Posted by Roxanna McDade on Fri, Aug 06, 2010 @ 07:05 AM
From ExpressAirlineTickets.com
For anyone who has dreamed of finding the perfect powdery white, sandy beach stretching along miles of turquoise blue water, Playa is the place to be! The accommodations are known for being reasonably priced, and the standard is high. The restaurants are beautifully decorated and offer good service. From Playa del Carmen it is easy to take the ferry to Cozumel. It is also a convenient location from which to take one of the tours to visit the various ruins in the area such as Chitchen Itza and Tulum. These are only a few of the reasons that this sun-splashed resort area has become one of the world’s top tourist destinations!
Originally named Xaman-Ha (waters of the north) and known as the capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is located on the beautiful Caribbean coast some 40 miles south of Cancun.
Playa was once a sleepy Mexican fishing village, but has been transformed into the world’s fastest growing city. It is a favored destination for an increasing number of world travelers, as well as for thousands of day-trippers from Cancún and from Caribbean cruise ships.
The town is laid out so that the main street, Avenida Juárez, leads to the zócalo (town square) from Highway 307. As it does so, it crosses several numbered avenues that run parallel to the beach, all of which are multiples of 5. Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is closest to the beach. It is closed to traffic from the zócalo to Calle 6 (and some blocks beyond, in the evening). This avenue bustles with hotels, restaurants, and shops. With mariachi musicians entertaining in the streets, Playa is reminiscent of the colonial towns of Mexico.
Almost all of the town is north and west of the zócalo. Immediately south are the ferry pier and a Resort Hotel. Beyond this southern edge of town are the airstrip and the golf course development called Playacar, with many private residences and resort hotels.
The beach at Playa is one of the most beautiful on the coast, with white sand and sparkling, clear water. A distinct advantage of this resort paradise is its compact size, which allows it to be easily covered on foot. Playa contains the most vibrant and popular nightlife on the Riviera Maya.
A visit to Playa is never dull! If your visit to Playa del Carmen coincides with a full moon, you could camp on the beach and enjoy one of the celebrations the inhabitants hold in its honor. Playa provides an enormous variety of water activities throughout the year, ranging from swimming on the beach to more strenuous sports such as windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing or diving at the nearby reefs. There is also an 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge. Skydiving from Playa is another possibility.
Playa del Carmen’s natural features, beauty, and spectacular beaches, its enviable geographical location and its blend of sea and jungle make this destination on the Mexican Caribbean a favorite of visitors from all over the world.
City Information:
Population: 47,200
Location: In the State of Quintana Roo, off the northeastern end of the Yucatan peninsula, south of New Orleans. Approximately 1.5 hours flying time from Miami.
Languages: Spanish and Mayan, but English is spoken in most areas.
Time Zone: Central Standard Time.
When to Visit: Playa del Carmen is warm year round, but the steady sea breeze tempers the heat. There is outdoor swimming all year. Rainfall is evenly distributed over the twelve months. The chance of hurricanes is greater in September and October. The sun reflected from the water is intense, so it is important to come prepared with sunblock. Most visitors wear shorts and T-shirts. A sweater is useful for air-conditioned places and for the occasional cool winter day.
Departure Tax: is approximately US $17. Be prepared with US cash for this. Change may not be available. Children under 2 years are exempt.
Click here to read more about visiting Playa del Carmen
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Wed, Aug 04, 2010 @ 05:10 PM
by Glynna Prentice,
International Living
If your idea of the perfect vacation or retirement spot is by an ocean where the beach living is easy, look no further than Mexico. With nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexico offers plenty of gorgeous beaches to choose from, as well as plenty of well-known resorts. But why stick with the tried-and-true? Here are five Mexico resorts that offer the best in beach living…and several of these may be off your radar.
For Water-sport Lovers Head to Loreto, Baja California Sur
Loreto sits on the Sea of Cortez, looking out at the bay that Jacques Cousteau dubbed “the world’s aquarium.” The Sea of Cortez teems with marine life, making it an excellent place for scuba diving, snorkeling and whale-watching. In fact, in Loreto you can enjoy just about any water sport ever invented. Get tired of the water? Just head to the desert and mountains outside town for a little hiking. For nature-lovers, it doesn’t get much better than Loreto.
