Share The Short article
Dreaming of a south-of-the-border getaway, however you can’t be bothered any longer with the ultra-luxurious Caribbean resort areas that cater mostly to affluent beach bottoms, and hardly feel like Mexico?
Simply put, have you been yearning a few of that Latin American credibility, with the lovely old towns, simply a little rough around the edges, and where you can gorge on generously-filled tacos for around $1?
Travel Off Path has got you covered!
As much as we like a little warm escape to Cancun, whenever we need a taste of the deep Mexico, these 7 lesser-known gems are our go-to choices:
San Cristóbal de las Casas
We’re swapping the ocean for the mountains: Nestled in the southern mountains of Mexico, San Cristóbal de las Casas is a highland town identified by its well-preserved 16th-century townscape, with stone-paved, uphill streets lined with low houses. Its yellow-washed cathedral, looming over the primary square, houses a landmark gold altarpiece, while the previous Santo Domingo de Guzmán convent, one of the oldest in the Americas, is open as a museum, where colonial-era artifacts are shown.
Other than its Old World appeal, San Cristóbal is the best Mexico City deceive for tourists on a strict spending plan: not just does it feel quieter, local taquerias like El Mesón del Taco are still offering tacos for 14 MXN, or around $0.68, and guesthouses have spaces beginning with $28.
San Francisco de Campeche
Did you have any concept San Francisco de Campeche is one of just 2 cities in the Americas that have retained their colonial-era walls, the other one being Quebec City in Canada? Though Quebec City is gorgeous, we’re more drawn to Campeche’s enviable collection of Baroque palaces, its soaring stone cathedral, the picture-perfect streets flanked by vibrant-colored structures, and naturally, its affordability.
For a taste of Campeche food without breaking the bank, La Olla de la Pagoda is a local favorite: think pork-filled golden tacos leaking in mole sauce for MXN 85 (roughly $4.13).
Checking out the town, you’ll recognize it likewise feels a lot more laid-back than larger state capitals like Guadalajara or Oaxaca, and crowding around what would otherwise be an usually loaded Zócalois very little.
Pátzcuaro
< img width="1200" height ="1200"src= "https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Colonial-Old-Town-Of-Patzcuaro-In-Mexico.jpg"alt="Colonial Old Town Of Patzcuaro In Mexico"/ >< img width="1200"height="1200" src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Colonial-Old-Town-Of-Patzcuaro-In-Mexico.jpg.webp"alt=" Colonial Old Town Of Patzcuaro In Mexico"/ > A real surprise gem of Mexico, Pátzcuaro rests on the banks of a scenic Lake Pátzcuaro, and it has an abundant history that can be traced back to the 14th-century, when it was founded as the capital of the pre-Columbian Purépecha Empire.
That’s why you can still find a myriad of regional specials deeply rooted in native cooking practices, from pescado blanco to the chile-infused sopa tarasca in cantinas around the Spanish-built Plaza Vasco de Quiroga.
The typical price of charales, little freshwater fish directly from the lake, fried and served in tacos, is a cost effective 15 MXN to 30 MXN (a typical cost of $1.10).
In La Surtidora, a landmark restaurant situated in a Baroque estate, stuffing on conventional food and drinks will set you back by approximately $12.68.
Cholula
You may have become aware of Puebla, the birth place of the mole poblano sauce and Talavera tiles, but unless you’re a devoted Mexicophile,
you might have overlooked its closest neighbor Cholula: A brief 26-minute drive away, it is famous locally for its Terrific Pyramid, the biggest of its kind on the planet, with a total volume at over 4.45 million cubic meters (the Great Pyramid of Giza has to do with 2.5 million), and the iconic Catholic sanctuary that sits atop it.
A striking jaunechurch against a background of a volcano, theIglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remediosis among lots of attractive churches that make up Cholula’s historical center.
When it comes to food, no journey to Cholula is total without sampling basket tacos, or tacos de canasta, soft tortillas filled with chicharrón and beans, sold from as cheap as 10 MXN, or $0.49–$1 in any street corner food stall.
Orizaba
The Gulf state of Veracruz and its busy name port are currently pretty offbeat destinations for Americans preparing a trip to Mexico, let alone Orizaba, a smaller inland city at the foot of the Sierra de Zongolica, but here’s why you shouldn’t compose it off that easily:
Though it is almost unheard-of, it has a lovely Downtown dotted with colonial houses, and dominated by the art-nouveau Palacio de Hierro, a significant palace taking inspiration from Belgium– to the northwest of the urban spread, photo a snow-capped Pico de Orizaba.
Strolling around its cobbled lanes, just large enough for classic cars to pass, you’ll find rows upon rows of memento stores, dulceríasoffering artisanal sweets, and family-run restaurants that have actually retained their rustic charm and pre-tourism boom costs:
Mentioning which, Tacos T does not mess around when it pertains to Mexican staples:
Their fairly-sizable Arab tacos cost 60 MXN ($2.91), and if you’re keen on a hearty meat-and-cheese torta, that’s 70 MXN ($3.39).
Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has more than 60 + nations under his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a flair for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into helpful stories that will have you packing your bags.
Ready For Your Journey? Inspect The Current Entry Requirements For Your Location Here
↓ Raise Your Travel ↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No advertisements, VIP Material, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Offers, Members Forum & More!
Join Our Travel Off Course Community Online forum: Where tourists unify, ask concerns, share experiences and even discover similar travel pals!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail address to sign up for Travel Off Course’s newest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This short article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Viewpoints expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card provider, hotel, airline, or other entity. This material has not been evaluated, authorized or otherwise backed by any of the entities included within the post.