Mexico travel tips. Mexico resorts - where better to fly Mexico Caribbean resorts Cancun

Geography of Mexico
Mexico as seen from space
    Our house Casa Manana is a spacious two-storey villa, which actually stands on the beach. Going down from the veranda, you immediately find yourself on the warm white sand. And, despite the fact that the house is surrounded by hotels, the beach near the house is quiet and not crowded. Mostly vacationers walk along the Mayan Riviera beach, which stretches for many kilometers from Cancun to Tulum. There are few swimmers, although the water temperature reached 27 degrees. Either everyone was frightened by rumors about sharks, or there was too much grass from the reef, but vacationers preferred hiking rather than water treatments.
    All around mexico is the sea or the ocean for a lazy rest and complete unity with the local unhurried rhythm of life. But there are enough places where you can spend time, as well as touch the history of the ancient Mayan civilization. These are a variety of natural parks and adventure parks, as well as an amazing underground world of caves, lakes and rivers. There are quite a few ancient Mayan cities in the area, the biggest known ones are Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba. All of them are located no more than two hours from Cancun.
    We diversified our lazy rest with a trip to the Xcaret park, as well as a trip to Chichen Itza.
    Xcaret is a natural park that has everything to fully enjoy the local flora and fauna. Here is an aquarium, which represents the life of the reef, a piece of the tropics with butterflies, and underground rivers that you can swim through by renting equipment (vest, fins and a mask). Of the local representatives of the animal world in the park, you can see cougars, jaguars, manatees, crocodiles, and various tropical birds.
The coastline of the bay is indented. Because of the predominantly low coastlines, the coastline is often changed by hurricanes. There are many wetlands in the lowland coastal areas.
The bottom near the coast is sandy, pebbly-sandy, with depth - silty-sandy, silty and clayey.
In the shelf zone of the northwestern part of the bay, there are rich oil and gas fields, the development of which has repeatedly led to environmental disasters associated with pollution of the waters of the bay by spilled oil.
However, the ecology of many areas of the World Ocean is under the pressure of intense pollution by traces and waste of human activity, and no Osmo aqua filters will save the living world from death if we are not aware of the harm and danger of our actions.
The fauna and flora of the Gulf of Mexico, as befits a warm-water reservoir, is very rich and diverse. In shallow coastal waters, zooplankton is rapidly developing, which is the basis of the food chain of the local fauna. The conditions for the flourishing of microorganisms are created by well-warmed coastal waters and the richness of water with microelements washed off from the lowland areas of the land. Further, in open waters, there is much less zooplankton; here, the density of life is also less.
Macroalgae are represented by tortoiseshell thalassia, cymodocea and some other species.
Bottom life is richly represented by numerous mollusks, incl. cephalopods, shellfish, as well as echinoderms (starfish, hedgehogs), crustaceans (spiny lobsters, crabs, hermit crabs, shrimps and small crustaceans of various species). Lots of sea worms, snakes and other invertebrate aquatic animals.
Of the mammals of the Gulf of Mexico, several species of dolphins can be noted. Humpback whales and sperm whales occasionally swim here.
Fish in the Gulf of Mexico are represented by a large number of species. Small fish come to feast on numerous plankton, as well as the main commercial object of the bay - fish of the herring family - medkhen. This is a medium-sized herring (up to 50 cm), forming huge shoals in surface waters. There is a lot of American sardinella, alasha sardinella here.
Other predatory fish are busy hunting for herrings - bluefish, swordfish, marlin, sharks. Large fish hunt, also, tuna and dolphins. Among the bottom fish, one can note the yellow-tailed and black-backed flounder, gray croakers (relatives of the Black Sea croakers). Near the mouth of the Mississippi, many fish live that are not afraid of desalination - tarpons, all the same croakers and even gray bull sharks. These predators were met in the riverbed far from the mouth.
The main objects of fishing are medkhen, tuna, oysters, lobsters. In places, sharks are intensively hunted, especially some varieties of gray sharks (soup, silk, etc.). The tender, fatty meat of these boneless fish is valued, and especially the fins.
Sea turtles, numerous earlier in the waters of the bay, are now becoming less and less common. However, here you can still find species such as green, loggerhead, hawksbill.
Sport fishing is carried out on blue marlin, swordfish, sharks.
There are also accidents associated with the attack of large sharks on bathers. So, in February 2011, a shark bit a tourist from Canada on the beach in Cancun (Mexico). Fortunately, the woman survived.
At the same resort in March 2011, our compatriot suffered from shark teeth. The shark's teeth left a lacerated wound on her leg, but the Russian woman's life is out of danger (more on these cases here).
Most incidents with sharks occur due to non-observance of elementary precautions by vacationers in the sea or ocean of swimming.

