Caribbean Mexico
Cancun: Mexico’s best-known tourist resort encircles a huge lagoon, its shoreline fronted by American-style hotels. The hotel zone is linked to the main town by buses running every couple of minutes and through the night. Most operators feature all-inclusive hotels but Cancun has hundreds of restaurants to try out. It is also an ideal base for sightseeing. The coast that stretches towards Tulum is dotted with ecological attractions, while famous Chichen Itza is 110 miles inland.
Playa del Carmen: like Cancun, Playa del Carmen boasts superb white sandy beaches that stretch for miles around this less-developed resort. It contrasts with the excitement and glamour of Cancun, which is to be found some 40 miles to the north.
Playacar: a southern extension of Playa del Carmen, it is a convenient spot for the regular ferry across to the nearby island of Cozumel. Playacar is excellent for water sports. The main artery of the resort is the pedestrianised Quinta Avenida where there are numerous shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants.
Cozumel: an island just over the horizon from the mainland Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel has pure white sand beaches and stunningly clear turquoise waters offering some of the country’s finest snorkelling and diving. The town has a relaxed, genuine Mexican atmosphere, and is less international than Cancun.
Tulum: 81 miles south of Cancun, Tulum is the site of the only Mayan ruins by the sea, dramatically set on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean sea. The town itself is largely undeveloped but it is starting to capture operator interest.