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;}As customary every year, world-renowned publication Travel + Leisure has revealed their Favorite Cities in the World list, as voted by hundreds of thousands of their own readers, and you know how the Ancient Latin saying goes, Vox Populi, Vox Dei:
This time, 4 Mexican destinations have cracked the top 25, with one Mexican city in particular claiming the top spot, and before you try and second-guess it, the usual tourism hotspots of Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta are nowhere to be seen.
It seems the Cancun fatigue is really hitting in 2025, as travelers are drawn instead to authenticity, cheaper prices, and more meaningful experiences:
Merida
Coming in at number 25 on the list, with a reader score of 88.15, Merida has been described as Mexico’s ‘vibiest’ city, with a beautiful historic center dotted with colonial mansions and leafy parks, and plenty of food courts and public markets where you can gorge on Mexican street food for under $5.
The main landmark in town, the Catedral de San Ildefonso is one of the oldest churches in the Americas, built as early as the 16th century, while the bustling Mercado Lucas de Gálvez boasts over 2,000 food stalls—and the best $2 chocininita tortas you’ll try anywhere in Mexico!
Besides its obvious cultural and gastronomic appeal, Merida is one of the safest cities south of the border, having consistently been ranked by the U.S. Department of State as a low-risk destination. To sum it up, we guess it’s safe to say it does pass the ‘vibe’ check.
Oaxaca
The next Mexican city to feature on T+L’s highly competitive list is Oaxaca, just missing out on the top 20: with a score of 88.42, it’s described as one of the most ‘in-demand’ destinations at the moment, primarily due to its incredible cuisine.
It’s the land of the Seven Moles—chocolate-dark, spicy-red, tangy-yellow, you name it, they’ll have it—and tlayudas, a crispy tortilla in pizza form often topped with beans, quesillo, avocado and chorizo. For the best takeouts in town, make sure you check out Mercado de 20 de Noviembre.
On top of being a world-class foodie hotspot, Oaxaca is home to an intact colonial center, a majestic Baroque cathedral, and Monte Albán, a pre-Columbian archaeological zone featuring ancient pyramids and grand plazas, a short 20-minute drive out of town.
Mexico City
That one city you can’t help but keep returning to, as one single visit simply won’t do it justice, CDMX is the second highest-charting Mexican destination on T+L’s list, with a remarkable score of 90.86. In other words, it got seriously close to attaining universal acclaim!
The sprawling national capital of Mexico has a plethora of vibrant, artsy districts to explore, from Roma’s thriving cafe scene and art galleries, to Colonia San Rafael’s kerbside markets and small-town feel, to Polanco’s fine-dining scene and cosmopolitan vibe.
The possibilities are endless, but if you’re asking us about the unmissable spots in Mexico City, they’d definitely include the Zócalo and its adjacent Metropolitan Cathedral, Chapultepec Castle (the only royal castle in North America), and the maze-like, gargantuan Mercado de la Merced.
San Miguel de Allende
The crown jewel of Mexico, San Miguel is your picture-perfect historic town that looks like it could belong in a whimsical storybook for children: picture picturesque cobble-paved alleys, ocher-colored heritage houses that have been there for centuries, and a monumental pink-washed church.
From the adorable cafe-bordered plazas to the laid-back, lived-in feel of the old center, it’s no wonder it’s been voted the number one city break for tourists not only in Mexico but the entire world, with a reader score of 93.33.
Beyond the surface-level beauty, it’s fully walkable, with most landmarks a short 5-10 minutes on foot from each other, and packed full of spa hotels, oftentimes housed in repurposed colonial buildings, like the 17th-century, boutique Mesón Hidalgo, where overnight rates start from only $219.
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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