This Mexico resort offers small-town living with a twist. The local population is less than 20,000, but Loreto gets tourists and snowbirds to liven things up. For big-city amenities, it’s only a few hours’ drive to La Paz, the state capital. And it’s only 700 miles to the U.S. border with Arizona and California (so you can actually drive here).
Some people come down for a visit and find that they never want to leave… It happens easily when you stay at a small B&B where you feel like one of the family. Or you can arrange to rent a house or condo for a few weeks. Both options are possible here.
Two Mexico Resorts Off the Beaten Path
San Pancho and Sayulita, in the state of Nayarit are two small towns at the southern tip of a 100-mile stretch of Pacific coast that’s been dubbed the Riviera Nayarit. They’re less than two hours north of Puerto Vallarta, one of Mexico’s most international beach resorts. But San Pancho and Sayulita are a world away from Vallarta’s glitz. In these little towns you’ll find low-rise homes and boutique hotels, dirt streets, a laid-back feel—and plenty of art galleries. The expats who have moved here are an artsy crowd.
On this part of the Riviera Nayarit, you can feel blissfully away from it all…yet be within hailing distance of Puerto Vallarta’s urban vibe. Head north up this coast and find plenty of small fishing villages that are practically undiscovered. But that’s changing…Mexico’s tourism development agency FONATUR has picked this entire coast for major development.
Use San Pancho or Sayulita as a base for exploring the area…or just kick back and enjoy their artsy ambience.
Laid-back in Puerto Escondido, state of Oaxaca.
This little town on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast has long beaches where the afternoon sun seems to shine brighter than it does in other places. Puerto Escondido is a Mexico resort with a laid-back vibe and a small expat community of young, hip beach lovers who’ve mostly come here for a single reason: to surf.
That’s because Puerto Escondido is one of the top 10 surfing meccas in the world. In fact, if you’re a serious surfer, you’ve no doubt heard of Puerto Escondido.
For the rest of us the town has largely remained unknown. That’s because Puerto Escondido is also hard to reach. But that’s due to change. Mexico is building a high-speed road to connect Puerto Escondido to the state capital, Oaxaca. The trip, which now takes nine hours along a winding mountain road, will be cut down to three hours when the highway is finished.
When that happens, Puerto Escondido’s beaches and bright sunny afternoons will be within easy reach.
Caribbean Beaches of Playa del Carmen, state of Quintana Roo.
Ten to 15 years ago, Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Caribbean coast, was a simple fishing village where you got the ferry to the island of Cozumel. Today it’s a chic destination on its own—and the heart of the stretch of Caribbean coast known as the Riviera Maya.
In Playa del Carmen you’ll find beautiful beaches where you can enjoy swimming, parasailing, body surfing, and fishing off the coast. On shore, Playa offers everything from high-end, boutique stores selling designer wear to funky stalls where you can buy crystals and get your hair braided. The restaurant options are equally varied.
For comfortable beach living, there’s not much you can’t find in Playa these days, thanks to the range of shops and services. For anything you can’t find, just head to Cancún, less than an hour away. In fact, Cancún’s international airport is only half an hour from Playa—making this trendy town easy to reach.
If you want a beach town with upscale amenities and a bohemian edge, then Playa del Carmen may be the place for you.
Great Seafood at Progreso, state of Yucatán.
Progreso is the largest town on the Yucatán Gulf Coast, a stretch of coastline running west and north of Mérida, the state capital. Progreso is a port and cruise ship stop, a low-key Mexico resort with a population of about 10,000.
Enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant along Progreso’s boardwalk (malecón), then skip across the sand for a quick dip in the warm Gulf waters. Seafood is excellent and cheap here—you can get a plate of seafood ceviche that will serve two for only about $10.
One of the best things about Progreso is its easy access. It’s only half an hour from Mérida, with its big-city shopping (English-language cineplexes, shopping malls and U.S.-style warehouse stores) and international airport. But Progreso is also well-connected to all the other little beach towns along this stretch of coast.
And what a coast it is…with stretches of empty beach or sandy coves where flamingoes feed, and little fishing villages where boats bob at their moorings.
