The top spots to visit in Mexico are:
Cabo San Lucas The once sleepy fishing village of Cabo has changed dramatically. The area that used to be primarily populated with groups of men with day-growth beards, cases of beer, and fishing tackle has been replaced with sun-seekers, honeymooners and movie stars like John Travolta, who flew in on his private jet to have a huge 50th birthday celebration. There are 7 world class golf courses, designed by Jack Nicklaus, Roy Dye and Robert Trent Jones Jr. The courses take full advantage of their natural surroundings including the combination of desert & ocean, unusual rock formatations, a variety of desert foliage, dramatic canyon-like arroyos, plus drop dead gorgeous views of the ocean from many of the holes.
You can revitalize both your mind and your body with one of the 11 spas in Cabo. Massage, facials, body wraps, aerobics, yoga, meditation/relaxation classes, salt glow, hydrotherapy all available for a day of indulgence.
Dining is diversified — choices range from new or traditional Mexican specialities, wonderful seafood, French, Spanish, Italian, Asian & Pacific Rim cuisine; and with warm weather and great views of the ocean, you’ll find many outdoor dining opportunities. You can also find fine dining, traditional Mexican architectures and shopping in the "suburb" of Cabo; San Jose Del Cabo.
Puerto Vallarta & Surrounding Area Like Cabo, "PV" (as the locals call it), hasn’t been a sleepy fishing village since the filming of "Night of the Iguana" 30 years ago. Following that, it became a hot tourist spot and remains one, with good bargains, a quaint downtown area, and lovely hotels. The town itself is filled with flowers, cobblestone streets and wonderful restaurants of every kind. For shopping, you can find everything from home made Mexican goods to designer clothing.
As PV has grown, other areas have become a destination on their own. North of Puerto Vallarta is Nuevo Vallarta, which has some of the best beaches in the area. Marina Vallarta is filled with restaurants, nightclubs, world-class golf and the Marina where many sea excursions depart from. There’s also a replica of a 15th century ship, just like the one used by Christopher Columbus. Families love the Marina’s Water Park with giant waterfalls, pools and a "lazy river" to drift the afternoon away.
South of town, with the road winding along the coastline, past secluded coves and soft sand beaches you’ll enter the Costa Alegre area, which is growing in popularity among the rich and famous for secluded and upscale resorts. Further south is Puerto de La Navidad with quiet beaches, yacht marina and exclusive golf courses.
Ixtapa Not as explored as many Mexican towns, Ixtapa still retains a quaint charm while offering great shops, tennis, nightclubs and golf are available. Just minutes a way, its neighbor, Zihuatanejo is the quintessential Mexican village with seaside cafes and markets. Very laid back and much quieter than Ixtapa.
Cancun Possibly the only computer generated resort – businessmen compiled all the factors of what makes a great resort into a computer and came up with Cancun! There are many high-rise hotels and a Hard Rock Cafe, but there’s still the possiblity to stay out of town for a more secluded vacation. Fabulous beaches and crystal clear water make this entire area an outstanding destination. South of the hustle & bustle of Cancan is the Riveria Maya which features many all-inclusive resorts and lots of off-the-beaten path exploring opportunities. There are remote coves and deserted stretches of beaches plus a number of archaeological sites — some have been excavated and some, such as Copan, are still in the process — you can see a temple that’s been restored, and then a huge mound of dirt where another lies, still buried. A wonderful eco-archaeological park in the area is Xcaret (ISH – KA – RET) with an underground river that flows through passages, a lagoon, cenotes and a beautiful cove. You can swim with dolphins, explore the aquarium, or Mayan museum, and in the evening there’s a torchlit celebration.
Cozumel Thirty years ago, the only people that knew about Cozumel were divers; that was kept secret until Jacques Cousteau did a special on the area. It’s still a haven for divers, boasting the largest reef outside of Australia.
