What if there were a destination that had everything even the pickiest family could want--mountains, beaches, jungle exploration, historical sites, five-star hotels, and rugged adventures? What if this place also included the biggest city in the Western Hemisphere? What if these things existed so close to each other that you could include them all in one vacation?
What if the whole United States realized that this place existed just south of its border?
This destination doesn't just exist in a travel agent's dream. Mexico, so close you might even be able to drive there, offers all this and more.
Here's a sampling of a few of the adventures that await you and your family on a trip to Mexico.
Whale Watching in La Paz
La Paz itself is a delightful, laid-back beach town well worth exploring. It's also a launching point for some of the best whale watching in the world. Forget tossing around in foul weather, hoping for a glimpse of a few elusive whales. For half the year, calm Magdalena Bay is so full of gray whales breaching, frolicking, and even calving that you're practically guaranteed an up-close sighting. If your hotel can't arrange a tour for you, they can certainly point you in the direction of someone who can.
Visiting Mayan Ruins in Cancun
Most people think of Cancun as a beach-resort town--which it is. But it's also a great place to base yourself if you want to explore the ancient, mysterious ruins of Chichen Itza. This Mayan architectural site, which will take you back centuries into Mexico's pre-colonial history, is an easy day-trip from the modern high-rise hotel zone.
Watching Cliff Divers in Acapulco
Don't feel like having an adventure yourself? Then sit back and enjoy watching someone else risk his life. Acapulco may not be the jet-setting capital it used to be, but it's a great place to enjoy sun, water sports, and non-stop nightlife.
Investigating History in Mexico City
Befitting one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City has an incredibly rich store of cultural treasures to explore. You don’t have to look far to see evidence of European, indigenous, and modern American influences. In Mexico City, 21st century glass towers exist beside Aztec ruins, and some of the world's best archeological museums can help you make sense of it all.
Relaxing on the Riviera Maya
With white-sand beaches, excellent diving, and modern hotels, the Riviera Maya area of the Atlantic coast is all about fun in the sun. But with the abundance of nearby Mayan ruins at sites like Tulum, you'll never forget you're in Mexico.
Exploring "The Real Mexico" in Huatulco
Of course if you're looking, you can find authentic Mexican culture anywhere, even in the most developed tourist areas. But for a full-immersion Mexican experience, visit relatively undiscovered Huatulco. The town offers more than just a taste of Mexican life as it's been lived for centuries--it's also a hop, skip, and a jump away from Puerto Escondido, one of the world's best surfing destinations.
Of course, this is just the beginning. There are as many Mexican vacation possibilities as there are travelers to Mexico. Take a survey of your family's vacation interests, do a little online research, and choose your destination. Buen viaje!•
