Mention Mexico, and a kaleidoscope of colors and contrasts immediately come to mind—from fiery fajitas to refreshing ceviche, palm-studded resorts to remote architectural wonders, vibrant colonial cities to small, sleepy villages.
Wherever you're headed, Mexico is sure to intrigue and entertain. The Baja Peninsula is home to three popular playgrounds—Ensenada, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
Ensenada, the peninsula's cultural capital, is Mexico's second most-visited port of call. Take in a winery tour at one of the many local vineyards,... READ MORE
Mention Mexico, and a kaleidoscope of colors and contrasts immediately come to mind—from fiery fajitas to refreshing ceviche, palm-studded resorts to remote architectural wonders, vibrant colonial cities to small, sleepy villages.
Wherever you're headed, Mexico is sure to intrigue and entertain. The Baja Peninsula is home to three popular playgrounds—Ensenada, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
Ensenada, the peninsula's cultural capital, is Mexico's second most-visited port of call. Take in a winery tour at one of the many local vineyards, visit century-old Spanish missions or take in a museum or gallery.
Once known for its pearl fishing, La Paz is now famed for its beautiful coastline and the recreation it provides. There's fishing, diving, snorkeling and other water sports to choose from. When you're ready to relax, stroll the quaint colonial town of La Paz, pausing along the seawall to drink up the incredible views.
Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico's favorite and most fashionable destinations, replete with luxury spas and resorts and world-class golf. Located on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is the ideal setting to watch gray whales each winter. Plan a visit to El Faro Viejo, "the old lighthouse," for extraordinary views of the Pacific.
Sparkling along Mexico's Pacific Coast are the tropical gems of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Acapulco.
Multi-faceted Mazatlan is one of the country's earliest resort meccas, a city filled with fabulous food, cultural and architectural riches, and limitless ocean sports. It is also home to one of the world's three biggest carnivals. The world's highest lighthouse framed by Mazatlan's incomparable sunsets is an indelible symbol of the city.
Overlooking the Western Hemisphere's second largest bay, Puerto Vallarta stands at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The beach at Playa Mismaloya—setting for the film "Night of the Iguana"—is a favorite with celebrities. You'll find an array of shops, galleries and open-air restaurants serving the well-loved cuisine of the Jalisco region.
Farther south you'll find the sleepy fishing village of Zihuatanejo, perched on another picturesque Pacific bay. Here, you can stroll cobblestone streets, stopping to shop or sample the international offerings at restaurants along the way. The Archeological Museum is just one worthwhile stop in this history-rich town.
Just a few kilometers outside of Zihuatanejo lays the more contemporary resort complex of Ixtapa—"Place of White Sand" and home to both natural and manmade delights. Beaches here are among the best, and exotic flora and fauna abound. There are golf courses, water sports, and outdoor activities to fill the sun-drenched days.
Another famous beach resort, Acapulco, is known for its beautiful bay, calm waters and unbeatable nightlife. Considered one Mexico's "hottest" playgrounds, Acapulco attracts young and old alike. The adventurous can take in scuba diving La Isla de la Roqueta, cliff diving at La Quebrada, or parasailing above the panoramic coastline.
