Mexican Caribbean

Mexico has a lot of beachfront but its Caribbean stretch is found only from the Cancun area south to the Belize border.

While that entire region may share spectacular turquoise waters, there the similarities between destinations end. The top destination (and arrival point for most travelers) is Cancun, a glitzy resort area with around the clock fun in the sun. Offshore, the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Holbox offer far quieter getaways with an emphasis on watersports. South of Cancun, the Riviera Maya extends to Tulum, a fast-growing area filled with expansive all-inclusive resorts whose audiences vary from families to couples. South of Tulum to the Belize border, the emphasis is on ecotourism, with jungle tours and archaeological excursions.

Fast Facts:

Language: Spanish (English is widely spoken in the main tourist areas)

Currency: Mexican peso; US dollar widely accepted

Recommended for: shopping and nightlife (Cancun), scuba and snorkeling (Cozumel), ecotourism (Riviera Maya), all-inclusive resorts (primarily Riviera Maya), quiet getaways (Isla Mujeres and Holbox)

For More Information: Mexico Tourism Board, www.visitmexico.com

Map courtesy the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and
the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection