With a brand-new year stretched out in front of us, it’s easy to overcomplicate your travel plans with the staggering range of choices.
Sometimes, it’s best to stick to the tried and trusted destinations, at least for some of your trips, and that’s where a trip south to Mexico comes in.
As part of its recent Travel Predictions for 2024, Booking.com just revealed five destinations in Mexico that it expects to be trending this year.
There are some well-known favorites that you would expect, plus a couple of surprises too, but all represent fantastic places for a sunny getaway this year.
Nuevo Vallarta
Just a few miles up the coast from its famous namesake Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Nuevo Vallarta is actually in the state of Nayarit – the border between the two is the Ameca River.
Nuevo Vallarta has no less than three solid miles of alluring golden sands surrounded by lush green palm trees and some of the nicest luxury accommodations you’re likely to stay in.
It has a little bit of something for everyone, not only idyllic beaches but also world-class golf courses and even a turtle sanctuary.
There is also a pretty marina surrounded by canals and deluxe shopping options.
Puerto Escondido
This underrated beach destination is one of Mexico’s best, and is located on its Pacific coastline in the state of Oaxaca.
Known first and foremost as an excellent surfing destination, Puerto Escondido is also a perfect place to relax, soak up some sun, and enjoy beautiful Mexican beaches with smaller crowds than in the Riviera Maya.
It’s also a haven for wildlife, with sea turtles, dolphins, and a rich variety of fish species calling this area home – the latter allows the town to have some of the best seafood restaurants in the region.
A little further up the coast from Puerto Escondido lies the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park – a place of true, unspoilt beauty, including lagoons that sometimes put on bioluminescent light shows.
Cancun
It’s hard to imagine a time when Cancun will not be one of the most popular or trending places in Mexico – quite simply, it has an everlasting charm that’s hard to beat.
Not only is Cancun itself a huge draw with its luxury resorts, amazing nightlife, and simply stunning Caribbean coastline, but many of its nearby neighbors in the Riviera Maya region help attract people in too.
And after a record-breaking year for tourism in 2023, it looks like Cancun will once again be one of the most visited places on the planet in 2024.
Bear in mind that right now is the peak season for visiting Cancun, so if you are planning on heading there anytime soon, ensure you’ve booked accommodation and activities well in advance, and be on the lookout for possible scammers or petty crime.
Atlixco
Nestled in the shadow of the beautiful Popocatepetl volcano, Atlixco is one of the magical towns in the state of Puebla – about two-and-a-half hours southeast of Mexico City.
Atlixco is sometimes referred to as ‘the City of Flowers’ thanks to impressive floral displays in the fertile fields surrounding it.
But it’s not just flowers that make this city an explosive experience of color; try walking down its famous Avenida Hidalgo to see rows of dazzling colored houses with balconies bursting with color everywhere you look.
The town is also rich in colonial history, with buildings such as the Church of Merced and the Museum of Valle Cultures showcasing this.
For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking is possible in the area at places such as Cerro de San Miguel and also Amatzcalli Natural Park.
Merida
A popular stop-off for tourists who visit Mexico’s beautiful Yucatan Peninsula, the colonial city of Merida is a picturesque place to spend a few days.
It boasts quaint streets with fantastic dining options, proximity to some of the best Maya ruins in the area, such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal, and nearby beaches that are quiet and peaceful such as Sisal.
The city also lies on the first part of the all-new Maya Train, which runs from Cancun to Palenque at present.
This should make it much easier to reach if you are flying into Cancun or even Campeche – you can even buy tickets online.
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