Cancun is Mexico’s premier resort destination, far outshining the role that Acapulco had once played for North America’s top holiday vacation nation. If images of white sand beaches, clear blue water, jet skiing, scuba diving and lounging by the pool aren’t enough of a draw, add to that image sensational nightclubs with larger than life shows and a plethora of ancient Mayan ruins and you have a sense of what the Cancun experience is all about.

Jutting into the Caribbean Sea, Cancun rests at the very tip of the Yucatan Peninsula on land that was commonly used as refuge for seafaring pirates. The resort town was built in the mid 1970s in close proximity to, and in some cases on top of, prized ancient Mayan ruins. The main drag is a string of beautiful Art Deco and high-rise hotels followed by a series of nightclubs ranging from exclusively posh or fantasy-like industrial to warmer more intimate discotheques with their own local groovy flavor. Regular 24 hour taxi service to and from anywhere in town makes choosing your accommodations almost as simple as booking your flight on cFares!

Ruins

Although simple mention of Cancun alone evokes thoughts of extravagant parties and spring break benders, make sure to take it easy enough so that you may enjoy a day trip to the surrounding Mayan ruins with a clear mind and an appreciative attitude. The most famous ruins are at Chichen Itza in the center of the peninsula. Inhabited from 445 BC to 1204 AD, then mysteriously abandoned, these ruins are centered about a pyramid with steps that culminate at giant serpent heads. Visit during either of the equinoxes and the shadows will appear as though a giant snake is descending the pyramid. Closer to Cancun, Tulum is also a popular Mayan destination that overlooks the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. The Temple of the Frescoes has an ornamentally painted interior and the Temple of the Descending God is adorned with remarkably intricate bas-relief carvings. There are at least ten other major archeological sites accessible from Cancun by tour operators, and a few recently discovered minor ruins in the hotels’ very own midst.

Cancun, and Then Some

If beach bumming, water sports and overall paradise make you a bit restless, there are more than enough excursions to engage in once you find yourself on the sandy white beaches of Cancun. On a daily basis, seasoned guides lead eager hikers into the jungle to discover where the wild things live. Also, horseback rides are available along the coast and up into the mainland. A short ferry or plane ride away is Cozumel, Mexico’s largest Caribbean island and one of the world’s hottest spots for scuba diving, not to mention you can find a few private companies who offer swimming with dolphins. If true escape is what you’re looking for, Isla de Mujeres is your answer. Fifteen minutes from Cancun by boat, this small tropical asylum is a peaceful retreat from resort life on the mainland. Cycling is very popular around the island, as well as snorkeling and chatting up the occasional pirate that passes through. Take a peek at the mysterious stone statuettes of semi-clothed women left by the Mayans.

Cancun is clearly an easy number one choice for any beach vacation. Families, singles, couples and teens should feel at ease and at home in this Yucatan dreamland that Mexico has made into an all-encompassing, all-inclusive care free environment with the vacationer’s desires right at their fingertips! Look no further for the perfect escape, because you’ve found it when you travel to Cancun. The pictures in this post are from one of my trips to Cozumel, Mexico…

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Mexico has beautiful beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean. In this article, we look at two hot spots on the east coast – Playa del Carmen and Cozumel

Playa del Carmen

With one of the prettiest beaches on the Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen was the hidden gem of Mexico for years and years. About 10 years ago, the word got out and now Playa del Carmen is exploding. If you’re looking for solitude, this isn’t the place with cruise ships and so on packing the place during high season. On the other hand, this is definitely the place if you like a lot of “resort” in your beach vacation.

Playa del Carmen has a lot to offer its visitors. Of course, the beaches are beautiful and I highly recommend you catch the sunrise, which is some of Mother Nature’s finest work. Staying up shouldn’t be a problem since the nightlife in Playa del Carmen is plentiful.

During the day, you can loaf on the beach or head out for some diving in the clear waters of the Caribbean. Should you get tired of the beach, you can head inland for some surprisingly good quality hiking.

