If you’re looking for a change of scenery, take a look at some of the most colorful places in Mexico. From vibrant villages to stunning natural landscapes, there are plenty of places full of culture and color.
It’s not exactly a secret that Mexico isn’t afraid of bright and vivid colors, especially when it comes to its folk art and architecture.
While most visitors to Mexico head to the country in search of paradise-like beaches, others prefer to go deeper and explore its smaller destinations, many of which look as though they were splatted by all the shades of the rainbow!
If you’re on the lookout for destinations in Mexico that feature colors and excellent photography spots, here’s a list of some of the best places in Mexico to visit that guarantee eye candy everywhere you turn.
The Most Colorful Places in Mexico
Guanajuato City
As the capital of the state of Guanajuato, Guanajuato City is easily one of the most colorful places to visit in Mexico. So much so that you could aim to take one picture in front of a building in every color available in the world and you’d be able to do it in half a day or less!
The city was once a thriving mining town. Due to its mine ruins and unparalleled picturesque streets, the city is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guanajuato City is very walkable and the absolute best way to explore it is by wandering around its center.
As you stroll along, you’ll stumble across pretty much every hue on the rainbow and architectural goodness as vibrant as it can get. Can’t miss stops in the city include the Alley of the Kiss, the iconic yellow Basilica of Our Lady of Guanajuato, Teatro Juarez, and the white stairs of the Universidad de Guanajuato.
Another must during your time here, especially if you want a birds-eye view of the city is to ride the funicular up to the Monumento al Pipila, which provides the best lookout point of the city complete with several restaurants and cafés to take in the views.
Batopilas
If you’re on the lookout for a hidden gem, Batopilas in the northern state of Chihuahua is a wonderful choice.
Once a thriving mining town, Batopilas is a place where only about one thousand people live today. Walking amid the colorful streets of this “pueblo magico” will make you feel as though you traveled back in time, with houses lining the streets that feature pinks, yellows, blues, greens, and more on their facade as well as gigantic haciendas and casonas that have stood the test of time.
This small town is tucked away in the middle of the Copper Canyon – a canyon so vast that it’s actually four times bigger than the Grand Canyon! Batopilas can be visited from the nearby town of Creel, which is a place famous for being the starting point of the touristic Chepe train journey (the only passenger train in Mexico).
Getting to Batopilas requires driving a pretty winding road and due to its somewhat remote location, it still remains pretty unknown to most travelers in Mexico.
Merida
Boasting a rich heritage of colonial and Mayan roots, Merida is not just a place you go to in order to see colorful buildings, but it’s also a city that brims with culture, archeology, and heritage.
Merida is often dubbed the “White City” because many of its mansions and buildings, especially those along Paseo Montejo, are colored in white. However, you’ll also find houses and structures in pretty much every hue by simply walking around the city’s downtown.
As a bonus, Merida is also a wonderful place to base yourself in order to explore more of the Yucatan Peninsula, with easy day trips available to popular spots like Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Unlike most destinations in Yucatan, Merida doesn’t have a beach, but there are plenty available just thirty minutes away by car.
Las Coloradas
A visit to a salt mining factory may not sound all that exciting, but Las Coloradas is easily one of the most colorful places in Mexico for those looking to explore beyond the cities.
Due to high salinity levels and microorganisms in the water, Las Coloradas boasts natural pools that have become Insta-famous for their bright pink color.
Something most visitors to Las Coloradas don’t know, though, is that the area’s pinks lakes are just the beginning. If you drive further in on a guided tour, you’ll also stumble across pools in pretty much every color, ranging from pink to yellow, bright blue, and even a vivid orange that makes the landscape look straight out of Mars!
Valladolid
Valladolid is a quaint Spanish colonial town in the Yucatan Peninsula that still holds tight to its Mayan heritage.
The town is pretty small and even though it has gained popularity in recent years, Valladolid still harbors a pretty local feel and has become a favorite spot for digital nomads and ex-pats looking to explore a quieter and much more authentic side of the peninsula.
The entire place is pretty colorful, but for the ultimate photographer’s dream, walk over Calzada de los Frailes, where you’ll find facades covered in pretty pastel hues. Moreover, Valladolid is also a great place to explore lesser-known cenotes in the area, with many haciendas and houses having one right in their backyard!
Oaxaca City
Famed for being the go-to spot to celebrate the Day of the Dead, Oaxaca is a city in southern Mexico that blends Spanish architecture with prehispanic traditions seamlessly.
The people of Oaxaca are very connected to their indigenous roots, so much so that they proudly display their heritage through art, colors, food, and festivities that seem to go on all year long. Street parades and dances are pretty common, so don’t be surprised if you constantly stumble across masses of people out drinking and celebrating any day of the week.
Here, you’ll find buildings in pretty much any shade you can think of, most of which are simple houses, while others harbor restaurants, bars, art galleries, boutique shops, mezcalerias, and more.
Vivid colors aren’t only present in Oaxaca’s architecture, but also in its exquisite artisanry. As you stroll through the city, you’ll come across vibrant textiles, gigantic folk art, and so much more.
Plus, Oaxaca City is also a great starting point to explore more of the Oaxacan mountains, with places like Hierve el Agua, Mitla, Monte Alban, and many others being located less than an hour away.
Izamal
Variety in colors isn’t exactly what you’ll find at Izamal, but instead, you’ll find a town blanketed in whites and striking yellows.
Izamal is a gorgeous colonial town founded during the 16th century over what was once an ancient Mayan city. In fact, the city is often nicknamed “the city of three cultures” because it perfectly merges prehispanic roots, colonial heritage, and all things modern.
Today, most of the buildings and structures at Izamal are painted in yellow or white, a decision made by locals and the government to give the town an elegant flair. The city is easy to tread through in search of picture-perfect sites, but another popular way to tour around is on a horseback ride, where local guides will take you to explore the plazas, historic neighborhoods, and important highlights of Izamal.
Have you ever visited Mexico? What are some other colorful destinations to visit that did not make it to the list? Please feel free to drop your recommendations in the comment section below if you have any!