The Yucatán Gulf coast remains one of the best bargains in coastal Mexico. Along this coast you can still find houses near the beach for well under $100,000. Even in Progreso this price will get you a home within a short walk or drive of the beach.
So come on down to Mexico, where there’s a beach town for every taste.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Mon, Aug 02, 2010 @ 09:47 AM
By Andrea Julian
The Mexican Free Zone includes the entire Baja peninsula and the western and northern areas of the state of Sonora. This area does not require the types of vehicle permits that are required for the rest of Mexico, so it is a popular destination for RV campers and road trippers from North America and Canada. The Mexican Free Zone contains some of the most popular and scenic destinations in Mexico that are all within a day or two's drive from the border.
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora
Puerto Peñasco is lovingly known by locals as Rocky Point. This is a prime beach destination for American travelers because it is located so close to the Arizona border. From Phoenix, it is 215 miles to Puerto Peñasco. Take I-10 west to Highway 85 south to Ajo, where you will cross the border into Sonora. From there, follow Mexican highway 8 to reach the beaches of Rocky Point. Its close proximity to Arizona has earned Rocky Point it the nickname of “Arizona's Beach.”
Guaymas, Sonora
Guaymas is south of Puerto Peñasco on the Sonoran Coast, just 14 miles from San Carlos, another popular Sonoran Free Zone destination. Once a quiet fishing village, Guaymas is now a bustling port town with calm waters and beautiful beaches. To get to Guaymas, travel south from Nogales along the Mexican 15. This is a great toll road and allows you to make fast time. The toll road will take you to Hermosillo where there you will take the road to Guaymas and it is 75 miles to Guaymas, with the exit for San Carlos being just before the Guaymas city limits. The entire trip from Nogales to Guaymas is 260 miles.
Ensenada, Baja
From Tijuana to Ensenada, it is a mere 74 miles. Simply cross the border at Tijuana and take the Rosarito/Ensenada Toll Road exit. If you are coming from the Arizona or New Mexico area, it is 522 miles from Nogales. Ensenada is known as a premier surf destination. Ensenada also has sheltered beaches that are good for kids, making it a popular family vacation spot as well. Its close proximity to California makes it a great weekend get-away.
Cabo San Lucas, Baja
Located at the very tip of the Baja peninsula and the Mexican Free Zone, Cabo San Lucas is 1008 miles from the border town of Tijuana. If you start off early enough in the morning, you can make it in a day. However, it’s better to break this one up into two days, that way you get to enjoy the scenery. San Ignacio is located halfway between Tijuana and Cabo San Lucas. This picturesque beach town is low key and offers miles of open beaches, perfect for camping. There are also several hotels and bed and breakfasts in the town as well.
Driving in Mexico's free zone from the United States does not require the regular Mexico permits but you will still want to get Mexican auto insurance. You can purchase it online before leaving on your trip. Simply purchase your policy and then print the paperwork off on your printer to present to the immigration officials at the border. Less paperwork means less time at the border, and before you know it you will be on your way to a fabulous Mexico beach vacation!
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 @ 09:57 AM
F
rom www.TravelGuard.com
With the kids out of the house, many "empty nesters" use their newfound time to reconnect. What better way to do that than a second honeymoon to an exotic destination? Middle-aged couples may have even sent their kids on their own honeymoons, but that doesn't mean that they can't head to the same popular locales.
Mexico is a popular honeymoon destination for its mix of beautiful beaches and rich culture. San Miguel de Allende was recently named one of the best cities by readers of Travel and Leisure magazine. Couples can explore the city's magnificent architecture together, see the artwork of painter Frida Kahlo, and enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the city's famous restaurants.
Others may opt for Mexico's famous beaches. There are many resorts that cater to couples looking for tranquility and peace, rather than an all-night party. Or couples may opt to forge their own path, as some of the best beaches are a bit off the beaten path.
After the travails of raising children, it can be great to just get a change of scenery, but its also a chance to try new things. Whether it's exploring Mayan ruins, interacting with jungle wildlife, or scuba diving off the coast, Mexico has this in spades as well.
