Caribbean Coast

Some of the Caribbean's most beautiful getaway towns lie on the coast of Quintana Roo, the popular Mexican state located at the southeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Vacationers have their pick of numerous ideal beach destinations, ranging from world-famous resorts in Cancun to ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum. Though each town along the coast boasts distinctly different types of leisure, all rest on a shoreline where the Caribbean's unique turquoise water meets Mexico's pure white sand beaches.

Cancun provides a combination of relaxed leisure and active recreation. Though best known for its nonstop beachside parties, Mexico's most famous getaway town also provides a plethora of activities on the water, and ample opportunity to get away from it all. Whether you'd choose to go wild on the beach or relax by the pool, Cancun will provide everything you need to escape from everyday life.

Playa del Carmen

Just an hour drive down the coast will take you to an increasingly popular vacation spot at the center of the Mayan Riviera. But despite its continuous growth as a vacation destination, Playa del Carmen provides a more intimate feel than the larger resorts. Visitors can lay back and relax on the surrounding beaches and play in their calmer waters, while still enjoying accommodations found at any other beach resort. Playa del Carmen has something for every traveler, including the incredible scenery of its ecological parks and the lively nightlife of the avenue downtown.

Snorkelers and nature enthusiasts are just a short ferry ride away from the famous coral reefs and beautiful landscape of Isla Cozumel. Preservation of the forest-covered Cozumel allows visitors to experience early, pre-colonized Mexico, and reefs surrounding the island provide abundant underwater habitats to explore.

Pacific Coast

On Mexico's west coast lies Puerto Vallarta, known not only for its Pacific Ocean Beaches, but also for the surrounding natural attractions. Activities in Puerto Vallarta are endless, with more inland entertainment (including multiple golf courses) and a family-friendly environment. Jalisco state's other large cities include Guadalajara and Chapala, famous for giving visitors a real look into Mexican culture. Puerto Vallarta provides that same authentic experience of Mexico, but with all the accommodations a resort town could offer. The town's rich cultural setting and stunning Pacific Ocean beaches set Puerto Vallarta apart from the more standard getaway destinations.

Puerto Penasco

This little known town sits on the northeastern shores of the Sea of Cortez, just 62 miles from the US/Mexico border. Known best for the water's abundance of shrimp, this small fishing town in Sonora is becoming a well-traveled area. When first discovered as a possible leisure spot, Puerto Penasco grew as a popular Mexican weekend getaway, most likely because of visitor's easy accessibility from Tucson, Arizona. The town has grown to better accommodate lengthier vacations, particularly taking advantage of the abundant opportunity to establish chic seafood restaurants. But despite the new development, Puerto Penasco continues to uphold that relaxed, weekend getaway feel.