Thirty years ago, Cancun was no more than a sandbar, clinging to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Only in the 1970s did the government see the appeal of the area’s shimmering turquoise waters and sparkling white sand, largely untouched since the mysterious decline of the Mayan empire around the 13th century. Today, Cancun is an exciting beach destination and gateway to the Mundo Maya, or Maya World.

On the southern tip of the exciting Baja peninsula are two small and very different towns: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Picturesque and historic San José del Cabo still looks like the 18th-century mission town it once was. Cabo San Lucas, where the Pacific meets the warm waters of the Sea of Cortes, is home to world-class marlin fishing and offers great entertainment. In between the two towns is a gorgeous seacoast corridor, home to elegant hotels, championship golf courses, golden beaches and dramatic red rock formations.

Isla Mujeres is Spanish for “Island of the Women,” so named because of the presence of female stone idols as recorded by the explorer Hernandez de Cordoba in 1517. Like Cozumel, the island had religious significance to the Mayan people. Pirates later took sanctuary on the island, when not raiding or plundering. Today their exploits add to the colorful background of this charming destination. The island combines the beauty of the Caribbean, the dense tropical jungle and the wonderful heritage of the Mayan civilization.

Costalegre, a stretch of Pacific coastline that runs from Manzanillo in the south to Puerto Vallarta in the north, is an area of unspoiled tropical jungle, gorgeous beaches, bays and lagoons filled with exotic birds, tiny fishing villages and small hidden luxury hotels. Costalegre, 133 miles long, is one of the most beautiful drives in Mexico. It passes through jungles, hills and mountains. It cuts through papaya, mango, banana and coconut plantations and is crossed by numerous side roads that meander here and there.This lovely stretch of coastline is ideal for those who want to escape from the fast pace of big cities.

If you are looking to relax at a friendly, picturesque fishing village or in the mood to unwind at an elegant resort, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo offers both! The sister towns are located only a few minutes from each other and are serviced by the same airport. But the towns are strikingly different. They are ideal for those who want to savor beautiful white sandy beaches, dolphin encounters, snorkeling, kayaking, shopping and culture. Sunny and warm Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, located in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific Coast, is 360 miles from Mexico City and 140 miles north of Acapulco.

Just a few years ago, this former fishing village served merely as a springboard for visitors taking the ferry to Cozumel. But as more and more ferry-bound travellers lingered to enjoy its Caribbean beaches and rustic charms, the town came into its own as a resort destination. "Playa," as it is called by locals, is growing, but still preserves a certain small-town charm and bohemian following.