MEXICO

Caribbean beaches, ancient ruins, tacos… and a very good argument for staying a little longer.

Why Mexico?

Mexico is one of those destinations that can be almost whatever sort of holiday you want it to be.

You can spend your days doing remarkably little beside a ridiculously blue Caribbean Sea, disappear off to explore Mayan ruins, wander through colourful towns or decide that finding the best tacos in the area is a perfectly legitimate cultural activity.

And we rather like destinations where you don't have to choose between relaxing and actually seeing something.

The Riviera Maya and Cancún give you those beautiful beaches and big resorts, but venture away from the sun lounger and there's a completely different Mexico waiting — cenotes, ancient sites, local markets, wildlife and towns with far more character than you might expect.

Just don't make the mistake of thinking Mexico begins and ends at the hotel buffet.

What we'd make time for

Chichén Itzá would certainly be on our list. Yes, it's famous and yes, it gets busy — but occasionally places are famous for a very good reason.

We'd also make time for at least one cenote. Swimming in one of these natural pools is one of those experiences that photographs never quite explain properly.

Then we'd deliberately leave some time without an itinerary. Explore a town, find somewhere local for lunch, walk along the beach or simply order another drink and decide whatever we'd planned for the afternoon can wait until tomorrow.

And we'd eat tacos. Quite a lot of tacos.

Some things really don't need over-planning.

Who would we recommend Mexico to?

Mexico works brilliantly for couples, families and groups of friends because you can make the holiday as relaxed or adventurous as you like.

It's particularly good for anyone who loves the idea of a Caribbean-style beach holiday but knows that after three days lying beside a pool they'll start wondering what's outside the resort gates.

You can have the beautiful hotel, the beach and the cocktails — and still come home feeling as though you've actually been somewhere.

Planning a Mexico trip?

We've created a BlueHazeStudio Mexico Holiday Planner to help bring everything together — where to stay, things you'd like to see and do, excursions, bookings, budgeting, packing and all those little details that are surprisingly easy to forget once holiday excitement takes over.

Explore the Mexico Planner

Where we'd stay

We're currently putting together our shortlist of Mexico resorts, hotels and places we'd genuinely consider staying ourselves.

Once our travel partnerships are in place, we'll add our favourites here — including what we like about them and who we think each one would suit.

Coming soon.