11 Surprising Things About Mexico (With Tips for Travelers)
- Last Updated: November 13, 2025 by Meagan Drillinger
- Categories:
- Destinations, History
When most travelers think of Mexico, they picture sun-soaked beaches, tacos, and Mariachi music that echoes through cobblestone plazas. But look past the familiar, and you’ll find things that can make a trip there even more interesting, like a capital city that’s slowly sinking, winter forests filled with monarch butterflies, and a canyon system larger than the Grand Canyon. And all of them are on the same map.
I’ve compiled 11 things you might not know about Mexico, along with first-hand tips for experiencing them, whether you are driving down from the border, exploring the coasts by car, or flying to Mexico City.
Mother and Calf Gray Whales Swim Together in Pacific Ocean, Baja California Sur
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Mexico Has More UNESCO World Heritage Sites Than Any Other Country in the Americas
Mexico ranks seventh in the world for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 36 in total, more than Egypt or Greece. Each tells a different part of Mexico's story, from ancient civilizations to colonial art and wild natural landscapes.
Near the U.S. border, Paquimé in Chihuahua preserves the adobe remains of a desert trading city, while El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar in Sonora stuns with its volcanic craters and sweeping dunes. Near Mexico City, the Pyramids of Teotihuacán rise out of the valley with staggering scale. While far to the southeast, Chichén Itzá's stone pyramid, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, honors the ancient Maya.
Plan your trip:
- When to go: November-March for cooler, drier weather.
- Tip: Arrive early at major sites to beat tour buses and midday sun; purchase early entry tickets.
- Road trip idea: Combine Paquimé and Basaseachi Falls for a 3-day road trip.
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Mexico City is Slowly Sinking
It's something you don't notice at first, until you start to see it everywhere. Mexico City was built on a drained lakebed, and the soft clay beneath its streets is collapsing as groundwater is pumped out for city use. Some neighborhoods drop up to 20 inches per year, tilting colonial buildings and leaving curbs at odd angles.
For travelers, the effect is subtle but real. Streets flood quickly after summer rains, sidewalks slope unpredictably, and traffic crawls at the mercy of crews patching the shifting pavement.
Yet this constant movement adds to the city's character. Modern glass towers rise beside centuries-old churches that lean just enough to remind you the ground beneath your feet is still moving.
Plan your trip:
- Timing: Add at least an hour for airport transfers, especially June-September.
- Where to stay: Condesa, Roma, and Coyoacán are stable, walkable neighborhoods.
- Navigation: Some Metro stations close for maintenance without notice.
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Cuexcomate is the "Smallest Volcano in the World" That Isn't
Cuexcomate, known as the "world's smallest volcano" is found in a quiet Puebla neighborhood. The truth is, it is not a volcano at all, but a long-extinct geyser cone formed when mineral-rich water erupted from the earth and hardened into a hollow tower.
Today, a spiral staircase winds 43 feet down into its core, where mineral streaks shimmer under fluorescent lights, highlighting a small altar at the bottom. The visit takes about a half-hour, making it an easy stop between Puebla's historic center and the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Plan your trip:
- Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; may close during heavy rain.
- Combine with: Cholula and Puebla's Zócalo for a half-day trip.
- Tip: Wear sturdy shoes, the metal stairs can be slick after rain.
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Mexico Recognizes 68 Indigenous Languages
Spanish may be Mexico's dominant language, but it's far from the only one. The country officially recognizes 68 Indigenous languages, each with its own regional dialects and communities, a reminder of how linguistically and culturally diverse Mexico remains. You can hear them in Oaxaca's markets, Maya villages in the Yucatán, and mountain towns in Chiapas, where ancient words still fill modern streets.
Plan your trip:
- Where to go: Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatán.
- Etiquette: Ask before taking photos of people or ceremonies
- Cultural Visit: Go in July for Oaxaca's Guelaguetza festival, celebrating Indigenous music and dance.
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Millions of Monarch Butterflies Migrate to Mexico Each Winter
Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the U.S. to winter in Mexico's high mountain forests. Their arrival turns the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, spanning Michoacán and the State of Mexico, into a fluttering sea of orange and gold.
Standing among them is one of those rare travel moments that silences crowds. Clusters hang from oyamel fir trees so densely they look like leaves until the sun warms the forest and the air fills with wings.
