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The Pacific Coast of Mexico from Cabo San Lucas to Huatulco offers great beaches and warm sunny weather during our cold
winters. The weather here is more reliable during the winter months than Hawaii or the Caribbean coast, but I would not recommend it
in late summer or early fall during their rainy season.
Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorites because it still retains that quaint Mexican charm in the downtown area.
It is also the only Mexican town where it is safe to drink the water. There are many great restaurants, bars, and shops
in downtown PV, and this is the place to stay if you like to be where all the action is. The beaches can get pretty
busy with both tourists and locals, so if you prefer to be away from that scene, I recommend the Nuevo Vallarta area which
is just north of the airport (15-30 minutes from downtown). There are some great, inexpensive all-inclusive resorts
in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, and near Punta Mita. |
Language: Spanish
Population: 100,349,766
Capital: Hamilton
Electricity: 120/60 (volts/hz)
Currency: Mexican New Peso
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Current Time - South, Central & East
Acapulco Once known as the Riviera of the West, Acapulco remains a stunning jewel on Mexicos Pacific coast. The
breathtaking coastline features golden beaches curved around numerous bays and bordered by the majestic Sierra Madre mountains.
Huatulco 33 pristine beaches on 9 tranquil bays of Huatulco, currently being transformed into Mexicos largest and most complete
vacation paradise and the countrys first eco-tourism resort.
Manzanillo In the heart of Mexicos Pacific Riviera is a stretch of lush tropical bays, mountains and jungles called the Gold Coast. Manzanillo
is known as the Sailfish Capital of the World and is located 322 km south of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Ocean.
Puerto Vallarta Colonial charm, beautiful beaches and rugged mountain backdrop have transformed this former sleepy fishing village into one
of Mexicos best-loved and prettiest resort towns.
Cancun A perfect climate and 20 km of white sand beach, Cancun has become a magnet for sunseekers around the world, attracting
more visitors each year to Mexicos Caribbean coast.
Riviera Maya long stretches of powder-white, palm-fringed beaches mingled with craggy grottos and desert-island-like tropical coves.
All set between a stunning turquoise sea and a lush green jungle.
Cozumel Natural beauty abounds on this island of 20 live reefs and countless species of tropical fish and plant
life. Cozumel is considered one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. |
The Riviera Maya is located just south of Cancun on Mexico's Caribbean coast. This area is home to dozens of new
all-inclusive resorts located on gorgeous white sand beaches. The water of the Caribbean is much clearer than the Pacific
Ocean - that beautiful, turquoise-green color that you see on postcards. The snorkelling and scuba diving is fantastic, especially
around Cozumel and Akumal.
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Arriving at Cancun's international airport, you're less
than an hours drive to the heart of the Riviera Maya, the town of Playa del Carmen. Formerly a small fishing village, Playa
del Carmen has been discovered as the vacation alternative to the over-commercialized areas of Cancun and Cozumel. The ferry
dock to Cozumel is located two blocks from the main square. To the south of Playa are new luxury hotels, condominiums, and
all-inclusive resorts in the "Playacar" development. See my All-Inclusive section for more info on these resorts.
Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park, is located just 4 miles south of
Playa. It offers a multitude of activities: you can float down its two underground rivers, ride horses on the beach or swim
with dolphins. At night, Xcaret presents a recreation of Mayan ceremonies and dances, as well as a folkloric show featuring
costumes and dances.
Further south, about an hour from Playa, is the walled city of Tulum.
This site has Mayan ruins on top of a cliff with fantastic view of the Caribbean. If you're feeling adventurous, travel
another hour inland from Tulum to the ruins of Coba. Here you will find the tallest pyramids in the Yucatan, located in the
rainforest. There are tours available to these attractions from your hotel, or you can rent a car and do it on your
own.
The very small town of Akumal is about a 75 minute drive from Cancun
airport, just before Tulum. Akumal has several dive shops, small grocery stores and gift shops, as well as some great
beachfront restaurants. There is great snorkelling right off the calm beach, with lots of sea turtles, and about
a mile up the road at Yal-Ku lagoon. I found Yal-Ku lagoon to be much better (and far less touristy) than the lagoon at Xel-Ha.
I have been to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Akumal several times and can recommend some
great hotels, condos, and villas.
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