Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The poster child of Mexico’s schizophrenic beach development, the Yucatan’s coastline offers pleasures pagan and divine. Just 70 miles south from the glitz of Cancun’s behemoths, Tulum delivers enough spiritual authenticity to transfix even the most die-hard materialist. In between, Playa del Carmen's style finds its expression in sleek lounge bars, boutiques and cocktail culture. Tulum’s touchstones are wellness, serenity and purity, a place of infinite blue where New Age and ancient mysticism coalesce. A new crop of chic beachfront retreats marry eco sensitivities with comparative luxury. Hipster New Yorkers balance their inner chakras beneath the Maya ruin that overlooks Tulum’s turquoise waters.
Puerto Vallarta’s sultry brand of tropical excess has lingered since Taylor and Burton put the fishing village on the map in the 1960s. Resolutely all things to all men, “PV” is the gateway for some of the Pacific Coast’s most diverse nature experiences. The calm waters that surround the fishing village of Yelapa (accessed only by boat) are perfect for snorkeling, and local outfitters offer jungle hikes and canopy tours in the lush mountains surrounding Boca de Tomatlan. Some eight miles south of Puerto Vallarta lies one of the Pacific’s most-acclaimed dive destinations, Los Arcos National Marine Park, an underwater treasure trove of reefs, rock arches, troglodyte caves and wrecks.
It’s no surprise the Four Season’s chose the white sands of Punta Mita as the site for its exclusive Mexican outpost. Waves caress the palm-fringed beach, a picture-perfect vision consummated by dolphin pods cavorting off shore and, if you are lucky, you'll catch humpback whales breaching between December and March. A short boat ride away, the waters and reef formations of the protected Marietas Island teem with marine life, ideal for scuba and snorkeling. A 15-minute drive north, the fishing village of Sayulita exudes an earthly timelessness. Lauded as a surfers' Mecca, this traditional Mexican beach town appeals to those in search of a more laid-back vibe.
Immortalized by John Steinbeck, the landscapes, sierras and coastline of Baja California defy hyperbole. South from La Paz, cacti rise abruptly from a desert bearing surreal rock formations awash with kaleidoscopic hues. A choppy boat ride from La Paz to the cluster of islands known as Los Islotes rewards with a colony of sea lions who entertain, tease and captivate snorkelers and divers. South from La Paz, a string of beaches culminate at the gently sloping sands of El Tecolote (perfect for families) where, just off shore, the rich ecosystem of the uninhabited island of Espiritu Santo can be experienced only by boat or kayak.
A 90-minute drive south from La Paz toward Los Cabos, the funky town of Todos Santos offers inexpensive places to stay, an authentic street culture and innovative local cuisine. A couple of miles along a dirt road lies Los Cerritos beach where hammocks dot the golden sands backed by shaggy cliffs and where beach huts cook up fresh fish and serve organic fruit juices laced with mezcal to a mix of locals, expats and travelers in search of the real Mexico.
Some 35 kilometers north of the twin towns of Ixtapa-Zihuatenajo, hemmed in between the Sierra Madre and the Pacific, Troncones is a diamond in the rough. Troncones’ wild virtues unfold as pelicans dive in silhouette against a sunset or as local fishermen haul still-flapping fish to the beachfront grills. Visitors will enjoy barefoot strolls that reveal tide pools filled with tropical fish and can relax in a hammock with cold beer and fish tacos.