According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico actually has one of the largest tourist industries in the entire world. Not only do the beautiful all inclusive resorts lend themselves to breath-taking white-sand Mexican Caribbean vacations, but the culture itself, a blend of Spanish European and ancient Meso-American civilizations, has become one of the richest in the world over time.
Whether you’re considering an all inclusive vacation to Mexico’s resorts or just looking to soak up some culture and sun, check out this general breakdown of the popular tourism spots throughout the country.
Climate
Mexico is divided by the 24th parallel, or Tropic of Cancer. Areas south of this division are generally warm with a consistent climate all year round, and are home to some of the most popular all inclusive resorts the county holds. Areas like Cancun and Cozumel are located on the country’s eastern peninsula and border the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Hot spots such as Acapulco, Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta are home to all inclusive vacation resorts as well and exist on the western coast of Mexico along the Pacific Ocean.
Divisions
Mexico’s most popular tourism hubs can be divided into three general categories. Big city destinations such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Jalisco and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon attract many local tourists as cultural hubs. Beaches, such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun and Mazatlan house many all inclusive resorts and hotels and attract many international travelers and American vacationers.
Meso-American ruins such as Tulum and Malinalco are home to several archaeological attractions that remain from ancient Aztec, Mayan and Olmec civilizations. The Castle of Chichén-Itzá, for example, is an ancient temple considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Beaches
Most American travelers or first-time Mexican tourists are attracted to the all inclusive vacation packages available at resorts on Mexico’s beaches. One of the most popular spots for beach-going vacationers is the Yucatán peninsula on the country’s eastern coast, nestled in the Gulf of Mexico. This area is home to Cancun, and it’s famous Hotel Zone. To the south of Cancun lies Riviera Maya with the famous beach town Playa del Carmen, an area that houses many all inclusive resorts, but also has a cultural mix of Cliffside Mayan ruins, including those in the nearby city of Tulum. This area offers a great mix of safe all inclusive vacation packages as well as an ancient cultural experience.
On the opposite side of the country is the Pacific coast, the most famous destination area of which is definitely Acapulco. Acapulco used to be a famous vacation spot almost exclusively for the rich and famous, but now boasts a crowded and stunning coastline with tons of multi-story hotels and commerce.
Acapulco is known for attractions such as snorkeling, cliff diving and surfing. Ixtapa is a great resort town to the north of Acapulco, and the neighboring fishing town of Zihuatanejo attracts tons of travelers looking for great sport fishing or a more off-the-beaten-path Mexican vacation. The town of Puerto Vallarta exists in Jalisco on the Pacific coast as well, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations for its rich history and friendly atmosphere. Puerto Vallarta remains one of Apple Vacation’s most popular destinations in Mexico.
Best Times To Go
Peak tourism seasons in Mexico occur in December and the mid-summer months, may through august. This is when Apple Vacations will book most of their all inclusive vacation packages.
There are large surges in the beach communities during spring break as well, and the traveler demographic becomes much younger with a flux of vacationing students. Most visitors are from the U.S., Canada and Latin American countries. Hurricane and heavy storm seasons deter many beach travelers from planning Mexican vacations in the Yucatán peninsula August through October, though storms are usually sparse and Apple Vacations offers many discounted all inclusive vacation packages near the beginning and end of hurricane seasons, making that time of year an attractive option for those seeking peace, quiet and an affordable vacation away from other tourists.
Areas on the Pacific coast such as Puerto Vallarta are quite hot and humid in July through September, but have an extremely attractive and dry climate in the winter months, making that time of year a very popular tourist trend.