Bienvenidos a México
Caribbean beaches, Pacific sunsets and colonial cities, some just a three-hour flight from Northern California.
Two coasts and thousands of years
Mexico was home to great civilizations long before the Spanish arrived: the Olmec, the Maya and the Aztec, whose capital lies beneath today's Mexico City. Those roots show up everywhere, in pyramids rising out of the jungle, in colorful markets, in Día de Muertos altars and in a cuisine so important that UNESCO lists it as part of the world's cultural heritage.
The two coasts feel very different. On the Caribbean side, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel offer white sand, calm turquoise water, cenotes and Maya ruins. On the Pacific, Los Cabos is where the Baja desert meets the sea, and Puerto Vallarta pairs a cobblestone old town with green mountains around Banderas Bay. Inland, Mexico City, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende are some of the most rewarding cities in the Americas.
December through April brings dry, sunny weather and the winter whale season off Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Summer and fall are hotter and more humid, and hurricane season runs June through November. All-inclusive resorts are a big part of what we book here, and they vary a lot, from lively family resorts to quiet adults-only retreats, so it helps to talk it through.
Mexico at a glance
Our favorite ways to spend your time
Not an exhaustive list, just the things our travelers come home talking about.
Things to do
- Swim in a cenoteThe Yucatán is dotted with freshwater sinkholes, some open to the sky, some deep in caves. Cool, clear and unforgettable.
- Snorkel or dive CozumelThe island sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, with famously clear water, sea turtles and gentle drift dives.
- Go whale watchingHumpbacks winter off Los Cabos and in Banderas Bay from about December to March, often breaching close to the boat.
- Take a cooking class in OaxacaShop the market with a local cook, then learn to grind chiles and make mole and tortillas by hand.
- Sail to the Arch at Land's EndA short boat ride from the Cabo San Lucas marina to the famous rock arch and its sea lions.
Places to go
- Cancún & the Riviera MayaBig resorts in Cancún, the beach-town feel of Playa del Carmen and boutique Tulum, with ruins and cenotes nearby.
- Los CabosDesert, sea and golf at the tip of Baja, with lively Cabo San Lucas and quieter, artsy San José del Cabo.
- Puerto Vallarta & Riviera NayaritA walkable old town and seaside boardwalk, plus laid-back beach towns stretching north up the coast.
- Mexico CityWorld-class museums, leafy neighborhoods and some of the best eating anywhere. Easy to pair with a beach stay.
- Oaxaca & San Miguel de AllendeColonial towns full of color, crafts and food, perfect for travelers who want culture over the pool.
Things to see
- Chichén ItzáThe great pyramid of El Castillo, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds.
- The ruins of TulumA walled Maya city perched on a cliff above the Caribbean, with a beach right below.
- TeotihuacanThe vast Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, an easy day trip from Mexico City.
- Día de MuertosAround November 1 and 2, families honor loved ones with marigolds, candles and altars. Oaxaca and Mexico City are special then.
- Mexico City's museumsThe National Museum of Anthropology, the Palacio de Bellas Artes and Frida Kahlo's Blue House in Coyoacán.
What to eat in Mexico
Dishes to order
- Tacos al pastorPork marinated in chiles and achiote, shaved off a vertical spit with a sliver of pineapple. Mexico City's signature taco.
- MoleA rich sauce of chiles, spices and sometimes chocolate. Oaxaca is known as the land of seven moles.
- Cochinita pibilYucatán pork marinated in sour orange and achiote and slow-roasted in banana leaves.
- BarbacoaMeat slow-cooked until tender, traditionally in an underground pit, served on weekend mornings with a cup of its broth.
Where to eat
- Taquerías & street standsFollow the crowds of locals. The busiest stand on the block is usually the best.
- Local marketsOaxaca's markets are a feast: tlayudas, tamales, quesillo cheese and, for the brave, toasted grasshoppers.
- Beachfront palapasFish tacos in Baja and pescado zarandeado, grilled whole fish, along the coast near Puerto Vallarta.
What to drink
- TequilaMade from blue agave, mostly in Jalisco. Take a day trip from Guadalajara to the town of Tequila and its distilleries.
- MezcalTequila's smoky cousin, made largely in Oaxaca from agave roasted in earthen pits. Sip it slowly.
- Aguas frescasRefreshing drinks of fruit, rice or flowers: horchata, jamaica (hibiscus) and tamarind are favorites.
Let's plan your Mexico trip
Mexico is one of our top sellers, and we know which beaches, towns and all-inclusive resorts fit which travelers. Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll come back with options and current pricing.
