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Tourism holds considerable significance as a pivotal industry withinMexico's economic landscape. Beginning in the 1960s, it has been vigorously endorsed by theMexican government, often heralded as "an industry without smokestacks," signifying its non-polluting and economically beneficial nature.[1]
Mexico has consistently ranked among the world'smost frequented nations, as documented by theWorld Tourism Organization. Second only to the United States in the Americas, Mexico's status as a premier tourist destination is underscored by its standing as the sixth-most visited country globally for tourism activities, as of 2017. The country boasts a noteworthy array of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites, encompassing ancientruins, colonial cities, and natural reserves, alongside a plethora of modern public and private architectural marvels.
Mexico has attracted foreign visitors beginning in the early nineteenth century,[2] with its cultural festivals, colonial cities, nature reserves and beach resorts. Mexico's allure to tourists is largely attributed to its temperate climate and distinctive cultural amalgamation, blending European andMesoamerican influences. The nation experiences peak tourism seasons typically during December and the mid-Summer months. Additionally, brief spikes in visitor numbers occur in the weeks precedingEaster andSpring break, notably drawing college students from the United States to popular beach resort locales.
Visitors to Mexico originates primarily from theUnited States andCanada. Additionally, Mexico attracts visitors from variousLatin American countries, with a smaller contingent coming from Europe and Asia.[3]
Tourism in Mexico burgeoned subsequent to the establishment of the Mexican republic. Noteworthy figures such asAlexander von Humboldt,Frannie Calderón de la Barca,John Lloyd Stephens, andEdward B. Tylor significantly contributed to the burgeoning interest in Mexico as a tourist destination through their writings and explorations. Alexander von Humboldt, a renowned naturalist and explorer, penned detailed accounts of his travels throughout Mexico during the early 19th century. His comprehensive observations on Mexico's geography, flora, and fauna captured the imagination of many prospective travelers, thus fostering an initial interest in the region.[4]
Tourists from the United States began arriving in Mexico in numbers starting in the 1880s, following the construction of direct railway lines in Mexico to the U.S. border. GeneralPorfirio Díaz became president of Mexico by coup in 1876, the beginning of a long period of peace in Mexico following decades of civil war. With the inauguration of direct Pullman service from the U.S. to Mexico in 1884, tourists no longer endured difficult and dangerous travel. The Mexican Central Railway actively promoted tourism in the United States, hiring a professional photographer,William Henry Jackson, to visually record the route and a professional writer, James W. Steel, to write promotional copy. Guides for English-speaking tourists were also published, most notablyTerry's Guide to Mexico, which went through several editions at the beginning of the twentieth century. Mexico appealed to American tourists seeking an "exotic" holiday. It was promoted in 1890 as the "Egypt of the New World."[5] With the 1910 centennial of Mexican independence, the government undertook an excavation and reconstruction of thePyramid of the Sun at the huge archeological site ofTeotihuacan, near Mexico City. A railway line was constructed from the capital to the site, bringing scholars from the 1910 meeting of theInternational Congress of Americanists. In addition, theNational Museum of Anthropology was refurbished in advance of the celebrations, in anticipation of tourists. Mexico was a beneficiary of the increasing tourism of Europeans and Americans to distant lands. In Mexico, many tourists brought home real or fake relics, and often left graffiti.[6]
TheMexican Revolution (1910-1920) interrupted tourism in Mexico, but by the 1930s, the Mexican government began promoting tourism again with posters of light-skinned young women and lush gardens.[8] In the 1920s and 30s, there was an "enormous vogue of things Mexico" in the United States, resulting in cultural exchanges, temporary and permanent art exhibitions, and patronage of Mexican artists, such asmuralistsDiego Rivera andJosé Clemente Orozco.[9] Starting with the administration ofPlutarco Elías Calles (1924–28), the Mexican government became involved in promoting tourism in Mexico, eventually becoming a cabinet position, theMinistry of Tourism in 1975.