International tourism in the Mexican states is developing at a rapid pace. More recently, unremarkable fishing villages are becoming known throughout the world as best resorts in mexico. But why did these areas of Mexico deserve such recognition? And how among their many to choose the most suitable for yourself and your family? At what time of the year is it worth coming to rest in the resort of Mexico, and in what months is it better to refrain from traveling?

The Mexican states can boast of their excellent geographical position: on the one hand, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, on the other, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The coasts are famous for their endless white sand beaches, and the tropical climate makes the resorts of Mexico a favorite vacation spot for millions of tourists from all over the world. Here you can find a resort for every taste: shallow, calm waters for families with children, huge waves for extreme surfers, stunning coral reefs for diving fans, beaches with the ruins of Indian and Spanish cities for connoisseurs of antiquities.

The most popular resorts with developed infrastructure are located on the Pacific coast (, Santa Cruz, Cabo San Lucas) and on the Caribbean coast on the Yucatan Peninsula (, Riviera Maya).

The best resorts in the Caribbean

Since the end of the last century, the main competition for Mexican resorts on the Pacific coast has been the fast-growing resorts of the Caribbean. And this is not surprising, because snow-white beaches, beautiful coral reefs, wild jungles and mysterious cities of the ancient Indians are just some of the sights of this region.

Cancun Resort

Undoubtedly, it occupies a leading position among Mexican resorts on the Yucatan Peninsula. It is located in the very east of the peninsula. It is very easy to get to, as there is an international airport of the same name nearby. Many flights from Moscow go in transit to Cancun.

Although Cancun began to develop quite recently, today it is the resort capital of Mexico. Hundreds of thousands of people come here every year, mostly from the United States. But among Russian tourists, Cancun is gaining more and more popularity. Cancun attractions: El Embarcadero amusement park, La Isla Aquarium, water park, as well as the ruins of the ancient Mayan cities of El Meco, Pok Ta Pok temple, Yamil Luum.

The snow-white beaches of Cancun stretch for many kilometers. Here, in the so-called "Hotel Zone", most of the hotels are located, as well as many shops, clubs and restaurants. Tourists can have a great time and do shopping without leaving the Hotel Zone. The most visited beaches: Linda, Langosta, Perlas, Dolphin Beach, Tortugas.

A special advantage of Cancun is that many excursion tours to the sights of Yucatan depart from this city. From Cancun it is easy to get to, etc.

Playa del Carmen Resort

This is not a huge resort metropolis with hundreds of hotels, but a quiet and cozy town on the Caribbean coast. It is located in the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Riviera Maya zone.

Its main advantage is the delightful beaches with white sand and wooden piers extending far into the sea. There are several beaches here: Paamul, Paraiso and Playacar.

- a place included in many tourist routes from Cancun. This is not an ordinary resort, but a Mayan port city with well-preserved ancient buildings. Many films and series about pirates were filmed in this picturesque place. Tulum is located in the north of the Yucatan, 80 km from Playa del Carmen.

Among the main attractions of Tulum are the ruins of the ancient protective wall of the city, the Temple of Frescoes, the Temple of the Descending God, the Temple of the Wind.

The beaches of Tulum are recognized as one of the cleanest in the Mexican states. Among the most popular beaches are Maya, Boca, Santa Fe, Palm Beach. These places are not as crowded with tourists as in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Therefore, those who seek solitude and tranquility will appreciate Tulum.

People come here from all over the world not only to sunbathe and swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The depths of the sea are fraught with delightful treasures of flora and fauna, so diving is the most favorite pastime for tourists.

The delightful island of Cozumel is located 20 km from the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Almost the entire territory of the island is protected and protected by the state.

Cozumel attracts primarily diving enthusiasts. It is here that the Second Barrier Reef begins with an incredibly rich flora and fauna. Amazing underwater caves stretch for many kilometers and have not yet been fully explored.

Snow-white quiet beaches and emerald jungle make Cozumel a truly paradise island.

Pacific resorts in Mexico

Many people are attracted to vacation in Mexico on the shores of the endless Pacific Ocean. Unlike resorts in the United States, the weather and ocean water temperatures are warmer here, nature enchants with its diversity, and prices for hotel accommodation and entertainment are much lower. By tradition, many residents of the United States and Europe come here to spend their long-awaited vacation.

