At times sleepy and other times buzzing with life, this area of Mexico is a favorite of fishermen, golfers and lovers of the outdoors. Creature comforts are never far off, however, with some of the most exclusive resorts finding a spot here. Next up for the Pacific Coast is another resort area; although it has yet to be named, it will be located 65 miles south of Mazatlan and promises to be one of the top destinations in Mexico’s future.
HUATULCO
Sitting very prettily in the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco and its nine bays and numerous coves are an idyllic alternative for sun worshippers and beach lovers, with much wildlife and jungle-like settings interspersed among lovely beaches—36 of them, in fact. The bays are part of Bahias de Huatulco National Park, a protected area of roughly 20 miles along the southern portion of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Each bay is different from the next—some accessible only by boat, some better for swimmers and still others, like Santa Cruz Bay, prolifi c in colorful marine life and thus ideal for divers. Tongalunda Bay, the most developed of the bunch, recently welcomed the Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, from which guests can arrange boat tours of the bays. The infrastructure is all there, yet Huatulco remains, at heart, a low-key and enticing option for eco-types.
Good Time to Go: Santa Cruz will play host in September to the
Huatulco World Cup Triathlon.
ACAPULCO
Acapulco’s renaissance is still well under way, adding local color to its already famous city attractions. A recently discovered offering in the region is the Tehualcalco Archaeological Zone, believed to date back to the Olmec civilization. Tehualcalco is part of the state of Guerrero’s “Jaguar Route,” which combines its natural attractions with its cultural options. Other stops include the rock formations of Cacahuamilpa’s Caves and the town of Ixcateopan de Cuauhtemoc, where the last Aztec emperor was laid to rest, and its homes made of ivory. The Jaguar Route ends in Acapulco, of course, where travelers can check out the San Diego Fort, which houses the city’s history museum, and the archaeological zone of Palma Sola. But you can’t visit Acapulco without experiencing some “musts”: the brave cliff divers of La Quebrada, dazzling sunsets over Acapulco Bay, club-hopping after dark and some fine dining along Costera Miguel Aleman.
Good Time to Go: The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe Cliff Diving on Dec. 12 honors the patron saint of Mexico with freestyle diving from some of the area’s best.
IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
The sister towns of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are barely fi ve minutes apart, each with its own coastal individuality and a heavenly dose of Mexican Pacifi c enchantment. Ixtapa has traditionally been more developed and is home to more condos and resorts (including the Tesoro Resorts Ixtapa), not to mention commercial centers and a sizzling nightlife. “Zihua” has its own share of hotels—mostly smaller in size yet often boutiquey—but has maintained a more laid-back, fishing-village feel. Between them they offer about 15 beaches for sunbathing and cavorting, as well as proximity to the Sierra Madre Mountains. This beach-and-mountain combo allows travelers to observe plenty of wildlife, dive along coral reefs and more.
Good Time to Go: This watersports hotspot will welcome the Karma Surfing Tournament in September.
MANZANILLO
This family-friendly destination is centrally located in the state of Colima and recognized as a top fishing destination—so much so, that it’s been billed the “Sailfish Capital of the World” and has a giant sculpture of a sailfish in its downtown area. Manzanillo is laid-back and original, with a busy port (and a historic center that’s being remodeled) and plenty of downtown activity. Its main plaza, Alvarez Obregon Gardens, is a great starting point from which to explore the town. There are two bays for the water-bound—Santiago is great for daytime visitors and surfers, while Manzanillo Bay is popular after dark—and friendly beaches such as Miramar and La Audiencia. Golfers also have three top courses to enjoy here, including the greens of Las Hadas Golf Resort & Marina on Manzanillo Bay. Travelers should also drive to the Magical Town of Comala for a peek at its red-brick roofs and the Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo University Museum. Another important stop is the city of Colima, with a gorgeous cathedral whose golden dome is polished on a daily basis and a government palace full of murals that illustrate the history of Mexico.
Good Time to Go: The International Sailfish Tournament takes place in November, as it has since 1954.
