Busking mariachi bands, jungle-clad ruins, chilli-fuelled enchiladas – Mexico's got a standout personality no matter which way you look at it. One of the Caribbean Coast's standout customers is Cancun, where legendary nightlife's dished up with a side order of white-sand beaches. Spring-Breakers descend in their droves a third of the way through the year, and the party season continues throughout the calendar. The fast-paced city's no stranger to style, though, with a Hotel Zone that's home to some seriously swish digs. You’ve got Hard Rock properties that go big on luxe extras, and All Inclusive deals mean you won’t have to put aside much holiday spending money.
Things are a bit calmer further down the coast on the hip beaches of Playa del Carmen, and in the exclusive beach resort of Playacar. High-end hotels are beginning to make a name for themselves in up-and-coming Playa Mujeres, and the Riviera Maya blends beside-the-sand properties with fun-filled eco-parks, Mayan ruins and tip-top snorkelling conditions. These resorts are a big hit if you're after the best-value break, as All Inclusive deals are a shoe-in at loads of them.
The pick of the beaches on Mexico’s Pacific Coast are backed by green mountains and curved around Banderas Bay – a giant pool of blue-tinted water with Puerto Vallarta at its heart. The city has one of the country’s best restaurant scenes, plus chic boutiques and a promenade made for strolling. North of Puerto Vallarta city is Nuevo Vallarta, where a cluster of plush beachside hotels serve up solitude and snorkelling. The average temperature's in the twenties around the year, as well, so sunny days are easy to come by.
American tourists have been hitting up Los Cabos for quite a while, and Brits are finally starting to get in on the act. It's anchored at the toe of the Baja California Peninsula, off Mexico's Pacific Coast, and has a couple of towns to take note of. Cabo San Lucas is the wild child – swanky nightspots and top-of-the-range shops set the tone near the marina. It's closest neighbour's San Jose del Cabo, which ticks along at a slower speed. They've got a few things in common, though – pristine beaches and modern hotels that know a thing or two about how to do All Inclusive right.
Wave goodbye to departure tax, as we’re now covering this for you for holidays that start on or after 1st May 2019.
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