Choose from 291 Fun Things to Do in Mexico
Quiahuiztlan
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Plaza Garibaldi
While some argue the plaza’s high prices and petty crime make it a true tourist trap, good drink deals are easy to find and increased security has improved the look, feel and safety of this popular destination.
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Playa Norte
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Polanco
- Avenida Presidente Masaryk, Polanco’s version of Rodeo Drive, is a must-see for shoppers.
- Foodies should consider a food tour in Polanco, home to some of Mexico City’s best restaurants.
- Valet parking, enforced dress codes, and reservations are common at many of the district’s restaurants.
Medano Beach (Playa el Medano)
The water may be wild elsewhere, but at Medano Beach - or Playa el Medano - there’s miles of safe, calm swimming and beach fun for all the family.
Los Cabo’s most popular beach is a long, long stretch of beach towels, sun umbrellas, beach volleyball, pleasure boats and beach bars. Resorts and high-rise apartment buildings line the sands, offering beachfront restaurants and bars.
Beach vendors stroll the sands selling everything from sombreros to jewelry, and when the sun goes down the beach turns into Los Cabo’s nightlife hub.
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The cape’s downtown beach, Medano Beach runs east from the harbor at Cabo San Lucas, for 2 miles (3 km) to Villa del Palmar.
From the sands, you have a terrific view of Land’s End and El Arco framing the horizon.
Ría Lagartos
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Quintana Roo
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Playa Mia Grand Beach Park
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park offers myriad options for enjoying the Caribbean Sea, whether you want to swim in the warm ocean, enjoy a massage, zip down water slides, or float in one of the park’s many pools. Here you can find beachfront lounge chairs and hammocks, a buffet and full bar, and even an underwater Maya city to explore.
The Basics
Playa Mia Beach Park is an ideal place to relax and enjoy Cozumel’s ample sunshine. A day pass offers access to the water park, beachfront lounge chairs, and use of kayaks, sailboats, paddle boats, and other water gear. You can choose to upgrade your ticket to an all-inclusive option, which offers an international buffet and open bar. It’s also possible to visit Playa Mia as part of a Cozumel snorkeling tour, during which you can explore some of the island’s vibrant coral reefs.
Things to Know Before You Go
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is an great for families with kids.
Remember to bring sun protection, swimwear, and towels.
There is an onsite shopping center offering handicrafts, clothes, and jewelry.
How to Get There
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is located on the island of Cozumel, off the coast of Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Ferries to Cozumel typically leave every half hour from Playa del Carmen and arrive at San Miguel, the island’s main town and cruise ship port. From San Miguel, it takes roughly 25 minutes to get to Mr. Sancho’s by road. Taxis, rental cars, and scooters are easy ways to travel on the island.
When to Get There
Playa Mia is open daily from 9am to 6pm. The park is busiest from December through April, when the weather tends to be sunny and warm. There are fewer crowds during hurricane season (May through October), but be sure to check the weather for storms. Arrive early to grab a beach chair close to the water.
Family-Friendly Activities at Playa Mia Grand Beach Park
Kids can enjoy the water park’s 200-foot-long (61-meter-long) Twin Twister water slides, a colorful playground, and Buccaneer's Bay, which features a pint-sized pirate ship and water cannons. Beach activities such as volleyball and water balloon tossing are also an option.
Playa Delfines
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Playa Uvas
- The admission fee that the beach club charges to use its facilities includes a 30-minute guided snorkel tour with gear, and a free drink.
- Tours typically cover entry fees to the beach club and marine park.
- A VIP package is available, including an open bar, food, towel and locker, and a 30-minute massage.
Playacar
- English is widely spoken in almost all of the Playacar tourist areas.
- Bring sun protection and a hat or sunglasses, as the streets, golf course, and beaches offer little shade.
- Set aside some time to walk or take a taxi into the downtown area to shop and experience Fifth Avenue.
Lake Chapala
Located roughly 50 km south of Guadalajara, Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake: 35 km wide and 120 km long. Chapala is not a swimmer’s paradise: water levels have sunk steadily over the years and the lake is murky and choked with pretty but invasive water hyacinth. Most visitors prefer to explore the lake by boats, which can be chartered at the pier in the town of Chapala. The ruined fortress of Mezcala Island, also known as Presidio, is a must-see.
The three main lake towns, Chapala, Ajijic, and Jocotepec, are all worth a visit. Chapala is a famous writers’ retreat; celebrated visitors include Tennessee Williams and D.H. Lawrence, who immortalized Chapala’s Church of San Francisco in the final pages of his novel, The Plumed Serpent. Ajijic is a haven for retirees and artists; the stone streets are lined with galleries and cafes, and it’s an easy place to get by if your Spanish is limited. Jocotepec is the least touristy of the three towns and features a pretty waterfront park and an old-fashioned plaza, where visitors can dine on authentic regional specialties such as birria, spicy goat or beef stew.
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Nohoch Mul
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Rio Secreto Nature Reserve
- Rio Secreto Nature Reserve is a must-see attraction for nature lovers.
- The reserve is accessible by guided tour only.
- Bring water shoes to navigate the reserve’s rocky surfaces.
- Tours typically include a wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, towels, and use of lockers.
Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach)
Playa del Amor - or Lover's Beach - is a true hidden gem, nestled amongst the craggy rocks of Land’s End.
Reached only by boat, this perfect crescent of sand is surrounded by rocky outcrops, including views of El Arco.
The secluded location is a romantic destination for a day by the sea, the lovely stretch of sand extending across the Land’s End peninsula from the Sea of Cortes to the Pacific Ocean.
The water here is dangerous, so take care if you go for a swim or snorkel, and only enter the water on the Sea of Cortes side of the beach.
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Playa del Amor is on Land’s End, washed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortes on the other. The beach can only be reached by cruise or water taxi from Cabo San Lucas.
Nohoch Nah Chich
- Nohoch Nah Chich is a must-see for divers and snorkelers visiting the area.
- Diving in the cenote is for experienced divers only; nondivers can swim and snorkel.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces, and bring sun protection and mosquito repellent.
- The cenote offers basic facilities, including parking and restrooms.
Playa Palancar
- Playa Palancar is ideal for beach bums, snorkelers, and families with kids.
- Remember to bring sun protection and water, as the beach offers little shade.
- Bring cash—the bars, restaurants, and shops don’t accept debit or credit cards.
- The beach offers basic facilities, including restrooms and outdoor showers.
- Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available to rent.
Maya Museum (Museo Maya)
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Plazuela Machado
It’s a hub of activity, especially at night when there’s frequently live music coming from stages on the plaza or performers outside the restaurant tables on the sidewalks. By day there are a few small museums worth a visit. It’s easy to walk from here to other central Mazatlan attractions that are on the edge of the historic district, such as the main square, basilica, and central market.
Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes)
- Umbrellas, bags, backpacks, and large packages are not allowed.
- The museum is equipped with elevators, and standard and electric ramps for those with disabilities.
- Entry to the building is free, but you must pay a fee to be admitted to the museum.