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Holidays in Mexico

Mayan ruins and Mesoamerican culture, tacos and tequila, perfect beaches and the pure joy of mariachi bands trumpeting along papel picado-strewn streets – few countries lay on the charm like Mexico.

One of the world's most popular beach destinations, Mexico has an extraordinary coastline. For a sublime holiday of sun, surf and gourmet adventures, its rugged Pacific Coast hits the spot. On the Mayan-rich Caribbean shoreline, endless palm-fringed sands dip into gentle waves that are great for snorkelling and diving – look out for whale sharks off the coast of Isla Mujeres.

Dotted along its 9,400km (around 6,000 miles) of coastline, Mexico has everything from sophisticated all-inclusive family resorts on the beaches of Cancun to romantic honeymoon hotels on the Riviera Maya. Step away from Mexico’s big resorts to discover tiny villages, where taco stalls line the streets and colourful houses light up cobbled old towns.

Whatever kind of holiday you’re looking for, adventure is never too far away in this Central American nation: hike through Oaxaca's mountain cloud forests, marvel at Mayan temples of Palenque, Tulum and Chichén Itzá, and swim in the cenotes (caves) of Riviera Maya.

Mexican food is famous the world over – but nothing tastes as good as the real thing. Try cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork) in Yucatán, devour mole in Pueblos, order authentic tacos from a beachfront taquería, and discover the creative dining of Mexico City.

For a proper party, Cancun is the place to be, a resort famous for nightclubs and US spring break antics. Nearby Playa del Carmen and Tulum on the Yucatán Peninsula are popular for package beach holidays, plus they’re close enough to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. If surfing is more your thing, consider a holiday on the Baja Peninsula, close to the US border.

Top Mexico destinations

Mexico

Cancun

Mexico

Puerto Vallarta

Mexico

Riviera Maya

Mexico

Playa del Carmen

Mexico

Cozumel

For a cheap holiday

Mexico's Oaxacan coast takes you into authentic Mexico, with far fewer tourists. Rustic surf towns such as Puerto Escondido are packed with surfers, keeping costs down. If you're travelling on a budget, head to Puerto Vallarta for a cheap beach holiday in Mexico. Aside from the all-inclusive hotels, there are dozens of smaller budget properties available, many close to the beach.

For nightlife

Lively street parades, beach bars serving tequila cocktails, crazy foam parties, late-night discos… Mexico loves a fiesta. Cancun is Mexico's best-known party destination where beach hotels have nightly pool parties with international DJs.

Consider a stay at The Tower by Temptation, an adults-only all-inclusive resort, which lights up like a rainbow.

For culture

Mexico City is the nation's heart of arts and culture. Stay in Centro Histórico for easy access to this 24-hour city, with Museo Mural Diego Rivera and the Palacio de Bellas Artes right on your doorstep.

Coyoacán is a more traditional district, where you’ll find the Frida Kahlo Museum and a collection of guesthouses and boutique hotels.

For an all-inclusive holiday

With so many all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, it can be hard to choose one. Popular spots with lots of great options include Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Playa del Carmen features unlimited access to Grupo Xcaret adventures parks, where you can explore natural underground caves, go zip-lining and join snorkelling excursions.

For luxury five-star holidays

Located in an ancient Mayan forest, Chablé Spa is a boutique spa resort in a restored 19th-century hacienda on the Yucatán Peninsula. Near historic Mérida, its casitas and villas all have private pools, and it has one of the few spas in the world with its own cenote.

Alternatively, head to Playa del Carmen and Palmaia, The House of AiA, an ultra-luxury resort with swim-up suites, a jungle spa and gourmet restaurants by next-level chefs from Michelin-star restaurants.

With a coastline that touches both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, it’s no surprise that Mexico isn’t short of beautiful beaches.

Isla Holbox

For a laidback experience, head to Isla Holbox, a long island of wildlife and beaches. It’s fringed by a nature reserve with flamingos and pelicans, and is well known for diving and snorkelling. Don’t be fooled by the name, Punta Mosquito is every inch the idyllic beach.

Tulum Beach

White-sand Tulum Beach is one of Mexico's most popular spots for beach holidays. For some five-star pampering surrounded by lush jungle, Mayan ruins and lively nightlife, stay at nearby Hotel Ma'xanab Tulum.

Cabo San Lucas

A popular place with American spring breakers, Cabo San Lucas has two brilliant beaches nearby. Playa Acapulquito is a surfing hotspot, while Santa Maria Beach is calm and quiet – ideal for swimming. To be near both, stay in a bright, breezy villa at Chileno Bay Resort.

