Beyond the Beaten Path: Mexico's Most Remote and Emerging Destinations
Mexico has long been a traveler's paradise, but let's face it—some spots have been Instagrammed to oblivion. Tulum? Stunning, but packed. Sayulita? Adorable, but buzzing. If you're looking to get ahead of the curve (or just get away from the crowds), it's time to set your sights on Mexico's emerging and remote destinations. Think pristine beaches, surreal landscapes, and towns so charming you'll wonder why they haven't been overrun—yet. Ready to explore? Let's dive into Mexico's best-kept secrets.
Picture this: white sand, turquoise waters, and not a resort in sight. Isla Aguada, a sleepy fishing village, is part of the Laguna de Términos biosphere reserve, meaning you'll share the waters with dolphins, turtles, and all the serenity your soul craves. Spend your days kayaking through mangroves, watching flamingos, or sipping fresh coconut water on beaches that feel like your own private paradise.
Where to Stay: Cabañas Laguna offers beachfront bungalows where you can wake up to the sound of waves—without breaking the bank.
Bacalar is making waves as the next big thing, and for good reason. Dubbed the Laguna of Seven Colors, its impossibly blue waters make even the Caribbean jealous. Unlike its overdeveloped neighbors, Bacalar keeps it chill with boutique eco-resorts, yoga retreats, and a strong 'disconnect-to-reconnect' vibe. Pro tip: Kayak to Los Rápidos, a natural lazy river where the water is so clear it looks like you're floating on air.
Where to Stay: Our Habitas Bacalar is the epitome of eco-luxury, offering lakefront glamping with a side of wellness.
Ever read Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo? Even if you haven't, this whitewashed town will feel like stepping into a dream. With its historic charm, volcanic backdrops, and some of the best coffee in Mexico, Comala is perfect for those who love slow travel. Spend your mornings sipping locally grown coffee at a café de olla spot, and your afternoons exploring nearby volcanoes and waterfalls.
Where to Stay: Hotel Casa Alvarada blends traditional charm with cozy comfort in the heart of town.
Edward James, an eccentric English artist, decided the lush jungles of Xilitla were the perfect canvas for his otherworldly sculptures—and honestly, he was onto something. His creation, Las Pozas, is a labyrinth of staircases to nowhere, massive concrete flowers, and waterfalls straight out of a fantasy novel. But Xilitla is more than its famous garden—it's a gateway to the Huasteca Potosina, home to jaw-dropping waterfalls and turquoise rivers.
Where to Stay: Casa Caracol is a quirky eco-lodge with treehouse vibes that fits right into the surreal landscape.
Most travelers pass through El Fuerte on their way to the Copper Canyon, but this historic gem deserves more than a quick stop. Colorful buildings, a tranquil river, and just enough history to make you feel cultured (without the museum fatigue) make El Fuerte a delightful escape. Bonus: It's said to be the birthplace of the legendary Zorro.
Where to Stay: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo—a historic mansion that leans into the whole Zorro thing, complete with nightly performances.
If Jacques Cousteau called Cabo Pulmo 'the aquarium of the world,' you know it's something special. This tiny village is home to one of the most vibrant coral reefs in North America. There are no big resorts, no nightlife—just world-class diving, empty beaches, and a community dedicated to conservation. It's rustic, but that's part of the charm.
Where to Stay: Bungalows Cabo Pulmo—simple, solar-powered casitas steps from the beach.
Imagine a place where there are no cars, just sandy paths leading to waterfalls, jungle hikes, and laid-back beach bars. That's Yelapa, a tiny fishing village you can only reach by boat from Puerto Vallarta. Spend your days hiking to hidden waterfalls, eating homemade pie de coco from a beach vendor, or just swinging in a hammock with a book.
Where to Stay: Verana—a boutique hotel so dreamy it feels like it was designed for a Condé Nast Traveler cover.
Once a booming silver mining town, Real de Catorce is now an eerie yet beautiful ghost town tucked high in the mountains. To get there, you have to drive through a one-lane tunnel that feels like a portal to another era. People come for the mystical energy, peyote rituals (if that's your thing), and stunning desert landscapes. It's a place that lingers in your soul long after you leave.
Where to Stay: El Templo—rustic charm with unbeatable views of the desert through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
If you thought Monterrey was all industry and city life, think again. Just outside the city, Cumbres de Monterrey National Park is an adventure lover's playground, with jagged peaks, hidden waterfalls, and some of the best rock climbing in the country. If you're up for a challenge, hike to Chipitín Falls, a stunning turquoise cascade hidden deep in the mountains.
Where to Stay: Gamma Monterrey Rincón De Santiago—a cozy and chic mountain lodge perfect for unwinding after an intense hike.
Tulum and Chichén Itzá get all the attention, but if you want a real Indiana Jones moment, head to Calakmul. This sprawling Mayan city is deep in the jungle, where howler monkeys and toucans outnumber tourists. Climbing its towering pyramids rewards you with panoramic views of an unbroken canopy of green—just don't be surprised if you have the place all to yourself.
Where to Stay: Casa Ka'an—an eco-lodge that lets you sleep surrounded by jungle sounds.
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This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Pagoda chimneys rising above pine-forested glens, the babble of a highland spring, the distinctive aroma of toasted malt — distilleries are far more than functional factories. Often set in spectacular settings, they're crucibles of living, breathing Scottish heritage. And many invite visitors inside to view bubbling mash tuns, gleaming copper stills and warehouses filled with oak barrels, revealing the almost alchemical process that turns a few simple, local ingredients — barley, yeast, spring water — into fiery, golden spirits. Monasteries were Scotland's first de facto distilleries, putting rain-soaked grain to good use, with the earliest recorded mention of this 'water of life' (uisge beatha in Gaelic) dating from 1494. Today, there are over 150 active distilleries nationwide, falling into five officially recognised regions. 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How to do it: £20 per person (Talisker Made By The Sea Tasting Experience); £35 per person (Whisky & Chocolate Tasting). In its Victorian heyday, Campbeltown was hailed as the world's whisky capital and was home to 32 distilleries within one tiny patch of Argyll's Atlantic-lashed Kintyre Peninsula. That figure's now fallen to just three, making family-owned Springbank both survivor and standard-bearer — notably, it's one of Scotland's only distilleries to complete 100% of the whisky-making process on site, from floor malting to bottling. The briny, oily character of Springbank's signature single malt — layered with smoky, grassy notes — reflects its coastal location, and the original 1828 building is an atmospheric labyrinth of cobbled courtyards and coal-fired kilns. Out of its various tours and tastings, Barley to Bottle is the most hands-on, access-all-areas option, letting guests create their own bottle of whisky in the Blending Laboratory, followed by a seafood lunch. How to do it: £15 per person (standard tour); £250 per person (Barley to Bottle). With its delicate, floral profile, Auchentoshan's sometimes dubbed 'the breakfast whisky', as well as 'Glasgow's malt', since the city's only a 20-minute drive away. Whisky newbies and sweet tooths can often be converted by its lighter, creme brulee character. That silkiness and clarity is the result of triple distillation — a process Lowland whiskies are renowned for — and the Auchentoshan Ultimate Tour details each stage. The space itself is fittingly clean-lined, light-filled and refined, with windows framing the Kilpatrick Hills. How to do it: £20 per person (Origin Tour); £45 per person (Cask Exploration); £75 per person (Ultimate Tour). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
