By Jed Hauck and Jacqueline Zea
Explore a Mexico where old world charm meets gourmet specialties, where beaches are serene and life is savored. Walk along oceanfront promenades or upon cobblestoned streets. Relax during the shimmering day but party during the enchanting night. Experience a Mexico unlike anywhere you’ve been before.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Ixtapa and Zihautanejo— two amicable neighbors of the Pacific Coast are the perfect blend of modern seaside resorts and a former fishing village exuding Old Mexican charm.
Experience the serenity of Playa del Palmar and Playa Quieta in Ixtapa.
Ixtapa’s Allure
Top-notch accommodations boasting an extensive array of amenities are the staple of Ixtapa. Plus, the genuine smiles, arresting sunsets, and the plethora of activities!
– Perfect your swing at a championship golf course.
– Venture to the beaches of Playa del Palmar and Playa Quieta for water sports.
– Celebrate culture and become a part of a “Fiesta Mexicana” ambiance.
Zihua’s Rustic Charm
Soak up a more traditional Mexican experience in this quaint pueblo with cobblestone streets set around an enchanting bay and the Sierra foothills.
Zihuatanejo is a prime fishing port attracting sport fishing fans each year. For exquisite fresh catch-of-the-day, pull up a chair at one of the typical seafood restaurants scattered along the Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Path).
Approximate Flight Times
New York/Newark – 6 Hours
Philadelphia – 6 Hours
Boston – 6 ½ Hours
Miami – 4 ½ Hours
Los Angeles – 4 ½ Hours
Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 89°F
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Experiences
Discover pristine beaches galore in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, including Los Gatos Beach.
– Stop at a typical Zihua café for aporreadillo, a local dish made from cured beef, eggs, and Mexican salsa.
– Wander the Mercado de Artesanía Turístico, lined with 250 jewelry stands.
– Take a ferry from either Ixtapa or Zihua for a day trip to beautiful, sandy Isla Ixtapa.
– Dance until the sunrise at the pulsating discotheques around Ixtapa’s boulevard area.
– Grab a surfboard and check out the tube waves off Playa el Palmar.
Related Story: Discover Mexico!
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is retreat like no other. Imagine being nestled on the southernmost tip of Baja California peninsula overlooking the Sea of Cortez’s encounter with the crystalline waters of the Pacific Ocean. Boundless sunshine, azure waters, desert sands, statuesque mountains, an 18-mile stretch of hypnotizing beaches dotted with luxury resorts and championship golf courses…where else would you rather be?
San Jose del Cabo
On the quieter side of Los Cabos is this low-key Mexican village sprinkled with colonial homes. Catch the sunset as they pop in and out of art galleries, shop for jewelry, and sample various cuisines from quaint restaurants.
Cabo San Lucas
A swanky destination infused with energetic nightlife, chic restaurants, posh accommodations, dramatic vistas, and exhilarating activities! Choose from bar-hopping tours, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing for marlin, and ride along miles of dunes on an ATV. And take excursion to the iconic El Arco, shaped by time, tide, and wind.
Approximate Flight Times
New York/Newark – 6 Hours
Philadelphia – 6 Hours
Boston – 7 Hours
Miami – 5 Hours
Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 86°F
Los Cabos Experiences
El Arco is one of the region’s favorite spots, including Land’s End, the last slither of land of Baja California.
– Don your best and check out Cabo San Lucas’ legendary nightclubs.
– Join a tour to spot gray, blue, and humpback whales as they migrate to Baja’s sheltered lagoons.
– Drive a powerful dune buggy through the deserts, hills, and arroyos of the Baja’s rugged back country.
– Unwind on gorgeous beaches at popular Palmilla, palm-lined El Chileno, secluded Playa del Amor, and tranquil Playa el Médano.
– Strap on scuba gear and explore Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in western North America.
Related Story: Spotlight On – Secrets Puerto Los Cabos
Manzanillo
Rediscover yourself in a remote destination where relaxation is the norm. Blend in with its laid-back pace and be a part of this canvas, geographically blessed with golden sand beaches, lush groves with tall palm trees, and an abundance of mango trees—the ultimate Mexican hideaway!
Manzanillo has a variety landscapes, nestled against the Sierra Madre Mountains and Santiago Bay.
Balmy Discoveries
With the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Coast as your backdrop, plus perfect weather year-round, plunging into an array of outdoor activities is inevitable! Deep-sea fishing is popular in Manzanillo, also known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.
Venture out to Santiago Bay to enjoy water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and kayaking.
Cultural Indulgence
Savor local specialties in a thatched-roof restaurant or pamper your palate along the malecon. Meander through El Centro and take back home with you a locally made hammock! Explore the surrounding countryside and stop at the quaint fishing village of Barra de Navidad.
Approximate Flight Times
New York/Newark – 7 Hours
Philadelphia – 6 Hours
Boston – 7 Hours
Miami – 5 Hours
Los Angeles – 3 Hours
Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 87°F
Manzanillo Experiences
Amble through the quaint fishing village of Barra de Navidad or hop on a fishing boat for adventure!
