Mexico Vacations
Acapulco
The gorgeous beaches, romantic sunsets, and glamorous nightlife that attracted Hollywood's hottest celebrities in the 1950s are still very much a part of Acapulco today. This "Queen of Mexican Beach Resorts" is set around a crescent-shaped bay and framed by verdant mountains that plunge into warm, sapphire waters. Add to that the non-stop excitement of countless nightclubs, discos, and restaurants, and you have a vacation spot that's fantastic night and day.
It's no wonder so many of the jet-set made this paradise their honeymoon destination. John and Jackie Kennedy, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Liz Taylor and Michael Todd, to name just a few, all celebrated their nuptials in Acapulco. The widespread water sports, golf, tennis, shopping, and dancing and dining - not to mention the world-famous La Quebrada cliff divers - guarantee there's always something to do and see. And if doing nothing sounds more appealing, the miles and miles of white-sand beaches are just perfect for it!
Cancun
Cancun means "nest of snakes" in Mayan, referring to the long and narrow island half of this coastal city. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, it is surrounded by water on 3 sides - the Caribbean Sea, the Nichupte Lagoon, and the Bahia de Mujeres - and is known internationally for its tropical beauty and fantastically preserved archaeological treasures. One of the most modern, and by far the most visited, tourist resorts in the country, it is characterized by rows of resort hotels and beautiful beaches, where the sand is particularly fine and brilliantly white due to its coral origin. Cancún is stunning, with seas that sparkle in every imaginable shade of emerald and turquoise while sheltering a wealth of reef life.
Beginning south of Cancún, the Riviera Maya is taking shape as Mexico's newest holiday land. The region is a 50-mile stretch of luxurious tourist resorts, sugar-white palm-fringed beaches, ecological parks and major archaeological sites. Divers and snorkelers are drawn to the world's 2nd largest barrier reef, subterranean rivers and "cenotes". The town of Playa del Carmen provides a fun and festive respite, with a good choice of bars, restaurants and shopping treasures. It's also where visitors catch the ferry to Cozumel. Rivera Maya resorts are generally all-inclusive and are confined to a few pockets of developed areas, leaving most of the region uninhabited and ideal for visitors seeking a Mexican-Caribbean getaway in a secluded setting.
Cozumel
Twelve miles off Mexico's Yucatán coast lies a tantalizing island getaway. Welcome to Cozumel, Mexico's largest island and a laid-back Caribbean jewel! Legend has it that this island was the home of the Mayan goddess Ixchel, and temples were built in her honor throughout the island. She sent her favorite bird, the swallow, as a sign of her gratitude, leading the Mayans to name the island Cozumel, "land of the swallows." And while it is just a short trip away from Cancun, this pristine island and top diving destination is not lost in the shadow of its flashy mainland neighbor.
Cozumel's relaxed and casual ambience is a result of the unique blend of Mexican and Caribbean culture. The people are as warm and hospital as the climate, and you'll be delighted by the diverse pleasures they offer. Small town shops and homey restaurants will win your heart, and world-class snorkeling and diving will get it pumping with excitement. Your adventurous spirit will exult in hikes through jungles and ancient Mayan ruins. And when you're ready for the thrill of a wild nightlife, the mainland is just a quick ferry ride away. No matter what your pleasures, from the depths of the sea to the heights of ancient wonders, you'll be excited and bewitched by Cozumel.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is known as the most Mexican of cities. After all, it is the home of mariachi music, charreadas (Mexican rodeos), tequila, and the Mexican hat dance! Founded in 1532, this Colonial settlement evolved into a sophisticated city - the second biggest in Mexico - though many sections have the atmosphere and pace of a small town. It is the state capital of Jalisco, and is tamer and more conservative than the nation's capital, though it has a wonderful vitality. Dubbed the "City of Eternal Spring" for its year-round pleasant climate and the "City of Roses" for its lush blossoms, Guadalajara is the soul of Mexico.
Downtown contains many buildings and plazas from the Colonial era, which lend the city an air of Old World charm and provincial elegance. The unhurried pace of life in Guadalajara has fostered an atmosphere for great artistic creativity and cultural activity. The city is famous for handicrafts and decorative arts. Ceramics, brass, copperware, hand-blown glass, embroidery, and leather goods are abundant. Several natural wonders including volcanoes surround the city, and frequent bus excursions take beach-lovers to the Pacific shore. As you spend your days shopping the flea market, exploring centuries-old buildings, or hiking the Sierra Madre, you'll find Guadalajara to be a relaxing yet stimulating destination.
Isla Mujeres
Situated eight miles off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or "island of women," offers a tranquil alternative to the bustling mainland resort areas. The island is blessed with beautiful beaches, exquisite sunsets, and is ripe for relaxation and discovery. Discovered by Spanish explorer Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba 1517, Isla Mujeres has an interesting history behind its name. Cordoba found the island while searching the region for slaves and gold. It was in an abandoned state, yet decorated by semi-clothed statues of the Mayan Goddess Ixchel.
The island is five miles long and less than a mile wide, which allows easy access to the interesting attractions. Visitors will find most sightseeing opportunities are either a short walk, a bicycle ride or golf cart drive away from the resort area (bicycle and golf cart rentals are aplenty). The beaches are a main attraction here, with waters that fade from fluorescent lime green at Playa Norte to pale turquoise at the snorkel-worthy Garrafon reef.
