Ships cruising to the Western Caribbean often stop at the beautiful island of Cozumel, which is located just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Here, there are fabulous sights to see and enjoy, both above the water as well as below the surface. Whether you want to explore the long history of the area at the sites of the Mayan ruins, or enjoy a more modern beach day complete with parasailing and wave runners, there is something for everyone on the island of Cozumel.

The island of Cozumel was a religious destination from Mayan pre-history. While cruising the Caribbean, this is the only port where you will see ruins dating from before Columbus ‘discovered’ the New World. When the Spanish Conquistadores arrives, the island’s substantial population was destroyed. Settlers returned in the 1800s, and rubber was cultivated in the area. Nowadays, tourism is a major factor in the island's economy, fueled by the beautiful beaches and the second-largest coral reef formation in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The island of Cozumel is chock full of fun things to do, or you can take the ferry to the mainland to expand your options. Wherever you decide to spend your time, you are sure to find beautiful beaches and ancient ruins as you experience the colorful Mexican culture.
On Cozumel, you can arrange to swim with the dolphins, go parasailing, enjoy the beautiful beaches, explore the world renowned diving and snorkeling, visit Mayan ruins, find great shopping, or sign up for shore excursions to everything from scuba and fishing to seeing the island on a Segway. Across on the mainland of the Yucatan peninsula, you can take a bus ride to the spectacular seaside ruins of Tulum, visit the unique ecological parks of Xel-ha or Xcaret, or explore the beaches and caverns of the Mexican mainland.

By: Stephanie Larkin
Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as WaltDisneyCruise.net. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!

What makes Cozumel such an attractive holiday spot? Well, it does have a lot going for it so read on to find out more. Firstly, while it is in Mexico, it is an island. It is full of family activity things and yet is has enough romance for lovers to enjoy themselves fully. This place has a broad range of enjoyable qualities and therefore makes it a great spot for any kind of vacation. You never know what you will get here as it is a place marked for its air of naturalness and liveliness.

Cozumel is renowned for being a great diving spot. If you want to experience scuba diving or you are an avid snorkeler then you'll enjoy the amazing marine life. The coral reefs around the island make for a beautifully picturesque underwater experience that is full of aquatic life. There are professionals who will help guide novices and ensure that divers of diverse skill levels will enjoy a safe diving experience. The Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park is responsible for the protection of this under water habitat and they have ensured that everything is well taken care of.

Santa Rosa, Punta Sur and Palancar are some of the more famous spots for scuba diving. Snorkeling can be done at practically any of the beaches, some of which are nice and quiet and secluded. Playa Mia Grand Beach Park offers to tourists a whole lot of amenities such as lockers, restrooms and umbrellas apart from their tours and activity packages. If you're looking for restaurants, massages and shopping you will find it at Playa Uvas. After all, a day at the beach is no longer about just a little sun and sand.

How about some sightseeing? The old Mayan world has left its traces in the old districts of San Gervaiso. The ancient Temple of El Cedral is one of the oldest buildings you will ever find. El Caracol was a structure used to signal the coming for hurricanes and dates to about 1000 years ago. So, as you can see, there are more options on this island apart from your traditional beach activities.

Vacations often bring out the shopper in us (while there are some of us who never let that side of us ever hide any way.) There are a host of exotic goods so come prepared with luggage space to cart home your purchases. Goods in leather, pottery, textiles, jewelry, etc are all available and you should be ready to haggle and you'll find good bargains easily. You can also pick up stuff like vanilla and liquor to take back home. Golf courses, horse-back riding and visiting museums are some of the many things you could do.

This is a really photogenic place with wonderful vistas. You should definitely carry your camera and watch out for beautiful shots from the Punta Sur Lighthouse. Crocodiles, Iguanas and Giant Turtles are on view at times as well. There are a variety of places to stay at a variety of rates. No matter what kind of vacation you are looking for, you are bound to enjoy it in Cozumel.

By: Rita Lambros-Segur
http://www.acmemexicovacations.com.