In 1929, Mexican presidentEmilio Portes Gil officially announced the country's entry into the tourism industry.[10] Over the next few years, the industry stayed small because of the ongoingGreat Depression, so the government focused its attention on research and was ready afterWorld War II to welcome tourists who could no longer visit Europe instead.[10]
During the Jazz Age and the era ofProhibition of alcohol in the U.S., border towns in Mexico, particularlyTijuana became destinations for vice tourism. The song "South of the Border (down Mexico way)" song by Frank Sinatra helped promote the region. It was known for casino gambling, glitzy floor shows, horse- and dog-racing, and other hedonistic pursuits. Chicago gangsterAl Capone frequented the Agua Caliente resort, as did big names from Hollywood. "Mafia chic and Hollywood star power fueled the Tijuana mystique and imbued it with ersatz glamour." WhenLázaro Cárdenas became president of Mexico, 1934–40, he cracked down on casino gambling in northern Mexico, since it was a source of money and power for Cárdenas's political rivals, former presidentsPlutarco Elías Calles andAbelardo L. Rodríguez.[11]
When Cárdenas was governor of his home state of Michoacan (1928–32) and later, when he was president of Mexico (1934–40) and beyond, he promoted tourism to Michoacan and particularly to the historic town ofPátzcuaro. He commissioned murals to show the importance of the region's history to the history of Mexico, promoted indigenous performance in music and dance, and actively had Michoacan advertised as a tourist destination.[12]
The Mexican government developed beach resorts in the 1940s and 1950s inAcapulco, under presidentMiguel Alemán, who in his post-presidency became Commissioner of Tourism. Other beach resorts on the Pacific coast were also developed, includingMazatlan,Puerto Vallarta and on the Baja California peninsula at Cabo San Lucas. Later on the Yucatan Peninsular the government promoted the development ofCancún.[13][14] The importance of tourism in Mexico has seen its head having a cabinet-level position.[2] Attracting tourists from the developed world spurred the construction of upscale hotels, particularly by U.S. hotel chains.[15]San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato developed as an artists' colony. Unlike beach resorts developed by the Mexican government, San Miguel was promoted to tourists by locals.[16]
Starting in the late twentieth century, Mexico has been alert to international venues to both protect tourist destinations such as archeological sites, colonial cities, and natural wonders listed asUNESCO World Heritage Sites. With the inauguration of theUNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage program, Mexico has certified the cultural importance ofDays of the Dead (2003),Mexican cuisine (2010),mariachi music (2011), andcharrería (2016), among others. Private philanthropy has played an important role in the preservation and restoration of a number of Mexican sites, most prominently by entrepreneurCarlos Slim, whose Foundation for the Historic Center of the City of Mexico (Fundación del Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México) has made a significant difference in the historic core of the capital, including security concerns.[17]
Violence and political turmoil in Mexico has been a problem which affects travel and tourism. The years of thePorfirio Díaz regime (1876-1911) saw a decrease in violence and the rise of tourism. TheMexican Revolution 1910-20 was a major civil war, but following that the Mexican government achieved a level internal security that saw the rise of tourism and cultural exchanges in the 1920s and 1930s. In recent years, with the drug war in Mexico, U.S. State Department travel advisories have alerted tourists to the dangers of certain areas of the country.[18][19]
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The primary nations from which tourists embark on journeys to Mexico, manifesting a notable proportion of air arrivals, include the United States, Canada, and various European countries.[23]
| Rank | Country | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States | 9,417,601 | 10,340,463 |
| 2 |  Canada | 1,781,469 | 1,985,084 |
| 3 |  France | 833,901 | 860,821 |
| 4 |  United Kingdom | 545,055 | 563,099 |
| 5 |  Colombia | 439,689 | 485,371 |
| 6 |  Argentina | 405,959 | 474,248 |
| 7 |  Spain | 361,498 | 377,349 |
| 8 |  Brazil | 307,439 | 376,520 |
| 9 |  Germany | 255,940 | 277,352 |
| 10 |  Peru | 182,042 | 212,613 |
| Total | 35,189,529 | 39,890,442 | |
