Which Mexico Destination Is Right for You?

A Spring Breaker … Acapulco

Margaritas, Pacific Coast beaches, endless nightlife, and thousands of new friends from colleges across the U.S. … Acapulco may rightly be called "Spring Break Central." Here, you can leave your books behind and party the week away—and you may not even have to ask Mom and Dad for any extra vacation funds. At press time, March flights from Los Angeles came in around $269, and there are more than 18,000 hotel rooms available in a wide range of budgets. For even greater savings, chip in with some friends and book a vacation rental: Rates start at just $50 per night for rentals that accommodate up to four people. For more information, check out About.com's 2009 Spring Break Guide, which has a variety of tips for Acapulco.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Effinity Stock Photography)

A Family … Playa del Carmen

Just a short drive south of Cancun lies Playa del Carmen, a great destination for families in Mexico's Riviera Maya region on the Caribbean Sea. Spend your vacation days snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, or just relaxing on the beach, or take advantage of day trips to keep the kids entertained. For an educational outing, it's an easy drive to the famous ruins of Tulum and Coba; for pure kid-friendly fun, head to the nearby water parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha. At press time, February airfares from the greater New York City area came in around $300. Get more information on the region on TravelYucatan.com.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Judy Barranco)

A Couple … Puerto Vallarta

Romantic Puerto Vallarta is an ideal getaway for couples. Take a snorkeling excursion for two, swim with dolphins, or hike the foothills of the nearby Sierra Madre mountains. In addition to its natural beauty, Puerto Vallarta is renowned for its annual Festival Gourmet International (held in November) and the eight-month-long Camino del Arte, where 15 local galleries showcase artists' work at no charge. At press time, airfare from Chicago for February trips was quoted at $300 round-trip. For more information, visit the official Puerto Vallarta tourism website.
(Photo: Visite Mexico/Bruce Herman)

Girlfriends … Isla Mujeres

Literally translated, Isla Mujeres means "the island of women," so what better place to go for a girlfriends' getaway? This quiet paradise, located just a short boat ride from Cancun, offers relaxation and affordability, too. Spend an afternoon at Garaffon Reef Park where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel among tropical fish, or zip-line over the water. There are also plenty of sleepy seaside restaurants, fun boutiques, and outdoor palapa bars for additional entertaining diversions. Spring airfares from New York came in around $275 at press time. Get more information on the Mexico Tourism website.

(Photo: Visite Mexico/Rafael Doniz)

An Adventure Traveler … Baja California

Imagine a crystal-clear sea, where your kayak slices through shimmering emerald waters and you have a clear glimpse of the tropical fish below. You can find such an experience in Baja California, on the Sea of Cortez, where the kayaking possibilities are plentiful. Frommer's recommends the secluded islands off Loreto, where you can either take a day trip or (if that's just not enough) an overnight adventure. Fly into Los Cabos or Loreto; round-trip flights from Los Angeles in February start around $250. For more information, visit the Baja California State Tourism website.

(Photo: Visite Mexico/Bruce Herman)

A Cultural Traveler … San Miguel de Allende

In San Miguel de Allende, you can stroll along cobblestone streets; relax in El Jardin, the town square; visit historic churches; celebrate with a local festival (especially the Day of the Dead in November or holiday festivities around Christmas); or tour an art gallery. The town is located about three-and-a-half hours from Mexico City. La Parroquia, pictured here, may be the city's most famous church and one of the country's most unique: Inside, visitors are treated to a mixture of traditional Gothic style and the personal artistic vision of its creator, Zeferino Gutierrez. Round-trip airfares from Chicago start around $300 in February. For more recommendations on things to do, check out TourbyMexico.com's San Miguel de Allende guide.

(Photo: Visite Mexico/Bruce Herman)

A Foodie… Oaxaca

Like to eat? Then be sure to add Oaxaca to your "must-visit" list. Columnist Eileen Ogintz recently feasted her way through the region, sampling traditional meals such as mole (pictured above), memelas (tortillas with cheese), soups, handmade chocolates, and more. You can take a variety of cooking classes during your vacation (type "Oaxaca cooking classes" into your favorite search engine for a list of current possibilities), or check out the restaurant listings on Oaxaca-Restaurants.com. For February travel, round-trip airfares from Dallas start at $400. For more trip-planning ideas, read SmarterTravel.com's Oaxaca guide.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Richard Gunion)