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Mexico is located in the northern
region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on
the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by
the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on
the south. Mexico's land area extends 1,964,375 sq km.
Mexico's 32 states are truly
diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering
a wide array of activities.
Mexico tourist regions:
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Zone 1. The Yucatan Peninsula.
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The gateway to the Mayan world. Here
you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters
of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the world's
second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water
pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.
Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres,
Merida, Riviera Maya, Holbox, Playa del Carmen, Ciudad del
Carmen, Campeche, Chetumal, Chichen Itza, Yucatan.
Zone 2. South Pacific:
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In this region, you'll find cities
and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as
some
of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.
Acapulco, Chiapas, Huatulco, Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo, Oaxaca,
Taxco, Puerto Escondido, San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla
Gutierrez, Palenque
Zone 3. Baja California:
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Territory that has been inhabited
from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on
world-class courses, discover the underwater treasures of the
Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray
Whale.
Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose
del Cabo, La Paz, Tijuana and Rosarito, Mexicali, Loreto,
Ensenada, Tourist Corridor.
Zone 4. North East:
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Monterrey, Tampico, Coahuila, San
Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Torreon, Saltillo, Reynosa, Nuevo
Laredo, Matamoros, Ciudad Victoria.
Zone 5. North West:
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Known for its extreme weather
conditions and characterized by its deserts, nature reserves and
rugged
mountain ranges. Some cities in the region are key industrial
and business centers.
Mazatlan, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez,
Copper Canyon, Durango, Sonora, Culiacan, Los Mochis, Ciudad
Obregon, Rocky Point.
Zone 6. Center:
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The Mexican heartland. Here you'll
find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of
life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which
have been declared World Heritage sites.
Mexico City, Puebla, Queretaro,
Toluca, Cuernavaca, Tlaxcala, Pachuca, Valle de Bravo,
Tequesquitengo.
Zone 7. Gulf of Mexico:
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Lined with the shores of the Gulf of
Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, this region offers an abundance of
marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for
ecotourism outings and exciting
outdoor adventures.
Veracruz Port, Villahermosa, Xalapa,
Veracruz State.
Zone 8. Occident:
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Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara,
Manzanillo, Costalegre, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita - Bucerias,
Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Morelia, Leon, San Miguel de
Allende, Michoacan, Riviera Nayarit, Patzcuaro.
Visit Mexico ... come to THE
RIVIERA MAYA, the best destination of Mexico.
The Riviera Maya, a natural paradise that merges with the waters
of the Caribbean Sea, is a coastal strip that stretches more
than 120 km (75 mi) from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen, in the
state of Quintana Roo. The climate in this Yucatan Peninsula
region is subtropical with an average temperature of 25°C
(77°F).
Considered one of the fastest growing tourist destinations over
the last decade, here you can relax or enjoy recreational
activities at luxurious resorts nestled in the jungle. The posh
hotels offer exclusive golf courses, spas and white-sand
beaches, such as El Secreto and El Paraiso, where you can bask
in the sun and indulge in all kinds of water sports. For
example, you can scuba dive off the coast at a depth of more
than 10 meters (33 feet) as you take in the spectacular sights
of the Great Meso-American Barrier Reef. You can also discover
ancient Mayan cities such as Coba and Tulum; the latter is
located right on the beach. What's more, you can visit
incredible ecological reserves such as Sian Ka'an, which was
declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Here you can take
part in eco-tourism outings, sailfish and marlin fishing, and
other outdoor activities such as: long walks or horseback
riding, while enjoying the beautiful backdrop of the Caribbean
Sea. During your visit to the Riviera Maya, do not miss out on
Xcaret and Xel-Há, two of Mexico's most important theme parks,
where you can see fascinating indigenous wildlife and live the
unforgettable experience of snorkeling in underground rivers. At
dusk, don't forget to visit the spectacular nightclubs, where
you can chat with friends over drinks, or you can visit a
restaurant and treat yourself to a delicious lobster dinner.
These are just some of things you can do in the Riviera Maya,
which is why it has earned a reputation as the ideal destination
to enjoy life
Getting there
Cancun international Airport; code CUN; located 52 km north of
Playa del Carmen. The Cozumel Airport may also be considered for
international access to this region (code CZM).
Getting around
From the Cancun Airport one option is to rent a car or jeep to
get from spot to spot. There is also private cab service to the
region, and some properties may transfers as part of their
packages. The bus to Playa del Carmen departs every hour from
10:30 am to 9:30 pm.
A company called ADO provides bus service from the airport to
Playa del Carmen. Their terminal is located at the southeast
corner of the Main Terminal. If you arrive at the Charter
Terminal, you'll need to take the free airport shuttle service
(van whit "ASUR" on the side) over to the main terminal.
Around the area, Cabs are available although expensive. There is
also frequent bus service along Mexico 307. Several companies
operate shuttle-type service between Cancun and Tulum with stops
at several spots along the way. Rates are affordable, though
service is somewhat irregular.
The highway connecting Cancun to the Riviera Maya region is a
modern, four-lane divided highway that now stretches all the way
to Calica (10 km south of Playa del Carmen). Two lanes continue
from there to Tulum. From Tulum the road is being widened from
its narrow two lanes.
Playa del Carmen is one of the
most attractive destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. Located
in the heart of the Riviera Maya, 68 km (42 mi) south of Cancun,
it has an ideal subtropical climate with an average temperature
of 25º C (77º F) and sunny days throughout most of the year.
During the summer, the maximum temperature can reach 35º C (95º
F).
At Playa del Carmen you will find beautiful beaches looking out
onto the Caribbean Sea, which are ideal places to relax or do
all kinds of water sports: snorkeling, windsurfing and even
kitesurfing, a new and exhilarating extreme sport that combines
surfing and parasailing. For those who like
scuba diving, there are boats departing from the docks which
offer exciting outings to the Great Mayan Reef, the second
largest coral reef (system) in the world. There you can dive at
depths of more than 10 meters (33 feet) among multicolored fish
and coral that has existed for more than 500 years.
Near Playa del Carmen you can discover Playa Paamul and Playa
Paraiso, two beautiful beaches with calm waters and gorgeous
ecological parks: Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Also nearby are numerous
sinkholes where you can do rappelling and cave diving while
exploring the amazing depths of underground river systems.
Come nightfall, we recommend that you take a stroll along Quinta
Avenida, one of Playa del Carmen´s most happening areas. The
avenue is lined with restaurants, bars, cosmopolitan nightclubs
and a shopping mall with exclusive boutiques, clothing stores
and jewelry shops.
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