Incredible places near Cancun you must visit

If you have ever visited the Southeast of Mexico, you know we are not lying when we say that it has an incomparable beauty. There are places with incredible scenarios. Places with Underground Rivers, Cenotes, Archaeological Sites and beautiful beaches. But there are 7 places call “Pueblos Magicos” that you can’t miss while visiting this part of Mexico.

Learn more about Pueblos Magicos, click here: Mexican Pueblos Magicos, whats so magical about them? 

 

1.- Tapijulapa, Tabasco

Tapijulapa is about eleven hours by car if you travel from Cancun and an hour and a half from Villahermosa. This Pueblo Magico will make you fall in love with its white houses with red tile roofs from the first moment you get here.

 

 

If you like culture, we suggest you take a walk among its cobbled streets, go shopping at a traditional market or visit the colonial church. If you have an adventurous spirit, you can fly in zip lines, go down a waterfall in a rappel or go mountain biking. There are also activities for those who are seeking for a quiet getaway, like hot springs, bird watching or camping.

 

Photo by: @pptotravel

2.- Izamal, Yucatán

Two hours forty minutes away from Cancun you can find the beautiful yellow city of Izamal. Also known as “the city of three cultures” because here you can see evidence of its pre-Hispanic past, the colonial period and the modern era.

 

One of the must-sees in this Pueblo Magico is the Convent of San Antonio de Padua. Where you can admire the seventy-five arches that compose the closed atrium, due to it is considered the largest in America and the second largest in the world. Also at night, you can enjoy the multimedia show “La Luz de los Mayas” projected on the arches.

 

3.- Valladolid, Yucatán

Like Izamal, Valladolid is a must-see city if you are visiting Yucatan. This Pueblo Magico is located two hours from Cancun and has a privileged location. Due to its proximity to cenotes and archeological sites like Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam. Valladolid on its own has an incredible charm, for something it is known as “The Occident Pearl.”

 

Walk among colorful houses and colonial buildings or visit one of the six churches of this Magical place. If you are a foodie traveler, we recommend you to visit the restaurant “La Casona,” where you can enjoy a variety of typical Yucatecan dishes.

 

4.- Bacalar, Quintana Roo

The perfect place if you want to escape from the routine and live a few days in paradise. Four hours from Cancun is the lagoon of seven colors: Bacalar, a paradisiacal location where you can swim, dive in a cenote, take a boat ride or just lie down in a hammock and enjoy the view.

 

Bacalar is much more than water attractions, in this Pueblo Magico, you can also enjoy cultural activities such as visiting the Fort of San Felipe, the Temple of San Joaquin or visit the Archaeological Site of Kohunlich.

 

5.- Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo

Heaven is just only forty-five minutes from Cancun, and it’s called Isla Mujeres. This Pueblo Magico will surround you with its quiet and charming vibe, an ideal place to visit by bike, motorbike or golf cart (you’ll see several places where you can lease any of these). Boat rides are worth it, since they will take you to the highest corners on the island, where you can snorkel among colorful coral reefs.

 

If you want to try a typical dish of Isla Mujeres, ask for the Tikinxik fish at any seafood restaurant, a delicious recipe of Mayan origin that you will love.

 

6.- Tulum, Quintana Roo

A Pueblo Magico by excellence is Tulum, a unique place in all the Southeast of Mexico since it is built right in front of the Caribbean Sea. In this place, you can enjoy dreamy landscapes at all hours. Get to know an authentic Archaeological Site and then cool off with a dip in crystalline waters.

 

Tulum has also become a unique place regarding gastronomy, as it has a culinary offer to please all travelers. Here you can find from regional food, vegan food or even signature cuisine. Just let yourself be surprised!

 

 

7.- Palizada, Campeche

And finally, the only Pueblo Magico of this state, and a must if you are visiting Campeche. This beautiful place is located ten hours from Cancun, and it will steal your heart from the first moment you walk through its colorful houses with French roofs. One of the main attractions of Palizada is its boat tours, where you can admire crocodiles, sea turtles, and manatees.

 

If you love art, you can not miss the artisan workshops among the streets of Palizada, where you can find popular art in wood as decorative items or even furniture. An ideal destination for travelers that love quiet places, culture, and nature. Therefore, if you are looking for a weekend getaway in Mexico, this Pueblo Magico is a perfect choice.

 

What other places in Southeast Mexico do you think should be considered a Pueblo Magico?