On Isla Mujeres, the major beaches are on the north and west sides. The north side's most popular and crowded beach is Playa Norte. More secluded beaches appear on the west side, such as Playa Paraiso, Playa Lanchero and Playa Indios, which are known for their shark pens. The Manchones Reef, Banderas Reef and Cuevones Reef also provide for wonderful scuba diving and snorkeling. There is also much to do without getting wet, like visiting the Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm, the Mayan Temple (dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility) and the Lighthouse, which marks the tip of the island.
Mazatlan
While other beach resorts in Mexico work hard to dazzle visitors with mega-resort excitement, the equation for a great vacation in Mazatlan is a simple one of fun, plus food, plus lots of world-class fishing. Mexico's largest West Coast port and the second largest coastal city combines affordable accommodations with seaside charm and plenty of ways to have fun in the sun.
There are 3 distinct zones: the port and downtown area, known as Old Mazatlan, the Zona Dorada, home to nearly all of Mazatlan's visitor attractions, and a long stretch of mostly undeveloped beach that separates the two. Open-air bistros and bars line the uncrowded but active shore, where water sports break the surf and strolling vendors mix with sunbathers.
Anglers get a special treat, with some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world. Shoppers have a great time downtown buying everything from piñatas to designer handbags. A palm-lined seaside promenade connects the shopping district to the old section of the city, which is home to restored 19th century buildings. Mazatlan also has excellent dining, especially for seafood, and great nightlife.
Puerto Vallarta
A study in symmetry, Puerto Vallarta surprises with its engaging balance between the old and the new. This venerated port city was virtually unknown to the general vacationing public until director John Huston chose the locale for his film Night of the Iguana with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. As word spread, a burgeoning influx of guests was seduced by the city's Old Mexico charm. In the years since, Puerto Vallarta has become a major vacation destination, with a multitude of travelers every year attesting to its allure. The city has taken great strides to become more cosmopolitan, while preserving its vast cultural and natural treasures.
Upscale hotels and retail stores accommodating most any budget are juxtaposed beautifully with the Sierra Madre, where the Huichol Indians continue their ancient way of life. The region's tropical climate guarantees constant sunshine while you explorethe coastline on horseback, lounge on the beach, snorkel amid the fantastic marine ecosystem, or simply walk the cobblestone streets looking for crafts and trinkets. During the day, a rainforest and rolling valley hills are your playground. Then at night, you can relax in a piano lounge or dive into a Mexican fiesta. With so many pleasures, you'll find yourself returning to Puerto Vallarta over and again!
Los Cabos
The two coastal towns of Los Cabos (The Capes) and the touristic corridor that runs between them have evolved from sleepy villages into Mexico's most popular resort. Both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas offer a striking landscape of cinnamon-colored mountains and a sunny dry climate. Endless cactus deserts, white-sand beaches, and clear sapphire seas create a spectacular setting.
Los Cabos has special appeal for sports enthusiasts. The area is one of Mexico's top golf resorts, boasting some particularly beautiful championship courses, and has long been known for excellent sport fishing. Hiking, diving, and whale-watching are also popular. Add to that the world-famous rock formations, miles of deluxe hotels, and gorgeous beaches, and it's easy to see why Los Cabos is such a resort gem!
Ixtapa/Zihuatanenjo
On the Gold Coast, the dynamic resort center of Ixtapa and the quaint fishing pueblo of Zihuatanejo are contrasting twins. One is bold, beautiful and full of action, and the other is a quiet wallflower, living a simple life on the outer edge of her sister's spotlight. Ixtapa is the most modern resort on Mexico's west coast, with half of its land protected as an ecological reserve. Zihuatanejo has an unpretentious, informal attitude and a serene setting along a sheltered harbor. Just four miles apart, these two towns are set in the lush valley of the Southern Sierra Madre and run along 16 miles of mountainous coastline with pure golden beaches and calm rocky shores.
While Ixtapa is a sparkling development of all-inclusive resorts, restaurants, club, and shopping centers, the rural seaside village of Zihuatanejo dates back to the pre-Columbian era, when it was the privileged home of the Mayan nobility. Its inns and cafés are family-run, and native markets share your attention with the malecón (seaside promenade). Tucked into one Mexico's most picturesque bays, these towns deliver the best of everything in one neat package!
Manzanillo
Sitting along Costa Alegre (The Happy Coast), Manzanillo remains a little-known hideaway of seaside treasures. Although there are just a few resorts, the 2 bays (Bahia de Manzanillo and Bahia de Santiago) remain true to their original purpose. Since 1825, the city has served primarily as a port that connects Mexico to the west. Manzanillo is named for the trees that are abundant in the coastal area, and the scenery also includes sandy beaches and rainbow sunsets that create a beautiful background to the view of ships docking and setting out to sea.
Many undeveloped golden beaches lie sandwiched between the crystal Pacific waters and fruit plantations mixed with unspoiled rainforests. Towering 12,000 feet above the landscape is the steaming Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). The Bahia de Manzanillo areas has most of the resorts, sporting seaside activities along with elegant accommodations and dining. The Bahia de Santiago is slightly less traveled by tourists and so a visit there results in a deeper experience with the local way of life. Although tourism is an important part of the economy, the area isn't widely promoted and so remains absent of crowds. It is a very subdued, sleepy place with welcoming people who love to share the beauty and history of their homeland. With warmth emanating from the surf, sun, and people, it is impossible to avoid falling in love with Manzanillo!
