It may be one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world, but there is so much more to Mexico beyond its pristine coast. 

It's a country that is packed with vibrant cities, as well. Mexico has a rich history of culture, tradition, art, architecture, cuisine, and design, and nowhere is this better exemplified than in its cities. With thousands of years of history, the cities in Mexico are a beautiful juxtaposition of indigenous culture, Spanish influence, and 21st century modernity. In fact, these elements tend to fuse together to create something that is completely unique to Mexico.

From cities on the sea, to those perched high in the mountains, and everything in between, Mexico's cities are just as much a part of its fabric as its beaches. Ready to dive right in? Here are 12 of the best cities in Mexico.

A pink stucco wall in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood, where saturated facades and volcanic-stone sidewalks turn an ordinary block into a backdrop. The area's early-20th-century mansions and low-rise streets make it one of the city's most walkable — and most photographed — districts. (Meagan Drillinger)
A pink stucco wall in Mexico City's Roma neighborhood, where saturated facades and volcanic-stone sidewalks turn an ordinary block into a backdrop. The area's early-20th-century mansions and low-rise streets make it one of the city's most walkable — and most photographed — districts. (Meagan Drillinger)

When it comes to the world's most dynamic cities, Mexico City is up there right along with London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris. It is electric, exciting, an explosion of color, and deeply rooted in its ancient past.

Mexico City sits directly on the site of the Aztecs' capital city, Tenochtitlan, so its roots are as old as Mexico's itself. Today it is a mashup of ancient Aztec ruins, ornate Spanish architecture, and 21st-century design. The city has more than 1,200 museums and galleries, dozens of neighborhoods each with its own vibe, restaurants, world-class shopping, and Chapultepec Park — one of the most beautiful green spaces in the world.

Be sure to visit the heart of Mexico City in the Centro Historico, the boho cafes of Condesa and Roma, and the swanky shopping in Polanco. For a real look into local life, visit the Mercado de San Juan, or the suburb of Coyoacan, which is where artist Frida Kahlo spent most of her life.

Agaves in the ethnobotanical garden frame Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the 16th-century Dominican church at the heart of Oaxaca's historic center. Its adjoining monastery now houses the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, home to the gold treasure excavated from Tomb 7 at nearby Monte Albán — and the garden itself is only accessible by guided tour. (Meagan Drillinger)
Agaves in the ethnobotanical garden frame Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the 16th-century Dominican church at the heart of Oaxaca's historic center. Its adjoining monastery now houses the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, home to the gold treasure excavated from Tomb 7 at nearby Monte Albán — and the garden itself is only accessible by guided tour. (Meagan Drillinger)

Oaxaca explodes from the valley like a pinwheel of color. Its colonial-style buildings are splashed with every bold color under the sun, from cobalt and crimson to ochre and pale green. Oaxaca is truly a beautiful city, and one of Mexico's most important.

The capital of the state by the same name, Oaxaca wears a UNESCO World Heritage badge because of its history and cultural influence. It was a major city for the ancient Zapotec tribe, before seeing Spanish influence that gave it its paved, cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. One of the best examples is the main church, the Templo de Santo Domingo, which presides over the vibrant Centro Historico.

Today it is a perfect convergence of ancient, old, and new Mexico, with beautiful boutiques, wide open plazas, narrow alleys, hip cafes, and beautiful hotels. Just 10 minutes outside the city is the archaeological site of Monte Alban, which was a major Zapotec city and one of the best preserved ruins in Mexico. 

Mexico's 'second city' is none other than Guadalajara, the second largest city in the country. Packed with just as much culture, cuisine, and cosmopolitan swagger as Mexico City, but on a considerably smaller, less chaotic scale, Guadalajara offers a slower-paced alternative to Mexico City.

Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, is known for its museum, theater, legendary restaurant scene, and architecture. If you're interested in shopping for handicrafts, the suburb Tlaquepaque is known all over the world as one of the top spots for artisan goods in Mexico. The state of Jalisco is also the birthplace of Mariachi music, and it's always worth trying to catch a live performance while in town to really set the scene.

Guadalajara is also about a four-hour drive from the beach city of Puerto Vallarta, so it's possible to make Guadalajara part of a larger trip that includes both city and beach.