TheMexican government has often had a hand in the development of the country's tourist sector.[10] One reason for this was, and still is, tourism's potential to improve the economy, as tourists spend money on accommodations, recreation,food and souvenirs.[10] In the 1920s, the government organized studies of the economy and tourism competitors, collaborated with private companies, and created a national tourism agency in order to capitalize on the economic potential of tourists, especially those from theUnited States.[10] The tourism industry in 2018 was about 8.7% of Mexico’sGDP and brought the country 215.5 billionMexican pesos (or 10.8 billion U.S. dollars) in export earnings.[24] More recently, according to national statistics, by 2023 the tourismGDP reached 2,582,001 millionMexican pesos, which represented about 8.6% of the country's total GDP. That year, tourism activities supported around 2.8 million formal jobs, which is equivalent to 7.2% of all salaried employment in the country.[25]In 2018, it also provided jobs for over 2.3 million people, which is 6% of the total employment in the nation.[24]
In 2023, tourism in Mexico had seen a 4.4% increase in tourism related GDP compared with the year prior. As of June 2025, foreign-exchange income from tourism was reported to reach US$2.7 billion, which is a 5.7% increase since 2024.[26]
In the early 20th century, the development of tourism may have increased a sense of national unity and pride among Mexicans because promoting the industry required them to celebrate the unique environment,history andculture that make the country a desirable place to visit.[10]
Much of the tourist economy is focused on large tourist centers and resort areas, some of which were set up by the government itself, such asCancún in 1970.[27] People from around Mexico migrate to these centers in search of employment.[27] In many cases, the available jobs have allowed women to gain more economic independence.[27] In other instances, where migrants leave their families to find work outside their towns, the move can disrupt family dynamics and other aspects of life back home, despite an increased income.[28]
In places likeCancún, low-wage workers often live in cities outside of the tourist hotspot, in conditions far from that of the resorts and beaches enjoyed by foreign tourists.[27] These people, who typically work in the service sector orconstruction, often don't make enough money to be able to access these beaches or participate in any of the recreational activities they make possible through their jobs.[27] Additionally, migrant workers can feel pressure to change their language and their clothing styles to fit in with the more Americanized culture of the areas.[28] However, not everyone working in the tourist industry has these same issues, such as those involved with ownership, investment, and evenarchitecture andengineering.[27]
The large-scale development of large resorts and other tourist attractions can be detrimental to the environment, as it threatensecosystems and theirbiodiversity.[29] Asecotourism becomes more popular and more tourists seek out environmentally friendly experiences in nature, the Mexican government has formulated plans to create a more sustainable industry.[24] One common method of protecting ecosystems that is used by some NGOs and other organizations is designating protected areas.[29] However, creating these can come at the cost of native people's wellbeing, as it sometimes pushes them out of land they have lived off of for generations and eliminates resources previously shared by local communities.[29]
In less populatedrural areas, tourism and its impacts take a different shape than in large resort areas. A 2021 study done inTlaxcala, Mexico, wherereligious andarchaeological tourism have become popular, showed that locals have mixed opinions.[30] 64.5% of people interviewed said that the impact of tourism was positive, and 31.5% said it was "moderately positive," due to economic growth, better transportation and improved public services.[30] Others, however, voiced concerns about traffic, disruptive street vendors catering to tourists, and an increased cost of living.[30] Many people in this area work in the industry, at hotels, restaurants, shops, and archeological sites.[30]
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico, and its most important city. Thehistoric center of Mexico City is designated aUNESCO World Heritage Site, with ancient archeological ruins, numerouscolonial-era churches, most importantly theCathedral, and the former palace of theViceroy of New Spain, now theNational Palace. The cathedral and National Palace are both located on the main plaza, known as theZocalo. The city hasmuseums of many types, housing cultural treasures of Mexico's history since ancient times to the modern era. One guide rates theNational Museum of Anthropology as the top place to visit in Mexico City,[31] located inChapultepec Park, itself a top tourist attraction for foreign visitors and Mexico City residents. Other museums worth a visit are theMuseo de Arte Moderno, theMuseo Dolores Olmedo, theFranz Mayer Museum, theFrida Kahlo Museum, theMuseo Rufino Tamayo, the archeological museum of theTemplo Mayor, adjacent to the National Palace and cathedral; and theMuseo Nacional de Historia inChapultepec Castle, the former residence of viceroys of Mexico,Emperor Maximilian I, andpresidents of Mexico until the early twentieth century.