The best vacation might in fact be a combination of all of these ideas. And without as many responsibilities, empty nesters have the time to do exactly that.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Mon, Jun 21, 2010 @ 02:19 PM
From BusinessVN.net
Mexico’s extraordinarily long and tumultuous history can account for such modern juxtapositions, as highly developed civilizations have inhabited the region for nearly 3,000 years. The rise and fall of great societies, particularly before Spanish arrival, has enriched the country with fantastic legends and lore that infiltrate every aspect of Mexico’s art, design and architecture. Hernán Cortés’ Spanish conquest of the Aztec (Mexica) capital in the 16th century resulted in a unique superimposition of Spanish culture over indigenous heritage and beliefs that can be identified everywhere in Mexico today.
Mexico’s Advanced Ancient Age
The Yucatán Peninsula is an archeological goldmine. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico’s southern shore, the region was the center of Mayan civilization throughout their rule. The extensive ruins at Calakmul (“The City of Two Adjacent Pyramids”) are some of the most spectacular, embedded in the thick tropical forest of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and best viewed from atop one of the ancient city’s pyramids. Just east of the peninsula, Teotihuacán is the archeological site of ancient Mexico’s largest city and most unifying empire. By 200 A.D. this metropolis was home to the third largest pyramid in the world, the Pyramid of the Sun, with a total of 248 steps. The remains of the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztec Empires, along with their surviving descendents, expose an intriguing ancient history of advanced mathematics, astronomy, farming and technology unknown to the rest of the world and largely obliterated by European conquest and disease in the 16th century.
Solace in the Sand and Sun
Travel to Mexico to experience one of North America’s most popular vacation destinations. A majority of Mexico is situated in the tropics, making weather somewhat reliable and the months of July and August necessarily avoidable, when temperatures may not drop below 90F at night. Visit the year-round resort towns of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s Pacific coast and Cancun and Veracruz along the warmer waters of the Gulf coast. The island of Cozumel, just off the coast of Cancun, boasts some of the world’s best scuba diving and the surrounding sea is completely protected as an underwater national park. Baja California, which borders the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific, is an extremely popular destination for surfers, sea kayakers and loungers alike. Great waves, sea caves and the proximity of many interesting locales intensifies the lure of this western peninsula.
Time-Out Tijuana
Mexico’s majesty lies south of the border. Move past the mental images of Tijuana stereotypes and explore Mexico’s grand urban centers like Mexico City and Guadalajara. Put on a sombrero, dance to a Mariachi band and sip the finest tequila on Earth while exploring nearly 20,000 years of human history!
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Tue, Jun 08, 2010 @ 10:10 AM
By USA Today
Overview
The ancient Mayans revered Chac, the rain god, whose curved, trunk-like nose can be seen on temple walls across the Yucatan. But visitors to Playa del Carmen come to worship the sun, which reliably shows its full splendor almost every day in this tropical beach haven. Chac still makes his presence known with summer rains and thunderstorms--thankfully, most are brief, but a few build into a deadly fury known as a hurricane.
Balmy Season
Winter visitors enjoy Playa's most benign weather. Temperatures are in the 80s, dipping to the 60s and low 70s at night, and the humidity is low. Many rustic beach resorts rely on ceiling fans to cool hotel rooms. Occasionally, a norte, a cold front, will blow in, bringing gray skies, rain and cooler temperatures, but tropical warm air quickly returns. The winter rainy season, usually afternoon rain showers, runs from October to January.
Steamy Summers
Heat and humidity levels are higher in summer as daytime temperatures move into the 90s, dropping only into the mid-70s at night. Ocean breezes are refreshing in the evening and serve as a natural air conditioner for thatch-covered beach bungalows with sleeping hammocks strung on the front porch. But in town, modern buildings may not be designed to capture the breeze, making air-conditioning a welcome amenity. The rainy season runs from April to July, the latter two months are the wettest. But summer storms are likely to be short and localized, plus spectacular to watch as thunderheads build over the ocean.
Hurricane Season
The Atlantic hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. Storms are born off the coast of West Africa and gather energy as they move across warm tropical waters. Not all storms are devastating and some simply bring torrential downpours that are welcomed by farmers because they recharge the peninsula's underground aquifers. Others are destructive and deadly, as Christopher Colombus discovered in 1502 when a hurricane killed 500 sailors and destroyed 21 ships anchored in Caribbean waters.