Acapulco Resort

Back in the middle of the 20th century, it was considered the leading resort among the stars of American Hollywood. Sung in famous movies and TV series, Acapulco is still one of the most visited resorts in the Mexican states.

Acapulco is located on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. From October to April, it practically does not rain here, and the air temperature is +28 degrees Celsius. This is the best time for a comfortable rest. Such weather will be especially appreciated by those who are tired of severe frosts and snowy landscapes in their homeland.

Acapulco can offer a wide variety of entertainment for a wide variety of people, accommodation in the most luxurious hotels with 5 * status or economy class hostels. Of the sights, the botanical garden, the cliff of La Quebrada, the fortress of San Diego, the Acapulco water park, the Catholic Cathedral on the main square of the city deserve attention. Especially popular is Palma Sola, a nature reserve where huge stones with ancient mysterious drawings and petroglyphs were found. And the nightlife of Acapulco with its restaurants, clubs and shows has made the city famous far beyond the borders of Mexico.

Well, of course, Acapulco is famous for its beaches. The most famous of them are Caleta, Condesa, Caletilla and Cuesta. At the end of the last century, Acapulco began to lose its former attractiveness due to the pollution of coastal waters and beaches. The city authorities, alarmed by the noticeable decline in the influx of tourists, began to seriously clean up the resort from pollution. Now it is a well-groomed, thriving tourist center.

The resort is located 330 km from Guadalajara on the shores of the Gulf of Banderas. has existed since the middle of the 19th century. At first it was an unremarkable fishing village. And when the famous American film Night of the Iguana was filmed on its picturesque shores in 1964, the quiet resort town began to gain popularity. Today, Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the most expensive tourist centers in the Mexican states. Luxurious hotels, cottages and villas were built here for the richest and most famous people not only in Mexico, but throughout the world.

The main attractions of Puerto Vallarta are the botanical garden with exotic plants and birds, the island of Rio Kuale with art exhibitions of famous masters of painting, the Church of Guadeloupe with the diadem of Queen Carlot of Mexico.

Sunny beaches stretch for many kilometers along the Pacific coast, there are more than 40 of them. The best are Olas Atlas, De los Muertos, Las Animas. Among the water activities: fishing, diving, snorkelling, yachting, surfing and much more.

This beach area, about 40 km long, is located on the Baja California Peninsula between the resort towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Tourists from the USA and Canada prefer to relax here.

Vacationers are waiting for all kinds of entertainment in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, such as scuba diving in coral reefs, sailing on a pirate ship, fishing, surfing, etc. In addition, from January to April, whales can be seen here, which during this period come especially close to the shore.

Los Cabos is famous for its golf courses and is considered one of the most popular tourist centers among connoisseurs of this elite sport.

Those who prefer extreme types of recreation can take a walk in an SUV along the desert slopes of the California Peninsula. Baja California is famous for its huge variety of cactus species, 85% of which are found nowhere else on the planet.

The beaches of this tourist area attract tourists with a variety of landscapes. For example, the Costa Azul beach has become famous among surfers for its high waves. Chileno beach was chosen by divers and snorkelers. And the amazingly beautiful Palmilla Beach was very fond of masters of painting and photography. It is worth noting that the beaches of Los Cabos are recognized as one of the cleanest resort beaches in the world and for this they received the Blue Flag award.

One of the main attractions of Cabo San Lucas has become an arch-shaped rock located in the middle of the ocean. Once every 7 years, during a strong ebb tide, the bottom under the arch is exposed and you can walk along it. The rest of the time, tourists like to sail under the arch on a ship and admire its stunning beauty.

In the resorts of Mexico, the weather throughout the year pleases vacationers with warm air and water temperatures in the sea. Although the weather can be very unstable, this region is characterized by two seasons: dry season and rainy season.

During the winter months, the air warms up to +28C during the day and up to +23C at night. Winter is the driest period of the year, so there is no suffocating humidity.

March and April are two very comfortable months for families with children, when there are practically no waves at sea. The air temperature is about +29C.

In May, the direction of the waves begins to change, rare precipitation falls. The temperature rises to +31C.

Summer in Mexico is the rainy season with the highest temperatures during the day up to +36C.

September is the rainiest month of the year. The temperature on a sunny day is up to + 32C, on a cloudy day it is about + 20C. This is not the most suitable month for traveling to the resorts of Mexico.

