In Mexico, life is a beach

Mexico, a land of white sand beaches and coastlines, has one of the world’s oldest and richest histories, a beautifully colored and vibrant culture woven into modern society. It is a country with so many influences yet still holding on to traditions, making Mexico a great vacation destination. The landscape is wild, harsh, beautiful and diverse — from the harsh bland cactus ridden deserts of the north, to the lush tropical forests of the south, tantalizing blue waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and warm sandy beaches of the east overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, not to forget the numerous rivers zigzagging the land and, of course, the mountains and plateaus of the mid-sections.
Despite its close proximity to the United States and an inevitable influence of it on Mexico, the country remains resilient and has stuck to its individuality. The Mexican culture’s strength comes from the strength of its people. It’s the music that fills the plazas in the evenings, the smells emanating from the taco stands, the random mariachi band strolling down the city streets playing beautiful vibrant music and it’s ever so enchanting “me casa es su casa” welcome. Communities big and small play a major role in defining the country’s collective vibrant community. It is the land where the wistful art of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera emerged, the strength and heroism of Benito Juarez and Emiliano Salazar, and the music of Carlos Santana and Selena (although considered Mexican-American, she was named the Queen of Tejano music, an honorific nickname for her contributions to the music industry). The beauty of Mexico isn’t only in its people; it’s in the way the people preserve thousands of years of history and beauty.
To the east of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll find Cancun. It is a tropical paradise in the midst of a concrete jungle, which is one of the world’s top tourist destinations with so much to offer. The weather in Cancun is suitable to visit all year around, with the warm waters of the Gulf and home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, there is an abundance of activities to try out. You can find many types of accommodations that will suit your need, from all-inclusive resorts, luxurious villas to budget hotels. As far as activities go, Cancun is one of the top destinations for snorkeling, parasailing and scuba diving expeditions, you can also take a day trip to the nearby tamed Isla Mujeres, known for its beautiful Playa del Norte and protected sea turtle nests scattered around the island. The serene white sand beaches of the city are captivating and one can simply relax on one of the many beach fronts, one of the most recommended would be Playa Delfines, home to some of the brightest blue water in the city and Playa Chac Mool for a crowd free experience.
Just south of Cancun lies the quaint city of Tulum, considerably untouched by the high concrete buildings. Tulum provides a certain relaxing vibe away from the hustle and bustle of lively coastal cities. Life’s a beach, or so they say, the city has some of the best boutique hotels and all inclusive hotel resorts found in Mexico overlooking the vast blue waters. Explore the different beaches and you’ll be able to find one just right away from the busy main Tulum Beach area, either way the area has its exotic charm. Many hotel owners are foreigners that bring a certain charm to their properties so you’ll find hotels and resorts that suit your liking. Shopping in Tulum can’t get more local. You’ll find great stalls and boutiques selling everything from huaraches (a type of Mexican leather sandal), traditional huipil (hand-embroidered white cotton blouse or dress handed down over the decades just like the Mayan women used to wear) and many more selling serapes, pottery and leather bags all locally made. Tulum’s location on the Mayan Riviera, housing a number of well-preserved ruins dating back to the 13th century, is accessible by car or tour bus close to city limits such as Chichen Itza, a pre-historical city which was once a major focal point in the Northern Maya lowlands and Coba where the steep Nohoc Mul pyramid where a ruling queen once housed still stands. There are eco-parks close by as well which are created around its natural water ecosystems. Xcaret and Xel-Ha, both named after pre-Columbian Maya, are also within city limits. There is one very special activity that is a must try while in Tulum — a visit to the Cenotes. Cenotes are freshwater sinkholes or caves that you can snorkel and dive in, the best ones have to be Cenote Yax Mul, Dos Ojos, El Jardin del Eden, El Gran and Tres Bocas. A rare site would be to see how seawater and fresh water meet but never mix, a rare site indeed.
Heading westward, Cabo San Lucas is a dream come true. Located on the southern-most tip of the Baja California Sur, it is one of the top five rated tourist destinations spots in Mexico. Although it’s heavily trafficked by tourists and numerous resorts, the sunny flawless blue skies of Cabo is an ideal spot for feeling the luxurious vibe. Los Cabos is replete with luxury accommodations, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and countless beach and adventure activities that also include camel rides (in Mexico!). Due to its prime location on the Pacific coastline, many tourists opt for deep-sea fishing off the coast, catamaran trips and parasailing. The large waves of the Pacific provide a sense of adventure different from the vibe of the East coastal cities. The deep blue and crystal clear waters of the area are great for snorkeling and Chileno Bay is a great spot as well as the distinctive landmark of El Arco and Los Frailes, two granite pinnacles that offer rock climbing excursions too. Playa del Amor is Baja’s most famous beach, aptly named Lover’s Beach, it is located on both the Pacific and the Gulf of California. The beach is only accessible through an 80 foot tunnel linking it to the Pacific, it’s dangerous to swim in the waters of the area due to strong tides, but its seclusion is worth the visit. For some local shopping, you’ll find the Mercado Mexicano, a sprawling market holding dozens of stalls with crafts from around Mexico where you can find everything in great quality for a few pesos less than major brand stores. Many tour boats are available for numerous sea excursions, dolphin watching, fishing, whale watching, snorkeling and scuba diving as well as catamarans taking visitors on tours of the surrounding islands providing ideal private beach getaways.
Mexico’s cuisine is recognized by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity”, so diss your knowledge of Mexican cuisine provided by the big chain restaurants serving “Mexican dishes” and opt for the real thing. For breakfast, chilaquiles is a must. This popular traditional dish features cut fried corn tortillas topped with salsa, scrambled eggs and pulled chicken with cheese and cream and served with a heavy dose of frijoles (beans). For lunch and dinner, there’s tostadas, crunchy fried tortillas with a pile of cooked meat or seafood or ceviche. Chiles en nogada is a walnut based cream sauce, a mix of green picadillo (chopped meat, fruits and spices) and dotted with pomegranate seeds, the dish is an ode to the colors of the Mexican flag making it the most patriotic dish served. There’s also mole (pronounced mol-eh), a sweet, nutty roasted and slightly bitter base sauce containing a mix of chilies, nuts, seeds, vegetables and sometimes restaurants like to spice it up with some unsweetened chocolate, tomatoes and raisins served commonly with turkey. Lastly there’s tamales, an ancient dish first developed for the Aztec, Mayan and Inca tribes. Tamales are pockets of corn dough stuffed with either sweet or savory fillings, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Temperatures vary in Mexico according to topography but are quite mild all year around. The warm waters of the Caribbean Sea influence the weather and temperatures of Eastern coastal cities range from 26-30 degrees. Western coastal cities can be quite rainy with falling temperatures in the winter due to cold wind drafts coming from the northern regions, but still within warmer temperatures. Both the east and west coasts of Mexico are occasionally affected by tropical storms that develop in the summer months May-September but are most frequent between August-October, and the weather is reasonably pleasant for most of the year.
Mexico surely is one exotic destination that will provide all different activities for families, couples or just some personal time getting away from it all.

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