Mexico’s shoreline adds to up to 11,100 kilometres made of the coasts in
the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The tourism offer
along Mexico’s littoral includes not only the classic beach resorts such
as Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Vallarta and Riviera Maya but also
small and secluded paradise beaches.
Water sports have become
very popular due to the wide range of facilities and infrastructure. In
fact both, the Pacific and the Caribbean, have first-class facilities to
practice scuba diving. Cozumel and the coast of the Mexican Caribbean
are perhaps the main attraction for diving enthusiast, as this region
hosts the second largest barrier reef in the world. Due to more rough
marine currents, the pacific coast of Cozumel is ideal for practicing
surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing.
Acapulco
To the southeast of Mexico is Acapulco in Guerrero State. Of warm
weather it boasts 300 sunny days per year and it has over 10 kilometres
of beach. For those visiting Acapulco, one of the main attractions is
the cliff divers at La Quebrada. This daredevils plunge into a narrow
gap of water from an altitude of 50 meters. Another not to miss
attractions are the marine theme park Cici, Coyuca lagoon, sunsets at
Pie de la Cuesta and the night life of Mexico’s oldest beach destination.
Cancun
Located in the southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is strip of
shoreline tourist complex connected to the main land by a bridge. On one
side of Cancun is the Caribbean sea and on the other side is the
Nichutpe lagoon. Its weather is one of the finest throughout Mexico.
With
over 25 kilometres of white sandy beach and turquoise waters, Cancun is
an ideal destination for beach holidays but also for exploring one of
the most important civilisations in history, the Maya. Cancun is known
as the Gate to the Maya World and it makes a good sense to make your
base in Cancun and discover the legacy of the Mayan people.
Costa Alegre
Costa Alegre is located in Jalisco State and runs from Puerto Vallarta
down to Melaque and Barra de Navidad in the Pacific Coast. The region is
well known for its water sport facilities, traditional hotels and
restaurants, and a unique lay back atmosphere. An ideal place to chill
out at sunset is Tenacatita. Amongst the secluded towns to explore the
local flora and fauna are Perula, La Manzanilla, San Patricio y Jaluco.
Cozumel
Cozumel Island is 18 kilometres off the Yucatan Peninsula right opposite
Quintana Roo State. Is the largest island in Mexico and one of the most
enchanting places in the Mexican Caribbean with an excellent weather
throughout the year and a refreshing marine breeze.
Cozumel is
know as a divers paradise, close to the island is Palancar reef which is
a small section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in
the world. Chankanaab Marine Park is also a good place to practice scuba
diving and snorkelling. It has a museum depicting the marine history of
the island and its famous lagoon is like a natural aquarium connected to
the sea by underground caves.
Huatulco
The
centerpieces of Huatulco's attraction are the nine bays encompassing 36
beaches and numerous inlets and coves, each with its own unique setting
and ecology. Located in the Pacific Coast of Oaxaca State, Huatulco’s
bays are well known for their lovely beaches of golden sand and crystal
clear water. Some are so secluded that they are only accessible by boat.
Visitors to the bays can practice water sports or just relax under the
shade of palm trees.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
Unique
amongst Mexico’s tropical destinations, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo offers the
best of two worlds: modernity & luxury and local charming. On the one
hand there is a six km corridor or luxury hotels and on the other there
is the charming fishing village of Zihuatanejo. The choice is open for
the visitor to explore to views of Mexico both with the peacefulness and
quality service of our country.
Los Cabos
To the Northwest of Mexico is the Baja California Peninsula with over
thirty kilometres of sandy beach and desert landscapes it also boast an
average temperature of 32º C throughout the year. To the south of the
peninsula the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet and form what is
known as Los Cabos’ Tourist Corridor. One of the main activities in Baja
is sport fishing and visitors should not miss the opportunity to take a
boat trip to the rock stone arch, an impressive and distinctive natural
formation, where the “love beach” is found. For keen divers the
underwater sand waterfalls are a unique experience together with the
region’s coral reefs. There are five premium class golf courses for golf
enthusiast along the tourist corridor as well as tennis courts, one of
Los Cabos’ most favourite sports.
Manzanillo
Manzanillo is set on the Mexican Pacific coast in the Colima State, its
peaceful bays and sophisticated tourist and port infrastructure have
made it one of the main tourist resorts and trading centers in the west
of Mexico. The rainy season for this area is in the summer and autum.
Its
two main bays Manzanillo and Santiago, add up to twenty kilometres of
sandy beach. Amongst the most beautiful beaches in the region are the
Windows (or las Ventanas) with impressive cliff views; San Pedrito, with
its peaceful waters; la Audiencia, of deep waters; Playa Azul of rough
marine currents and Las Hadas, an ideal place to relax. At all beaches
it is possible to practice water sports but undoubtedly the favourite
activity continues to be sport fishing. Manzanillo is known as the
“sailfish capital of the world” and in November it hosts the
International Sport Fishing Tournament. There are also a good selection
of golf courses and tennis courts.