– Head to Peña Blanca and witness the fascinating sight of endangered turtles laying their eggs.
– Climb the 360-foot-tall lighthouse at Campos Beach for jaw-dropping views.
– Sample exquisite Colima ceviche, Manzanillo’s signature seafood dish.
– Visit Alvaro Obregón Garden and Pez Vela (Sailfish Monument)
– Look out for underwater marvels as you dive into Playa L’Recif, home to an expansive coral reef.
Mazatlán
This celebratory destination is home to the longest malecón (promenade) and the third largest carnival in the world! Vacationers relish authentic Mexican culture, sprinkled along Mexico’s northern coast.
Zona Dorada
– Daytime Fun: Indulge in water sports galore at Playa Camaron, Gaviotas, Sabalo, and Brujas. Snorkel the warm crystalline waters of the Pacific. Try your hand at boogie boarding or parasailing.
– Nightlife Glitters: The Golden Zone’s biggest draw is its entertainment! Select from a myriad of eclectic restaurants, and pulsating clubs, especially if you head to Fiesta Land where the dancing doesn’t stop until the sun rises.
Pacific Pearl
Go back in time to discover the heart of Mazatlán’s history and artistic culture as you stroll through Old Mazatlán’s cobblestone sidewalks, colonial mansions, museums, shops, and more. People-watch while sitting at an outdoor café in charming Plaza Machado.
Approximate Flight Times
New York/Newark – 7 Hours
Philadelphia – 7 ½ Hours
Boston – 8 Hours
Miami – 5 ½ Hours
Los Angeles – 2 ½ Hours
Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 84°F
Mazatlán Experiences
The Mazatlán Cathedral, which was finished in 1899, is revered as one of the most majestic in all of Mexico with three naves, French-cut crystal, and huge central candelabrum.
– Learn about marine life and the variety of species at the Mazatlán Aquarium.
– Savor traditional regional fare such as shredded shrimp, or aguachile shrimp cocktail.
– Rent a jet-ski and cruise through Puerto Viejo Bay to three offshore gems: Isla de los Venados, Isla de los Lobos, and Isla de Pájaros.
– Wander through the Central Market in Old Mazatlán, where you’ll find everything including food, textiles, and jewelry.
– Watch impressive cliff divers dive off of a 50’ high platform at an oceanside park.
Related Story: Top 5 Things to Do in Mazatlán, Mexico
Merida
More and more vacationers are visiting Merida each year. Perhaps it’s the chocolate tastings, lively festivities, rich cultural heritage, Parisian essence, or colonial architecture in a cosmopolitan setting…
Explore ruins of the Mayan Empire at Uxmal, near Merida!
Old Colonial District
Marvel at regal colonial architecture as you meander along the tree-lined streets. Soak up Mayan history at the Museo Regional de Antropología. Visit the Main Plaza’s Cathedral of Idelfonso, the oldest cathedral in Mexico.
Que Viva Merida!
Cut loose with spirited celebrations such as street concerts, folk dancing, live musical performances at the Plaza de la Independence, and theatrical productions. Dance the night away at pulsating nightclubs with Djs spinning house, salsa, rock, pop, and more!
Yucatecan Cuisine
Indulge in Mexican flavors infused with European and Middle Eastern ingredients in dishes like sopa de lima (chicken-tortilla soup), relleno negro (turkey dipped in spicy black sauce), and queso relleno (stuffed cheese).
Approximate Flight Times
New York/Newark – 6 Hours
Philadelphia – 5 Hours
Boston – 5 ½ Hours
Miami – 2 Hours
Los Angeles – 3 Hours
Discover the rich, historic architecture in colonial Merida!
Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 90°F
Merida Experiences
– For a taste of Paris, take a stroll along Paseo Montejo’s boulevard lined with mansions, palaces, and quaint shops.
– Spend an afternoon people-watching at the charming Plaza Grande.
– Delight in authentic Mayan chocolates at the chocolate factory of Ki’Xocolatl.
– Soak up the warm rays on Puerto Progreso’s white talcum-soft sands, only 20 minutes away.
– Shop at the Lucas de Gálvez Mercado for pottery, straw bags, guayaberas, and more!
Related Story: Discover the Yucatán Peninsula!
About Our Writers
Jed Hauck is a writer for Flight Centre USA. A New Yorker to the core, he has written extensively inside the travel and entertainment fields (winning Emmy Award honors for the latter), and has traveled widely throughout Europe and North America. He would love to live in London but can’t quite master the accent. He does, however, speak French like Marcel Marceau.
Jacqueline Zea is a Copywriter for Flight Centre, USA. She’s a self-published poet (Inner Happenings) and is fluent in Spanish. She’s been to Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canouan Island in the Grenadines, Barbados, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and several others!
When she’s not traveling and writing, she’s immersing in mindfulness, enjoying Zumba, and thinking about her next Halloween costume!
