Puerta Vallarta is located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Situated on the Bay of Banderas, the resort has more than 40 beautiful beaches covering 25 miles of wonderful coastline. Apart from the beaches Puerta Vallarta also has 3 marinas and 7 golf courses.

Along the coast, to the north of Puerta Vallarta, is the Riviera Nayarit which is home to some great up-market hotels and spas.

Beaches

The beaches here offer an abundance of watersports including fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and jet skiing.
The most popular beach is Playa de los Muertos which is located in the Old Town. Many of the resorts popular hotels are situated on this beach.

Playa de los Muertos

Playa de Oro beach is centrally located and is very popular for its wide range of watersports on offer.
For windsurfing enthusiasts the best beaches are to the north of Puerta Vallarta.
The best beaches for snorkelling are Destiladeras and Los Venaderos which both offer perfect water conditions.
If you enjoy a spot of bird watching there are the bird sanctuaries on The Las Marietas Islands which are found just offshore of the northern beaches of Puerta Vallarta.
To the south of the resort there are lots of tiny coves and secluded beaches which are ideal for a bit of romantic privacy!
Here in the south you will find the popular beach of Playa de Mismaloya, complete with hotels and villas all along its coastline.

Places of Interest

Los Arcos – an underwater marine nature preserve which consists of several small islands.
Yelepa – a Polynesian style village which is about 2 hours by boat from Puerta Vallarta.
Isla Del Rio Cuale – a 5 acre island in the River Cuale which divides the resort and is reached by a red brick bridge.

Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta – an ultra modern marina.

There are lots of tours on offer here including whale watching, turtle watching, scuba diving and snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, bird watching and jungle tours which are worth taking when on your package holidays to this great destination.

Climate

December and January are sunny and hot with temperatures often reaching 32C while the spring and summer enjoy more moderate temperatures. In the winter temperatures drop down to around 28-30C.

There is so much to do and see here, why not take one of the many cheap holidays on offer to Puerta Vallarta and see this wonderful resort for yourself.

Akumal (place of the turtles) is a small tourist resort located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, 62 miles (an hours drive) from Cancun. From here you can take a day trip to Playa del Carmen where there is a ferry to Cozumel which is great for scuba divers or take a 20 minute drive to visit Tulum

Tulum

 where you will find lots of Mayan ruins. About 15 minutes from the town is Puerto Aventuras where you will find a museum with relics showing the history of Akumal.

Akumal

Akumal is very family orientated so if you are looking for exciting nightlife you will need to visit Playa del Carmen where you can drink and dance the night away until the early hours of the morning.

There are bars and several restaurants in the town which serve both Mayan traditional cusine and fast foods like burgers and pizza.
Handmade jewellery, folk art and original clothes are sold in the local shops and there is an artesian market which sells fruit and vegetables from local farms, pottery, hammocks and handmade blankets.
Founded in 1958, the town was originally used as a base for scuba divers. The two sandy beaches here, Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay, are excellent for snorkelling and swimming.

The coral reef here is part of the 445 mile long Mesoamerican Reef which stretches along the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras.

Yalku Lagoon consists of several small lagoons which are an excellent location for swimming, snorkelling and bird watching.

There are lots of cenotes (natural sinkholes) on the outskirts of the town which the early Mayans believed were sacred wells of the gods. Tourists can swim in their fresh waters and explore the hidden caves.

During the nesting season from the end of April through till October, sea turtles and green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches here in Akumal. However the sea turtles suffer many losses as the eggs hatch between June and November which is during the hurricane season here. The sea turtles are an endangered species and are protected by federal law here in Akumel.

Whilst on your family holidays to Akumal you can enjoy all the fun at one of the three waterparks which are located near the town.

There are lots of holiday deals to Mexico throughout the internet, you won’t be disappointed by this wonderful, magical country with all it has to offer.

For a really memorable holiday, why not visit the fascinating, bustling Mexico City.