Mazatlán
Located in Sinaloa State, it the most important trading port in Mexican
Pacific. Its fine weather and landscape continue to attract visitors all
year round. It has second largest promenade in the Americas (24 km.) and
the tallest natural lighthouse of the world (157m.). Mazatlan hosts its
own International Fishing Tournament in October but perhaps its main
attraction is the Carnival in February, one of the best in Mexico.
Playa del Carmen Known as the Capital of the
Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen lies halfway between Cancún and Tulúm in
the Caribbean coast in Quintana Roo State in the Yucatan Peninsula. With
rains in summer and early autum it has a fine weather throughout the
year. Its main attractions are its white sandy beaches and its turquoise
sea, offer a perfect setting for practicing water sports. Golf
enthusiast will find in the eighteen Playacar Golf Course an ideal
location to practice the sport and enjoy the natural landscape on which
is set.
Playa del Carmen is also an ideal spot for visiting one
of the most beautiful theme parks in Mexico: Xcaret, which is also the
place where ferries set off to the Island of Cozumel. The theme park is
close to Puerto Aventuras while the largest natural aquarium in the
world, Xel-Há, is just forty-five minutes away and the impressive Mayan
site of Tulum is also nearby.
Puerto Escondido
Set in Oaxaca State Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido has fine weather
throughout the year with an average temperature of 23 ºC.
Puerto
Escondido’s Zicatela beach is the birthplace of the famous Mexican
Pipeline and it has become a surfer’s paradise from around the world.
For gently waves visitors should make their way to neighbouring beaches
such as Puerto Angelito, Roca Blanca and Carrizalillo.
Nearby
Manialtepec’s lagoons and Chacahua National Park are very good options
for nature lovers. Here visitors can enjoy boat trips and tour guides
around the estuaries. In neighbouring Mazunte, the Mexican Tutle Centre
is in charge of protecting thousands of turtles that come every year to
the shores of Oaxaca.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto
Vallarta is located in the Banderas Bay, the second largest bay in the
Americas. Vallarta is 352 km west of Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital
city, just where the Occidental Mountain Range ends. Its natural
environment comprises jungle, rivers, waterfalls and is blessed with a
year average temperature of 27 ºC.
Amongst the main
attractions we strongly advise to visit Mismaloya Beach, a favourite
celebrity spot which was internationally known thanks to John Huston who
filmed the famous “Night of the Iguana” staring Ava Gardner and Richard
Burton. For scuba divers the hot sport is Los Arcos with its impressive
rock formations that emerge from the crystal clear waters of the bay.
Other attractions include the Municipal Palace with murals of Manuel
Lepe and the promenade which has been revamped with romantic bronze
sculptures. The city’s centre streets are packed with independent shops
and galleries with work by local artists. Marina Vallarta offers top
quality service for yachts and sailing boats; it also features one of
the region’s best golf courses as well as designers shops and boutiques.
Riviera
Maya
The Riviera Maya is a paradise that is washed by the
waters of the Caribbean. It is made of over 120km coast that runs from
Puerto Morelos down to Punta Allen in the State of Quintana Roo within
the Yucatan Peninsula. The weather is subtropical with a year average of
25°C.
Over the last decade the Riviera Maya has built a
reputation as one of the leading resorts due to its unique selection of
luxury resorts located in the jungle. It offers plenty of opportunities
to relax and have fun such as golf courses and top quality spa’s. The
heavenly white sandy beaches of Secreto and Paraiso (Secret and
Paradise) are top of the list for those who enjoy water sport activities
such as scuba diving. The region has been blessed with the second
largest barrier reef of the world, the Mayan Reef, which attracts divers
from all corners of the world. The Riviera Maya boasts two of the most
remarkable Mayan sites of the Yucatan, Coba and Tulum, the latter
perched on a hill by the seashore. The region is also heaven for local
flora and fauna protected by the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO and an ideal place to practice eco-tourism.
Vallarta Nayarit
Vallarta Nayarit is located in the
State of Nayarit at the heart of Banderas’ Bay and just 10 min from
Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport. This resort runs for 80km along
the coast and has been blessed with tropical weather and a yearly
average temperature of 25ºC.
The beautiful natural
surroundings include jungles, mountains and the Pacific Ocean and are
the perfect framework to the prestigious hotels and resorts as well as
its Marina, excellent spa’s and golf courses. .
Veracruz
Veracruz was the country’s first port and is still its most important
and liveliest one. Is located in the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and its
weather is hot and humid during the summer and rather mild in winter.
Well-known attractions are Mocambo and Boca del Rio beaches and Veracurz
grand promenade. In the city centre the cathedral stands out as well as
the Governmental Palace both from the XVIII century. There are
traditions that start at breakfast time, such as a delicious cup of
milky coffee at La Parroquia, continue with a trip to the City Museum or
the Photographic Archives and end after well after midnight, such as the
danzón performed in the Main Square or an evening spent listening to
Agustín Lara’s songs in what was once his house. There are also
discotheques, if you prefer, together with an aquarium (the largest in
Latin America), the legendary fortress of San Juan de Ulloa and places
for diving, kayaking or sport fishing. Least but not last is Veracruz
carnival, considered the best in Mexico for its colour and ambiance.
