img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}It’s that time of year again: Condé Nast Traveler is letting their readers pick out the best destinations in the world across a wide range of different categories.
From the best hotels, to spas, to experiences, to small and big cities, 757,109 voices were heard in proclaiming the winners. You know what they say, Vox Populi, Vox Dei, and if there’s one thing our own readers share with followers of Condé Nast, is a profound love for Mexico.
Every year, our southern neighbor keeps growing in popularity, whether for the white sands and turquoise waters of Cancun or the colorful streets and grand basilicas of Mexico City. But this time, it’s not those spots capturing everyone’s hearts.
Scroll down their list of Top 10 ‘Best Cities in the World‘, and you’ll find 2 surprising Mexican features:
San Miguel de Allende
Voted fifth best small city in the world by CN Traveler readers, San Miguel de Allende is a fairytale spot some four hours northwest of a bustling Mexico City, worlds apart from the capital’s hectic urban scenes, and fast-paced living.
Here, the traffic-dominated boulevards give way to narrow, cobble-paved streets lined with ocher-colored houses, the sprawling city parks are replaced with their leafier, flower-adorned mini versions, and even the local cathedral feels like it’s been copied and pasted from a storybook cover.
A striking pink-hue edifice with a signature Neo-Gothic tower rising above a maze of colorful buildings, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is, without question, one of the most beautiful colonial churches left behind by the Spaniards.
For a (literal) taste of local life, head out to Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, the main covered market in town, where you’ll find endless rows of stalls selling tacos for under a dollar, and sweet gorditas for equally-cheap.
CN Traveler recommends Aperi for a fine-dining experience in the city, but we’re Travel Off Path ourselves: our expertise is finding the secret spots where locals go, and in San Miguel, there’s nowhere better to sample the regional flavors than a no-frills, welcoming Fonda San Miguel.
Puerto Vallarta
Voted the second best small city in the world, behind only Victoria, in British Columbia, Puerto Vallarta is a surefire hit among cruisers traveling down the Pacific Coast of Mexico—and let’s just say it’s a lot warmer than rainy Canada.
It’s developed a reputation for being a party hub, particularly its LGBT-friendly Zona Romántica, packed with gay bars and lively nightclubs, but there’s a lot more to Puerto Vallarta than its surface-level debauchery.
For starters, it’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches on this side of Mexico: right in the heart of the ‘Romantic Zone’, Los Muertos Beach is a high-energy, easy-access sandy strip backed by waterfront cantinas and shops.
The nearby Muelle de Los Muertos, a modern, sail-shaped pier stretching out into the azure sea, is an icon of the Vallartan skyline, and it’s a popular departure point for water taxis (or pangas) going to more southerly beaches like Las Ánimas, Yelapa, and Quimixto.
Just south of Old Town, Conchas Chinas is a trendy spot for swimming, with its dramatic rocky shoreline and natural tide pools. But if it’s golden sand you’re after, Las Gemelas, or ‘The Twins’, is probably a better choice. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown, and a taxi there will cost you $10.
Then of course, there’s Puerto Vallarta’s dreamy Old Town that could easily belong somewhere in the South of Spain: we’re talking stove-paved streets framed by vibrant bougainvillea, boutique shops sitting across from storied, cozy cafes, and of course, a landmark basilica with a crown-topped bell tower.
Vallarta is the quintessential Mexican Pacific getaway, and this fall, a week-long, all-inclusive stay at the marvellous Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta will set you back a very-reasonable $1,216.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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