Top Destinations to Explore while Teaching English in Mexico
Written By: John Bentley | Updated: June 29, 2023
Written By: John Bentley
Updated: June 29, 2023
- Do want live in a warm-weather foreign country with thousands of miles of coastline and beaches?
- Do you want to discover the secrets of great ancient civilizations while exploring centuries-old temples and pyramids?
- Do you enjoy cosmopolitan cities that combine centuries of history, with dynamic culture and colorful street life?
- Do you love good food or perhaps enjoying a taste of world-class tequila or a nice cold Negro Modelo?
- Have you considered exploring the world while teaching English abroad?
Teaching English in Mexico provides opportunities for English speakers of all backgrounds the opportunity for immersion in one of the world's most diverse and beautiful countries. Here you can discover dynamic cities, visit ancient Aztec and Mayan monuments, and enjoy beautiful tropical beaches and weather that make Mexico one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations with over 20 million visitors each year. Of course, there's also fantastic food, Corona Beer, tequila, mariachi music, and the warm hospitality of the Mexican people to be enjoyed as well. In addition, you can learn Spanish, the world's third most widely used language.
Mexico is also one of the largest job markets for teaching English abroad. With a large population, a growing economy based on world trade, and extensive cultural and commercial interaction with the United States, Mexicans from all walks of life are discovering that learning English can provide them with enhanced professional and educational opportunities. As a result, thousands of language schools and institutes throughout Mexico need to hire new English teachers each year. If you become one of them, here is a short list of some great highlights that you can look forward to experiencing while teaching English in Mexico! Enjoy!
Mexico City
Site of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and today a modern and cosmopolitan capital of culture and commerce, Mexico City offers a diverse array of historical and cultural attractions. From world class museums, restaurants, and shopping to exciting nightlife and an array of historic landmarks, Mexico City offers something for everybody. Head to the National Museum of Anthropology, explore the City of Gods at Teotihuacan, enjoy the Chapultepec Castle, the “Palacio de Bellas Artes.” From fantastic street food to cutting edge restaurants, Mexico City is also rapidly becoming recognized as one of the top cities in the world for foodies and gourmands.
Acapulco
One of the most famous attractions in the world during the 50’s as a getaway for millionaires and Hollywood stars, Acapulco continues to be one of the favorite destinations in the country. Cliff diving performances surprise their visitors with their impressive jumps into the sea. Beautiful beaches, exquisite cuisine and some one of the most famous places to party and have fun, make this spot a place you shouldn’t miss!
Guadalajara
Birthplace of Mariachi and tequila, Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city and the cultural capital of western Mexico. Known for its historic city center, Guadalajara is often referred to as the "Mexican Silicon Valley," and it is a major center of industry, technology and education. This makes Guadalajara one of the largest job markets in Mexico for teaching English abroad and an ideal locale to earn your TEFL certification and begin you career as an English teacher.
Learn more about TEFL certification courses in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Cozumel
Cozumel is located in the Yucatan Peninsula and is one of the most famous scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in Mexico. The underwater world around this area was favorite area of exploration for legendary explorer and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau in the early 60’s and is still a top destination for divers from all over the world. National Marine Parks, paradise white sand beaches and the beautiful coral reef are amazing places to be discovered here!
Palenque
Set among the jungles of Chiapas, the ruins of the the ancient city-state of Palenque include some of the finest examples of Mayan architecture and sculpture in Mexico. Most of these structures date from approximate 600 AD, including the Temple of Transcriptions, the only Mesoamerican pyramid, which was built as a funerary monument for King Hanab-Pakal, and is one of the most recognizable sites in all of Mexico.
Tulum
Paradise and history are mixed in Tulum, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of stunning beaches of all Mexico. It is not only the perfect place to relax along the Caribbean Coast, but it’s also home to some of the best preserved Mayan sites in Mexico. Here, a typical day might include exploration of some of the best preserved Mayan ruins in all of Mexico, followed by a dip in the Caribbean, a margarita on the beach and a fantastic meal of fresh local seafood and other regional specialties.
Chichen Itza
Impressive, monumental and one of the most visited tourist destinations of Mexico, Chichen Itza is home to the largest of the Mayan cities in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its most famous landmark, the temple pyramid of “El Castillo,” was built as an astronomical center, and each side of the pyramid with 91 steps. If you add the 3 sides plus the step at the top, there are 365 steps, which represent the days of the year and are also part of the mysterious Mayan Calendar. Don’t worry, Mayans may be awesome, but they didn’t get the date right for the end of world!
Oaxaca
A UNESCO World heritage, Oaxaca is recognized as one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Mexico. Oaxaca will delight you with its colonial charm, tree-shaded Central Square, art museums and cuisine. The city is also surrounded by captivating archeological sites and color. Nearby valley and mountains offer great opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, biking and other outdoor activities.
Posted In: Teach English in Mexico, Teach English in Latin America, Tips for Traveling & Living Abroad
John Bentley
Co-Founder at International TEFL Academy
John Bentley is Co-Founder & Senior Writer for International TEFL Academy (ITA), the world leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad. A graduate of Harvard University and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern, John is a recognized expert in the field of TEFL. His articles have appeared across the field's top websites, including GoAbroad.com, StudyAbroad.com, InterExchange, GoOverseas.com, Adventure Teaching, & many others. He has also spoken as an expert on Teaching English Abroad & TEFL certification at major conferences like MeetPlanGo and Lessons from Abroad (LFA) in Portland & San Diego.
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