Mid-October and November is the beginning of the holiday season, when more and more tourists from Russia appear. During the day it is warm up to + 28C, in the evening and at night it is cool up to + 23C.

Resorts of Mexico - where to fly

Choosing a resort in Mexico, of course, is not an easy task. After all, advertising brochures look so attractive and tempting that you definitely want to visit all the popular resorts. It's great if someone has the opportunity. But usually, even if tourists are not limited in funds, then at least in time. What will help you make a choice?

The resorts on the Pacific coast and the resorts of the Caribbean Sea have much in common: the infrastructure is well developed, beautiful beaches, amazing beauty and sights, and a rich underwater world.

Of course, each resort has its own characteristics. For example, where the Pacific resorts on the California Peninsula are located, the area is deserted, with sparse vegetation, but the beaches are especially clean. Yucatan is famous for its thick jungles, ancient Mayan Indian cities, many cenotes and paradise islands nearby. It turns out that no matter what choice tourists make, they will not be disappointed. Mexican resorts will certainly give many of the most pleasant and unforgettable experiences.

Television has shaped the image of Mexico as a very poor country, where drug cartels are constantly at war with each other. But in fact, this is not at all the case. Every year, more than 20 million foreign tourists come to this country to see the unique monuments and pyramids of the Maya and Aztec Indians, ancient Spanish forts, colonial palaces, try unforgettable Mexican cuisine, and, of course, relax in Mexican beach resorts, among which "shine » Acapulco and Cancun.

Geography Mexico

Mexico is located in the south of North America. Mexico borders the United States to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast. In the southeast, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, in the east by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and in the south and west by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Mexico consists of several islands in the Pacific Ocean, including the Revilla Gigedo group of islands and the island of Guadalupe. The total area of ​​this state, including the islands, is 1,972,550 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 4,353 km.

From north to south, the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Occidental mountain ranges stretch across Mexico, located between the Mexican Highlands. In the south, the mountain system Sierra Madre South dominates. The highest local peak is Mount Orizaba, whose height reaches 5,700 meters.

Seismic activity is quite high in Mexico. In addition, there are many volcanoes, some of which are still active (for example, Colima and Paricutin).

The largest Mexican rivers are Usumacinta (560 km), Grijalva (480 km), Papaloapan (534 km), Coatzacoalcos (282 km).

Capital of Mexico

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. More than 9 million people now live in this city. Historians claim that Mexico City was founded by the Aztec Indians in 1325.

Official language

In Mexico, one official language is Spanish.

Religion

More than 82% of the inhabitants are Catholics, about 9% are Protestants.

State structure

According to the current Constitution, Mexico is a presidential republic in which the head of state is the President (he is elected by popular vote for 6 years).

The bicameral Mexican parliament is called the Congress, it consists of the Senate (128 senators, elected for 6 years) and the Chamber of Deputies (500 deputies, elected for 3 years).

The main political parties are the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the National Action Party, the Democratic Revolution Party, the Green Party and the Labor Party.

Administratively, Mexico is divided into 31 states and one federal district, centered on Mexico City.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical and temperate, depending on the region and altitude in relation to sea level. On the Yucatan Peninsula, the average annual air temperature is + 26-30C.

The rainy season lasts from May to October. During the rest of the year, it also rains, but much less frequently. In general, you can relax in Mexico all year round, but it depends on the destinations where tourists want to go (some destinations are better to choose in certain months).

Average air temperature in Cancun (Caribbean coast):

1. January – +23C
2. February - +23С
3. March - +25С
4. April - +26C
5. May - +27С
6. June - +28C
7. July - +28C
8. August – +28С
9. september - +28C
10. october - +27C
11. November - +25C
12. december - +24C

Seas and oceans of Mexico

In the southeast, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and in the south and west by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The total length of the coastline is 9,330 km.

Average sea temperature off the coast of Cancun (Caribbean coast):

1. January – +26C
2. February - +26С
3. March - +26C
4. April - +27C
5. May - +28С
6. June - +29C
7. july - +29С
8. August – +29C
9. september - +29C
10. october - +29C
11. November - +28C
12. december - +27C

Rivers and lakes

Several fairly large rivers flow through Mexico - Usumacinta (560 km), Grijalva (480 km), Papaloapan (534 km), Coatzacoalcos (282 km). In the state of Guadalajara, at an altitude of 1524 meters above sea level, there is a freshwater lake Chapala, with an area of ​​1,100 square meters. km, the largest in this country.

