The Least-Visited States in Mexico and What to Do There

There’s a lot more to Mexico than the beach resorts of Cancún and Puerto Vallarta. While there’s no denying that these are spectacular destinations, visitors looking to veer from the beaten track will find plenty of options if they’re prepared to do some research. Visiting lesser-known and less-crowded places can be far more rewarding, not to mention cheaper. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of five of the least-visited states in Mexico.

The joke in Mexico is that Tlaxcala doesn’t exist, but is actually a fantastic realm like Middle Earth or Westeros. Nevertheless, visitors to the tiny, much-overlooked state will find that it does in fact exist, and is also home to some of the most beautiful towns in the country. The small colonial city of Huamantla is perhaps the jewel in the crown. Every year, the town pays homage to an image of the Virgin Mary with a fascinating month-long festival. During “The Night When No One Sleeps,” on August 14, residents prepare a decorative six-kilometer carpet made from sawdust, flowers and fabric.

The coastal state of Nayarit still receives far fewer visitors than the adjacent state of Jalisco. Yet the state is blessed with beautiful beaches and three stunning Magic Towns. The highlight is the man-made island-city of Mexcaltitán de Uribe. Mexican historians have been debating for decades whether Mexcaltitán is the location of Aztlan, the original city of the Aztecs, which they abandoned in 1091. Known as “The Mexican Venice,” Mexcaltitán is almost perfectly-round and its streets are arranged in a unique cross-shaped pattern.