Be it for the world-class beachfront resorts and pristine shoreline, or all of the tacos and tamales that simply style loads higher when assembled by native fingers, Mexico stays the primary vacation spot for Americans flying overseas this yr.
We love somewhat carefree sunny getaway ourselves, however we do not learn about you, recently we have been craving an expedition, of the sampling totally completely different delicacies, marveling at centuries-old monuments, and opening as much as completely different cultures sort.
That is perhaps a problem in Cancun, a ‘security bubble‘ primarily used for households and honeymooners on trip, nevertheless it’s definitely not the case in these 7 different genuine colonial cities—and the most effective half is, you’ll be able to fly there nonstop from a number of U.S. hubs!
Yep, no must fly by way of Mexico City’s gongshow of an airport:
Guanajuato
The birthplace of Mexican Independence, Guanajuato is likely one of the nation’s most culturally-rich cities, and it is best identified for its fortress-like Alhóndiga de Granaditas, the place the primary battle in opposition to the Spanish Empire was fought.
Other than absorbing the historical past, a stroll by way of its historic middle, affected by church buildings, family-owned cantinas, and grand plazas will transport you straight to the Nineteenth-century, and do not forget to strive a number of the native enchiladas mineras, present in abundance at Mercado Hidalgo.
Flying Nonstop To Guanajuato–Bajío International Airport (BJX)
American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Viva Aerobus: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC), San Antonio (SAT)
Volaris: Chicago-Midway (MDW), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oaklanad (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC)
Aeromexico Connect: Atlanta (ATL)
Mérida
The capital of Yucatán State, Merida is the proper marriage between the Mayan and Spanish worlds: a number of of its Sixteenth-century church buildings had been constructed utilizing materials from ruined pre-Columbian temples, and the meals scene is reflective of the conflict of cultures.
The most essential construction on the town is Mérida Cathedral, a stone large looming over Plaza de la Independencia—it’s merely the oldest cathedral raised within the mainland Americans—and for those who’re a foodie like us, you should not miss out on La Chata Maya’s signature cochinita pibil.
Flying Nonstop To Mérida—Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID)
Aeromexico Connect: Atlanta (ATL)
American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Viva Aerobus: Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO)
Santiago de Querétaro
Rightfully-dubbed probably the most lovely cities in Mexico, Santiago de Querétaro revolves round an intact colonial core, well-known for its plethora of pink stone landmarks, with the Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo and the Spanish aqueduct to call a pair.
You’ll additionally see lush gardens, stone-paved pathways that can make you are feeling as for those who’re in Europe, and quirky artwork reveals housed in Sixteenth-century convents—effectively, to be extra exact, only one: that will be the must-see Museo Regional de Querétaro.
Flying Nonstop To Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO)
Aeromexico Connect: Detroit (DTW)
American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Viva Aerobus: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH), San Antonio (SAT)
Volaris: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
Puebla
A extra laid-back different to Mexico City, Puebla is positioned southeast of the bustling capital, and it is dwelling to essentially the most lovely Renaissance edifice south of the border, the hovering Puebla Cathedral, which towers over a central Zócalo and adjoining, colourful buildings.
Much like Mexico City, there’s an historic pyramid close by making for an unbelievable day journey, and the the largest-one on the earth by quantity, at that: the Great Pyramid of Cholula, topped with a yellow-washed Spanish sanctuary, and backdropped by a snow-capped volcano.
Flying Nonstop To Puebla—Hermanos Serdán International Airport (PBC)
United Express: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Oaxaca de Juárez
More sometimes called merely Oaxaca, it is a vibrant state capital within the balmy southern hinterlands of Mexico steeped in Old World attraction, with cobbled streets that result in ornate church buildings, historic monasteries, and leafy squares bordered by arcaded buildings.
Though you may simply spend a whole week right here and nonetheless not see all of it, three of essentially the most distinguished sights embody the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, distinguished by its gold-leaf inside, the Baroque Metropolitan Cathedral, and Benito Juárez’s childhood dwelling.
Flying Nonstop To Oaxaca—Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX)
American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Volaris: Los Angeles (LAX)
Morelia
If you could not get sufficient of Querétaro’s pink-washed townscape, wait till you see Morelia, the place over 200 buildings date again to the seventeenth and 18th centuries, principally inbuilt a definite pink-hue stone, together with the elegant Morelia Cathedral.
This is definitely one in all Mexico’s most romantic, and most underrated cities: from Callejón del Romance, an alleyway of storied dwellings that results in a captivating fountain, to Bosque Cuauhtémoc, with its wrought-iron benches and picturesque gazebo, it is positive to beat your coronary heart.
Flying Nonstop To Morelia—General Francisco Mujica International Airport (MLM)
American Airlines: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
Volaris: Chicago-Midway (MDW), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), San Antonio (SAT)*, San Francisco (SFO), San Jose (SJC)
*The San Antonio flights begin July 5, 2025, at a frequency of 3x every week
San Luis Potosí
A former mining hub in central Mexico, and a much-overlooked cultural vacation spot, San Luis Potosí presents inexpensive costs, with avenue tacos bought in well-reputed taquerias like Tacos Don Paco for beneath a greenback, and an unlimited assortment of synthetic wonders:
Picture an imposing, twin-towered Metropolitan Cathedral, an ornate Templo de San Francisco, with a putting Baroque facade and an adjoining backyard, or perhaps a neoclassical Teatro de la Paz, set to host an orchestra-backed live performance by Napoleón Sinfónico this May (get your tickets right here).
Flying Nonstop To San Luis Potosí—Ponciano Arriaga International Airport
American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Volaris: San Antonio (SAT)*
*The San Antonio flights begin July 5, 2025, at a frequency of 3x every week
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