Cozumel

An island off the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is a slice of Caribbean paradise. With smooth, crystal clear waters, Cozumel has the white beaches you see in the Corona beer commercials. On the island proper, one can loaf on the beach, pursue world class diving or take a Jeep tour of the island. Dolphin petting and sitting in the hammocks of Xal-Hal are touristy, but fun things to do. Although Cozumel is on the cruise ship circuit, it maintains the relaxed atmosphere found in smaller destinations in the Mexican Riviera.

Unfortunately, Cozumel was in the news through much of the last week of October 2005 because Hurricane Wilma pounded it for over 24 hours. Cozumel is very resilient and after just a few months was back to its normal self and still a great location to go on your next vacation.

You can also enjoy Carnival on the island of Cozumel if you choose to take your vacation in February. Check with your local travel agent or online for dates. The great thing about Carnival is this. There are dancers all over the city all day long going around putting on their own little shows and every night there is a parade. This goes on for a solid week of music and festivities that are of the finest anywhere.

Enjoy some awesome fishing in the Carribbean as well. I caught this ‘Tarpon’ during one of my visits in 2006.

During one of my different visits, I have gotten to know several of the local residents and entrepreneurs. If you know someone in Cozumel, they will have family for almost any adventure you would like to go on. My friend chartered a full day of fishing for two people for a very reasonable price that included the captain, a guide, plus lunch and refreshments. If you do not know any of the locals, don’t be alarmed all of the prices in Cozumel are very reasonable.

If you are planning a visit to the Mexican Riviera area, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are definitely worth your consideration. Personally, I would pick Cozumel in a heartbeat. I have personally bee to Cozumel five times and I am planning another trip there in the near future.

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Have you ever heard someone say, “Once, when I was in Cabo….”? Cabo San Lucas, Mexico seems to get pared down to just “Cabo” by the people who love to vacation there. It is an affectionate nickname for a little piece of a desert town at the end of the Baja California peninsula that lives up to its own hype by being full of fun in the surf and sun.

When you begin to think about what activities you might expect to find on your vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, you will invariably start with the beach and ocean. Scuba diving with manta rays has become an unusual activity that could be a once in a lifetime type of encounter. Whale watching excursions are also popular and can provide a lifetime of memories to take home. And snorkeling expeditions can be exhilarating to undertake.

But what brings most visitors to Cabo San Lucas is the sport fishing industry. Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, and many other species of fish are caught year round in the waters surrounding Cabo. Fishing boats are available for charter and can cater to any whim you may have. You can tussle with these monster fish all day and be pampered with a catered meal once you’re done hauling them in.

Combining the desert, ocean, and mountains makes the Baja peninsula a beautiful and intriguing destination and provides the backdrop for many quaint villages and towns in the area that can be explored by taking day trips. Taking a drive or joining a tour to visit towns like La Paz and Todos Santos can give you a glimpse of village life in Mexico that still exists in this technological age. Exploring old church squares and local shopping areas can be a lot of fun.

Cabo San Lucas is quickly becoming the golf capital of Mexico. It has six championship courses that are very close to each other and they all share the beauty of the area. They all have ocean views and three of them have holes right on the ocean. And while you can take advantage of these great courses now you can also look forward to more courses that are now in the planning stage. So stay tuned!

If you fall so in love with Cabo San Lucas that you want to come back every year, you might want to look into getting a timeshare. Vacation ownership is a way that travelers can purchase time at a resort that they will, in essence, own however many weeks a year are purchased. This has many advantages, such as guaranteeing your same accommodations every year, allowing you to “give” your week to friends or family if you won’t be using it, or trading your week to be used at another resort(although this usually requires you to be a member of a timeshare trading cooperative).

Cabo San Lucas has earned the reputation as a “party town” especially with the unofficial endorsement of famous rock and roller Sammy Hagar, who has adopted the town and opened up his own nightclub and restaurant there. But never fear if you don’t like the all night party scene because there is plenty to do for everyone in this great vacation destination.

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