Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo is the most visited state in Mexico because of Cancun. In 2021 alone, Cancun International Airport reported having received more than 8 million visitors.
The state of Quintana Roo is known for its turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. It is also a resort area where many families opt for an all-inclusive vacation.
The top destinations to visit in Quintana Roo are Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen.
Mexico City
Mexico City hit the highest number of visitors in the country in 2019 with 97.4 million visitors reported to arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport. The capital city is often overlooked as the best destination in Mexico but many Europeans opt to live here because of the good quality of life.
The Frida Kahlo Museum and Teotihuacan Pyramids are the top attractions but there are many other things to do in Mexico City. It is one of the biggest cities in the world.
Baja California Sur
Southern Baja California is popular because of Los Cabos, the third most visited destination in Mexico. The state of Baja California Sur is very similar to California.
In fact, you will sometimes feel like you are in California because of the prices. This is the most expensive state in Mexico because of the influx of American tourists. From the US, it is also relatively easy to fly to Baja California Sur because there are many direct flights.
Jalisco
Jalisco is the birthplace of the Mexican sombrero (hat) and of course, it is the state that is the biggest producer of tequila in the world. A town in Jalisco is called Tequila, where you can do the tequila route.
The most visited cities in the state of Jalisco are Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Each city has international airports and receives up to 500,000 foreign visitors a year. Jalisco is the third richest state in Mexico with over 30 multinational companies based and legally registered here. 60% of computers sold in the country are produced in Guadalajara.
Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is the richest in terms of gastronomy and culture. Most of the iconic Mexican food that is popular all over the world came from Oaxaca (like mole and tlayuda). There are 11 festivals in Oaxaca state all year-round.
One of the most popular and has become a tourist’s favorite is Day of The Dead held every year from end of October. Aside from deeply-rooted traditions and cultures, Oaxaca is also a top destination: the world-class surfing beaches of Puerto Escondido, the colorful city of Oaxaca, the nudist beach in Zipolite, and the 7 bays of Huatulco are some examples.
Puebla
Puebla is one of the states of Mexico that still has a very rich, visible culture. It is not as touristy as Quintana Roo or other Mexican states although it is slowly becoming popular as a tourist destination.
The Pueblans are very proud of their cuisine and some of the world-class Mexican food is from this state (i.e. mole poblano). The Popocatépetl Volcano is one of the reasons why people visit Atlixco – a volcano that can be seen from all over town even from a distance. Puebla has many volcanoes, outdoor activities, gastronomic activities, and cultural things to do.
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