Mexico City

I have just come across a great destination guide for Mexico City which will give you an insight into this popular destination before you start looking at the many travel deals available to you. 

Mexico City has no end of places to explore, including historical sites and famous landmarks.
You can even take a relaxing canal boat ride which takes you through the Hanging Gardens where you can see and buy a variety of exotic flowers.

Mexico City doesn’t have any beaches, but not far away is Acapulco with its wonderful beaches like Condesa beach. Here there are lots of water sports on offer, from Deep Sea Diving to Jet Skiing.

Condesa beach

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Bass fishing is constantly growing in popularity, with a marked increase over the last 10 years.
With no shortage of lakes in which to practice this sport, Mexico is among the top destinations for bass fishing.

Lake Agua Milpa

Lake Agua Milpa

Situated about 3 hours from Guadalajara and covering 70,000 acres, this lake is considered to be one of the best in Mexico.
Surrounded by forested mountains, easily accessed and full of bass, this lake can only grow in popularity.

Lake Baccarac

Nestled among forested mountain peaks, Lake Baccarac is 25 miles long and 5 miles wide, and is full of record weight breaking bass.

Lake Huites

Lake Huites

Situated in the Sierra Madre mountains, this lake covers about 30,000 acres. The lake here is stocked with Florida largemouth bass.

Lake Guerrero

Situated about 3 hours from the US border, this man-made lake is one of the best in Mexico for catching Black Bass.

Lake Comedero

Situated just northeast of Mazatlan, in the Sierra Madre mountains, Lake Comedero is full of Florida largemouth bass, with weights exceeding well over 10lbs.

Lake El Salto

Lake El Salto

This man-made lake is situated about 50 miles north of Mazatlan in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Built on the Elota River, Lake El Salto is considered to be one of the best trophy lakes in the world.

Lake Mateos

Situated in the western Sierra Madres mountains, Lake Mateos covers 55,000 acres with a depth of up to 230ft.

These are just a few of the many bass lakes in Mexico, there are far too many to mention.
Fancy a spot of bass fishing? Then why not take a look on the internet where you will find 100′s of cheap holidays to Mexico.

For more information on Mexico and to view my latest articles please visit my Mexico blog.

For those of you considering a holiday in Mexico, have you considered staying in Cancun?
If you are thinking about visiting Mexico, there are loads of bargain holidays to be had on the internet. Before booking why not have a look at a great destination guide for Cancun that i have just stumbled upon.

Cancun is a picturesque beach resort built on a series of islands linked by bridges.

Cancun offers relaxing holidays where you can completely unwind on the sandy beaches and visit some of the most breathtaking ancient sites in the world. There are also lots of watersports available at the beaches.

Due to its position, the weather in Cancun is generally sunny, but as the resort is built verging on the Gulf of Mexico the heat is not overbearing.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

The following review was supplied to us by our newly wed reader Jennifer Lowe

“We spent our honeymoon at the El Dorado Royale in Mexico earlier this year. This has got to be the most beautiful place i have ever visited. We stayed all inclusive in a jacuzzi suite with a king size bed and were treated like royalty from start to finish! We were spoilt for choice with the restaurants, big plus was that there were NO buffet meals. There was plenty of choice, even at breakfast and we loved having our lunch at the beach. There was 24 hour room service but we never needed to use it! Plenty of bars which were open till the early hours and really great entertainment and shows.
We just couldn’t find fault with anything here, outstanding value at a friendly caring hotel. Looking forward to spending our holidays here next year, wish we could go again this year!”

EL DORADO ROYALE OVERVIEW

This adult only resort is located on a white sandy beach, ideal for the ultimate romantic break.

Accommodation

Jacuzzi Junior Suites sleep up to 3 adults with 1 king-size or 2 double beds, private facilities, air-conditioning, in-room Jacuzzi, mini-bar, coffee maker, safe, TV and private terrace with hammock.
Ocean View Jacuzzi Junior Suites and Ocean Front Jacuzzi Junior Suites have the same facilities as Jacuzzi Junior Suites.
Swim-up Junior Suites have the same facilities as Jacuzzi Junior Suites, but with direct access to the lazy river which is connected with main pool.

Main Facilities

On site 11 Swimming pools, 7 a la carte restaurants, 13 Bars including 9 swim-up bars, 24 hour room service. 
Activities

Sports Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Kayaks, 2 Tennis courts, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Health & Fitness Fitness centre and Gym, Spa, Beauty salon.

Entertainment

Entertainment programme, Activities programme, Live music, Live shows.

Xcaret Park is a privately owned ecological theme park, resort and ecotourism development in the Riviera Maya. It is located about 47 miles south of Cancun and 4 miles south of Playa del Carmen.

Xcaret Park

The park is built in the same area as the Xcaret archaeological site.

The Park has many nature and cultural attractions, a Temascal (sweat lodge), a spa, restaurants, souvenir shops and an all-inclusive resort hotel within walking distance of the park.

Nature Attractions

A 1,590 ft subterranean river where you can swim and snorkel. Don a life jacket and float along  this underground river where you will pass by fascinating caves and rock formations.
A snorkelling lagoon.
Beach activities, including swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, sea trek diving (underwater walk) and snuba diving (a combination of diving and snorkelling).

Xcaret Park Aquarium

The park has a coral reef aquarium turtle nesting site and an area for manatees (sea cows).
The park also has a butterfly pavilion, bird pavilion, bat cave, an island of jaguars and pumas, deer shelter and an orchids and bromeliad greenhouse.

Cultural Attractions

These include a replica of a Mayan village where real artisans work, a museum, a church, equestrian shows, an open theatre where pre-Hispanic

Papantla flying men

dances are performed, Papantla flying men and the Gran Tlachco Theatre where Mesoamerican ball games are played and Mexican folklore dances are performed.

Bargain holidays to the local Occidental Grand Xcaret Hotel are always available throughout the internet.

Mexico is a wonderful diverse country so why not book one of the many holiday packages on offer and explore this fascinating country.

If you would like more information and articles on Mexico please visit my Mexico Blog.

The variety of waters, lagoons and rivers of Mexico make it the ideal diving destination.

Along the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean there are many old shipwrecks to be explored.

Parque Marino

For coral reefs the Parque Marino Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel is perfect. This ecological sanctuary in the Caribbean Sea forms part of the second largest coral reef system in the world.

Many different types of marine life can be seen in the Sea of Cortez, referred to as ‘the aquarium of the world’ by the famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

Dives are available in the marshes in the middle of the desert, while in the Yucatan Peninsula region, which has 60,000 metres of subterranean

Yucatan Peninsula

 tunnels, you can dive in caverns and underground rivers.

Acapulco is ideal for scuba diving, snorkelling and cave diving.

Banderas Bay is one of Mexico’s most favourite diving destinations. During the summer visibility in the water is between 78 to 130 feet and temperatures between 27C and 30C, making it the best time of the year to dive.

Cancun, on the Yucatan Peninsula, is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Coral Reef

Cozumel’s National Reef Marine offers 25 reefs where you can scuba dive and is also a good spot for novice divers.

Huatulco offers coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks to explore.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has more than 30 diving spots where you can see dolphins, octopus, manta rays, moray eels and frogfish.

Los Cabos is ideal for all levels of divers. Here you will see coral reefs, shipwrecks, underwater canyons, manta rays, whale sharks, marine turtles and sea lions.

Merida is ideal for cave diving enthusiasts as it has many underwater caves, caverns and sinkholes all with fascinating rock formations.

humpback whales

On a dive in the pacific waters of the Riviera Nayarit you will see dolphins, manta rays, Olive Ridley sea turtles and even humpback whales.