Playa Norte

Coral sands and warm shallow waters await at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres. A mecca for scuba diving, its cool, clear waters attract whale sharks, especially between May and August. For an all-inclusive escape nearby, stay at Mia Reef Isla Mujeres.

Playa del Carmen

The city of Playa del Carmen’s long shoreline is lined with enviable beaches, such as Playa del Car, Playa del Carmen, and Playa Punta Esmeralda. Embrace the Caribbean dream at the Thompson Beach House, a boutique hotel where you can snorkel with sea turtles or just relax under a coconut-frond parasol.

From ancient ruins to glorious beaches, there’s never a dull moment on a holiday to Mexico. Add these six ideas to your itinerary.

See the Mayan ruins of Tulum

One of the last cities inhabited by the Mayan people, Tulum was an important seaport in the 13th century, trading in jade and turquoise. Today, El Castillo, its castle, remains remarkably intact overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Another must-see is the Temple of the Frescoes, with its well-preserved murals depicting Mayan gods.

Look for wildlife in Parque Nacional Isla Contoy

Where the Caribbean meets the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Contoy is one of Mexico's most beautiful national parks. Located on a sandbar island 40km (25 miles) from Cancun, the wildlife sanctuary is home to 170 bird species, including flamingos, pelicans and boobies.

It's also the start of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Go diving with manta rays, whale sharks and loggerhead turtles.

Explore Chichén Itzá

The most famous of the Yucatán Maya sites, the ruins of Chichén Itzá should not be missed. El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcán, has stood at the centre of the site for over a thousand years.

One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, it’s an easy day trip from Cancun. Other significant ruins include the Plataforma de Venus, a raised stairway guarded by feathered serpents. It was possibly used as a sacrificial podium for ancient rituals, but its exact purpose remains a mystery.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

The white marble Palacio de Bellas Artes – the Palace of Fine Arts – is a performance hall and cultural space in Mexico City. Here, you can catch remarkable performances by the Ballet Folklórico de México and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional.

The hall is also famous for its notable artworks, including Diego Rivera’s iconic 'El hombre en el cruce de caminos' (Man at the Crossroads) mural and the art deco wall sculpture of the Mayan god Chaac.

The Frida Kahlo Museum

Also known as the Blue House, the Frida Kahlo Museum explores the life and work of Mexico's most famous artist. A highlight of Coyoacán in Mexico City, her former home – where she was born, lived and died – offers a peek into life in Mexico in the 1950s. It has a vast collection of work by both Kahlo and her husband, Diego Rivera, alongside Mexican folk art, rare photographs and quirky memorabilia.

Go cave diving in Dos Ojos

Just north of Tulum, Dos Ojos, also known as Two Eyes Cenote, is a labyrinth of 30 ancient underwater caves. For experienced divers, the Pit, a 110m-deep (361ft) cenote filled with the ancient remains of animals and humans, is a must.

For something a little more sedate, take a guided snorkelling tour of the easier-to-reach caves, and see illuminated stalactites and stalagmites.

January is generally the best time for a Mexico holiday. It's the height of the dry season, which runs from December to April, with temperatures reaching the high 20s. There’s plenty of sunshine, little rain, and the beaches aren’t as crowded as the busy Christmas season.

August and September are the low season period when monsoon rains can hit the Pacific coast and last until October. Temperatures jump into the 30s but humidity is high too.

Prices rocket around the Day of the Dead in November, Christmas and Easter, and around Independence Day in September.

When is the cheapest time to visit Mexico?

Hotel rates drop dramatically around April, and you can often get cheap holidays between May and November, which is hurricane season on the Caribbean coast.

When should I go for the best weather?

The coolest months are between December and February when temperatures are a balmy 28C, but the humidity drops. If you’re looking for a cheap holiday at this time, it will pay to search and compare prices well in advance.

Good to know

Flight time

12 hrs 15 mins

(from London)

Currency

Mexican peso ($)

Language

Spanish

FAQs about holidays to Mexico

Is it safe to go to Mexico?

The FCDO explains that crime is endemic in Mexico and advises against travel to some areas. That said, most beach resorts and tourist centres are generally safe. For the most up-to-date travel advice for Mexico, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need to have a visa to go to Mexico?

No, you do not need a visa to enter Mexico as a holidaymaker if you hold a full British passport.

What vaccinations do I need to go to Mexico?

Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations are recommended. Consult with your GP about whether you need a rabies vaccine. For the most up-to-date advice, consult the NHS website before you travel.

Are there any local customs I need to be aware of?

Not really. As with most destinations, good manners are appreciated. Be polite, be respectful in religious buildings, and treat people as you'd expect to be treated yourself. Tipping is common in Mexico, with 10 to 15% the norm for good service.