History of Mexico

People settled on the territory of modern Mexico several thousand years ago. In the early centuries of our century, several Indian tribes lived there, including the famous Maya, who created hieroglyphic writing, a calendar and grandiose pyramids. Around the 12th century, the Aztecs arrived there.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, led by Hernandez de Cordoba, Juan de Grijalva and Hernan Cortes. After some time, Mexico became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and remained a Spanish colony until 1821.

In 1823, after a long war of independence, the Republic of Mexico was proclaimed. Throughout the 19th century, bloody wars took place on the territory of this country, as a result of which the Mexican states of Texas, New Mexico, and Upper California ceded to the United States.

Not without wars for Mexico and the beginning of the XX century. From 1910 to 1917, the civil war continued there. As a result, the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz was overthrown, and a Constitution was adopted that guaranteed the separation of church and state, agrarian reform, the creation of trade unions, etc.

Since the 1950s, in Mexico, where there are very large oil reserves, an economic recovery begins. In the mid-1980s, oil prices fall and Mexico begins an economic and political crisis. Now this country is still experiencing economic problems, but the situation is quite stable.

culture

The culture of Mexico was formed on the basis of the traditions of the Indians, and then the Spaniards had a strong influence on it. Every Mexican city or town has its own festival in honor of a saint.

At the end of February, a grandiose Carnival takes place in Mexico City, which usually lasts 5 days. All these 5 days, colorful processions with music and dances pass through the streets of the Mexican capital.

December 12 in Mexico City and in some other Mexican cities celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, with a lot of different events. In the capital's Basilica de Guadalupe square, colorful performances take place on this day.

September 16 marks the most revered national Mexican holiday - Independence Day.

Kitchen

Mexican cuisine is famous all over the world. The staple foods are corn, beans, rice and vegetables. Important ingredients for preparing Mexican dishes are spices and hot chili peppers.

The diet of the Mayan Indians once upon a time consisted mainly of corn and some vegetables, spices, herbs and chili were used in the preparation of dishes. After the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, the diet of the Indians was replenished with animal meat and fish. Thanks to the fusion of the culinary traditions of the Indians and the Spaniards, modern Mexican cuisine was formed.

In the south of the country, dishes are spicier than in the north. By the way, in the south of meat dishes, tourists are usually offered chicken, and beef is more common in the north. In general, each region or city has its own special dish - "cochinita pibil" (Yucatan) and "huevos rancheros" (Sonora).

We recommend that tourists first ask what this or that dish is prepared from, because. some of them may seem very exotic to Europeans. For example, for lunch you can be served "Chapulines" (fried grasshoppers).

1. "Guacamole" - sauce with fried pieces of tortilla;
2. "Tacos Tortillas" - cakes with different fillings (most often meat filling);
3. "Pozole" - chicken or pork soup with corn and spices;
4. "Carnitas" - fried pork;
5. "Chilaquiles" - fried potatoes with tomatoes;
6. "Sopes" - cornmeal patty with chicken, cheese and spicy sauce;
7. "Tostados" - tortilla with chicken, beans, tomatoes, onions, cream, cheese and hot sauce;
8. "Huachinango" - perch;
9. "Ceviche" - raw fish with lime juice (it is added to the salad).
10. "Pollo Pibil" - grilled chicken marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves.

Traditional alcoholic drinks are beer, tequila, "tepache" (made from pineapple), "tuba" (fermented coconut palm juice) and "pulque" (fermented agave juice with a strength of 5-8 °).

Landmarks of Mexico

In Mexico, there are now several thousand archaeological, historical and architectural sites. The most famous of them are, of course, the Mayan and Aztec pyramids. But this country also has many medieval Spanish forts, churches and palaces. The top ten Mexican attractions, in our opinion, include the following:

• Pyramid of the Sun
• Pyramid of the Moon
• Pyramid in Cholula
• Pyramids of Mitle and Monte Alban
• Mayan city of Chichen Itza
• Cathedral in Mexico City
• Palace of the Cortes in Mexico City
• National Palace in Mexico City
• Mayan city of Uxmal
• Mayan city of Palenque

Cities and resorts

The largest cities are Tijuana, Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos, León, Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey, Zapopan, and, of course, Mexico City.

Tourists come to Mexico mainly for a beach holiday, although there, of course, there are many historical sights left from the pre-Columbian era. The most popular Mexican beach resorts are Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Mazatlán, Costa Maya and Zihuatanejo. Acapulco and Cancun are very popular among foreigners.