Recovery
Until recently, Playa del Carmen was a tiny fishing village on the coast of Quintana Roo and since most buildings were thatched huts on a concrete slab, rebuilding after a storm was a simple affair. With the city's booming growth, storms now inflict more damage. In 2005 (the year Katrina hit New Orleans), first Hurricane Emily struck in July, bringing widespread flooding, and then in October Wilma with 185 mph winds took aim at the Rivera Maya. Playa del Carmen suffered extensive damage but recovered quickly.
Preparations
Thankfully, the biggest weather-related problem for most visitors is sunburn. Biodegradable sunscreen is required by dive operations and at nearby eco-parks like Xcaret and Xel-ha. Bring a hat and sunglasses year-round, as well as a small, pocket-sized raincoat for summer rains. In winter, a rain jacket offers protection and warmth when a norte blows in. Monitor the tropical storm forecast from June to November and consider canceling plans if a storm is imminent. If a storm moves unexpectedly toward Playa del Carmen--hurricanes can follow quirky paths--heed all local warnings and follow evacuation orders.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Wed, Jun 02, 2010 @ 09:00 AM
By Andrea Julian
A road trip down the Baja peninsula is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The desert scenery, the endless beaches, and the amazing sunsets and sunrises make the Baja one of the most magical places on Earth. However, the true reward lies at the end of the journey, where land meets the endless Pacific Ocean. Here are the twin cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Visitors beware: once you've been here, you may never want to go home!
When visiting Los Cabos, as the area is called, a road trip is the way to go. The roads are great, and the scenery spectacular. From the California border, the trip to Los Cabos can be done in a couple of days or a couple of weeks, depending on how fast you want to go. You will need your passports to enter here, and you will also need to have up-to-date Mexican auto insurance to protect you and your vehicle. Once in Los Cabos, you can choose to stay in either Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or in the area in between called the corridor. Each of these areas offers a unique experience, and choosing an area to stay depends on what brought you to Los Cabos in the first place.
Cabo San Lucas has a reputation as a party town. It's true that there is no shortage of things to do in Cabo. Known as a premier fishing destination, many visitors choose to engage in fishing trips during the day, returning in the afternoon and evening to share stories of the big one that got away over a margarita or two at any one of Cabo's many watering holes. Dining in Cabo is first class. International cuisine at its finest is served up from a wide array of restaurants. Diners can choose from laid back Mexican taquerias to 5-star dining, whatever your budget and taste calls for. If it's shopping that you're craving, then Cabo is the place for you. Cabo is home to many fine galleries and malls, specializing in Mexican handicrafts, artwork, stylish clothing, and, of course, silver jewelry. From budget to luxury, Cabo offers a little something for everyone.
The corridor between Cabo san Lucas and San Jose del Cabo offers visitors a chance to get away from it all in a private retreat setting. Luxurious time-shares and all-inclusive resorts beckon to those that need to escape into the lap of luxury. If you are on a budget, then the corridor is not for you. However, for those with the cash, this is the ideal vacation spot. Perfect setting, luxurious spas and resorts, and world-class golf courses make the corridor a true vacation destination to remember.
San Jose del Cabo offers the most authentic Mexican experience in Los Cabos. This is a quiet, traditional Mexican town. In the center stands the gleaming white Parroquia San Jose church. To the southeast, at the city's edge, is a beautiful estuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where nature lovers' can see migratory birds and pods of dolphins. Other activities in San Jose del Cabo include kayaking, scuba diving, jet skis, and taking it easy. There are a variety of nice hotels and restaurants, and Mexican handicrafts can be purchased in the central plaza.
A road trip to Los Cabos can be as simple or luxurious as you want. Taking your RV and camping along the deserted beaches away from the towns can be a simple way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and warm pacific waters also. At the other end of the scale, luxurious all-inclusive resorts beckon to those who want to spoil themselves in a tropical setting. Whatever brings you to lands end at Los Cabos, you are sure to enjoy every minute.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Wed, May 26, 2010 @ 08:52 AM
By Andrea Julian
If you are thinking about a road trip to Mexico for Memorial Day but want to avoid the overcrowded beaches of some of the most popular destinations, then read on. All within an easy day's drive from the U.S. border, these beach towns are some of Northern Mexico's best-kept secrets. All you need is a full tank of gas and Mexican auto insurance, and you are set to explore some of the best beaches in Mexico.