While you won't find "Nuevo Vallarta" on any older map of Mexico, be prepared to see it on all the future versions.

As Cancun's popularity ignited the sprawl that is now termed the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta is now sprawling north & and west into the neighboring state of Nayarit. The first enclave in what is to be known as the Riviera Nayarit is called Nuevo Vallarta.

While the two vacation hot spots share an airport and a coastline on Banderas Bay, the similarities stop there. Puerto Vallarta is the city, Nuevo Vallarta is the suburbs. In Puerto Vallarta you walk on cobblestones, in Nuevo Vallarta you walk on sand (one of the longest walking beaches on the coast). In Puerto Vallarta, you take a cab to dinner and sample the multitude of restaurants the city has to offer. In Nuevo, you're more than likely in an all-inclusive hotel and will have dinner at your resort. In Puerto Vallarta, after dinner you can "club" until the early morning. In Nuevo Vallarta, you'll have to take a cab to Puerto Vallarta to "club" until the early morning.

Nuevo Vallarta offers quiet and "elbow room". It's a place to unwind which offers the open space that allows for golf courses, a protected marina, a waterpark and an air-conditioned shopping mall. If you have decided on one the many deluxe or budget priced all-inclusive resorts for your stay, you REALLY can relax knowing all your needs are taken care of (and paid in advance)!

An added benefit of a stay in Nuevo Vallarta is your proximity to other laid-back beach towns along the coast. In fact, if you're staying on the western edge of Nuevo Vallarta, you'll be able to walk to the neighboring town of Bucerias for a taste of a less commercialized Mexico. Fish tacos under a palapa on the beach never tasted so good.

By: Maggie Bonfiglio
For help in choosing the right hotel, NuevoVallartaReviews.com is a good place to start. The site offers hotel and sightseeing reviews and gives the opportunity to compare vacation package pricing with various top notch vendors..

Enjoy reviews, tips, discounts, and "book-ability" with top vendors on vacations to Nuevo Vallarta at http://www.nuevovallartareviews.com.

Deluxe vacations, budget vacations, all-inclusive hotel & resorts, sightseeing, charter airfare and more.

Mexico; formerly known as Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican State) has 1500 mile long border with the US, and is situated in North America. The total area of Mexico country is 750,000 sq. miles. It is said that Mexico is the ‘Paradise for Tourists’.

Deserts, snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl, crowded modernized cities, ostentatious resorts, lovely white-sand beaches and a marvelous collection of flora and fauna are the attractions for the tourists. Each year about 4-5 million tourists visit Mexico. A journey to Mexico might not be expensive, unlike other countries of the world. There are hotels, transportation and food available at variable rates. Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara, Playa Del Carmen, Merida are the cities, towns and villages of Mexico.

Mexico City
Mexico City is the world’s largest city, located at Tenochtitlan-The Capital City built by Aztecs. This international city has got sight-seeing places like parks, museums, huge colonial buildings, an Aztec pyramid, restaurants, resorts and lovely nights. If you do not like to enjoy these places, then you can roam about on the roads, face polluted air, traffic jams and a large Mexican population, 24 hours a day.

In Mexico City, there are many places to visit like, Zocalo Chapultepec Museum, Guadalupe Shrine, Tulancingo, Pyramid of Niches, you can also take a boat ride at Xochimilco.

ACAPULCO
Nahua Indians-The Predecessor of the Aztecs, discovered Acapulco. It’s a favorite place with wide-spread warm water beaches with a sun shine. Acapulco is an ideal sight for the beach lovers. If sun does not shine then it becomes as dark as night.

Cancun
Cancun is basically a costal city of Mexico, and is the hottest tourist preference. The city is situated along a beautiful coast. For beach lovers, it’s a perfect place for vacations. You can enjoy the white sand along with the contrast of blue waters. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the world under water. You can go deep in the water for a swim, or take sunbath. Cancun has got 150 luxurious hotels. These hotels are equipped with international standards and are expensive ones. But you can also find some low cost hotels also. At Cancun, you can have a chance to swim with dolphins, sharks and manatees.

