A Mexico vacation is more than just another tequila sunrise. While Cancun and the Riviera Maya are justly famous for relaxing all-inclusive resorts where sipping beachfront cocktails can be elevated to an all-day activity, the 90 miles of coastline between Isla Mujeres and Tulum also stirs the souls of travelers seeking Mayan history, adventure sports, abundant nature and Mexican culture.
Places to Visit in Mexico
Easy to reach and packed with an abundance of resort choices, Cancun is known for its high-rise hotels strung along a narrow strip of sand between a natural lagoon and the Caribbean Sea.
“My favorite area for a great beach vacation is Cancun’s Hotel Zone,” said Kimberly O’Flaherty, a AAA travel advisor and destination-wedding specialist. “Some people think it is still the ‘old’ Cancun, but it certainly has risen above the party atmosphere: Luxury is king now.”
Examples of high-end all-inclusive resorts that O’Flaherty says are great destinations for Cancun-bound travelers include the adults-only Live Aqua Cancun and Hyatt Zilara Cancun All Inclusive and the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, which welcomes families.
Let's Plan Something Wonderful
Book your next trip with AAA Travel now or call 866-423-5585 to speak with a travel advisor.
Book NowJust north of Cancun is the growing but still laid-back resort area known as the Costa Mujeres (or Playa Mujeres), another destination for luxury beach stays.
“Costa Mujeres has some of the best calm beaches, and it is a short ferry ride to Isla Mujeres,” said O’Flaherty. “I think any catamaran tour that brings you there and lets you snorkel on the way is a ton of fun.”
Isla Mujeres stands apart for its relative isolation, safe and welcoming atmosphere and rich natural beauty.
“It’s a place to go swim with the whale sharks, and manta rays, too,” said O’Flaherty. “I suggest the Dreams Playa Mujeres and Secrets Playa Mujeres resort, depending on whether it is a family or adults traveling.” Staying in a smaller, mostly locally owned hotel on Isla Mujeres itself is another option.
Heading down the coast south of Cancun reveals another way to stay in the Mexican Caribbean: Vacationing on a pristine beach surrounded by dense jungle rather than other hotels.
Moon Palace Cancun is a AAA Four Diamond designated luxury family resort with a large water park. Another family-friendly choice is the Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya, just outside the growing beach community of Puerto Morelos.
The Mayakoba area includes a trio of the most luxe resorts in Mexico: the Rosewood Mayakoba and the AAA Five Diamond designated Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Fairmont Mayakoba, all clustered around golf courses and spas in an exclusive resort community.
Mayakoba is a delightfully private Mexican vacation spot, yet also just a short drive to the shopping, dining and nightlife of Playa del Carmen. Browsing rare bottles of tequila and mescal at the shops along Fifth Avenue is a memorable experience, and Playa del Carmen also is the gateway for the 45-minute ferry ride to the island of Cozumel.
Mostly a destination for day-trippers and cruise ship visitors, Cozumel has a charming small town, San Miguel de Cozumel, but remains mostly undeveloped, making it popular with nature lovers as well as those who come to spend a day sunning on Playa Palancar Beach. Surrounded by the coral reefs of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — which runs the length of the Riviera Maya coastline — Cozumel also is a popular jumping-off point for dive tours.
Cozumel, like the mainland, is deeply pocketed with water-filled limestone caves called cenotes. Jade Cavern Cozumel is one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions. Cenotes are also part of the natural attractions at the Xcarat parks located in the Playa del Carmen area.
“For people who are into adventure, I suggest the Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen area,” said O’Flaherty. “A perfect place is the Hotel Xcaret Mexico, which includes entrance to all of the Xcaret parks.”
Built around an archaeological site of the same name, Xcaret is an ecological park offering the opportunity to swim in a cenote and on a river through a Mayan village, encounter dolphins and manatees, and enjoy a Mayan cultural show. Other parks include Xel-Ha, which features an underground river and water park, and Xplor with its 14 ziplines and ATV tours.
Tulum trades high-energy for chill vibes. This small but rapidly growing coastal city was once known mostly for the ruins of a 13th century Mayan port town that once served the much larger city of Coba, located about 30 miles inland. In recent years, however, Tulum has emerged as the leading wellness destination in the Riviera Maya — first with small, toes-in-the-sand hotels, then later adding luxury boutique resorts with spas, yoga classes and other amenities.
Some Tulum hotels are on the beach, while others offer an in-town experience that allows visitors greater immersion in local culture than a stay at an all-inclusive resort.
“A visit to Tulum, Coba or both, and meeting with the Mayan people, is a must-do,” said O’Flaherty.
Plan your trip to Mexico with a AAA travel advisor. It’s a free service with your membership, so take advantage! Call 866-423-5585 to speak with an advisor today.
What is your favorite place to visit in Mexico? Tell us in the comments.
Related Articles
Trending Articles
NEWEST ARTICLES
One Thought on “The Best Places to Visit in Mexico ”
Leave A Comment
Comments are subject to moderation and may or may not be published at the editor’s discretion. Only comments that are relevant to the article and add value to the Your AAA community will be considered. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.
recommend: for easy west coast access Ensenada, coastal scenery, plenty of restaurants, musical entertainment, whale watching opportunities, and a feel of a real place beyond tourism; Copper Canyon train ride from west coast Los Mochis to Chihuahua, the latter worth a visit but the highlight s the scenic ride over the mountains – at the top, a bus can take you down to the canyon floor where some old fashioned hotels are available to stay over in this relatively remote place