Where should I stay in Mexico? Part 1
(410 Reviews)
99% Recommended
Pam MacIntyre
Maple Grove, MN
Australia & New Zealand Specialist
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic ...
New Zealand
In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic part of the world?
I was fortunate enough to visit both the North and South Islands, and what I love about New Zealand is that it offers the perfect blend of laid-back charm and action-packed adventure, all while being nothing short of epic.
The country is home to endless national parks, a rich Maori culture, and unforgettable experiences like sailing through the sounds while dolphins playfully follow your yacht. And let’s not forget the awe-inspiring moment of witnessing a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura—talk about jaw-dropping beauty!
Oh, and did I mention wine? If you’re a fan of great wine (and who isn’t?), New Zealand is a must-visit for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more. How do I know? Because I couldn’t resist visiting a winery or two during my travels!
Honestly, I could go on and on about the magic of New Zealand, but if you’re reading this, you already know you want to explore this incredible part of the world. Let’s work together to create your perfect New Zealand adventure!
Australia
Let me start by saying, I’ve wanted to visit Australia since I was a child. Why, you ask? Well, to pet a kangaroo, of course! And yes, I did! Not only did I pet a kangaroo, but I actually fed FOUR at the same time. Childhood dream come true, right? And I can’t wait to go back for round two.
While I was in Sydney, I had the chance to experience the spectacular Vivid Sydney Festival, celebrating its 10th year. It was honestly WOW! Never in my wildest dreams did I think Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. But coming from Minnesota, their “winter” felt more like our fall—absolutely ideal! Seeing the Sydney Opera House light up during the festival was something I’ll never forget.
And then there’s the Blue Mountains region—so lovely to explore on foot. From there, we ventured to Hunter Valley (known to the locals as "The Hunter"), where wine flowed freely, and every glass was more delicious than the last.
Australia’s size is truly hard to grasp until you’ve experienced it firsthand. To put it in perspective: Sydney would be in Florida, Cairns (home of the Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine, Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas, Melbourne would be in New Orleans, and Perth would be in Los Angeles.
Whether you're dreaming of visiting the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef, immersing yourself in Aboriginal culture, swimming with whale sharks, or gazing upon the majestic Uluru, Australia has endless possibilities waiting for you.
Let’s make your dream trip to Australia a reality—one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
Mexico: The Caribbean Side
Mexico has called your name! Now the question is which area is right for you? Is it the Caribbean side?
Each coastline of Mexico offers stunning scenery, resorts and activities, however east and west are very different from one another. The Pacific coast boasts dramatic cliffs, hazel-colored sand and a laid-back feel, while the Caribbean side you'll find white sand beaches, clear blue waters and can either find the spring break vibe or a romantic feel.
Riviera Maya:
I'd like to start with MY personal favorite part of Mexico, the Riviera Maya! My toes have touched the white sands here around 14 times over the past 20 years. This area is just so versatile that you can be as active or as relaxed as you wish. The resorts are generally not more than 4 stories, so they blend well with the lush & tropical terrain. You’ll get the "Caribbean feel" while enjoying the Mexican charm. With the town of Playa Del Carmen close by, you've got access to lots of fun nightclubs, bars and shopping. The beach areas vary, so if beaches are important to you let me know so we can better hone in on the right resort for you. The Riviera Maya is home to several popular areas such as: Tulum, Akumal, Playacar, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, Maroma Beach, & Playa Del Carmen.
Popular Riviera Maya Tours/Attractions:
- Mayan Ruins: Chichen Itza, Tulum or Coba
- Snorkeling the Cenotes (A natural pit, or sinkhole. Theory has it they were created by meteors millions of years ago)
- Xcaret Park
- Xplor Park
- Xel-Há Park
Cozumel:
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving are prime on this little island, with direct access to the world’s second longest coral reef. A historic site to explore is the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site. While it's not nearly as large as some of the Mayan sites, if this type of historic architecture intrigues you it's worth a look. This charming little island has a calm & tranquil vibe that might just be perfect for you!
Popular Cozumel Tours:
- Submarine Tours
- Chankanaab National Park
- Cozumel Reefs National Park
- Snorkel Columbia Reef
- Cave & Cenote Tour
- Fishing
Cancun:
Cancun to me is the "Florida of Mexico." When you're on the beach and you look left to right it's an endless walking beach with resorts side-by-side. There are lots of fun clubs, tons of shopping from high-end to bartering, an almost unnaturally wide white sand beach which is great to go for a morning run on and some fantastic resort choices that'll give you an unforgettable vacation! When staying in Cancun, you're not too far from a wide variety of tours.
Popular Cancun Tours:
- Shark Diving in Cancun
- Water Skiing & Jet Skiing
- Surfing, Windsurfing & Kite Surfing
- Swim with Dolphins
- Parasailing
Isla Mujeres:
Isla Mujeres is definitely the laid back vibe with some incredibly amazing remote beaches! They also have some astonishing sunrises & sunsets. At sunrise, go to the southern part of the island. Then in the evening, the best place to view the sunset is the west part of Playa Norte. Be sure to check out Punta Sur, which is the Easternmost point of Mexico. It doesn't look like much at first glance, but when you start hiking down the sides of the cliffs there it's just beautiful. The thing to know is many of the restaurants are open air, thus can be warmer. Also not many All Inclusive resort choices. This isn't the glitz n' glamour area of Mexico, but for some that's exactly what they're looking for.
Popular Isla Mujeres Tours/Attractions:
- Swimming with the Whale Sharks
- Underwater Museum Snorkel Tour (More than 500 life-sized sculptures)
- Catamaran/Sailing Tours
- Garrafón Reef Park
Playa Mujeres/Costa Mujeres:
This area is a relatively newer area being developed, so it has a bit more of a secluded feel to it. You enter through a gated check-point to ensure only those authorized are going in. Depending on the resort you stay at will determine how secluded of a feel you'll have. Close access to the ferry if you want to head over to Isla Mujeres for the day. We did this ourselves and rented a golf cart to tool around the island. Best part is it's only 4 miles long, so impossible to get lost. Fun time! While you've access to tours here, depending on interests together we'll discuss if this area is right for you.
Isla Holbox (Holbox Island):
If you've already checked out Cancun, Riviera Maya & Tulum, maybe you'd like to check out the un-crowded beauty of Isla Holbox. It's still considered "Touristy," just not in the way Cancun is. It's just 2 hours by car from Cancun, then you take a small flight or ferry over.
Merida:
For a more historical colonial experience of Mexico, Merida might just be the area for you. While it's four hours west of the powdery white sand beaches, the bar, food and museum scene is a draw for some travelers.
Does the Caribbean side sound like it’s the right fit for you? Check out my post on the Pacific side to help you decide. I’m happy to help with your escape to Mexico!