Nuestra Belleza México 1996 was the 3rd edition of the national pageant, held on Sunday, 22 September 1996 at the Centro de Convenciones in Cancún, Quintana Roo, and broadcast live on Canal de las Estrellas. Thirty-two contestants competed; Rebeca Tamez of Tamaulipas won the Nuestra Belleza México title and later represented Mexico at Miss Universe 1997 in Miami Beach, Florida. Yessica Salazar of Jalisco won the newly formalized Nuestra Belleza Mundo México title at the semifinal event (held 12 September at Parque Xcaret) and competed at Miss World 1996 in India, placing in the Top 10. Tamez was crowned by outgoing titleholder Vanessa Guzmán and Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado.