Top Reader Picks in Mexico, Central, and South America for 2025

1. Introduction

Discover the dynamic cities of Mexico, Central America, and South America, as ranked by readers through the GoTravelDaily survey. This article highlights the top destinations celebrated for their culture, cuisine, and hospitality.

2. Summary of Rankings

  • San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
  • Cuzco, Peru
  • Oaxaca, Mexico
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Mérida, Mexico
  • Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
  • Mendoza, Argentina
  • Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Bogotá, Colombia
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina

From Mexico, through Central America, and to the farthest reaches of South America, visitors can encounter dozens of dynamic cities. Each year, GoTravelDaily asks readers to share their opinions on the finest travel experiences around the globe, including the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rate cities based on their sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and overall value. For the 11th consecutive year, Cuzco and Buenos Aires appeared on the list, with the latter falling in rank, overtaken by newcomers like Oaxaca and Mendoza. Impressively, five of Mexico’s cities made this year’s rankings, a fact partly attributed to a new wave of notable hotels and resorts. However, it was lesser-known destinations such as Mérida and Oaxaca that truly captivated travelers searching for Mayan archaeological sites, exquisite textiles, and authentic regional cuisine. Dive into the full list of unforgettable Mexican and Central and South American cities below.

No. 10: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Getty Images

Score: 82.72

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No. 9: Bogotá, Colombia

Bloomberg via Getty Images

Score: 82.789

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No. 8: Guadalajara, Mexico

UIG via Getty Images

Score: 85.303

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No. 7: Mendoza, Argentina

Itsmemarttin, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Score: 85.369

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No. 6: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Nicholas Schmidt/GoTravelDaily

Score: 85.917

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No. 5: Mérida, Mexico

Volunteer Abroad UBELONG via Flickr.com / CC BY-NC 2.0

Score: 86.286

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No. 4: Mexico City, Mexico

Luis García

Score: 86.632

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No. 3: Oaxaca, Mexico

Lindsay Lauckner Gundlock

Score: 88.56

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No. 2: Cuzco, Peru

Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

Score: 88.958

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No. 1: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Score: 91.191

The city has undergone remarkable transformations recently, drawing expats and tourists alike with its global food scene and stunning Spanish-colonial architecture. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, San Miguel de Allende possesses an enchanting charm, enhanced by its friendly local vibe, vibrant festivals, and art scene. As one voter noted, “the plaza is their living room. It’s an art lover’s paradise.”

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