San Felipe, Baja California
This little seaside gem is located just 125 miles south of the U.S. border on the Baja Peninsula. Since it is located in a desert, San Felipe enjoys beautiful sunny days almost every day of the year. It is located on Sea of Cortez and enjoys a warm, dry climate in the winter and a Florida like summer. San Felipe is completely set up to accommodate visitors, with condo's, hotels, and international restaurants. However, with a population averaging only 25,000 people, it maintains a small town feel. Activities include fishing, swimming, sea kayaking, and sailing. Off-road enthusiast will love the miles of open sand dunes, perfect for dune buggies, ATV's, sand rails and dirt bikes.
Bahía de Los Angeles, Baja California
Known as one of the most beautiful bays in Mexico, the Bahía de Los Angeles is located 405 miles south of Tijuana and the U.S. border, on the Baja Peninsula. The incredible beauty of this area makes the extra drive worth it. The Bahía is home to a calm and peaceful sea, sheltered by the Isla de Angel de la Guarda, or Guardian Angel Island. Although defiantly off the beaten path, the Bahía de Los Angeles does have all the amenities a tourist requires, with hotels, restaurants, RV parks and even a medical clinic. The main activities here are fishing and taking it easy.
Bahía de Kino, Sonora
If you are looking for white sand beaches and turquoise gentle waters, then the Bahía de Kino in Sonora will make an excellent holiday destination for you. Located just 225 miles south of the Arizona/U.S. border, Bahía de Kino has everything a traveler could want. Hotels, condominiums and RV parks are all available along with a selection of wonderful restaurants. Activities here include fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. Water visibility around the nearby Isla Tiburon is incredibly clear, giving divers and snorkelers alike an experience not unlike diving in a tropical fish aquarium. During the week visitors here have the beach virtually to themselves, making this a great destination for those looking to get away from it all.
San Carlos, Sonora
Another gem on the Sea of Cortez, San Carlos is a little livelier than the Bahía de Kino. Located just 250 miles from the Arizona border, drivers can easily reach San Carlos in an afternoon. San Carlos offers beautiful white sandy beaches and a wide array of water activities. Diving, snorkeling and fishing are popular here. There is even a golf course and tennis courts for those who prefer land activities. Wonderful hotels and restaurants are available in many budget ranges, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget, as well as affording the opportunity to indulge in some serious luxury.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Wed, May 19, 2010 @ 07:01 AM
by Robin Thornley, USA Today Travel Tips
Passengers have different priorities when the cruise ship pulls into port--some head for the nightclubs, shops or sights. Others want to find a quiet beach with no crowds, a hammock, a coco-loco at hand and the aroma of grilled fresh seafood in the air. Peaceful tropical havens are within reach even at Mexico's busiest ports of call. A warning: The ocean waters off many Mexican beaches have powerful undertows that can be dangerous even for strong swimmers. Reef-protected waters are safer, but you should exercise caution since remote beaches seldom have lifeguards.
Cozumel
Cruise passengers landing in Cozumel often are directed to the island's beach clubs just south of the port, where the action is lively and raucous. But the island also offers sandy retreats beyond the resort areas that evoke the laid-back atmosphere of old Cozumel before it became a major destination. Playa Palancar on the southwest coast of the island is a long stretch of white sand beside turquoise waters, protected by Palancar Reef. Hammocks hang from the palm trees, the outdoor cafe and bar serve freshly grilled fish and the dive shop operates tours of the reef.
Playa del Carmen
Twenty-five years ago, Playa del Carmen was a tiny community on the Caribbean coast of Mexico with a few funky hotels along the beach that attracted divers, hippies and visitors who eschewed air conditioning, cable television, even electricity in some hideaways. Now, the town is a major port of call for cruise ships and Cinco Avenida, the main avenue along the city beach, is the place to be seen--literally. Topless sunbathing, once forbidden in Mexico, is tolerated on the adjacent beach. The beach at Tulum--the archaeological site 40 miles south of Playa that includes several temples and small pyramids--maintains its unique, unspoiled atmosphere. The protected site includes the cove and sandy beach where Mayan trade ships anchored in the 12th century when the ceremonial and political center was at the peak of its power. The sight of a Mayan temple on the cliffs above the white sand is one of the most striking in the Caribbean. Tour the ruins and pack a swimsuit.
