Mexico

Due to its geographic location, Mexico is fortunate to be bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, which means its coast boasts a wide variety of beaches to suit all tastes. Choosing where to go will be a tough decision!

The Mexican Caribbean, on the one hand, includes a wide range of destinations, each competing in beauty. Paradisiacal beaches with fine, soft white sand; turquoise waters that reveal the rich marine life beneath; tropical jungle, cenotes, and lagoons where you can discover nature’s wonders; and islands where you can lose yourself, far from civilisation. At Newblue, we want to accompany you on your unforgettable travel experience!

But beyond all this natural beauty, this highly sought-after tourist destination offers travellers an excellent opportunity to explore its history and culture. The legacy of the Maya civilisation remains evident in many places, like the archaeological sites, temples, and ruins that amaze with their architectural perfection, like the Kukulkán Pyramid in Cancún or the walls of Tulum.

The Mexican Caribbean is located to the south of Mexico and encompasses part of the Yucatán and state of Quintana Roo. It offers an enormous variety of options, making it the primary tourist destination for travellers from around the world.

Cancún, with its unparalleled beachfront hotel offerings; Isla Mujeres, a natural area that hides a museum beneath its waters; Cozumel, the island of coral reefs; the Riviera Maya, with 120 kilometres of coastline; Tulum, the magical town; and Bacalar, renowned for its Lagoon of Seven Colours. Travelling to the Mexican Caribbean offers an endless source of beauty and hidden spots to discover.

However, the beauty of this wonderful country isn't limited to the eastern coast. On the other side, we recommend two destinations that will captivate you from the moment you arrive: Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

In Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, you'll also find beaches with fine, light sand and rows of palm trees in the background. The difference is that instead of bathing in a sea, you’ll be facing the vastness of an ocean. Don’t miss beaches like Colmitos, Yelapa, or Sayulita! Perfect for water sports, strolling along the Malecón, or enjoying sunsets from the Romantic Zone.

Los Cabos Los Cabos, part of Baja California Sur, is another of Mexico’s most important tourist destinations. If it's not as familiar to you as the Mexican Caribbean, you'll benefit from less crowding, but with the same beauty you’re seeking.

This region is divided into two parts: Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, each at opposite ends of a 32 km road. While the former is a more modern city with countless options for dancing or shopping, the latter remains truer to its roots. And if you want to capture the perfect photo for social media, make sure to visit El Arco, a natural rock formation just a short distance from Playa del Amor.

If, after so much time at the beach, you fancy something more inland, Mexico City, situated at over 2,000 metres above sea level, offers something completely different. It’s one of the most populous and vibrant cities in the world.

While it may not boast beaches, it certainly prides itself on many other points of interest. Its historic centre is a highlight, but so too are the green spaces, where you can visit open areas and explore the remnants of Mayan ruins. If you’re keen to soak up some culture, visit its neighbourhoods, dance to mariachi music in the squares, or savour the local cuisine. You don’t need paradise beaches to fall in love with a travel destination!

If you are curious about what to eat in Mexico, rest assured that there’s no shortage of options. Given its location by the sea, fish and seafood often dominate the menu. Enjoy a cuisine full of flavour!

Typical Mexican food

Mexican cuisine always takes advantage of what the sea has to offer. Shrimp ceviche or conch ceviche is one of the most popular dishes in Mexico. To go with it, nothing beats a refreshing michelada. Alongside ceviche, Tikin Xic fish is another staple on any menu. This Yucatecan recipe features grilled fish served with annatto and bitter orange.

For meat lovers, the mixed grill won’t disappoint, with grilled chicken, small quesadillas, flank steak, and guacamole. Or try the huarache with flank steak, which is beef from the diaphragm area, another traditional dish served with beans, cheese, and salsa.

If you’re looking for something lighter, spicy chilaquiles are common as a breakfast option, though they might give your stomach a jolt if you’re not used to starting the day with something so hearty. Also, shrimp tacos served with salad and tamarind, or shrimp and fish tostadas.

The best restaurants in the Mexican Caribbean

Since this region includes many cities and islands, the opportunities to enjoy its cuisine are plentiful. Some of the best restaurants are La Casa del Tikin Xic on Isla Mujeres, La Playita in Bacalar, El Pocito in Cancun, and La Mission restaurant in Cozumel.

In Mexico City, they are Pujol, Sud 777 or Rosetta. If you’re travelling to Puerto Vallarta, don’t miss Café des Artistes, Fredy’s Tucan and La Palapa. And in Los Cabos, Bella California, Sunset Monalisa and Vela.

If you thought the only thing you can do in Mexico was sunbathe on its magical beaches, you were wrong! Sports and adventure activities are never far away in this exotic place. Plan your holiday well because the options are endless and at Newblue Travel we want to take you to discover them!