Puebla's Centro Histórico spreads out below a rooftop terrace, with the Templo de San Francisco in the foreground, the cathedral's towers rising mid-city, and Popocatépetl on the horizon. The UNESCO-listed colonial core is dense with churches and talavera-tiled facades, and the volcano is visible on clear mornings before afternoon haze sets in. (Meagan Drillinger)
Puebla's Centro Histórico spreads out below a rooftop terrace, with the Templo de San Francisco in the foreground, the cathedral's towers rising mid-city, and Popocatépetl on the horizon. The UNESCO-listed colonial core is dense with churches and talavera-tiled facades, and the volcano is visible on clear mornings before afternoon haze sets in. (Meagan Drillinger)

One of the largest cities in Mexico, Puebla is steeped in history and culture. In fact, when you're celebrating Cinco de Mayo, what you are celebrating is not Mexico's Independence, but Mexico's victory against the French in the Battle of Puebla.

The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its gorgeous colonial architecture, marked by the iconic cathedral. There are actually 70 churches in the Centro historico, as well as more than 1,000 colonial-style buildings. Tip: The best view is from the rooftop of the La Purificadora hotel, a design boutique hotel with a transparent rooftop swimming pool.

Puebla is a top destination for shopping, from the Mercado el Parian for handicrafts, to the Mercado La Victoria, which is a 19th-century market-turned-shopping center with luxe boutiques. 

A great day trip from Puebla is to the town of Cholula to see the canary-colored Virgen de Los Remedios church atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

Believe it or not, away from the glitzy hotels and powdery soft sand, is a living, breathing, thriving cosmopolitan capital. Cancun is so much more than its Hotel Zone. It's a bustling metropolis and it's just on the other side of the lagoon, a quick bus or taxi ride from the Hotel Zone.

Cancun proper is expansive and fast-paced, with a fine dining scene, museums, and a port (from which visitors can head out to Isla Mujeres). For handicraft shopping, consider a visit to Mercado 23 or Mercado 28. But mostly Cancun's shopping scene swings upscale and 21st century.

Cancun is also one of the top spots in Mexico for medical tourism. People come from all over the world for elective surgery, and Cancun is one of the best places in Mexico to do so. They even have hotels that are set up with patient recovery specifically in mind.

Love locks line the railing at the Mirador de la Cruz, the hilltop viewpoint above Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romántica. The climb is short but steep — a set of staircases up from the old town — and it opens onto the full sweep of Banderas Bay, with the Sierra Madre dropping into the water across the water. (Meagan Drillinger)
Love locks line the railing at the Mirador de la Cruz, the hilltop viewpoint above Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romántica. The climb is short but steep — a set of staircases up from the old town — and it opens onto the full sweep of Banderas Bay, with the Sierra Madre dropping into the water across the water. (Meagan Drillinger)

One of the best parts about this beach destination is that it's just as much of a city spot, as well. Puerto Vallarta's historic cobblestone streets spill right out onto the shoreline. But its magic really lives away from the coast and in the heart of the city.

The Zona Romantica, the historic city center, is veined with cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, flanked with whitewashed buildings, and exploding with purple bougainvillea blossoms. The city sits in the foothills of the emerald-green Sierra Madre mountains, as well, making it a kaleidoscope of natural colors.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's largest LGBTQ destinations, so you can expect a friendly, welcome vibe among its hotels and restaurants, as well as its people. Shopping abounds in the city, as well, from high-end labels to smaller, more local boutiques and crafts. 

Surrounding Puerto Vallarta are many smaller beach towns that make for great side trips for a bit of peace and quiet.

The multi-colored capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida has sat like a best-kept secret in the country. It's almost shocking that Merida isn't more popular, but it's under-the-radar charm is part of what makes it so great. Some even call Merida the cultural capital of the Yucatan, with its cosmopolitan modernity juxtaposed against its Spanish colonial and authentic Mayan heritage.

The colonial city has something for everyone, from fantastic museums, shady plazas, and colorful buildings, to the local symphony, shopping and dining along Calle 60, and live music every Thursday night in the parquet de Santa Lucia. 

The city is just a half hour from the laid-back Gulf of Mexico beach towns like Progreso and Celstun, as well. And if you like ruins, the Mayan archaeological site, Uxmal, is not far away, either. Uxmal is a stunning example of a Mayan city and the fact that it's off the tourist trail means you may have the majority of the place all to yourself.

