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Mexico - Caribbean Coast

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Picture-perfect beaches, ancient sites and resorts that have it all – holidays to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast go above and beyond the call of duty.

Something for everyone

Mexico’s Caribbean Coast gives holidaymakers exactly what they want. Along the Yucatan Peninsula, purpose-built resorts edge tropical beaches, jungle tours and diving opportunities are easy to come by, and watersports are out in force.

Cancun

In terms of places to stay, Cancun is the frontrunner. The decision to turn this former fishing village into a tourist resort back in the Seventies saw the creation of the Hotel Zone – an 18-kilometre-long island with the Caribbean Sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. These days, this lively strip spoils visitors with shopping malls, casinos, golf courses, and the best nightlife for miles around.

The best of the rest

An hour or so down the coast, Playa del Carmen is a compact version of Cancun. Most of the town’s shops, restaurants and bars are strung along Fifth Avenue, which runs parallel to a long ribbon of white sand. If you want to escape the crowds, head south to sophisticated Playacar or the undeveloped shores of the Riviera Maya.

Historical sights

Wherever you stay, reminders of Mexico’s past are never more than a daytrip away. Stand in the shadow of the colossal pyramid at Chichen Itza, navigate the remains of temples at Tulum, or take a swim in an ancient cenote.

Things to See and Do in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Beaches
Shopping
Night Life
FOOD & DRINK

Picture-perfect beaches

If your idea of beach heaven is white sands, neon-blue seas and swaying palms, Mexico’s Caribbean Coast will be right up your street. From Cancun in the north, right down to Tulum in the south, the sands here are second-to-none.
The big beach

Cancun Beach is by far the most popular stretch of coast in these parts. Its white sands unravel for 20 kilometres, and pack in everything from beach bars to watersports centres. The beach is split into various sections, which make up a ‘7’ shape. Running along the top you’ll find calm, shallow waters, while down the side you tend to get a bit more surf. Bear in mind that while all sections of the beach are technically public, some are difficult to access if you’re not a hotel guest.
The secret beach

If you like your beaches quiet and crowd-free, head down the coast to Tulum Beach. While the main part can get pretty lively, if you make your way up to the northern end, the crowds thin out and you’re left with a gorgeous stretch of white sand all to yourself. The waves can get pretty big here, so be careful if you’ve got little ones with you.

Bargain Buys

Cancun’s Market 28 is full to the brim with cheap-and-cheerful crafts, trinkets and souvenirs. Just how cheap depends on your haggling skills. It’s really easy to find the place – just look for buses with Mercado 28 on the front. Further south, make for Playacar’s Plaza Playacar or the open-air market by the Tulum ruins for inexpensive local crafts.
Mid-Range Buys

If you’re in Cancun, stop by La Isla Shopping Village. Here, clothes stores like Zara and Benetton are set among Venetian-style canals. The mall is also home to an aquarium, a cinema and every type of restaurant imaginable. In Playa del Carmen, 5^th Avenue is the place to be – it runs parallel to the beach and is lined with shops and boutiques selling everything from fashion to hand-painted ceramics.
Designer Buys

If you’re a label-lover, make for Luxury Avenue, a boutique mall on Boulevard Kukulcan in Cancun. Make sure you bring your credit card – you’ll find brands like Burberry, Cartier and Fendi here. If it’s jewellery you’re after – Mexico is the world’s biggest silver producer – try the Lapis Jewellery factory in Playa del Carmen, or the boutiques in Cancun’s Plaza Caracol.

Laid-back evenings

In Playacar and the Riviera Maya, entertainment tends to come in the form of hotel-based cultural shows and performances from Mariachi bands. In Playa del Carmen, there are loads of restaurants along 5^th Avenue, many with al fresco seating or roof terraces. In Cancun, you can bypass the more loud-and-lively entertainment in favour of a sunset cruise or drinks in a sophisticated jazz bar.
Lively evenings

For a night on the tiles, it’s hard to beat Cancun. The hotel district is chock-a-block with bars, clubs and discos. Coco Bongo is the big name of the clubbing scene, thanks to its top-class DJs, live bands, flying acrobats and confetti showers. If you’re in Playa del Carmen, you’ll find loads of bars and clubs on 5^th Avenue and along the beach.