Some of the best Mexican beaches are, in our opinion, the following:

1. Cancun
2. Playa del Carmen
3. Puerto Vallarta
4. Los Cabos
5. Tulum
6. Mazatlan
7. Cozumel
8. Huatulco

Souvenirs/Shopping

Souvenirs in Mexico ("reminder") are probably best bought at roadside stalls and rural markets. Tourists buy ceramics in this country, a Piñata toy (an ancient game of the Aztecs), dresses, blouses, handmade blankets and carpets, leather goods (purses, wallets, belts, sandals), silver and coral products, cigars, chocolate, vanilla, various Mexican sauces, and, of course, tequila.

Office Hours

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00
Some banks are open on Sundays as well.

The shops:
Mon-Sat: 09:30-20:00
Supermarkets in Mexico City are open 7 days a week, with some of them open 24 hours a day.

Visa

Ukrainians need a visa to visit Mexico.

Currency

> Mexico travel tips

Mexico- the country is certainly interesting for all categories of tourists. When traveling to Mexico, you can combine educational tourism with beach tourism, if desired.
it is possible to see two great oceans in one trip - the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Most travel-loving Russians have discovered the pyramids of Egypt, and now they can compare them to the superbly preserved Mayan pyramids.
In addition, in 2011, a simplified regime for obtaining free visas to Mexico for Russians was introduced. Transaero currently operates direct flights to Cancun.

Resorts of Mexico

Map of Mexico with resorts

The resorts of Mexico are located on the coasts of two oceans - on the Pacific coast, the most luxurious resorts in Mexico - the name of one of them is probably known to everyone - Acapulco. The other two resorts are less well known and yet equally popular are the Costa Alegre and Puerto Vallarta.
The Pacific coast is especially famous for its mild climate, long and wide beaches. The hotels on this coast are of a high standard, plenty of nightlife, upscale restaurants.

Cancun and Riviera Maya

The coast of the Atlantic Ocean, or rather, the Caribbean coast is more democratic and more popular with Russians - the most famous resorts on the Caribbean coast are Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

From Cancun and the Riviera Maya, excursions are carried out to Chichen Itza, the main attraction of the Yucatan Peninsula. This is an ancient Mayan city, perfectly preserved, the center of which is the famous pyramid of Kukulkan. Included in the UNESCO list.

Cancun resort map with hotels. Map of the Riviera Maya resort with hotels

cancun

cancun an unusual resort - since all the hotels are located on the island. The island is very narrow and long, beautifully curved in the form of the number seven.
When choosing hotels, it should be taken into account that the short horizontal part of the island is practically closed from the waves by the island of Mujeres located in front of it.

In addition, as you can see from the map, it is from this part of the island that it is most convenient to travel to the city center. The entire length of the island is 25 km, so it will take about 30-40 minutes to travel from the most remote hotels to the center.

Riviera Maya

When Cancun could no longer accommodate all tourists who wanted to stay there, the resort began to develop Riviera Maya.
A huge strip of beaches stretches south of Cancun for 130 km. The northernmost point of the Riviera Maya is Puerto Morelos, the southernmost Punta Alen.

Puerto Morelos is a village that retains its color, nearby is the Yash-che garden, the Rio Secreto reserve - an underground river with stalagmites.
Akumal - differs from other towns in that there is a coral reef next to it. Turtles, rays and naturally a huge number of beautiful marine fish live in the lagoon

Playa del Carmen- a resting place for European tourists, a great place for shopping, hotel life and town life are not separated from each other, you can find fairly cheap accommodation.
Tulum is the most remote town from the airport (130 km), and is popular firstly because of the very beautiful beach, and secondly because it is located in the archaeological zone of Tulum. Tulum is an ancient city of the Mayan Indians, towering on 12 meter cliffs. This place just begs to be photographed, because the ruins are perfectly combined with seascapes.

Book plane tickets

Perhaps you will be interested.

Friends who are going to relax in Mexico or are just interested in it, today we have a note about "delicious", namely, a review Mexican resorts and beaches.

Man on the beach
arms outstretched,
crucified in the sun.

Albert Camus
"Notes of the Absurdist"

I guess that many people dream of Mexican beaches, anticipating a long-awaited vacation. Today this trend is becoming more and more popular. Why Mexico, why is it attractive? Firstly, it is exotic: in addition to chic beaches, vacationers are waiting for at least bright unusual cities and mysterious Mexican pyramids. Secondly, when in our homeland the cold does not hit the tooth, there is grace here: it is warm, the birds sing, the palm trees rustle, in general, paradise, and nothing more. Thirdly, Mexico offers resorts for every taste: the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast, and, of course, the Caribbean Sea. Not bad, right? Looks like it's time to think about tickets))

What resorts have we visited?

