Mexican lakeside and river towns off the beaten path.
Less-touristed lakeside and river towns in Mexico, for travelers seeking fewer crowds but all the beauty.
Catemaco
A town on the shores of Lake Catemaco in southern Veracruz, known across Mexico for a pre-colonial tradition of sorcery and witchcraft — practiced largely by…
Tenosique de Pino Suárez
Sitting on the banks of the Usumacinta River in the southeastern corner of Tabasco, Tenosique de Pino Suárez is a photogenic riverside town with mountain vie…
Acambaro
Acámbaro, on the banks of the Lerma River in the southeastern corner of Guanajuato, is the oldest municipality in the state and the origin of a nationally fa…
Valle de Bravo
A lakeside town in the State of Mexico, Valle de Bravo sits on the shore of Lake Avándaro — a reservoir created in 1947 — with a walkable colonial centre ful…
Orizaba
This Pueblo Mágico city in Veracruz, Orizaba sits along rivers and parks in the highland mountains between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz, with a walka…
Santa Clara del Cobre
Copper craftsmanship rooted in the pre-Hispanic Purépecha tradition defines this compact Pueblo Mágico in Michoacán, Mexico, near the shores of Lake Pátzcuar…
Chiapa de Corzo
Sitting on the bank of the Grijalva River in the Chiapas highlands, Chiapa de Corzo is a walkable Mexican town with a centre full of cafés and restaurants.
Tehuacán
This city in the southeast of Puebla state, Mexico, Tehuacán sits near the rural scenery of the Balsas River Valley and within reach of mountains, with sever…
Navojoa
Mid-size Mexican city in Sonora's Mayo River Valley, Navojoa centers on a broad plaza anchored by a white colonial-style clock tower building, palm trees, an…
Balancan
A compact town on the Usumacinta river in the Mexican state of Tabasco, Balancán de Domínguez holds an unusual concentration of churches for its size and sit…
Jamay
This lakeside town in eastern Jalisco, Jamay sits on the shore of Lake Chapala with mountains in the surrounding terrain.
Ocotlán
Lakeside city in the southeast of Jalisco, Mexico, Ocotlán sits on the water's edge with mountains nearby and serves as the regional seat of the Ciénega area.
Tenantongo
A tiny lakeside settlement on the shores of Lake Avándaro in the State of Mexico, a short distance from the municipal centre of Valle de Bravo.
Texcoco
Once a major Aztec city on the shores of Lake Texcoco, this city in the State of Mexico carries a deep pre-Hispanic past visible in sites such as the palace…
Jojutla
This town in the southern part of Mexico's Morelos state known for the recreational water destinations around it, including Lake Tequesquitengo, with part of…
Emiliano Zapata
This riverside town in Mexico's Tabasco state with a walkable centre and a café and restaurant scene, Emiliano Zapata sits along the Usumacinta river region…
Los Tejocotes
Small upland village in Mexico's State of Mexico with a surprisingly lively café and dining scene, multiple churches, and a lakeside setting in a highland re…
Plan del Rio
This modest riverside village in Mexico's Veracruz lowlands, Plan del Rio sits directly at the water's edge with upland country rising nearby, offering a qui…
La Lagunilla
This small upland village in Mexico's Tenancingo region, La Lagunilla sits directly beside a lake in elevated country, offering a quiet rural waterside setti…
Casa Blanca
This compact upland village in Mexico's Estado de México, sitting right at the water's edge, offering a quiet lakeside retreat within reach of the wider regi…
El Huizache
This tiny lakeside village in the highlands of central Mexico, El Huizache sits directly at the water's edge with upland country nearby and several UNESCO Wo…
Barrio de Guadalupe
Small lakeside village in Mexico's Chalco region, Barrio de Guadalupe sits directly at the water's edge with upland country nearby and several UNESCO World H…
Guadalupe Chico
A compact lakeside village in the highlands of central Mexico, Guadalupe Chico sits directly at the water's edge within reach of several UNESCO World Heritag…
Jaltocan
Little upland village in Mexico's Hidalgo region, Jaltocan sits directly at the water's edge, offering a quiet lakeside setting in elevated country with a UN…
Dolores Enyege
Small lakeside village in Mexico's Ixtlahuaca region, sitting directly at the water's edge with upland country nearby and several UNESCO World Heritage sites…
Frontón Vivero
A small lakeside village in Mexico's Valle de Bravo region, sitting right at the water's edge with upland country close by and several UNESCO World Heritage…
Ameluca
A little riverside village in Mexico's Pantepec region, Ameluca sits directly at the water's edge with upland country close by and broader access to a UNESCO…
Panuco
Compact riverside village in Mexico's upland Pánuco region, sitting right at the water's edge within a broader area that counts several UNESCO World Heritage…