Mexico Beaches

Looking for the perfect Mexico Beach for your next vacation? From stunning sunsets overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean to the gentle breezes and tranquility of the Caribbean Sea, Mexico offers a wealth of exceptional beaches to explore along these breathtaking coastlines.

CancunWhite sand beach and hotels in Cancun, Mexico With its long stretch of powdery white beach and brilliant Caribbean waters lapping at the shore, Cancun provides a vibrant destination for watersport enthusiasts. Situated on the east shore, Playa Bellenas, Playa Marlin and Chac Mool offer ideal conditions for parasailing, sailboarding and volleyball. The beaches of Punta Nizuc and Playa Delfines are well-known for their extraordinary views and excellent sunbathing and surfing conditions. Most Cancun beaches provide lifeguards, and a fine variety of restaurants, shops and markets as well as hotels such as the Marriott hotel in Cancun can be found nearby.
Playa del CarmenCaribbean Sea scenery in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Home to a variety of exceptional beaches such as Mamitas Beach, Zubul Beach and Coco Beach, Playa del Carmen in known for its white sand, typically warm Caribbean waters and limestone accents. Visitors can experience a variety of watersports or charter a fishing boat at the local marina. Dolphin, manatee and sea lion programs allow tourists to spend time with these fascinating animals up close. Known as Playa del Carmen’s energetic promenade, La Quinta Avenida runs along the ocean and features a variety of restaurants, shops and hotels.
CozumelCoast line view of the island of Cozumel, Mexico Those in search of exceptional scuba diving and snorkeling conditions can take the local ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. Scuba diving and snorkeling tours are an enjoyable way to experience the beauty of Cozumel. With its long stretch of white sand, Playa Casitas is a relaxing getaway that features palapas for shade, gentle waters for swimming and an authentic Cozumel experience. Known for its excellent watersport conditions, Palancar Beach is a fabulous destination for kayaking, diving and sailing.
Puerto Vallarta Coastline of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico With breathtaking beaches, rivers and the Sierra Madre mountain range, Puerto Vallarta is an exceptional destination for nature enthusiasts. Circled by rocks, Playa de Oro features a bay that is perfect for swimming, waterskiing and parasailing. Situated near the mountains, Mismaloya Beach puts on a stunning display of flowers and birds during the rainy season. Los Muertos Beach is ideal for family outings and romantic strolls at sunset. In addition to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta beaches are conveniently located near a variety of gourmet restaurants, boutiques and galleries and the Marriott hotel in Puerto Vallarta.
MazatlanThe Malecon in Olas Atlas area of old town Mazatlan , Mexico Mazatlan offers a pleasing blend of both secluded and active beaches that feature typically warm waters and 16 miles of extraordinary coastline. One of Mexico’s largest beaches, Playa Norte is known for its excellent beach fishing and fresh seafood specialties. Peaceful and relaxing, Playa Sabalos is a popular location for parasailing, waterskiing and sailing excursions in the Pacific Ocean. Referred to as the beach of big waves, Playa Olas Atlas is a favorite destination for surfers around the world. Those searching for gentler waves will find a sea pool located at the northern end of the beach. A variety of restaurants and hotels are conveniently located nearby.

 

 

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Chichen Itza Ruins, Mexico

Chichen Itza Ruins, Mexico (“at the mouth of the Itza well”), the ruins of a grand Mayan city, is a must-see for the Central American and Mexican tourist. Besides being the second most popular tourist destination, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. This expansive compound makes up one of the most colossal Mayan sites.

Chichen Itza Ancient Ruins in MexicoAlmost a millennium before Columbus reached the New World, the Mayans were thriving on a limestone plateau on the northern Yucatan peninsula. The Chichen Itza ruins are surprisingly well-preserved and easy to reach from Mexico’s larger cities making this a ideal destination for travelers on low cost holidays. The remains of the theosophy of the Toltecs and Mayans display painstakingly artistic detail in stone.

Chichen Itza was built in around 600 A.D., and was initially intended primarily as a place of worship. In fact, it was the primary location of religious rites in the entire Yucatan. Its population reflected these spiritual origins. Chichen Itza’s population grew steadily until 800 A.D., when citizens abandoned all Mayan cities.

Ball Court entrance Chichen Itza Mexico mdTwo centuries later, different Mayan peoples resettled the city during the Mayan-Toltec era, and everyone moved west to Mayapan. No one knows why.