Acapulco
The first glimpse of Acapulco Bay, with its wide arc of beaches and the city buildings dramatically situated on the mountainside, is always a show-stopper. It has been a port of call for centuries, giving safe harbor to Spanish galleons long before cruise ships began to call. The beaches in Acapulco Bay are lively and often crowded with visitors, locals and fishermen, but for a glimpse of what the Pacific coast looked like before Hollywood put this area on the map 60 years ago, head to Pie de la Cuesta, just north of town, beyond the bay. This narrow stretch of beach, bordered by the palm tree-rimmed Coyuca Lagoon on one side and the crashing Pacific surf on the other, is a favorite spot to watch the sun set. Rustic, open-air restaurants serve grilled seafood and coco-locos, fresh coconuts spiked with tequila.
Cabo San Lucas
The rocky cliffs of southern Baja California shelter numerous coastal sandy coves that offer secluded hideaways for visitors. You can reach some by four-wheel drive, then on foot, but others are accessible only by boat since they are protected by high, rocky cliffs. Playa de Amor, "Beach of Love," is at the Baja's "Land's End" at the tip of the peninsula, a narrow spit of rocky outcropping that is flanked by the Sea of Cortez on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Swimming is recommended only on the Sea of Cortez side. Water taxis ferry visitors from the marina in Cabo San Lucas to the beach.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta's Bahia de Banderas is another vast, natural harbor on Mexico's Pacific coast, once a haven for Spanish explorers and pirates. The town's beaches, some 40 of them, were made famous by Hollywood--Playa Mismaloya, 10 miles south of town, was the setting for John Houston's movie "Night of the Iguana." Lively Mismaloya is now lined with resort hotels, but beyond the resort zone lie the area's quiet and little-visited beaches. Two miles south of Mismaloya on Highway 200 is the fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan, the gateway to some of the remote beaches on the bay. Hike the trail to the remote Las Animas beach, or rent a water taxi to Las Animas, Yelapa or Quimixto.
Posted by Roxanna McDade on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 @ 07:04 AM
By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com
Anytime is a great time to travel to Mexico! There's no bad time to visit Mexico, but certain times of the year may appeal to different people more than others, and some destinations are better at certain times of the year.
There are a few factors that you'll want to consider when planning the timing of your trip to Mexico: you'll want to have an idea of the weather, any festivals and events taking place at the time of your visit, and whether it is high or low season.
The Weather
Although many people associate Mexico with hot weather, it's a big country with a wide range of climatic zones. The weather at sea-level tends to be warm to hot throughout the year, making for year-round beach weather (how convenient!) whereas at higher elevations the weather can get chilly to downright cold in the winter months, especially from November through January.
Mexico's beach resorts tend to be most pleasant between October and May (June to September can be very hot and humid) - and you should keep in mind that hurricane season lasts from June to November.
Read more about the weather in Mexico and see the annual high and low temperatures for different areas of Mexico: The Weather in Mexico.
Festivals and Events
If you'd like to experience one of the many fiestas that take place in Mexico, you should definitely time your trip to coincide with one. Some people dream of witnessing one of Mexico's unique celebrations like Day of the Dead, the Radish festival, or witnessing natural events like the annual Monarch buttefly migration, or releasing baby sea turtles on the beach. If you'd like to take part in one of those events, you'll want to plan the timing of your Mexican vacation accordingly. On the other hand, if your ideal Mexican vacation involves peace, quiet, and relaxation, you may want to plan your trip to avoid any of those other events. Of course, there are some places where you can find peace and quiet year-round - check out Mexico's Secret Beaches (perhaps not so secret anymore, but they'll definitely be less crowded than the more popular resort areas!).
High Season and Low Season
During school holidays at Christmas, Easter and over the summer, Mexican families like to travel and you may find buses and hotels are crowded, so keep that in mind when planning your trip to Mexico. Many beach destinations are very crowded during Spring Break. For fewer crowds and good deals, you should travel at other times.