A cobblestone street in San Miguel de Allende's historic center, lined with ochre and terracotta facades, carved wooden doors and wrought-iron lamps. At the end of the block, the pink sandstone spires of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel — the neo-Gothic church that defines the city's skyline — rise above the rooftops. (Meagan Drillinger)
A cobblestone street in San Miguel de Allende's historic center, lined with ochre and terracotta facades, carved wooden doors and wrought-iron lamps. At the end of the block, the pink sandstone spires of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel — the neo-Gothic church that defines the city's skyline — rise above the rooftops. (Meagan Drillinger)

History, art, and culture come alive with an explosion of color in San Miguel de Allende. This jewel of a colonial city is one of the crown's best in all of Mexico, recognized year after year but magazines as the best city in the world. And for good reason.

San Miguel de Allende is stunning, simply put. Its beacon is its pale pink cathedral that beats at its center, the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. The plaza out front is a cultural hub for the city, flanked by restaurants and galleries. From the center, cobblestone streets spread all throughout the valley, along which visitors will find high-end boutique hotels, dozens of galleries, boutique hopping, and more.

The city plays host to a year-round calendar of events, as well, from parades and festivals to fireworks. San Miguel de Allende is a favorite among expats, and English is widely spoken. The city has received UNESCO World Heritage status, as well.

Not far from San Miguel de Allende is another vibrant city that likely resembles what San Miguel looked like decades ago. Guanajuato sits a bit off the beaten tourist trail, but is equally as breathtaking and still clings to its authenticity.

Also a UNESCO World Heritage city, Guanajuato was founded in the late 16th century as a mining town. This part of Mexico was heralded for its silver and gold in its mountains. Today it's a colorful, colonial city that creeps up the sides of powerful mountains.

Within its streets visitors will find beautiful museums, theaters, a marketplace, and colorful events. It's also a university town, so there is a strong, vibrant, youthful presence throughout the city streets.

Not to miss: Guanajuato's main event every year is the Festival Cervantino, an annual arts event that takes place spread over the city's many plazas and theaters.

Late afternoon on the beach below Mazatlán's malecón, one of the longest seaside boardwalks in the world at roughly 13 miles end to end. Hillside homes climb the headland behind, and the rocky islands offshore mark the northern edge of the bay — a stretch best walked in the last hour before sunset, when the light softens and the heat lets up. (Meagan Drillinger)
Late afternoon on the beach below Mazatlán's malecón, one of the longest seaside boardwalks in the world at roughly 13 miles end to end. Hillside homes climb the headland behind, and the rocky islands offshore mark the northern edge of the bay — a stretch best walked in the last hour before sunset, when the light softens and the heat lets up. (Meagan Drillinger)

Mazatlan is truly the best of both worlds. It's one of the rare cities in Mexico where colonial culture meets the sea.

Mazatlan's colorful downtown sits right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and the city extends for miles along one of the longest male cons in the world, giving a different vibe along every stretch. The most beautiful and historic part of the city is its Centro Historico, which has wonderful galleries, a historic theater, plazas, restaurants, and colorful buildings. Here, the place to stay is Casa Lucila, a beautiful nine-room boutique hotel with an intimate rooftop pool. The hotel overlooks a stretch of the malecon and the roofs of the Centro Historico. The bistro on property is one of the best places to eat in town.

There is also the Zona Dorada, or the famous Golden Zone, lined with hotels, beach restaurants, and souvenir stalls. Further north sits the ritzy marina, and beyond that is Nuevo Mazatlan, known for its sparkling new luxury developments and a rising restaurant scene.

Tell anyone 15 years ago that Playa del Carmen would be one of Mexico's best cities and they'd stare in disbelief. That's because Playa del Carmen was born as a tiny fishing village, surrounded by jungle, on a sliver of bleached, Caribbean sand.

It started with locals, who attracted small groups of European and South American backpackers who were passing through. Today the scene is very, very different. That small fishing village has expanded to full-blown neighborhoods with paved roads, highways, a port, and a 24/7 energy. In fact, many of those early travelers stayed, making Playa del Carmen one of the most multicultural cities in Mexico. It's also transformed into a high-end city, with some of the very best hotels in all of Mexico.

Playa del Carmen is the perfect jumping off point from which to explore nearby destinations like Tulum, Cozumel, and the smaller beach villages on the way to the border of Belize.

Located on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, the capital of the state of Campeche is the gateway to a rising star of a state. It really is a fairytale of a city, straight out of the pages of a storybook. Picture pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets, a gleaming white church, and a Centro Historico surrounded by protective walls. 

Book a stay in Hacienda Puerta Campeche, a stunning historic hacienda-turned-luxury hotel, which is right at the heart of the city. This is the perfect place from which to walk to all the stunning local landmarks in the Centro Historico, and offers guests a trip back in time to the regal heyday of historic hacienda living.