At the recent 50th Anniversary incarnation of the Tianguis Turístico in Acapulco, Mexico’s travel and culture magazine México Desconocido unveiled its 2026 Best of Mexico awards, listing 13 destinations considered tops in their categories.
Despite the magazine’s name, none of the winners are unknown; some, in fact, have even earned the designation of Pueblos Mágicos, or Magical Towns. But enough on the list are sufficiently off the beaten tourist track to send even veteran explorers of Mexico — native born or foreign — to Google Maps for guidance.
Here are a selection of the winners:
Cascada el Ensueño, Chiapas. The Best Hidden Gem accolade went to this dreamy destination in Chiapas thanks to its jungle setting, crystal-clear waterfall and proximity to an impressive natural stone arch.
Punta Xen, Campeche. This beach destination was named the Best Beach to Discover, standing out as an ideal holiday destination for its turquoise waters, tranquility and natural surroundings.
Zacatlán de las Manzanas, Puebla. Recognized as the Best Pueblo Mágico for Getting Married, this secluded destination in the center of Mexico stands out for its morning and evening mist, monumental clocks and cider production.
Valladolid, Yucatán. The Best Pueblo Mágico for a Gastronomic Experience award went to Valladolid, for its typical Yucatecan dishes and its rich culinary tradition.
Cenote Route, Quintana Roo. Stretching from Puerto Morelos to the interior of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Cenote Route won in the Best Route category due to the dozens of underground lakes that can be explored.
Valle de Bravo, México state. This well-known small city near Mexico City, popular on its own, has now been named the Best Pueblo Mágico for Nature Adventures thanks to its lake and surrounding forest that favor sports like paragliding, rowing and mountain biking.
Cervantino Festival, Guanajuato. In the Best Cultural Fair category, the festival honoring Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes took the spotlight and solidified its position as Mexico’s most important cultural event.
Punta Mita, Nayarit. The luxury beach resort destination of Punta Mita won in the Best Luxury and Wellness Experience category, recognizing the destination’s care for comfort and self-care.
Catemaco, Veracruz. This small town in the Gulf of Mexico state of Veracruz won in the Best Combined Nature and Spirituality Experience category, owing to the cleansing rituals provided by its curanderos and natural healers.
Chihuahua by UTMB, Chihuahua. The ultramarathon with amateurs and professionals running side by side with Rarámuri athletes from the Sierra de Chihuahua took the prize for the Best Sporting Event in an Amazing Setting category.
Three must-have experiences at least once in a lifetime. Discovering the hidden beach at the Marietas Islands in Nayarit, crossing the Copper Canyon (Chihuahua) aboard the El Chepe train, and witnessing the natural spectacle of monarch butterfly colonies in Michoacán.
Mexico News Daily