Just south of Mexico City is the state of Morelos. Its capital,Cuernavaca, is nicknamedThe City of Eternal Spring; its year-round benign climate attracts both national and international visitors. Top tourist attractions in Cuernavaca include thePalace of Cortés (16th-century home of the Conquistador, now a regional museum), the archeological site ofTeopanzolco, and theCuernavaca Cathedral. This latter is one of elevenMonasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl in the state that are considered World Heritage Sites (three others are in the State ofPuebla.[32]
Just east of Cuernavaca are thePueblos Magicos (Magic Towns) ofTepoztlan andTlayacapan, each with its 16th-century monastery and colorful pre-Lentencarnival. Tepoztlan is also known for its SundayTianguis and theSierra de Tepoztlan with its small pyramid and spectacular view.[32]
Further east is the city ofCuautla, where an important battle took place in1812 during theMexican War of Independence. GeneralEmiliano Zapata centered many of his revolutionary activities in and around Cuautla during theMexican Revolution.[32]
Morelos has a large number ofwater parks, ranging from small, rustic parks to international attractions. There are also several pre-hispanic pyramid sites, notably that ofXochicalco.[32]
Southern Mexico is the home of many surviving indigenous cultures and is a destination for many foreign and domestic tourists in Mexico. The dense indigenous populations in theprehispanic era saw the rise of civilizations, with enormous archeological sites indicating their complexity. The rugged terrain of southern Mexico and the lack of mineral wealth drawing large numbers of Spanish settlers in the colonial era and in the post-independence era has meant that southern Mexico remains highly indigenous in character.[33]
Oaxaca in central southern Mexico has remained highly indigenous into the modern era and the destination for tourists wishing to experience the various indigenous cultures there. The capital of the state isOaxaca City, is where most tourists stay, after arrival by plane at the major airport. Tourists can use the capital as a base for day-trip excursions outside the capital to visit towns specializing in particular crafts, often sold in traditional local markets (tianguis). Craft-making towns includeSanta María Atzompa,(pottery);San Bartolo Coyotepec, (black pottery);Ocotlán, Oaxaca (pottery);San Martín Tilcajete, fantastical carvings called (alebrijes); andTeotitlan del Valle, rugs.Oaxacan cuisine is notable, with ingredients, such as salted and dried grasshoppers (chapulines), and flavors that are regional.
Places worth visiting outside of the capital include the major archeological site ofMonte Albán, as well asMitla. There are numerous towns with markets and craft production.
The peninsula has a considerable number of major archeological sites, includingChichén Itza,Uxmal, and theLa Ruta Puuc, a series of small archeological sites. The state capital ofMérida was founded in the colonial era and experienced a major boom in the nineteenth century with the expansion for the market for itssisal cordage or twine, so that the city has a number of mansions of the former sisal barons.Campeche is Mexico's only walled city.
The Mexican state ofChiapas has the archeological sites ofPalenque,Bonampak, andYaxchilán. The capitalTuxtla Gutiérrez is the gateway to the region, with a major airport.San Cristóbal de las Casas, named after the early sixteenth-century defender of indigenous rights, Fr.Bartolomé de las Casas is a colonial-era provincial city.
Tourist destinations includeAguascalientes,Guadalajara,Guanajuato,Manzanillo,Morelia,Pátzcuaro,Querétaro,San Miguel de Allende, andZacatecas.
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Guadalajara, Jalisco, the second-largest Mexican city by population, is home of some of Mexico's best known traditions, such astequila,mariachi music and charros, or Mexican cowboys. Its similitude with western European countries mixed with modern architecture and infrastructure makes Guadalajara very attractive to tourists. Along with Mexico City and beach destinations (Cancún,Acapulco, etc.), Guadalajara is one of the most visited cities in Mexico. Cultural tourism is the main attraction, the city being home to a large number of museums, art galleries and theatres. The city is also the host of several internationally renowned events, such as theGuadalajara International Book Fair which is the most important exposition of its kind in the Spanish-speaking world, and the second largest book fair in the world.[34] The city is known as a pioneer in the underground arts scene as well as in the electronic music world, another main touristic attraction. Its diversity of European architectural styles is a focus of attraction for tourists, in particular theMetropolitan Cathedral, theDegollado Theatre and theHospicio Cabañas which is aWorld Heritage Site and one of the oldest hospital complexes inSpanish America. Other tourism activities include shopping at its world class shopping malls, orplazas, taking a tour to the surrounding areas such as theHuentitan Canyon,Tonalá,Tlaquepaque,Chapala or visiting nearby towns, which are well-connected by modern highways, such asTequila,Puerto Vallarta orMazamitla, depending upon whether visitors seek urban, coastal or rural getaways.
Morelia,Michoacán is the Capital of the State of Michoacán. Its Historic Downtown Area (Centro Histórico) encompasses approximately 150 city blocks in the city centre, roughly corresponding to the actual area of the city at the end of the 18th century. The Centro Historico contains over 1,000 historical sites, including (but not limited to) the cathedral and the aqueduct.
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, was founded in the late 16th century. The downtown district is the oldest section in the city, surrounded by newer neighbourhoods. The Museo de Historia Mexicana (Museum of Mexican History),MARCO (Monterrey Museum of Contemporary Art), Metropolitan Museum of Monterrey and the Museum of thePalacio de Gobierno, or State House, are some of the better known museums in the city, as well as nationally. TheSanta Lucia Riverwalk is a riverwalk similar to the one inSan Antonio, Texas, having a length of 2.5 km (1.6 mi) and connecting theFundidora Park with theMacroplaza, one of the largest plazas in the world.