Plan your trip:
- Season: Late October through March; peak viewing January-February
- When to go: Weekdays for smaller crowds.
- What to bring: Cash for guides and warm layers for the hike, and a poncho.
- What to Know: The altitude may affect your ability to hike.
- Popular Sanctuaries: El Rosario, Sierra Chincua
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Copper Canyon is Bigger Than the Grand Canyon (and less crowded)
Few visitors realize that Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) in northern Mexico is actually larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. This network of six connected canyons stretches across the Sierra Madre Occidental, covering about 25,000 square miles, yet it remains peaceful and uncrowded.
The best way to see it is aboard the El Chepe train, which winds from Chihuahua City to Los Mochis, crossing 86 tunnels and 37 bridges. Even a short ride between Creel and Divisadero delivers dramatic views, cliffside hotels, and encounters with the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) Indigenous people.
When I rode the train, I learned that "Copper" doesn't refer to metal, but to the canyon's burnished green hue at sunset. It's a sight you won't want to miss!
Plan your trip:
- When to go: October-April for milder weather and clear skies.
- Tickets: Reserve El Chepe Express seats in advance.
- Tip: Bring layers, temperatures can drop sharply between canyon rim and floor.
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Mexico is Home to the World's Second Largest Barrier Reef
Stretching along Mexico's Caribbean coast and continuing through Belize and Honduras, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world (next to Australia's Great Barrier Reef), and it's the easiest to reach for U.S. and Canadian travelers. You can access its coral gardens in under an hour from Cancún, Cozumel, or Isla Mujeres. Marine parks protect much of the reef.
At El Cielo, off the coast of Cozumel, the water is so clear you can see hundreds of starfish scattered across the white sand. This underwater galaxy and starfish sanctuary lives up to its name, "The Sky."
Plan your trip:
- Best Time to Visit: Peak water clarity and calm seas, May-September
- Guides: Choose licensed marine-park guides who brief on reef etiquette (El Cielo Cozumel, Snorkel Adventuring)
- Eco note: Always use biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen.
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Gray Whales Calve in Baja's Pacific Lagoons
Each winter, gray whales migrate more than 10,000 miles round-trip from Alaska to the calm lagoons of Baja California to mate and give birth. These sheltered bays are among the few places on Earth where whales willingly approach boats.
From January to March, mothers and calves glide through turquoise water as licensed guides in small pangas drift quietly nearby. The whales often come close, nudging boats gently or rolling on their sides for a curious look. Seeing one eye staring back at you is both humbling and unforgettable.
Plan your trip:
- Season: January-March
- Best lagoons: San Ignacio, Ojo de Liebre
- Guides: Choose operators with SEMARNAT permits (Oceanic Society, Baja Expeditions, Baja Ecotours).
- Tip: Pack warm, waterproof layers for windy rides.
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Tequila Is a Place, And a Protected Name
Like Champagne, tequila can only come from specific regions. It's protected under a Denomination of Origin (DO), which means it must be produced from blue Weber agave grown only in certain parts of Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas, Mexico. That rule is what gives tequila its identity and why each region tastes slightly different.
West of Guadalajara, UNESCO-listed agave fields, centuries-old distilleries, and haciendas overlap much of the Tequila Route. Small producers still roast agave hearts in stone ovens and bottle small batches by hand. Tastings, both ritual and educational, reveal how flavor changes from blanco to reposado (oak tones) to añejo (smoky caramel flavor).
There's something magical about sipping a fresh tequila underneath a massive open sky, surrounded by glowing blue agave plants, and with a 17th-century hacienda in the distance.
Plan your trip:
- Where to go: Tequila, Amatitán, and Arenal (easy day trips from Guadalajara).
- Best time: February-March during harvest, when agave is being cut and roasted.
- Tip: Take the Jose Cuervo Express train or hire a driver if visiting multiple distilleries.
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Mexico City's Altitude Can Affect You
At roughly 7,350 feet above sea level, Mexico City sits much higher than Denver, and you'll feel it. The air has less oxygen, meaning you might get dizzy or winded walking uphill, or notice you're more thirsty than usual.
When I landed after a red-eye flight, I felt sluggish until I slowed down, swapped coffee for water, and spent the afternoon people-watching instead of tackling museums. By day two, I was back in form.
