Mexico Vacations

Visitors hoping to visit Mexico’s Yucatan without massive crowds should plan their Playa del Carmen vacations for April or May, when the beaches are significantly less busy, except on Easter weekend and Spring Equinox. Humid weather, mosquitoes, and hurricanes between the months of June and September make this particular time imperfect for Playa del Carmen travel. Playa del Carmen’s most popular vacation time is between the months of October and March, when prices increase exponentially with the number of cruise ships and vacationers in the area.

Blessed with bountiful sunshine, Mexico attracts the most travelers between late December and Easter, traditionally the high season, while the rest of the year is low season. Expect prices to be higher during the holidays and especially during Spring Break, when American co-eds blow off steam South of the Border at any of the sprawling beach resorts.

Be on watch during hurricane season -- typically June through October -- especially if you're headed to the Yucatan Peninsula. Summers are especially hot and humid, so dress appropriately if you're planning to be outdoors.

John Gray’s Place is famous for delectable crab cakes, fresh cilantro garnishes, and exceptional wine served in classy ambiance.

Chill out at the wifi-equipped Coffee Stop, which serves real Chiapas roasted coffee and fresh pastries.

Indulge in a rich café-latte or espresso specially brewed at the scrumptious chocolate themed Ah Cacao Chocolate Café.

Catch the latest films at Centro Mayo cinemas, located within the Centro Mayo Shopping Mall on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen.

Brave the stage at Playa del Carmen’s Karaoke Bar, which also serves fantastic local beer.

At all costs, arrange your airport transfer before you land. The shuttle and taxi drivers tend to be an aggressive bunch, and you'll be glad that you don't have to haggle for a ride.

Mexico is rich in alfresco dining choices, but none are as majestic as El Farallon at Capella , which is reminiscent of a coastal seafood market. Cliff-side tables are lit up by white lights and overlook the stunning sea, while mounds of ice hold the fresh catches of the day. If you're planning on popping the question, make sure to ask for a private table on the beach.

Clear the schedule. Leave the iPhone at home. You'll be thinking about neither at Rosewood Mayakoba, the most heavenly resort on the Yucatan Peninsula. The luxury property had us at Sense, a spa on its very own island.

If your plan is pure R&R, find an all-inclusive that functions as its own town. Moon Palace in Cancun anticipates every possible need, whether it's a babysitter while parents lounge at the swim-up bar or the 15 restaurants and 12 bars for endless grazing and cocktailing.

It's no surprise that the Mayans built their empire in Tulum, where ruins have endured centuries on a jagged cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  Remnants of the walled city – like El Castillo (the Castle), the largest of the buildings – build upon the lore of the ancient city, now a laidback alternative to busy Cancun. If they had the choice between a circus-like resort and a beachside palapa, we'd bet that even the Mayan gods would opt for the former. 

A popular resort town based in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Playa del Carmen combines traditional pre-Hispanic culture with contemporary Mexican life. Whether visitors are staying at luxurious resorts like Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, which features top-notch western amenities, or more affordable hostels and hotels, a Playa del Carmen vacation guarantees unique accommodations. Visitors to Playa del Carmen famously enjoy the other worldliness of the Chichen Itza as well as the exotic wildlife native to the Yucatan. The large open-air Xaman-ha Aviary is home to some of the world’s most beautiful birds, and there are many natural tours offered throughout Playa del Carmen that explore lush jungles and caves.

Visitors to Rancho Baaxal can ride the Playa del Carmen beaches along with tropical trails and moonlit jungle tours on horseback.

Tour the depths of the earth at the Rio Secreto Natural Reserve, where visitors discover a subterranean world of stalagmites, stalactites, and pristine waters.

Take an evening tour down La Quinta street to find enticing restaurants, shopping, and a bustling nightlife.

After a long day of exploring, visitors famously enjoy Garra Rufa fish treatment at the Fish Spa.

Constructed over 1,000 years ago, the Mayan Sian Ka’an canal is flanked by adjacent trails leading to the Muyil ruins.

The Temazcal body and soul purification ceremony still maintains today its pre-Spanish integration of earth, water, fire, and air elements.