Northwest Mexico has a few major tourist destinations, includingChihuahua City andMazatlan. TheCopper Canyon Railway travels through rugged scenery.
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The central and southern parts of Mexico was where a number of pre-Hispanic civilizations developed, the most prominent being theAztec,Mayan, and theOlmec as well asZapotec andMixtec. There are numerous tourist destinations where theseruins can be viewed. The Mexican government has taken jurisdiction of many sites,[35] often setting guidelines for excavation, preservation, and limitations on numbers of visitors, but nearby indigenous communities, who see these sites as part of their direct cultural heritage, object to those regulations.[36]
The Yucatán peninsula was home to the Mayan people, and many of the indigenous people still speak the language. The area also contains many sites where ruins of the Maya civilization can be visited. The richest of these are located in the eastern half of the peninsula and are collectively known as La Ruta Puuc (or La Ruta Maya). The largest of the Ruta Puuc sites isUxmal, which was abandoned in the 12th century.
A one-hour drive to the northeast of Ruta Puuc are the surviving remains of the city ofMayapán. This settlement was controlled byChichén Itzá to the east, now a large archaeological site with many interesting ruins. Other ruins on the peninsula include the aforementionedTulum on the east coast,Cobá to the northwest of Tulum, Polé (nowXcaret) just south ofPlaya del Carmen andCalakmul in the nature reserve along theGuatemala border. However this list by no means exhausts the number of archaeological sites to be found in this area.
To the west, the state of Chiapas includes the temples and ruins ofPalenque, the glyphs of the city ofYaxchilán, the painted walls of nearbyBonampak, and the remains of the fortress ofToniná. In the city ofVillahermosa to the north is the Parque-Museo La Venta, with a collection of Olmec sculptures.
Along the gulf coast area in the state ofVeracruz are more archaeological sites, with the Olmec ceremonial center ofTres Zapotes, the ruins of the large Totonac city ofZempoala, and the ruins ofEl Tajín with the Pyramid of the Niches. The city ofXalapa contains the Museo de Antropología, a notable museum featuring a collection of massive Olmec head sculptures.
In the state of Oaxaca along the Pacific coast are the ruins ofMitla, known as the "City of Death" and ofMonte Albán, the remains of the once extensive Zapotec capital and religious center.
Moving to the north, the central region around Mexico City contains several archaeological sites. To the southwest are the massive ruins ofTeotihuacán, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Temple ofQuetzalcoatl. To the southeast near the city ofCholula is theGreat Pyramid, visible from the city center. Just to the north of Cholula are the well-preserved ruins of the city ofCacaxtla. Last but not least is the Toltec capital ofTula, to the north of Mexico City. In the capital itself is the largest museum in Mexico, theMuseo Nacional de Antropología.
Finally, less visited than the major sites are the mysterious ruins ofLa Quemada, sometimes referred to as Chicomostoc, located south ofZacatecas, Zacatecas in the northern half of Mexico.
UNESCO has designated a number ofWorld Heritage Sites; Mexico has a significant number.Numbered sites: 1.Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México; 2.Ciudad Universitaria; 3.Xochicalco; 4.Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl; 5.Luis Barragan House and Studio; 6.Teotihuacan; 7.Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve; 8.Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
Legend:
World Cultural Heritage Site;
World Natural Heritage Site;
World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site (Mixed)
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The coastlines of Mexico harbor many stretches ofbeaches that are frequented by sun bathers and other visitors. On the Yucatán peninsula, one of the most popular beach destinations is the resort town ofCancún and itsHotel Zone, especially amonguniversitystudents duringspring break. Just offshore is the beach island ofIsla Mujeres, and to the east is theIsla Holbox. To the south of Cancun is the coastal strip calledRiviera Maya which includes the beach town ofPlaya del Carmen and the ecological parks ofXcaret and Xel-Há. A day trip to the south of Cancún is the historic port ofTulum. In addition to its beaches, the town of Tulum is notable for its cliff-sideMayan ruins.
On thePacific coast is the notable tourist destination ofAcapulco. Once the destination for the rich and famous, the beaches have become crowded and the shores are now home to many multi-story hotels and vendors. Acapulco is home to renowned cliff divers: trained divers who leap from the side of a vertical cliff into the surf below.