For six months of traveling in Mexico, Andryusiks and I managed to visit several resorts: Veracruz, Puerto Angel, Cancun, Puerto Escondido, Riviera Maya. Yes, this is not a complete list, but we visited the most popular paradise and not so corners among tourists. I will describe them all in the order in which they were on our route.

Veracruz and Boca del Rio

The description of Veracruz will rather be a warning about where you don’t need to go, unless, of course, you want to get utterly disappointed by the sea you see.

Why did we go to Veracruz? Because I liked the name and there was time for the trip. If you have only a couple of weeks in your arsenal and want to not only lie by the sea, but also see interesting places, you definitely shouldn’t waste time on the port city of Veracruz. I heard that we were not the only ones who fell for a beautiful name and more or less decent photos on the net. Don't fall for the same hook.

Veracruz is a port city in the state of the same name, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, a three-hour drive from Puebla. In fact, this is a resort for locals with a very dirty sea in all shades of gray and the same sand. What the Mexicans see in him is a mystery to me. Rumor has it that this is an inexpensive option to spend a vacation at least by some sea. But is it not for the sake of this that we fly 14 hours by plane?

If you still find yourself in these parts and want to swim (you hardly want to on the city beach), go to the suburbs of Veracruz - Boca del Rio - to Mocambo beach. The sea is cleaner and the atmosphere is more pleasant.

Puerto Escondido

After the failure in Veracruz, Andryusiks and I were waiting for a series of beaches on the Pacific coast. How we wanted to see him! And he did not disappoint us!

The first Pacific resort was the town Puerto Escondido located in the state of Oaxaca. Tourists usually travel here from Oaxaca de Juarez, which is about a five-hour bus ride.

Puerto Escondido is more like a village with not too developed infrastructure. However, the bus station, supermarket, hotels and restaurants are available. People come here for a measured relaxing holiday, surfing and unity with nature. Most of all, this place is liked by young people, who find a special hippie atmosphere here.

Puerto Escondido pleased us, amazed and surprised us precisely with its beaches. Cute cozy coves, palm thickets, picturesque rocks, emerald water, pleasant sand, huge waves for surfers, excursions to dolphins and turtles - this is an incomplete set of advantages of the local beaches. More than others we liked Carisaliyo and Sicatela. It turned out that the second beach is known for its waves among surfers almost all over the world.

Puerto Angel and surroundings

Not far from Puerto Escondido, literally an hour and a half away, on the shores of the same Pacific Ocean, there is a whole scattering of places that are ready to give tourists all their warmth and beauty. The only pity is that few people look here, being in pursuit of the Caribbean Sea, which we will talk about later. Basically, there are Americans who know all the secret places here, and, believe me, they won’t rest anywhere.

In this placer you can find a resort town Puerto Angel, villages Mazunte and San Agustinyo and a few more uncrowded beaches and coves. We came here one day from Puerto Escondido, but you can live here for a week, or two, and much more, if there is no fear of being almost completely separated from civilization. It is in these parts that you can find completely wild beaches, where there will be no hotels, no bungalows, no people, no cafes with soft drinks. The rest are also quite nice and not crowded with sunbathing and bathing bodies. I would describe many of the local beaches in one word - idyll.

Of all the above, Andryusiks and I liked the coast of Puerto Angel the least (this does not mean at all that it is bad and ugly there), we liked the most San Agustinio beach and deserted Camaron bay.

What is the conclusion can be done about Mexican beaches in the Pacific? Maybe the resorts of Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel and their surroundings are not the most popular among tourists, but, in my opinion, more than worthy! Sheboldasik and Andryusiks recommend))

Cancun

So we got to the most burning beach topic!

cancun- the largest and most famous Mexican resort on the Caribbean coast. It is also considered one of the best in the world. This treasure is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. Many tourists just for the sake of this resort and go to distant lands. Why and why? It's all about the unique sea. Believe me, you must see it with your own eyes, because no words are enough to describe the beauty of the combination of white sand and incredibly blue sea.

It was a revelation to me that Cancun may not be as expensive as it is commonly believed. The thing is that, quite definitely, Cancun is divided by an invisible wall in two: an expensive and touristy Hotel Zone and an ordinary, unremarkable city. It is in the latter that you can and should stop if you are interested in a budget option for staying at the famous resort.

