MEXICO

Cozumel, an island in the Caribbean off of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, draws scuba divers, snorkelers and sun seekers. The island also offers all other manner of on- and around-the-water attractions, many of which are unique, such as underwater sculpture gardens, a submarine excursion and a sailboat-racing experience.

Mazatlán, nicknamed the Pearl of the Pacific, is a pleasant port city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, where the best of traditional Mexican architecture, food and culture is found alongside contemporary conveniences, amenities and attractions.

The southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Chiapas is named for the state in which it is located. It is relatively new, built in 1975, and is the primary hub from which the region’s agricultural goods, including coffee, are sent abroad.

Unlike some of Mexico’s beach resorts, Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Ocean, retains its colonial-era charm. Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous parish church topped with an ornate crown serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages.

Los Cabos doesn't exude the same kind of charm as many other areas of inland Mexico do, but its twin towns—San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas—don't seem to mind, those drawn here less for traditional Mexican culture than for the sun, the sand and the opportunity to just relax.

Zihuatanejo, or \"Zihua\" as it's called by repeat visitors, is the fourth-largest city in the state of Guerrero and one of Mexico's most-visited resort areas, third only to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta. While it's a thoroughly modern city today, evidence of its past abounds in its dozens of archaeological sites, including Xihuacan, which was opened in 2013 and has not yet been completely excavated. Stop by the dig site or the city's archaeological museum to learn more about past civilizations. In more recent times, Zihuatanejo has been a fishing town, and fishermen can still be observed delivering their day's work to the water's edge.