While a cruise south of the border will take you to many culturally rich cities, you will also drop anchor at some of the world’s most beautiful stretches of white sand. Grab a book and relax or choose to take in more active adventures such as kayaking, biking or even testing some rugged trails on an ATV.
Head inland on your next visit to Mexico to discover natural beauty, archaeological treasures, and fun around every turn. For example, why not join a bilingual guide and explore some of Puerto Vallarta’s hillsides, valleys, villages and jungle—on horseback! For centuries, Mexican cowboys (charros) have relied on their four-footed steeds and now you can follow in their footsteps and beyond. Experience beaches, such as Xcaret and Tres Rios parks in Cancun, river banks and lush forests, with stops along the way for traditional meals, a cooling splash in the river and historic highlights. See mysterious desert landscapes, tropical flowers and picturesque haciendas. Ride for a morning, a day, or take off into the remote countryside on a multi-day tour.
Horses too tame for you? Hop on the back of a Harley Davidson and roar away on a motorcycle tour of the back roads of Cancun. Set your own pace. Stop for a stroll through a village church or cobblestoned marketplace. Spread a picnic in a shady spot overlooking the blue waters below. Take in the sound of mariachis and enjoy the rush of fresh air on your skin.
Or how about testing some rugged trails on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)? Breathe in the pure mountain air while your eyes and spirit are treated to spectacular views. Discover a magnificent waterfall and relax for a while in the middle of nowhere! Visit a private ranch and pick a fresh mango, papaya or banana right off the tree. Head to the beach or ride through jungle paths, swim in a clear 60 foot deep cenote, explore caves and climb ancient Mayan ruins. Try the Playa del Carmen jungle tour, or a Vallarta back roads tour.
Visit a natural warm spring, such as Oaxaca’s Hierve el Agua, in use for more than 2,400 years. As the water runs off of the edge of the nearby cliff, minerals create a petrified waterfall, one of only two such sites in the world, the other being in Turkey. Or see the thundering Cascada de Eyipantla in Veracruz, with its 246 descending steps (you might recognize it from one of the dozen movies filmed there).
Try biking, trekking, or birdwatching (some 950 species on view in Baja and the Yucatan!). Visit private homes or artists’ studios in Puerto Vallarta or San Miguel de Allende. Go mountain-climbing on Mexico's volcanoes. Explore lost cities, pre-Columbian rock-art sites near Merida, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, sub-tropical rain forests and pristine Caribbean beaches while soaking up the culture of Mexico's indigenous cultures. There’s so much to do—and so many ways to do it—you’ll be planning your next trip before you ever leave!