Concerning beaches, then there are a lot of them and they are different: with and without waves, beautiful and not very beautiful, with and without algae, crowded and almost lonely. I think that along the twenty-kilometer coastal strip, everyone will find their ideal piece of beach.

Which beaches do you like the most? Playa Delfines made a good impression, despite the crowds of bathers. Gaviota Azul also took a look. In fact, all beaches are good in their own way, especially at 9-20 km.

Isle of Women (Isla Mujeres)

Not far from Cancun, in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, another resort corner lurks - island of women or in spanish Isla Mujeres. Someone prefers it to the famous neighbor, someone just goes there for a day to unwind and change the situation. All the more swim something just twenty minutes on the ferry.

The island is quite small and almost all tourist features are concentrated in its northern part. The rest of the territory is at the disposal of the Mexicans, who simply live, work, grow, study, etc. Only a few hotels can be found along the western edge, but on our visit they looked completely deserted.

Beaches Isla Mujeres is not so hot, even the one in the north (where most tourists hang out). Which beach on the Island of Women did Andriusiks and I like the most? No. I liked the east coast of the island, but it is impossible to swim there because of the rocks and strong waves, except to look at the cool landscapes.

Riviera Maya - Playa del Carmen

By the end of our journey, Andryusiks and I reached the Riviera Maya. Many tourists are puzzling over which beaches to prefer: those in Cancun or those near one of the cities of the Riviera. Let's first understand what is what.

Riviera Maya- This is the coastal strip of the Caribbean Sea from Cancun in the north to Tulum in the south (including the latter), dotted with small resort towns. It stretches as far as 100 kilometers and it is here that such resorts of Mexico as Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel Island, Akumal, Tulum are located. We only visited Playa and Tulum.

So, Playa del Carmen. As you guessed, everything is located on the same Yucatan in the state of Quintana Roo, an hour and a half by bus from Cancun.

It is a very compact coastal town, which has everything you need for a holiday: large souvenir shops, all kinds of cafes and eateries, clubs, hotels, apartments, travel agencies and, of course, beaches. Someone in Playa del Carmen is even more fun than in Cancun.

Beaches in Playa del Carmen are divided into two parts: before the pier (to the north) and behind it (to the south). Several city beaches stretch to the pier, where they are full of people and dirty, but there are bars, masseurs and lifeguards. Behind the pier, the situation is gradually improving and the sea, together with the coast, is becoming more and more attractive and less crowded, with the exception of hotel areas. The number of benefits of civilization is also declining.

We liked the southern beaches most of all in Playa del Carmen, where the hotels end and green thickets begin to be seen.

The conclusion is: We liked the sea more in Cancun, but Playa won in terms of comfort.

Riviera Maya - Tulum

The last resort town we visited in Mexico was Tulum. We went here not only because of the beaches, but also because of the Mayan pyramids, but more on that in another article.

Tulum located in the same state and on the same peninsula, an hour from Playa del Carmen and two and a half from Cancun. It looks more like a village than a bustling tourist town. Of all its neighbors, Tulum is probably the quietest and most provincial. Entertainment lovers may get bored here, but peace lovers will appreciate this place.

Tulum beaches differ in a certain "uncouthness" in the good sense of the word. It's not as touristy as Cancun or Playa, and it's not lined with huge beachfront hotels and cafes with screaming speakers. Clusters of people are mostly found locally - in front of one or another compact hotel. In general, quiet, yes smooth surface.

They say that to find the best Tulum beaches, you have to go far, far south towards the Sian Kaan nature reserve. We did not get there, maybe someone will share their impressions?

Verdict for everything

Friends, do you want to be clean? Let them throw slippers at me, but personally, in terms of mood and emotions, I liked the Pacific beaches even more than the Caribbean ones. Oh, did I say that out loud?

What other resorts can you visit?

All of the above is by no means a complete list of resorts and beaches in Mexico, for which the country is so rich. Take at least the famous resort town Acapulco, about which a hundred years ago Laima Vaikule sang “Ai-yay-yay”. On the shores of the same Pacific Ocean you will find Puerto Vallarta and a small town Huatulco with wonderful beaches (according to the photographs of those who have been there). Do not forget about the resorts of the Riviera Maya that we have not seen, including, Cozumel island (Izla Cozumel),Akumal (Acumal) etc.. Surely I missed something ... Oh yes, the beaches Baja California.