Along the coast to the south of Acapulco are the surfing beaches ofPuerto Escondido, thesnorkeling, harbor beach ofPuerto Ángel, and the naturist beaches ofZipolite. To the north of Acapulco is the resort town ofIxtapa and the neighboring fishing town ofZihuatanejo. Further to the north are the wild and rugged surfing beaches of theMichoacán coast.
Along the central and north Pacific coast, the biggest draws are beaches ofMazatlán city and the resort town ofPuerto Vallarta. Less frequented is the sheltered cove ofBahía de Navidad, the beach towns ofBahía Kino, and the black sands ofCuyutlán.San Carlos, home of the Playa los Algodones (Cotton Beach), is a winter draw, especially for retirees.
At the southern tip of theBaja California peninsula is the resort town ofCabo San Lucas, a town noted for its beaches andmarlinfishing.[37] Further north along theGulf of California is theBahía de La Concepción, another beach town known for its sports fishing. Closer to the United States border is the weekend draw ofSan Felipe, Baja California.
Mexico has many religious and civic festivals as well as cultural festivals of various kinds.
Since thecolonial era,the Roman Catholic Church established a number of festivals, both general and local, celebrating events on the liturgical calendar.Holy Week in Mexico is observed widely, with many re-enactments of events in the last days of the life of Christ. TheChristmas season runs for 12 December, the feast day ofthe Virgin of Guadalupe to 6 January, the Feast of the Ephiphany, also known as Three Kings. There are many local religious celebrations by towns, often on the saint's day for which they were named.
Food and drink festivals include theAlfeñique fair in Toluca; theFeria Nacional de San Marcos in Aguascalientes; theInternational Pasty Festival inReal del Monte, Hidalgo state; theNight of the Radishes (23 December)Oaxaca, and thePuerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival.
A major gathering of Spanish-language booksellers is the annualGuadalajara International Book Fair. TheInternational Cervantes Festival is held annually inGuanajuato. In Oaxaca, the Oaxaca International Literary Competition and the Oaxaca Independent Film Festival[38] are events.
About 225 cities and towns celebratecarnvales beforeLent in late February or early March. The largest are inMazatlán and the city ofVeracruz, but such celebrations can be found all across the country: Morelos, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Chiapas, Campeche, and Puebla. The larger city "carnavales" employ costumes, elected queens, and parades with floats, but Carnaval celebrations in smaller and rural areas vary widely depending on the level of European influence during Mexico's colonial period.[39]
Tourists often also seek destinations with living indigenous cultures, such as inOaxaca andYucatan. Traditional markets in many small towns have a mixture of ordinary foodstuffs and supplies for the local populations, as well as market-sellers of craft goods that are locally produced. In the state of Oaxaca, various towns specialize in particular crafts, such as weaving of rugs (Teotitlan del Valle) and black pottery (Coyotepec).[40] Some production ofMexican handcrafts and folk art is traditional, and is particularly practiced inOaxaca, but some artisans respond to tourist demand crafting products for that market exclusively. TheGuelaguetza, an annual festival of music and dance by indigenous communities in Oaxaca gives reinforcement of local traditions and deliberately seeks tourists as attendees, staged now in an amphitheater.[36][41] Another event that is promoted touristically is Mexico'sDays of the Dead[42] at the beginning of November and has been listed as a protected cultural practice, entered on theUNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.Towns with specialized crafts:
In Latin America,Costa Rica is considered a model for ecotourism, and Mexico is seeking to develop this sector. Aims for what is considered success in the sector is the proportion of tourist dollars that remain in the locality rather than those outside and prevention of large numbers of ecotourists that could undermine tourists' experience of the natural wonders.[43][44] Mexico has a significant number of sites designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, some of which are tourist destinations.[45]
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According to a 2018 survey by the Medical Tourism Association, Mexico is among the top medical destinations for Americans. The Medical Tourism Index ranks Mexico as the 29th most popular destination formedical tourism.[46] Mexico been a destination for medical tourism due to its proximity to the United States. Border towns likeTijuana andCiudad Juárez attracted Americans seeking affordable healthcare, especially for procedures such as dental work, cosmetic surgery, and prescription medications. In recent years,Los Algodones,Baja California, a settlement of fewer than 6,000 people located on the US border nearYuma, Arizona, has become a major destination for Americans and Canadians seeking dental services. Roughly 600 dentists practice in the community, catering mainly to tourists, leading the community to be nicknamed "Molar City".[47][48]
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Mexico travel guide from WikivoyageMexico is served by a number of domestic and international airlines, with several local carriers recognized for quality and extensive coverage.[1]