Travel Guide
Americans Can Fly Nonstop To These 7 Authentic Colonial Cities In Mexico
Apr
Be it for the world-class beachfront resorts and pristine coastline, or all the tacos and tamales that just taste a lot better when assembled by native hands, Mexico remains the number one destination for Americans flying abroad this year.
We love a little carefree sunny getaway ourselves, but we don’t know about you, lately we’ve been craving an expedition, of the sampling entirely different cuisine, marveling at centuries-old monuments, and opening up to different cultures type.
That might be a challenge in Cancun, a ‘safety bubble‘ primarily used for families and honeymooners on vacation, but it’s certainly not the case in these 7 other authentic colonial cities—and the best part is, you can fly there nonstop from several U.S. hubs!
Yep, no need to fly through Mexico City’s gongshow of an airport:
Guanajuato
The birthplace of Mexican Independence, Guanajuato is one of the country’s most culturally-rich cities, and it’s best known for its fortress-like Alhóndiga de Granaditas, where the first battle against the Spanish Empire was fought.
Other than soaking up the history, a stroll through its historic center, littered with churches, family-owned cantinas, and grand plazas will transport you straight to the 19th-century, and don’t forget to try some of the local enchiladas mineras, found in abundance at Mercado Hidalgo.
Flying Nonstop To Guanajuato–Bajío International Airport (BJX)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Viva Aerobus: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC), San Antonio (SAT)
- Volaris: Chicago-Midway (MDW), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oaklanad (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC)
- Aeromexico Connect: Atlanta (ATL)
Mérida
The capital of Yucatán State, Merida is the perfect marriage between the Mayan and Spanish worlds: several of its 16th-century churches were built using material from ruined pre-Columbian temples, and the food scene is reflective of the clash of cultures.
The most important structure in town is Mérida Cathedral, a stone giant looming over Plaza de la Independencia—it is simply the oldest cathedral raised in the mainland Americans—and if you’re a foodie like us, you shouldn’t miss out on La Chata Maya’s signature cochinita pibil.
Flying Nonstop To Mérida—Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID)
- Aeromexico Connect: Atlanta (ATL)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Viva Aerobus: Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO)
Santiago de Querétaro
Rightfully-dubbed one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, Santiago de Querétaro revolves around an intact colonial core, famous for its plethora of pink stone landmarks, with the Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo and the Spanish aqueduct to name a couple.
You’ll also see lush gardens, stone-paved pathways that will make you feel as if you’re in Europe, and quirky art exhibits housed in 16th-century convents—well, to be more precise, just one: that would be the must-see Museo Regional de Querétaro.
Flying Nonstop To Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO)
- Aeromexico Connect: Detroit (DTW)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Viva Aerobus: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH), San Antonio (SAT)
- Volaris: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
Puebla
A more laid-back alternative to Mexico City, Puebla is located southeast of the bustling capital, and it’s home to the most beautiful Renaissance edifice south of the border, the soaring Puebla Cathedral, which towers over a central Zócalo and adjacent, colorful buildings.
Much like Mexico City, there is an ancient pyramid nearby making for an incredible day trip, and the the largest-one in the world by volume, at that: the Great Pyramid of Cholula, topped with a yellow-washed Spanish sanctuary, and backdropped by a snow-capped volcano.
Flying Nonstop To Puebla—Hermanos Serdán International Airport (PBC)
- United Express: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
Oaxaca de Juárez
More often referred to as simply Oaxaca, this is a vibrant state capital in the balmy southern hinterlands of Mexico steeped in Old World charm, with cobbled streets that lead to ornate churches, historic monasteries, and leafy squares bordered by arcaded buildings.
Though you could easily spend an entire week here and still not see it all, three of the most prominent attractions include the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, distinguished by its gold-leaf interior, the Baroque Metropolitan Cathedral, and Benito Juárez’s childhood home.
Flying Nonstop To Oaxaca—Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Volaris: Los Angeles (LAX)
Morelia
If you couldn’t get enough of Querétaro’s pink-washed townscape, wait until you see Morelia, where over 200 structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, mostly built in a distinct pink-hue stone, including the elegant Morelia Cathedral.
This is easily one of Mexico’s most romantic, and most underrated cities: from Callejón del Romance, an alleyway of storied dwellings that leads to a charming fountain, to Bosque Cuauhtémoc, with its wrought-iron benches and picturesque gazebo, it’s sure to conquer your heart.
Flying Nonstop To Morelia—General Francisco Mujica International Airport (MLM)
- American Airlines: Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
- Volaris: Chicago-Midway (MDW), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), San Antonio (SAT)*, San Francisco (SFO), San Jose (SJC)
*The San Antonio flights start July 5, 2025, at a frequency of 3x a week
San Luis Potosí
A former mining hub in central Mexico, and a much-overlooked cultural destination, San Luis Potosí offers affordable prices, with street tacos sold in well-reputed taquerias like Tacos Don Paco for under a dollar, and a vast collection of man-made wonders:
Picture an imposing, twin-towered Metropolitan Cathedral, an ornate Templo de San Francisco, with a striking Baroque facade and an adjacent garden, or even a neoclassical Teatro de la Paz, set to host an orchestra-backed concert by Napoleón Sinfónico this May (get your tickets here).
Flying Nonstop To San Luis Potosí—Ponciano Arriaga International Airport
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- United Airlines: Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Volaris: San Antonio (SAT)*
*The San Antonio flights start July 5, 2025, at a frequency of 3x a week
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