World Country Guide

Beach Resorts

On the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are the main tourist destinations, offering miles of excellent beaches. At Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the peninsula, 260km (162 miles) from La Paz, seals may often be seen.
Famed as an angling centre, Mazatlán also has numerous beaches and facilities for surfing, skindiving, tennis, golf, riding and shooting. The name of the town means ‘Place of the Deer’ in the Nahuatl language, an indication of the town’s longstanding association with sporting activities. The malecón, which runs along the beachfront, is disguised by a variety of names, being named Avenida Camaron in the north and then proceeding through a number of name changes until it becomes Olas Atlas in the south. In the evening, strollers promenade along this beachfront among the arañas (covered carts), 4-wheeled carriages and 3-wheeled taxis. The Mirador is a tower on the malecón from which divers give a spectacular display twice a day. ‘El Faro’ on the promontory of Cerro del Creston is one of the highest lighthouses in the world. There are direct flights from Los Angeles as well as from numerous Mexican cities, and a ferry crosses regularly from La Paz in Baja California. The island of Mexcaltitán nearby is said to be the original home of the Aztecs.
Puerto Vallarta is the largest town in the immense Bahía de Banderas resort area (one hour 10 minutes by air from Mexico City). It is situated on the Bahía de Banderas, which is the largest natural bay in Mexico. There are a hundred miles of coastline with many sandy beaches and facilities for parasailing, shooting, scuba diving, sailboarding, fishing, golf and tennis. Boat trips provide opportunities to explore the coast. For the visitor who would relish the experience of journeying in a dugout canoe, there is the chance to visit Yelapa, a Polynesian-style village which cannot be visited in any other way. The mountains behind the bay may be explored on horseback. Charreadas, uniquely Mexican rodeos, are held at certain times of the year. Amongst the smaller resorts are San Blas, Barra de Navidad and Zihuatanejo.
Manzanillo, a major seaport, has recently become an important resort. The emphasis is on watersports, but the spacious beaches afford good swimming. Fishing is of a world-class standard. Ixtapa, to the south of Manzanillo, is a new resort complex with moorings for yachts and a golf course.
Situated on Acapulco Bay, Acapulco is probably the most famous beach resort in Mexico. The town stretches for over 16km (10 miles) round the bay. It has many beaches as well as numerous top-class hotels. The malecón (seaside promenade) runs along the beaches. There is a square in the centre of the old town to the west of the Bay. This lively and fashionable resort offers skindiving, angling, parachute sailing, water-skiing, golf, tennis, riding and the unique spectacle of the Quebrada divers. The waters of the Bay are famous for their calmness and safety, though the beach of La Condesa has rougher waters and good surf for those who want it. The two beaches nearest the centre of the town are Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla; the sun on these is considered to be at its best in the morning. The late afternoon sun is thought to be best on Playa Hornos, which is further around the bay to the east. Scuba-diving lessons can be arranged on request. Nearby is Roqueta Island, visited regularly by glass-bottomed boats, from which the underwater image of the Virgin of Guadalupe can be seen. The island itself is popular for family trips.
Fort San Diego, in the middle of the town, is where the last battle of the Mexican War of Independence was fought. Admission is free but it is closed on Thursdays. Behind the town of Acapulco rise the Sierra Madre Mountains, a favourite location for photographers who relish the greenery, the rocky cliffs and the breathtaking views over the bay.
16km (10 miles) away is Pie de la Cuesta which has a lagoon and several large beaches. The surf is rough.
Further down the coast from Acapulco, in Oaxaca state, are the well-known resorts of Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel. Puerto Escondido (Hidden Port), once an isolated fishing village, has now developed into a well-equipped resort, though it has still retained some of its original character. The string of beaches stretching from the main bay are frequented by bathers, surfers and fishermen. On the hills behind are cheap restaurants and hotels. Puerto Angel, to the west, also a fishing port, is relatively low-key and sleepy. Charming secluded beaches are its main attraction, plus authentic eating places and cheap accommodation. Nearby is the famous beach of Zipolite, a 2km- (1.2 mile-) stretch of palm-fringed, white sand, which, although renowned amongst surfers, has treacherous undercurrents; local people rarely swim there.
One of Mexico’s newest resort areas is at Hualtulco, a group of nine interlocking bays set against rainforest-covered mountains. Until the mid-1980s, this area was a sleepy fishing village with no water or electricity. However, a carefully planned expansion programme has brought luxury hotels and other amenities to the area, while strict regulations conserve its natural beauty. The beaches include Playa La Entrega (good for snorkelling with beautiful, calm water) and Bahía Tangolunda (where there is an 18-hole golf course). Watersports and other activities are easily arranged.