Plan your trip:
- Arrival day: Schedule lighter activities, near your hotel.
- Tips: UV rays are stronger at altitude. Drink more water than usual and wear a hat and sunscreen. Avoid heavy alcohol your first night.
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We Have Mexico to Thank for Chocolate
In ancient Mexico, cacao was prized by the Maya and later the Aztecs. They toasted and crushed the beans into a spiced, frothy drink flavored with chili or vanilla. They even used the beans as currency. When Spanish explorers arrived in the early 16th century, they brought this new beverage to Europe, where sugar and milk were added, turning it into the sweet chocolate we enjoy today (Source: History of Chocolate, History.com).
What many visitors don't realize is that chocolate's story is still alive today in Mexico. In states like Tabasco and the Yucatán, small farmers continue to grow native cacao, and local chocolate makers use traditional methods to turn the beans into rich, handmade bars.
Plan your trip:
- Chocolate Tasting: Visit the Choco-Story interactive museum in Playa del Carmen, where you can learn about cacao's origins and taste traditional Maya-style hot chocolate.
- Visit a Chocolate Factory: Take a tour of the Kaokao Chocolate Factory on the island of Cozumel. Try your hand at grinding cacao beans, sample different roasts, and make your own chocolate bar.
- Treats & Souvenirs: Look for chocolate de mesa brands like Abuelita or Carlos V, used to make traditional Mexican hot chocolate, in markets across Mexico.
- Cacao Route: If visiting Tabasco, tour La Chonita cacao and sugar cane farm to learn more about its history or how to make chocolate.
Planning FAQs
Nature & Seasons
- When is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Mexico?
January and February offer the best chance to see active butterflies. El Rosario Sanctuary in Michoacán is the easiest for first-time visitors. - When is whale-watching season in Baja California Sur?
January-March, when gray whales give birth in the lagoons of San Ignacio, Ojo de Liebre, and Magdalena Bay. - Where can you snorkel the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and when is the best time?
Top spots include Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres. Visibility peaks from May through September. - Is Copper Canyon bigger than the Grand Canyon?
Yes. Copper Canyon is deeper in some areas and covers about 25,000 square miles, compared to the Grand Canyon’s 1,900 square miles. - Can you visit the “smallest volcano in the world”?
Yes, Cuexcomate in Puebla, known as the “world’s smallest volcano,” has a staircase that lets visitors walk down into its hollow core.
Culture & Heritage
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Mexico?
As of 2025, Mexico has 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in the Americas. - Which UNESCO sites are closest to the U.S. border?
El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar in Sonora (volcanic craters and dunes near Arizona) and Paquimé in Chihuahua (ancient adobe ruins near New Mexico) are nearest to the U.S. border. - How many Indigenous cultures does Mexico have?
Mexico is home to 68 recognized Indigenous peoples, each with its own language and traditions. - Where did chocolate come from?
Chocolate originated in ancient Mexico, where the Maya and Aztecs made a spiced, frothy drink from cacao beans long before it reached Europe.
Travel & Logistics
- Where is the Copper Canyon train easiest for a 2-3 day visit?
The Creel-Divisadero stretch offers dramatic scenery and convenient lodging. - How much time do you need for the Copper Canyon train?
The train route from Los Mochis to Chihuahua takes around nine hours on the El Chepe Express. - Can altitude affect travelers in Mexico City?
Yes. At 7,350 feet (2,240 m), the thinner air can make visitors feel tired, thirsty, and short of breath, especially on day one. - Do you need cash in rural parts of Mexico?
Yes. Many small towns and natural areas don’t take cards. Bring pesos for guides, food stalls, and gas stations. - Do you need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for Baja?
No. Baja and parts of Sonora are TIP-free zones for foreign vehicles. - When is the rainy season in Mexico?
June-October, especially in tropical and mountain areas.
Mexico is full of surprises, not just in its sights but in the experiences that unfold when you take time to notice them. Whether you’re walking through an ancient city, hiking a canyon larger than the Grand Canyon, or hearing a language that’s been spoken for thousands of years, every journey reveals something new about the country, and about how to be a more thoughtful traveler. The more you look beyond the expected, the more Mexico opens in ways you’ll never forget.