Beaches in Mexico - Category

Cozumel

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

cozumel-beachCozumel, the third largest island in Mexico, is a unique place as it has deep Mexican traditions with a Caribbean flair. The people here are warm and friendly and the area provides a lot of excitement, relaxation, and fun for travelers. The area offers activities for those in pretty much every age group. There are many hotels in the area and over one hundred restaurants which give travelers the chance to experience many different types of food while enjoying the beautiful atmosphere that the island provides.

Know worldwide for its coral reefs, Cozumel is a prime location for snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, swimming, and kayaking. The beaches of Cozumel are beautiful and are a great place to catch a breathtaking sunset. Jacques Cousteau once remarked that Cozumel is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive. Although the coral reefs bring visitors in droves each year, a deep water pier was built in the 90s which allows cruise ships to dock. Since then, cruise ships have done much damage to the reefs in the area.

Those who wish to enjoy an eco-tour will enjoy Cozumel as it also has unique wildlife. This is apparent in the fact that in the Mayan language the word Cozumel means “island of the swallows”. The island’s central area is undeveloped, thus it offers visitors to catch a glimpse of the rare wildlife that live in the swampy areas deep within the jungle. There are many national parks on the island and other protected areas. The southern part of the island is known for its lighthouse as well as the Columbia Lagoon which is a great place to few some of the island’s endemic species. Much care should be taking when going on a Cozumel eco-tour as it is home to many endangered species such as sea turtles.

Cabo San Lucas

Monday, June 29th, 2009

cabo-san-lucas-beachescabo-san-lucas-beach-rocks-sandCabo San Lucas, on the Baja Peninsula, is located at the bay where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific ocean. This area has just recently become popular with tourists, so it offers a quieter and friendlier atmosphere than other more touristy areas of Mexico. There are many different types of hotels at Cabo San Lucas from its small and intimate hotels to all-inclusive beach resorts.

There are many things for travelers to do in Cabo San Lucas including golf, water sports, and sightseeing. Sportfishing is popular in the area and marlin is the main reason many sport fishers find themselves in the area. Tourists can find sport fishing lessons as many companies will take tourists out and teach them the tricks of the trade. Cabo San Lucas is also a great tourist location for families as it offers amazing beaches where children can play in the sand or go swimming. Those interested in scuba diving, parasailing, or surfing will also find that these activities are popular in the area. There are also many guides who are willing to teach tourists how to do water sports. Many of them have their own boat and will take tourists either in large groups or in smaller intimate groups. This is not only a fun way to learn something new, but is also a great way to meet new people. May it be diving, playing outdoor sports, or simply relaxing in the beach, you’ll never run out of things to do at Cabo San Lucas resorts.

There are many sights that make this area a great place for photo opportunities and sightseeing. Cabo San Lucas is famous for its natural stone formation, known as El Arco, which is located at Land’s End. Many tourists also take photos of sunsets in Cabo San Lucas and some of the more picturesque areas of the town itself. Cabo San Lucas is also known for its seafood which attracts many seafood lovers from more landlocked areas.

Acapulco

Monday, June 29th, 2009

acapulco-beachAcapulco, a major sea port on the Pacific coast of Mexico, is an increasingly popular travel destination. Once a place that has lost major popularity with tourists, Acapulco is climbing back up as a major tourist attraction in Mexico. Major hotels in Acapulco have been updated and much has been done about the pollution and sewer system in Acapulco. Acapulco is a great place for tourists who wish to get off the beaten path as it isn’t as touristy as places like Cancun and Cozumel.

Those who are adventurous can try cliff diving of of La Quebrada. The activity of jumping of this cliff into the swirling water below has been popular since the mid 1930s. Jumpers have to be wary of the strong current and tide below, however. There is a water park called CICI right by the main beach which is a must visit for travelers with children. The area also offers many water sports. Isla de la Roqueta is a small island off of Acapulco that travelers can get to by ferry. Fishing, snorkeling, and diving are popular here as well as swimming as the island is surrounded by shallower water than that of Acapulco.

Acapulco’s town square, Zócalo, allows tourists to see more culture than town squares of most other Mexican tourist cities. The cathedral is located in this area as well as many small shops and restaurants. Those wishing to get away from the tourist scene in Acapulco can visit the nearby town of Puerto Marquez, which is quieter and friendlier. It’s a good idea for travelers here to know some, even if just a little, Spanish as Puerto Marquez isn’t really a tourist area thus far less locals speak English. Puerto Marquez is a great place for travellers to experience Mexican food at its finest. The food and lodging here is also cheaper here than Acapulco.

