Travel Destination: Mexico

Of all the countries on the planet, Mexico is one of the most diverse in geography, climate, culture, architecture, food and is a melting pot of some of the friendliest people on earth. The 6000 miles of coastline is shared with the Gulf of Mexico on her eastern shores, the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez to the west. Miles of white sand beaches outline the country, the interior rises in towering mountains and pine forests, vast deserts blanket the north and in the southern reaches, steamy jungles host a plethora of tropical wildlife.

Mexico is one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth and hosts over 20 million foreign visitors each year. The major tourist destinations are on the Pacific west coast, the Baja Peninsula and on the Yucatan. Although well-known resort areas such as Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta and Cancun draw the biggest crowds, there are many small villages and out of the way places for those who wish to get away from it all.

The Baja Peninsula lies directly south of California and although tourism is well developed in some areas, it still has a frontier flavor. The Pacific Ocean batters the west coast of Baja, but the eastern side is home to the magical Sea of Cortez. The warm placid waters of the gulf are a virtual playground for explorers, deep-sea fishermen and are reputed to have some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling on earth. Called the world's aquarium, the Sea of Cortez is the richest most prolific body of water on the planet and has more species, in greater numbers than anywhere else.

The Mexican Riviera along the southern Pacific coast is made up of Acapulco, Mazatlan and Puerta Vallarta and has been long known as an international destination. High-rise resorts line the powdery beaches and throngs of sunbathers and traveling vendors decorate the sands. The Riviera hosts fine restaurants and a huge selection of taco stands and food carts, lively nightclubs cater to the party crowd and in the daytime, watersports are in order. Jetskis and catamarans are available. Daredevils fly on parasails and although not considered a major diving destination, scuba diving and snorkeling condition are adequate.

The Yucatan Peninsula is a tropical paradise and its Caribbean coast is one of the most popular destinations for world travelers. The city of Cancun is a major spring break target and has a distinct party atmosphere year around. Five-Star hotels line the spit, there are exquisite restaurants and Cancun is a popular port for cruise ships. The island of Cozumel, off the coast from Cancun, is a diver's paradise with vibrant coral reefs that are bathed in a continuous current. Cozumel is much more laid back than Cancun and is a true paradise on earth. .