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is located at Mexicana Caribbean coast, 60 km South from Cancun. It is also known as Xaman Ha (waters of the North) and is the exciting part of Maya World. Playa del Carmen is gifted with perfect white sand and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. It is a place where you can really get the natural beauty.

Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the second most populated city of Mexico, and is also the capital city of the State of Jalisco. This place has got an ideal climate. Days are hot and shiny, while nights are cool and clear. Guadalajara-The City of Roses contains parks, fountains, plazas, and wide tree-lined boulevards are sprinkled about the city.

Merida
Merida is also known as ‘White City’ because there are white limestone and white paints all over the city. Merida is the capital city of State of Yucatan. The people of Merida are warm-hearted and friendly. There is no concept of crimes and thefts. The biggest problem you will face is finding a hotel appropriate to your budget. Merida is a place to enjoy Mexican culture.

Mexico is a tremendous destination to explore either with family or along with friends. There exist blue waters, bars, restaurants, parks and museums where you can have fun filled days and nights. One hasn’t seen this wonderful place must come once and enjoy this sight-seeing place.

By: Maaz Iqbal
Maaz Iqbal is a copywriter and an SEO-based content writer. He maintains a blog which is, http://advertisinginnovations.blogspot.com.

Azucar is near the small community of Monte Gordo, Veracruz, on Mexico's Costa Esmeralda, bordering the Gulf of Mexico. As a choice for your luxury Mexico vacation, or Mexico Honeymoon, you would be pressed to choose a better destination than this intimate white walled and somewhat minimalistic hotel.

It is quite a long way from Veracruz airport to Azucar, but your vehicle will be airconditioned, and you'll find the unspoiled Mexican towns and scenery fascinating over the two and a half hour trip.

When you arrive you'll think Azucar is Paradise found, especially if you can book a villa right on top of the sea, with it's spacious all white room, and a hammock you can lie and enjoy a cool beer, whilst listening to the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore.

Nowhere is far from the accommodation, so the aromas of the food will tempt you, and you won't be disappointed by the quality or quantity.

If you are like most people, then a vacation, whether it is a Mexican Vacation Special, and you are on a Mexico honeymoon vacation, or a luxury Mexico vacation, there are certain pleasures you expect. Great food, fantastic accommodation and ambience, unobtrusive, and very efficient and friendly staff, and peace and tranquillity where there aren't too many other people that you are aware of. In addition great weather!!

The Azucar supplies all of this, and of course it is far from being a cheap Mexico Vacation, in fact it is definitely at the luxury end of the market.

It is best to go in March where the Mexico weather in the Gulf of Mexico is warm and sunny, somewhat humid with early morning cloud. There will be a cooling breeze, and importantly few biting insects!! A deserted beach is a great attraction, although the waves restrict swimming, you will find it clean.

The Azucar has twenty villas, all almost identical scattered across the small property. They have thatched roof terraces, hammocks, and large pillows. This is a hideaway hotel in the middle of nowhere and absolutely perfect for a Mexico Honeymoon Vacation or any Mexico Travel holiday package if you love quality and solitude..

There is an upper and a lower terrace, and the extra touches such as flat screen TV, and toiletries are what you would expect on any luxury mexico vacation.

There is a small but lovely pool, and again large pillows to lounge about on, and certainly warm enough to swim.

The food at Azucar is superb, simple, beautifully cooked , relatively inexpensive, and open from breakfast through to dinner. If you want food in your room, then that is no problem at all. There is a Spa on a neighbouring property owned by the management of the Azucar. High quality, and not expensive..

The staff are very helpful and pleasant, so all in all the Azucar fulfils most of the requirements for a top class luxury Mexico holiday package.

By: Ian SG Smith
Peter Stewart writes about in Kenya Safaris as well as http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com new=true]Worldwide Vacation Spots[/url].