Tacos

Mexican tacos aren’t made with the crispy shells we’re used to in the UK, but with soft tortillas, a bit like a fajita. They’re filled with meat, fish or veg, and usually topped with onions, fresh salsa, guacamole and a squeeze of lime. You’ll find them on most restaurant menus, and you can grab them on the go from street stalls, too. Ditch the cutlery if you want to eat them the Mexican way.
Sopa de lima

This zingy chicken soup is usually made with juice from the bittersweet limes grown on the Yucatan Peninsula. Onions, chillies and a whole heap of spices are added, and the mixture is topped with strips of crispy fried tortilla. It’s great if you’re feeling a little under the weather, thanks to the vitamin C-packed limes.
Mole poblano

This thick, rich sauce is a Mexican favourite, and is sometimes touted as the country’s national dish. It combines chillies with chocolate to make a spicy-sweet dressing that’s served with meat and enchiladas. It’s often paired with turkey on special occasions, like weddings or birthdays.
Tequila

Mexico is synonymous with tequila. Locals tend to sip and savour theirs, rather than downing it in one with salt and a wedge of lemon. You’ll also find a hefty dose of tequila in Mexico’s signature cocktail – the Margarita. The Paloma is a more traditional cocktail – it’s made with tequila, grapefruit juice, soda and a dash of lime.
Flan

This popular Mexican pudding is more like a crème caramel than a traditional English flan. Like its European counterpart, it’s rich and sweet, with a jelly-like middle and a gooey caramel topping. If you want to be extra indulgent, try the chocolate version.

Places To Stay In Mexico - Caribbean Coast View all places to stay

Playacar

Playacar is quite simply the jewel of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. Just south of Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan peninsula, it’s a self-enclosed gated community of all inclusive hotels and luxury condo complexes. The place comes with its very own 18-hole championship golf course. Plus you’ve got private beaches, top dive spots and a stylish shopping mall right on your doorstep.

Cancun

Back in the Seventies, Cancun was just a small fishing town on the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Today, it’s a huge resort that comes in 2 parts. There’s the downtown area with its markets and local cantinas, and then you’ve got the Hotel Zone that comes with restaurants, shopping malls and nightclubs – and an extra-long strip of beach.

Riviera Maya

You can head for the Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and do nothing but sip cocktails on tropical white-sand beaches. But you can also do so much more. Mayan ruins, eco parks, world-class diving – they’re all on offer along this 30-kilometre stretch of coastline, which takes in lively Playa del Carmen and the quieter Punta Allen.

AT A GLANCE

Explore the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum
Experience Cancun’s legendary nightlife
Relax on the Riviera Maya’s white-sand beaches

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Weather

Average monthly temperature and rainfall for Mexico - Caribbean Coast.

TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)

Month	Temperature	Rainfall
JAN	23.0	89.0
FEB	23.0	56.0
MAR	25.0	41.0
APR	26.0	41.0
MAY	27.0	117.0
JUN	28.0	178.0
JUL	28.0	109.0
AUG	28.0	150.0
SEP	28.0	229.0
OCT	27.0	218.0
NOV	25.0	97.0
DEC	24.0	109.0

WHEN TO GO

In true Caribbean fashion, this part of Mexico enjoys tropical temperatures all year long – expect highs of up to 35°C in summer and the months around it. Even in the winter, it’s rare for the mercury to dip below 20°C here.

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Chichen Wonders

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Contoy Island

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Albatros Catamaran

This tour kicks off with a boat ride over to Isla Mujeres, a pretty island just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. When…
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Have a night to remember at Coco Bongo

Flying acrobats, bar-top conga lines and live bands are all in a night’s work for the Coco Bongo nightclub, which has branches…
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Catch the sunset from Playa Norte

This beach on Isla Mujeres’ north-west coast is one of Mexico’s finest. The sand is soft and milky white, the sea is shallow…
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Discover the jungle-clad ruins at Coba

Along with Chichen Itza, Coba was one of the Mayans’ superpower cities. In fact, back in the 1^st century AD, these…
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Top 5 resorts in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Top 5 hotels in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

1

TUI SENSIMAR El Dorado Seaside Suites & Spa

From £906
2

TUI SENSATORI Resort Azul Mexico

From £820
3

Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa

From £846
4

RIU Dunamar Hotel

From £791
5

El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma

From £1,047

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Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Something for everyone

Cancun

The best of the rest

Historical sights

Things to See and Do in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Picture-perfect beaches

The big beach

The secret beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Tacos

Sopa de lima

Mole poblano

Tequila

Flan

Places To Stay In Mexico - Caribbean Coast View all places to stay »

Playacar

Cancun

Riviera Maya

AT A GLANCE

Weather

WHEN TO GO

Things To Do View all »

Top 5 resorts in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Top 5 hotels in Mexico - Caribbean Coast

Where we go in Mexico - Caribbean Coast Show on a map »

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