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The best way to see Mexico is to make more than one trip. Pick one or two places that fit the vacation you actually want, and leave room to relax instead of running around. Mexico will call you back. Here’s where I’d start, including the spots I’ve been to myself.

1. Puerto Vallarta (on my list)
   
   PV is on the Pacific side, with great regional food, tequila tastings, the Los Arcos rock formations, and whale watching in season. It’s one of the most-requested spots I haven’t made it to yet.
   
2. Cozumel
   
   Cozumel is famous as a cruise stop, but it’s an easy trip from the mainland too. Most people come for the reefs, which have some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. My move? Get off the beaten path with an ATV tour.
   
   
3. Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen
   
   This stretch of coast is the easiest place to start: white sand, turquoise water, Mayan ruins, and cenotes you can swim in. In Cancún, I’ve stayed at Moon Palace Nizuc. Farther down the coast in Playa del Carmen, I stayed at Playacar Palace. Playa has a more walkable town feel, so you’re not stuck on the resort. In between, in Puerto Morelos, I stayed at Breathless Riviera Cancún, an adults-only pick if you want more of a social, party vibe.
   
   What I’d tell a friend: do the hip hop party boat in Cancún, and if you’re near Puerto Morelos, book an ATV tour. Want to go deeper? Read 5 reasons to go to Cancún besides the beach and why you should dive into a cenote.
   
4. Mexico City (also on my list)
   
   Once the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is all about culture, history, and food. Don’t miss the Palace of Fine Arts or the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and book a food tour. One heads-up: the city sits at about 7,350 feet, so take it easy your first day if you’re sensitive to altitude.
   
   
5. Los Cabos
   
   Cabo San Lucas has the spring-break reputation, and the nightlife is real. But Los Cabos is bigger than the party. I stayed at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos in San José del Cabo, which is the calmer side: easier to actually relax while still being close enough to go out when you want to.
   
   

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