When people ask me for the best places to visit on their next trip to Mexico I give them the rather obvious answer of ‘It depends what you’re looking for’. I’m not ducking the question; it’s just that there’s no point in sending people off to wonderful colonial cities inland if they want some sun and fun on the beach, or sending people to the beach if they want to explore Mayan archeological sites (except for Tulum of course, where you can have your cake and eat it next to the Caribbean Sea). So first you have to decide what you want. If, like me, you’re in search of luxury and comfort, and you’d like some guaranteed sun next to the ocean, and maybe even a spot of golf, then you’ll be better off heading for destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos, Playa Vallarta, Acapulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, or Huatulco. Even if you decide on this option, you still have to define what kind of vacation you’re looking for before you make your final destination choice, because all these vacation destinations are different in style, size, and even price, and you want to make sure that you end up in the place that’s right for you.
Of course all these places have some things in common: they are all on the beach, they all have tropical weather and vegetation, they are all warm year-round and dry and sunny for most of the year. But some are large destinations featuring every kind of accommodation, entertainment, attraction, and activity, while others are smaller, offer fewer options but are more tranquil and have more natural beauty. Cancun is a destination with oodles of everything, whether its spectacular water parks, golf, night-life, of whatever. If you want to take it down a notch, something a bit more tranquil but not sleepy, with all the services and attractions you might need but just less of everything, then Playa del Carmen is a good option. And if you’re looking to take it easy, with fewer people and more nature, then Tulum, just a little further down the coast, is the place to head for. And if you want major relaxation away from it all in your own little paradise then Holbox Island should fit the bill – there are hardly even any cars there! And all these places are on the Mayan Riviera on the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you’re looking for a getaway to a stylish, luxurious, more exclusive destination then maybe Los Cabos is the place for you; especially if you’re crazy about golf, like desert landscapes, and don’t mind paying a bit more for your luxuries. Another kind of place is Puerto Vallarta; like Los Cabos it has serious luxury accommodations and world-class golf courses, but it also has some of the charm of a colonial city, with its art galleries, handicraft stores, and cobblestone streets. Further down the Pacific Coast you’ll bump into the twin resort of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. This is a great example of very different kinds of beach destination, but in this particular case they are just down the road from each other. Both are laid-back tranquil places, but Ixtapa is more luxurious and geared up for tourism, while Zihuatanejo is more of a sleepy fishing village, full of charm but not in the same league as Ixtapa when it comes to luxury.
Next stop down that Pacific coast is Acapulco, the grand old lady herself; she’s been through a few ups and downs over the years, but now she’s definitely on an up with new tourist infrastructure springing up everywhere. You’ll find plenty of everything in Acapulco: nightlife, entertainment, luxury accommodations, activities, people, and traffic. If you are looking for something quieter, more relaxing, and more accessible to nature, then just keep heading south to the relatively new destination of Huatulco; it has plenty of bays and beaches and is still quite small, so you don’t have to worry about crowds and traffic. Just make sure you do your homework before you book. Find the destination that’s right for you, and don’t forget to check out when the rainy season is wherever it is that you choose.
