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Mexico may be best known for its paradisiacal beaches and sprawling, vibrant capital, but we get it if you no longer feel as if spending yet another vacation lounging by the poolside in Cancun or getting lost in the hectic streets of Mexico City doesn’t pique your interest.

A growing number of travelers is actively looking for unique experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures, so you’re not alone:

As verified in Expedia’s Unpack’25 survey, 63% of respondents plan to take a trip to a ‘detour destination’ this year, as well as avoid the crowds by opting for lesser-known places.

Lucky for them, Mexico has no shortage of amazing smaller towns, unspoiled by the masses, that have retained their authenticity––and lower prices, we must add––amid the country’s tourism boom, and if you’re asking us for guidance, these are our top 5 picks:

San Pablo Villa de Mitla

Nestled deep in the central Mexican valleys, a short one-hour drive from the culturally-charged city of Oaxaca, San Pablo Villa de Mitla is a sleepy, 11,000-people-strong village best known for housing the pre-Columbian ruins of Mitla.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a vast archeological complex comprising a well-preserved Mesoamerican palace and several smaller temples, and in the state of Oaxaca, it’s second only in historical significance to Monte Albán.

The town itself is incredibly charming, with narrow streets lined by handicraft shops and traditional eateries, where you can sample the hearty cuisine without breaking the bank, and if you’re staying overnight, OYO Hotel Y Restaurante has nightly rates from $41.

Ahuacatlán

One of four Pueblos Mágicos to straddle the Nayarit coast, a distinction awarded by the Ministry of Tourism in recognition of cultural relevance and contributions to tourism, Ahuacatlán is an all-round perfect, peaceful settlement famous for its rich colonial heritage.

It is home to the landmark Templo de San Francisco de Asís, which looms over the central square and dates back to the 17th century, Tempo de la Inmaculada Concepción, featuring ornate interiors and impressive woodwork, and a colonial-era House of Culture.

Seeing it’s often bypassed by beachgoers who flock to Bucerias, Sayulita, and other Riviera Nayarit resort hotspots, Ahuacatlán is comparatively cheaper to visit: for instance, a main dish at Los Zarandeaditos costs between $9.72 and $14.58.

San Cristóbal de Las Casas

You may want to pack up an extra jumper for this one: a highland town bestriding the hills of Chiapas, San Cristóbal de Las Casas has a temperate climate year-round, an Old Town dominated by a yellowish cathedral, and it crisscrossed with picturesque cobbled streets.

It is arguably one of the prettiest small towns in Mexico, up there with San Miguel de Allende and Tequila, except it receives only a small fraction of the international tourism: in other words, expect affordable eateries and guesthouses.

According to Numbeo, the average price of a meal in a street-corner restaurant in San Cristóbal is $4.86, whereas a three-course presentation in a mid-range setting with Old Town views is going to set you back by $24.31.

Valladolid

A hidden gem of the Yucatán state, only two stops from Cancun on the Merida-bound Maya Train, Valladolid is characterized by its combination of a timeless, Spanish-built colonial core and native Mayan influences on food and culture.

Its 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino is among Mexico’s oldest, and nearby, the Baroque-style San Gervasio Cathedral overlooks a maze of pedestrianized lanes bordered by laid-back, family-owned cantinas, serving all your local favorites, from cochinita pibil to panuchos.

The average price of a meal in a restaurant is set at $7.29 ($24.31 for a three-course menu), and a comfortable double room in a 3-star hotel within short walking distance of the zócalo (main square), should run you up $49 this spring.

Todos Santos

Next time you take a flight out to Cabo, make sure you take some time to check out Todos Santos, an offbeat, quaint town away from the resort crowds with the scenic Sierra de la Laguna mountain range for backdrop, and a postcard-ready historic center.

Picture palm-lined streets running adjacent to heritage houses (stucco walls, tile roofs, and all the rest), old churches, and art galleries, a sun-drenched sandy strip, which makes it a highly sought-after spot for beachgoers and surfers in the region, and a plethora of locally-run boutique hotels.

On that note, you’d be surprised at how actually inexpensive visiting Todos Santos is, compared to a boujee Cabo: delicious food at reasonable prices aside, you’ll be spending $61 a night staying at the authentic La Sardina beach guesthouse.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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