Discover exotic birds native to the Yucatan, including tucans, egrets, pelicans, and orioles, at the Xaman-ha Aviary.

Explore the fortresses and standing ruins of the Temple of the Frescoes as well as the El Castillo, which crowns Tulum’s highest cliff overlooking the Tulum Beach.

Playa del Carmen vacations are incomplete without a visit to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, considered one of the world’s greatest wonders.

Discover the wrecks and remains of the Caribbean Sea’s most famous sunken ships at the Cedam Maritime Museum.

The capital city packs an estimated 8 million plus people into its borders, and just keeps growing. With that many bodies, expect all that comes with a metropolis, from stunning architecture in Baroque, Gothic and Aztec styles to a deep love of art, food and music. Frida Kahlo, one of many national treasures, lives on in the paintings showcased at Museo Frida Kahlo. It is truly best experienced through the senses, one street taco, one mariachi band at a time.

Do yourself a favor: Resist the temptation to bring back shot glasses from your trip to Mexico. They'll collect dust and cheapen your mantle. Instead, head to Oaxaca, the charming colonial city known the country over for its hand-carved wood ornaments, woven rugs and rustic pottery. The indigenous Indians have also created a city worth millions of snapshots. Take a stroll through El Zocalo, the town square, savor authentic Oaxacan cuisine, and head to the mountains for horseback riding, hiking and archaeological jaunts.

It really doesn't get any more Mexican than Guadalajara. The birthplace of mariachis, tequila and the sombrero is a constant reminder of the country's deep colonial heritage, especially the Centro Historico, home to breathtaking plazas and murals by José Clemente Orozco, one of the most important painters of his time. Mexico's second-biggest city also spoils with authentic fare. Snack on tortas ahogadas from a street-side cart, then save room for dinner of tender, flame-fired carne asada.

The Acapulco once graced by Hollywood royalty – John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra to name a few – has morphed into a coastal city dotted by high-rises, cliffside restaurants and thumping nightclubs. Its appeal is timeless. Who can deny the beauty of an arc-shaped beach? Venture beyond the mainstream development for day trips into nearby seaside villages or simply stay put for a peek at the fearless La Quebrada cliff divers, who flirt with danger every day when they swan dive into the sea.

When it comes to lodging, choice is no issue in Cancun. From sprawling all-inclusive beach resorts in Riviera Maya to Hotel Zone properties close to downtown bars and shops, Cancun's business is to entertain the overseas guests.  Float up to a swim-up bar at your hotel, have a leisurely alfresco lunch by the calm beaches, take day trips to see the ruins at Tulum and Chichin Itza. For a reminder of the familiar, pick up couture finds at Plaza Las Américas and Plaza Kukulcán, and round out your night with Don Julio shots at Senor Frogs. See. It's spring break 1997 all over again.

Take a boat or ferry from the hotel zones to this charming seaside village – known in these parts as the place to go diving. Meaning the "island of women" and a tribute to Mayan goddess Ixchel, Isla Mujeres treats newcomers to ridiculously fresh seafood and salty, ice-cold margaritas. Playa Norte (on the north side of the island, naturally) is a must-stop for its shallow, swimmable waters and active bar and restaurant scene. The main attraction: Manchones Reef, where divers plunge with underwater cameras on the hunt for The Cross of the Bay, a one-ton bronze cross.

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are sisters who share quiet beaches but could not be more opposite in feel. Ixtapa, a younger, government-spawned tourist development occupying a former coconut plantation, will be familiar to fans of high-rise hotels and American chain restaurants. Zihuatanejo captures local flair with unassuming beach inns and intimate boutique properties. Meander through cobblestone streets to take mental pictures of your sun-drenched holiday, from Scuba divers to local fishermen.

The splendor of the Sea of Cortez is just one pearl on the long strand of Mazatlan, which combines colonial-inspired architecture with convenient beach access. In the Golden Zone, be seduced by thriving nightlife and a local signature: ceviche so fresh that no future servings could ever compete. Mazatlan is famous for all its seafood. When you're taking your first shot of Patron, remember to savor every bite before you contemplate the plans for the rest of your trip. Will it be a Scuba dive, deep sea fishing trip or dinner while listening to a mariachi band? Probably all three.