Simon Calder's report on Mexico
Posted On
02.07.07
Shimmering blue water and dazzling white shores: no wonder the Caribbean is so popular with British travellers. But Mexico's Caribbean coast goes one better than the islands: beyond the beaches lies a vast, wonderful country that ends only where the Pacific begins.
For anyone seeking to combine sun, sand and sea with an amazing history, Mexico is ideal. Also, plenty of soft-adventure companies offer enticing journeys that combine cultural - and culinary - treats with outdoor experiences. For holidaymakers, Cancun is the most popular resort. Drag yourself away from the soft, white sand and you can shop, dine or party con mucho gusto.
Along the coast south of Cancun, the pulse of life eases at resorts such as Playa del Carmen. Temptingly close, a short ferry ride away, is the island of Cozumel, with some of the region's finest diving.
On the Pacific shore, the fast-growing resort of Huatulco occupies a fabulous Pacific setting close to the Guatemalan border. It is being developed with a sensitivity that has eluded other, brasher resorts.
About 250 miles west along the coast, Acapulco offers one of the most amazing sights you will ever see: the cliff divers of La Quebrada, who plunge more than a hundred feet into a tiny cove that bubbles with the energy of the Pacific. It is also close enough to Mexico City for an excursion to one of the world's most exciting capitals.
For holidaymakers, though, the main draw on Mexico's West Coast is Puerto Vallarta, where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton came to film Night of the Iguana. By day, Puerto Vallarta's main attraction is the broad Bahia de Banderas. Snorkel, kayak or whale-watch: the best time to see whales is December to March, when they come to Puerto Vallarta to mate - like some humans.
Whatever you want from a holiday, you can probably find it in Mexico, along with around 150 million kind and hospitable people.
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