Riviera Maya

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

riviera-maya-mexico-beachThousands of travelers each year find themselves in the beautiful Riviera Maya region. There are many things to do here and there is something for almost anyone. Riviera Maya, located in the Yucatan, has a myriad of activities for the young and old alike.

For those interested in seeing historical sites, the Tulum ruins are nearby. These ruins are the only ruins by the sea in Mexico and is considered one of the most beautiful things about Riviera Maya. At Tulum, one can see more than sixty structures. By the main temple, there is a small beach where travelers can swim and look up at the ruins. Cobá is a great place for visiters walk among many Mayan architectural wonders such as temples and other structures reaching up from the jungle floor.

Riviera Maya is also a great place for those who enjoy water sports. Snorkeling and scuba diving is highly popular here as the region has a sprawling underwater ecosystem. Xel-Ha is the best place in the area to explore underwater life. The area is surrounded by underwater caves, rocky coastlines, and thick jungles. The beaches at Akumal offer silky white beaches perfect for swimming.

For those who enjoy a little excitement, there is much to be done at Xcaret, which is a theme park that allows visitors to swim with dolphins, walk jungle trails, learn about Yucatan ecology, and swim at the beach. The park also allows visitors to floats down one of two rivers in the area. Akun Chen gives visitors the chance to explore caves and subterranean rivers flow through many of the area’s caves.

Travelers who prefer to just relax often enjoy many of the areas spas. Many of these spas give personalized treatments in a relaxing environment. This is a treat for not only the sense of touch, but the sense of smell as well. Many of the area spas offer treatments such as clay massages, crystal therapy, and even henna tattoos.

Playa Del Carmen

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

playa-del-carmen-mexico-beachPlaya Del Carmen, or Playa as many call it, is a beautiful beachside city located in Yucatan. It is best reached by flying into Cancun and taking the short drive to Playa. Playa Del Carmen, once a small Mexican fishing village, has been growing at the rate of 25%+ per year. This account for many of the tourist attractions and lively activities that the area now offers.

5th Avenue, which runs along the ocean in Playa Del Carmen, has a myriad of hotels, restaurants, and rentals. There are also many stores along 5th avenue where tourists can find clothing, local crafts, rum, and even Cuban cigars. The many bars and clubs along 5th also give Play its party atmosphere which brings tourists in droves.

Playa Del Carmen is also known, obviously, for its beaches. The sand here is white and clean and the water is blue. The local beach crew also cleans any seaweed or garbage out of the water to keep the area nice for tourists. Water sports such as diving and snorkeling are popular here as there is a small coral reef nearby. Fishing is also highly popular in the area. playa-del-carmen-beach-sandThere are many boating companies that will take tourists out for the water activities.

Those who wish to enjoy Playa Del Carmen, but wish to stay off the beaten path, there are many unique non-touristy stores as travelers get further inland away from the beach scene. The prices of things also get much cheaper as many tourists tend to stay near their resorts. By leaving the tourist areas, travelers can save a lot of money when purchasing things like clothing an souvenirs. The crafts made away from the tourist locales give visitors a look at things made more from the heart and less mass-produced. Also, travelers also get a better look at “real” Mexico as they get further away from the tourist attractions.

Puerto Vallarta

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

puerto-vallarta-city-beachPuerto Vallarta, located on the west coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, attracts many visitors in the United States looking to find the place with perfect weather. Puerto Vallarto has much to offer its visitors with cobblestone streets, the beautiful Pacific ocean, the Sierra Madre mountains, exciting culture, and vibrant nightlife. Despite the recent surge in tourists, Puerto Vallarta has kept its Mexican charm making it a great place for tourists to have a fun, luxurious vacation and still experience real Mexico.

Those who enjoy water sports will not be disappointed as the Banderas Bay offers much in the way of water sports. This bay, one of the deepest bays in the world, offers swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing and more. This area is known for its diving and is one of the best places in Mexico to go scuba diving as there are many underwater caves nearby that divers can explore. Many villas on the beach offer snorkeling and scuba diving lessons for those who are interested. Many people also rent kayaks and go kayaking to the nearby islands to explore many of the tropical ecosystems and secret beaches the area offers. The area is also known for its eco-tours and zip lines. Anyone interested in eco-tours will never find themselves bored in Puerto Vallarta. The Banderas Bay, being the second largest bay in North America, offers a lot in the way of boating. Sailing is popular here and many tourists find themselves on a sailboat enjoying the sun or learning how to sail. Kite surfing and para sailing are also popular here.

Other outdoor activities include exploring what the Sierra Madre has to offer. By way of the Sierra Madre mountains, tourists can experience the Mexican outback and see the many plants and animals in this sub-tropical location. Many tours will take visitors out here to allow them to experience this beautiful area. Some of these tours will also take tourists to local villages, too.

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