How to Plan a Beach Vacation to Mexico

Vacations to the beaches of Cancun or Puerto Vallarta are popular with travelers of all ages. However, their heavily-traveled resorts are only a few of the thousands of beach destinations available for travelers to Mexico. Plan a beach vacation that goes off the beaten path to appreciate everything Mexico has to offer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Transfer your travel funds into pesos as you plan your Mexico vacation. While some shops accept U.S. dollars, the conversion rate makes the use of pesos more favorable.

2. Keep your suitcase light by leaving heavier shirts and pants at home. You can plan for consistent temperatures and weather on both coasts during the winter, spring and fall.

3. Lay down roots during your beach vacation in Mexico along the central Pacific coast. The city of Mazatlan offers accommodations like the El Cid Marina Beach Hotel that are more affordable than similar hotels on the Atlantic coast (see Resources below).

4. Journey to the Big California Sur section of Mexico if you like fishing and boating. The city of La Paz has a marina that houses companies like Tortuga SportFishing, which offer diving and fishing excursions for tourists (see Resources below).

5. Travel to Tulum along Mexico's Atlantic beach front to avoid the crowds at nearby tourist destinations. Visit the Tulum page online at TripAdvisor to learn more about this ancient city's rich history and unique attractions (see Resources below).

6. Organize a trip to the Yucatan to enjoy a beach vacation while learning about Mexico's history. You can use a tour company like Illuminado Tours to witness the ruins of Uxmal and plan a trip along the Atlantic Coast (see Resources below).

7. Document every souvenir you purchase during your Mexico beach vacation to head off legal troubles as you head home. The enforcement of customs regulations by Mexican officials at airports and bus stations has increased, due to terrorism concerns.

Tips & Warnings

• Combine rail and bus transportation to make your way from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts of Mexico. There are plenty of bus routes across Mexico's highway system that help tourists experience beaches and ruins on both sides of the nation. A lengthy rail system runs along the Pacific Coast for easy transit.
• Tourism in Mexico can be dangerous. Always lock up your valuables and make sure that you're aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid dealing unnecessarily with locals if you're in unfamiliar places, particularly in large cities.

Resources

• Reservation form for El Cid Marina Beach Hotel
• Day tours of Yucatan through Illuminado Tours
• Fishing packages through Tortuga SportFishing in La Paz
• Tulum tourism at TripAdvisor.com