PUERTO VALLARTA
Zippy Puerto Vallarta maintains the essence of Mexico while opening itself up to the advent of progress and tourism. It’s an art lover’s dream spot, with art walks that visit its many galleries (about 30 of them) available throughout much of the year and eclectic sculptures lining its malecon—most notably Rafael Zamarripa’s The Seahorse, emblematic of the city. The late Manuel Lepe, generator of “Vallarta Art,” put his particular style and his city on the map decades ago with his village scenes and use of color; his paintings were used by promotional efforts by UNICEF and the Mexico Tourism Board and today, the Manuel Lepe Museum is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most recognized. Before heading out to enjoy the area’s natural attractions, visitors should also enjoy a visit to Teatro Saucedo, designed in the style of belle epoque and opened in 1922, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadaloupe and its crown, said to have been inspired by the headdress of Empress Carlota, whose husband Maximilian I briefly ruled over Mexico during the mid-19th century. Snorkelers and nature lovers may want to drive to the Bay of Mismaloya to enjoy the view or hop on a boat to Los Arcos—three huge rock formations that form part of a federal underwater park. Puerto Vallarta is also known for its prolifi c waters, for which fishing enthusiasts will fi nd plenty of offshore entertainment.
Good Time to Go: Anglers might want to gear up for the Puerto Vallarta International Sailfi sh and Marlin Tournament in November.
MAZATLAN
The capital of the state of Sinaloa is one of Mexico’s busiest ports and is constantly reinventing itself. This vibrant coastal city, known as “The Pearl of the Pacifi c,” has a revitalized historic center with 479 structures designated as national historic landmarks, with iron railings and color conserving the fl air of another era as cafes (often serving Mazatlan’s own Pacifi co beer), clubs, art galleries and shops keep sprouting. The Angela Peralta Theater by Plazuela Machado, in the center of town, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception are two additional standouts in town. The latter is the world’s only Roman Catholic church displaying the Star of David in all of its stained glass windows. Other sites of interest include the world’s second tallest lighthouse and the pretty Botanic Gardens. A great way to get around the city is on pulmonias—open-air taxis. Mazatlan has the largest shrimp fishing fleet in the Pacific so there’s never a shortage of shrimp or other types of seafood here for gourmands. The coastal stretch known as the Golden Zone, for its part, is seeing more development as it welcomes new resorts and maintains its reputation as a whimsical stretch of fun. In fact, the RIU Emerald Bay opens next months in Playa de Brujas.
Good Time to Go: Pencil in Mazatlan’s Cultural Festival, which celebrates the mixed heritage of the city with daily cultural events. Dates are Oct. 1-Dec. 22.
HUATULCO
Sitting very prettily in the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco and its nine bays and numerous coves are an idyllic alternative for sun worshippers and beach lovers, with much wildlife and jungle-like settings interspersed among lovely beaches—36 of them, in fact. The bays are part of Bahias de Huatulco National Park, a protected area of roughly 20 miles along the southern portion of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Each bay is different from the next—some accessible only by boat, some better for swimmers and still others, like Santa Cruz Bay, prolifi c in colorful marine life and thus ideal for divers. Tongalunda Bay, the most developed of the bunch, recently welcomed the Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, from which guests can arrange boat tours of the bays. The infrastructure is all there, yet Huatulco remains, at heart, a low-key and enticing option for eco-types.
Good Time to Go: Santa Cruz will play host in September to the
Huatulco World Cup Triathlon.
ACAPULCO
Acapulco’s renaissance is still well under way, adding local color to its already famous city attractions. A recently discovered offering in the region is the Tehualcalco Archaeological Zone, believed to date back to the Olmec civilization. Tehualcalco is part of the state of Guerrero’s “Jaguar Route,” which combines its natural attractions with its cultural options. Other stops include the rock formations of Cacahuamilpa’s Caves and the town of Ixcateopan de Cuauhtemoc, where the last Aztec emperor was laid to rest, and its homes made of ivory. The Jaguar Route ends in Acapulco, of course, where travelers can check out the San Diego Fort, which houses the city’s history museum, and the archaeological zone of Palma Sola. But you can’t visit Acapulco without experiencing some “musts”: the brave cliff divers of La Quebrada, dazzling sunsets over Acapulco Bay, club-hopping after dark and some fine dining along Costera Miguel Aleman.
Good Time to Go: The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe Cliff Diving on Dec. 12 honors the patron saint of Mexico with freestyle diving from some of the area’s best.
IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
The sister towns of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are barely fi ve minutes apart, each with its own coastal individuality and a heavenly dose of Mexican Pacifi c enchantment. Ixtapa has traditionally been more developed and is home to more condos and resorts (including the Tesoro Resorts Ixtapa), not to mention commercial centers and a sizzling nightlife. “Zihua” has its own share of hotels—mostly smaller in size yet often boutiquey—but has maintained a more laid-back, fishing-village feel. Between them they offer about 15 beaches for sunbathing and cavorting, as well as proximity to the Sierra Madre Mountains. This beach-and-mountain combo allows travelers to observe plenty of wildlife, dive along coral reefs and more.
Good Time to Go: This watersports hotspot will welcome the Karma Surfing Tournament in September.
MANZANILLO
This family-friendly destination is centrally located in the state of Colima and recognized as a top fishing destination—so much so, that it’s been billed the “Sailfish Capital of the World” and has a giant sculpture of a sailfish in its downtown area. Manzanillo is laid-back and original, with a busy port (and a historic center that’s being remodeled) and plenty of downtown activity. Its main plaza, Alvarez Obregon Gardens, is a great starting point from which to explore the town. There are two bays for the water-bound—Santiago is great for daytime visitors and surfers, while Manzanillo Bay is popular after dark—and friendly beaches such as Miramar and La Audiencia. Golfers also have three top courses to enjoy here, including the greens of Las Hadas Golf Resort & Marina on Manzanillo Bay. Travelers should also drive to the Magical Town of Comala for a peek at its red-brick roofs and the Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo University Museum. Another important stop is the city of Colima, with a gorgeous cathedral whose golden dome is polished on a daily basis and a government palace full of murals that illustrate the history of Mexico.
Good Time to Go: The International Sailfish Tournament takes place in November, as it has since 1954.
PUERTO VALLARTA
Zippy Puerto Vallarta maintains the essence of Mexico while opening itself up to the advent of progress and tourism. It’s an art lover’s dream spot, with art walks that visit its many galleries (about 30 of them) available throughout much of the year and eclectic sculptures lining its malecon—most notably Rafael Zamarripa’s The Seahorse, emblematic of the city. The late Manuel Lepe, generator of “Vallarta Art,” put his particular style and his city on the map decades ago with his village scenes and use of color; his paintings were used by promotional efforts by UNICEF and the Mexico Tourism Board and today, the Manuel Lepe Museum is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most recognized. Before heading out to enjoy the area’s natural attractions, visitors should also enjoy a visit to Teatro Saucedo, designed in the style of belle epoque and opened in 1922, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadaloupe and its crown, said to have been inspired by the headdress of Empress Carlota, whose husband Maximilian I briefly ruled over Mexico during the mid-19th century. Snorkelers and nature lovers may want to drive to the Bay of Mismaloya to enjoy the view or hop on a boat to Los Arcos—three huge rock formations that form part of a federal underwater park. Puerto Vallarta is also known for its prolifi c waters, for which fishing enthusiasts will fi nd plenty of offshore entertainment.
Good Time to Go: Anglers might want to gear up for the Puerto Vallarta International Sailfi sh and Marlin Tournament in November.
MAZATLAN
The capital of the state of Sinaloa is one of Mexico’s busiest ports and is constantly reinventing itself. This vibrant coastal city, known as “The Pearl of the Pacifi c,” has a revitalized historic center with 479 structures designated as national historic landmarks, with iron railings and color conserving the fl air of another era as cafes (often serving Mazatlan’s own Pacifi co beer), clubs, art galleries and shops keep sprouting. The Angela Peralta Theater by Plazuela Machado, in the center of town, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception are two additional standouts in town. The latter is the world’s only Roman Catholic church displaying the Star of David in all of its stained glass windows. Other sites of interest include the world’s second tallest lighthouse and the pretty Botanic Gardens. A great way to get around the city is on pulmonias—open-air taxis. Mazatlan has the largest shrimp fishing fleet in the Pacific so there’s never a shortage of shrimp or other types of seafood here for gourmands. The coastal stretch known as the Golden Zone, for its part, is seeing more development as it welcomes new resorts and maintains its reputation as a whimsical stretch of fun. In fact, the RIU Emerald Bay opens next months in Playa de Brujas.
Good Time to Go: Pencil in Mazatlan’s Cultural Festival, which celebrates the mixed heritage of the city with daily cultural events. Dates are Oct. 1-Dec. 22.
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