Campeche, Hermosillo (with artificial reefs), La Paz (Sea of Cortez), Loreto, Mazatlan, Playa del Carmen (Great Mayan Reef) and Puerto Escondido are also excellent diving destinations.

You will always find last minute holidays which are perfect for diving vacations, leaving in the next few weeks, on the internet.

Monterrey is Mexico’s third largest city, surrounded by mountains and desert, making it an excellent destination for cave exploring, hiking, mountain biking. The city also has top restaurants, modern shopping malls, museums and many cultural attractions.

Monterrey

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Barrio Antiguo (old town)

Monterrey’s old town where you can get a feel of the ‘old times’. Here you will find colonial architecture, restaurants, cafes and nightlife.

Bosque Magico, The Magic Forest

This theme park is for all the family, with over 35 rides, Go Karts, rides and much more.

La Pastora Zoo

This zoo has over 300 animals, lake and wooded area.

Plaza Sesamo

Here you will find the Sesame Street Amusement Park, complete with rides, waterpark with slides and pools, rides and indoor attractions for all the family.

Serengeti Safari Animal Park

Located about an hours drive from Monterrey, the animal park is set over 750 acres and has more than a 1,000 animals roaming free, botanical gardens, fishing lake and rides.

San Pedro Garza Garcia

Although a separate city, Garza Garcia, the gateway to Chipinque National Park, is an important part of Monterrey and is home to many businesses, residential neighbourhoods, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
Planetario Alfa is located in Garza Garcia. This is a high tech complex, complete with an observatory, science garden, prehispanic garden, open aviary and an IMAX dome theatre. Here you can experience interactive displays and temporary exhibitions of art, science and technology.

Chipinque National Park

Chipinque National Park

Located next to Garcia Garza, the park offers hiking, mountain biking or just relaxation, with a hotel situated up in the mountains.

There are also bullfights and rodeos happening all through the year, live concerts, golf, ice skating, horse riding, and parks for relaxation.

WEATHER

Monterrey has a very changeable climate. Summers are very hot with the winter evenings being very cold. During June to September there is often rain which can last for a few hours, but when it stops the sun reappears and the air is much purer. From November to June the weather is much drier.

If you are looking for bargain holidays to Mexico, there are always great offers available throughout the internet.

Review supplied by our reader Martha Long

“The Royal Cancun really lived up to our expectations. There wasn’t anything we could moan about, except having to come home!
The hotel was worthy of its 5 stars, it was always spotless, including the pool area, loved the swimup pool bar. Staff made us feel important, nothing was too much for them and the room maids did an excellent job cleaning our room everyday.
Don’t know what to say about the food apart from it was absolutely delicious, responsible for me and my hubby putting on several pounds, just couldn’t resist it.
There was plenty of activities to take part in all day, we particularly enjoyed the beach games, there was even a waiter service on the beach!
The icing on the cake for us was that there were no children as the hotel is adults only, our first holiday, which we booked as our last minute holidays, on our own since the kids have grown up…..loved it…..can’t wait to do it again.”

 
The Royal Cancun

The Royal Cancun is an adults-only resort, located in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone. On a stunning beachfront location, the hotel is in easy reach of all the best restaurants and nightlife.

Accommodation
285 rooms, all with full bathroom, air conditioning, satellite tv, CD/DVD player, telephone, minibar and terrace. 

Features
7 gourmet restaurants, 2 swimming pools, each with whirlpool, sun terrace with free sunloungers and parasols, sauna, spa, fitness centre, 24hr room service, online check-in, flag system around the beach for waiter service, beach butlers, frequent daytime activities and evening entertainment including live music, professional shows and wine tasting .

Sports & Leisure
Tennis, table tennis, volleyball,Activities usually include aquaerobics, bicycles, body boards, darts, french bowls, pool table, scuba diving (introductory in pool), snorkelling, table tennis, tennis, volleyball.