Where to find the best tacos in Mexico
Beautiful beaches, world-class resorts and delicious tacos are just some of the things that come to mind when we think of Mexico! Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite by the beach, exploring local taquerias on an excursion or indulging in a fine-dining spin on classic favourites, there are endless ways to enjoy this quintessential Mexican dish. In honour of World Taco Day on October 4, we rounded up some of the country’s top regional specialties so you can start planning your next culinary adventure.
Yucatan Peninsula: Cochinita pibil tacos
Cochinita pibil tacos are a local delicacy of the Yucatan Peninsula region, which is home to the tourist hotspots of Cancun and Riviera Maya. The slow-roasted pork tacos are prepared with a flavourful marinade of citrus juices, garlic and achiote paste before being carefully wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in a traditional underground Mayan pit. Once the meat has been roasted to perfection, it’s served in a tortilla with pickled onions, chopped coriander and often a squeeze of lime.
Where to stay: A food-critic-worthy dining experience awaits at La Cocino, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun’s Mexican restaurant. In addition to elegant décor, the eatery offers a gourmet spin on local favourites like tacos de barbacoa, tacos de arrachera and tacos de lechon.
Baja California: Seafood tacos
Head to the Baja California Peninsula along Mexico’s Pacific Coast for some of the freshest and most delicious seafood tacos. The region surrounding the popular vacation destination of Los Cabos is famous for its tacos de pescado, with fresh fish caught from the Sea of Cortez that’s battered and fried. While most traditional tacos are served in corn tortillas, Baja-style fish tacos are often served in fresh flour tortillas. Delicious options include marlin, shrimp, lobster and even octopus (for the more adventurous).
Where to stay: Los Gallos restaurant at the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, features a wide menu of traditional Mexican cuisine, including delicious tacos de pescado with fried fish, cabbage and carrot slaw, avocado sauce and chipotle dressing.
Jalisco: Birria tacos
Further down the Pacific Coast, you’ll find the state of Jalisco, home to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. While the area is famous for its vibrant nightlife and breathtaking landscapes, it’s also the birthplace of the birria taco. Birria is a stew made with goat meat (or beef in regions outside of Jalisco) that’s slow-roasted until tender, then loaded into a delicious tortilla and often served with a side of broth or consommé. While we might not consider tacos a breakfast food back home, birria tacos are most often served as a breakfast dish in Mexico – especially after a night of a few too many margaritas!
Where to stay: Sample authentic dishes at Riu Palace Pacifico’s Guacamole restaurant or chow down on comfort food favourites with 24-hour room service. Head out on the Amazing Vallarta tour with Sunwing Experiences to explore downtown, including a stop at a local tequila distillery.
From coast to coast: Tacos al pastor
Tacos al pastor are one of the popular variations of this beloved dish and can be found pretty much everywhere from coast to coast in Mexico. While tacos al pastor are synonymous with Mexican cuisine, they originated from Middle Eastern immigrants who settled outside of Mexico City in the late 1800s, offering a Latin American spin on the classic shawarma dish. The tacos are prepared with spit-fired meat, typically marinated pork, and topped with fresh sliced pineapple for a hint of sweetness.
Where to stay: There are plenty of gourmet dining experiences to enjoy at Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, with 11 restaurants across the complex. Head to Agave to indulge in delicious dishes including tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple and a house-made spicy avocado sauce.
Did you know? Mexico is one of our easy entry destinations, making it simpler than ever for you to enjoy these tasty tacos. Visit our Travel Requirements page for more details.
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