Water Activities

Thanks to its cenotes, underground rivers, or coral reefs, the underwater life in this part of the world is rich. So, if you’re a fan of snorkelling or diving, you’re in luck because your dreams will come true in this paradise.

Diving includes the spectacular opportunity to swim with sharks. Due to the temperature of their waters, sharks come here to give birth. With sizes exceeding 3 metres in length, it’s an impressive experience not for the faint-hearted. If you’re up for the challenge, make sure to contact a certified professional!

But besides these creatures, you can also visit caves with rich underwater life. Due to the terrain in Quintana Roo, instead of rivers, there are caves; a treasure waiting to be explored.

Other Activities

Outside the water, adventure options are also available. Skydiving is a favourite; a free fall from the skies that offers an unbeatable panoramic view of the Caribbean. Ziplining is also popular; gliding across ropes that take you from one side to another in natural spaces like ravines, lagoons, and even over the sea.

In Puerto Vallarta, all-terrain vehicles are popular for venturing into nature and discovering everything it holds within, such as tropical forests or the jungle of the Sierra Madre.

If you’re looking for adrenaline, Mexico City offers extreme options; abseiling, climbing, canyoning, hiking, and a long list of activities that will leave you wanting more time on your holidays. Now you know what to do in Mexico!

 

In addition to beaches and cenotes, activities in Mexico go much further. The presence of the Mayan civilisation is still felt in its archaeological zones, ruins, temples, and museums. But beyond this, there are many other leisure options in this region!

Leisure and Culture

It's impossible to talk about activities without emphasising the Mayan culture. Throughout the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo, you can explore numerous ruins that will captivate you. Highlights include El Castillo or the Kukulcán temple enChichen Itzá,or the Tulum archaeological zone, located by the coast with incomparable beauty.

Beyond Mayan culture, nature itself offers various leisure options, including water parks and animal sanctuaries.One of the best known is Xcaret , home to dolphins and a butterfly sanctuary.

For tourists, many events and festivals are organised both day and night, whether on the beaches, in bars, restaurants, and clubs, in the Mexican Caribbean, Puerto Vallarta, or Los Cabos. Carnivals, music festivals, Caribbean arts, or nature-themed events are common.

Whatever time you travel, activities in Mexico never stop. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of this country while being enveloped in a festive atmosphere with countless reasons to celebrate.

Local documentation and rates

For Spanish citizens staying less than 180 days, a valid passport covering the entire stay is required (no minimum validity period is demanded) and a return ticket. THE DEPARTURE RATE OF THE COUNTRY IS INCLUDED IN THE TRAVEL PRICE. Citizens of other nationalities should check entry requirements with the Mexican Embassy.

Environmental Sanitation Tax

In the municipalities of Solidaridad, Benito Juárez, Tulum and Isla Mujeres (Quintana Roo), this local fee must be paid directly at the hotel. The cost is approximately 32 Mexican pesos (around 1.70 USD) per room per night in Solidaridad, 73 pesos (around 4 USD) per room per night in Benito Juárez, and 32 pesos (around 1.70 USD) per person per night in Isla Mujeres/Costa Mujeres.

Public Property Utilisation Tax

The state of Quintana Roo applies a new mandatory fee of 244 pesos (approx. 11.77 USD) to foreign visitors over the age of 4. This fee must be paid upon leaving the country.

(All local taxes or fees are subject to change without notice.)

Currency

The official currency is the Mexican peso, divided into 100 centavos (1€ equals approximately 22 pesos). It’s recommended to bring Euros and exchange them locally. Most credit cards are accepted in most establishments.

Time difference

In Mexico there are 4 different time zones, so the time difference from peninsular Spain varies between 6 and 9 hours depending on the state and season of the year, since there are states in Mexico where there is no daylight savings time.

Healthcare

All healthcare is private since there is no agreement with Mexican Social Security. If you need to take regular medication, it is advisable to bring it, along with basic medicines due to their high cost. Mosquito repellent, sunscreen and bottled water are recommended.

Electricity

Almost all hotels have 220-volt electricity, although the national grid is 110 volts. Don't forget to bring an adapter for flat-pin plugs.

Shopping

Mexican art is very distinctive with its skulls and other figures representative of Mayan culture. Authentic Mexican cacao, traditionally crafted, is used to make many products like body creams, soaps, and, of course, tequila, its most internationally popular drink.

Things to consider when travelling to the Mexican Caribbean

The Caribbean Sea is sometimes affected by a seaweed, sargassum, which is totally harmless to humans, although it may be uncomfortable due to its odour or density. This is a natural phenomenon, and its arrival on the coast depends on ocean currents. Hotels work to contain it as well as clean up the beaches daily.

Hotels usually have a king-size bed or two double beds. The maximum occupancy of the rooms is 4 people, who must use the existing beds in the room since the possibility of including additional beds is not an option.

In certain months of the year, the Atlantic may be affected by hurricanes, although hotels have the necessary security measures in place so that they do not pose a risk to people.