The ruined city’s favored deity is the plumed serpent Kukulkan, whose 78-foot high temple is the most famous in all of Chichen Itza. Unlike Egyptian pyramids, El Castillo (“castle”) has only four sides.

The Observatory Chichen Itza MexicoThe entire structure serves as a solar calendar. On every day, the sun shades a different step of the stairway to the apex (91 in all). Among other functions, the pyramid was an aid in the timing of crop plantings.

Besides paying homage to Kukulkan, the temple was built to study the cosmos, as was the Platform of Venus. This spiritual structure was named one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Chichen Itza features a sports field abutted by shrines at its borders. Still other shrines exist in honor of revered animals, like the jaguar and eagle. The upside is that the athletes were proficient. The downside is that the city’s Toltec influences dictated that losing teams were often sacrificed to the gods.

El Caracol (“conch shell), an astronomical observatory was built here, with windows set into a stone dome, an amazing architectural feat. When Mayans looked through specific windows on exact dates, they could observe designated celestial bodies.

Chichen Itza is easily reached from hotels in either Cancun or Merida, the closest city. It white limestone and prevalence of white buildings have earned the Yucatan’s capital the nickname of the White City.

Although it showcases modern fashion and a unique flair, Merida also reminds the Mexican traveller of Colonial days. The town is remarkably compact, and it is easy to see the sights on foot.

The six million modern Mayans, although racially diverse, continue to honor the old ways, as they:

• Grow the ancient foods of tomatoes, squash, corn, beans and chiles

• Practice herbal medicine and eschew Western techniques

• Favor Mayan dialects to speaking Spanish

• Celebrate a mixture of ancient Mayan religious beliefs and Catholicism

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Yucatan, State, Mexico,

From the minute that their aircraft lands at the Manuel Crescencio Rejon International Airport, tourists will be entranced by Yucatan, the Mexican State situated on the Yucatan Peninsula that offers everything from archeological treasures to zoological wonders.

Uxmal Mayan Pyramids, Yucatan, MexicoYucatan is the cradle of the ancient Mayan civilization and thus sings a siren song to all those interested in learning more about this venerable culture, traces of which can still be found in, for instance, the local architecture and the language. This state is, in fact, subtly different from the rest of the country, and this is most noticeable in its language – with Maya and German being spoken in addition to Spanish and a little English – and in its food. No-one who visits the state should miss out on tasting tempting local delicacies like, for instance, the famous Cochinita Pibil – banana-leaf-roasted pork seasoned with annatto seed and citrus juice – the ever-present Habanero chilies and the pumpkin seed, tomato and egg tortillas known as papadzules.

There are several fascinating cities in Yucatan – and all present compelling reasons why they should form part of every visitor’s Mexico holidays itinerary – but it’s perhaps the state’s natural attractions that should be on top of everyone’s must-see list. From the Loltun Flower Stone Caves with their hand-painted prehispanic Mayan paintings that date back at least 10,000 years to the breathtaking natural sinkholes – known as cenotes – that offer cave diving beyond compare and the nature reserves like the Rio Lagartos Biosphere with its 388 different bird species, Yucatan is home to some of the most stunning natural wonders in Northern America.

Yucatan’s cities, of which the most well known is the capital, Merida, offer visitors historical and architectural wonders, exotic dining, fascinating museums and eclectic shopping. The Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, situated just outside of Merida, houses a restored sisal plantation and is well worth a visit as are the picturesque twin-towered Catedral de San Gervasio in Valladolid and the Jardin Botanico, with its infestation of spider monkeys, in the resort town of Puerto Morelos. Puerto Morelos is also the place to stock up on all things Yucatan, and metalwork, clay art and handmade hammocks all come highly recommended.

It is, however, Yucatan’s archeological sites that take the most credit for making this state unique, and nowhere is the Mayan culture more elegantly and eloquently displayed as in Chichen Itza with its stunning Kulkulcan Pyramid, El Castillo, and Uxmal, famous for being home to the Pyramid of the Magician. Also not to be missed is the site at Ek Balam, where visitors can gaze in awe at the ruins of the Acropolis with its magnificently preserved stucco sculptures.

Yucatan is no doubt one of Mexico’s most enchanting and mysterious provinces, but those who visit should plan their trip wisely as the region features a tropical wet and dry climate, which sees extremely dry seasons alternate with the tropical storms usually experienced in the Mexican monsoon season that runs from June through October.

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