It all depends on how many people are with you when you go on vacation. Are you traveling alone? With a small group? Or with the entire family perhaps? If space is the issue, then vacation rentals in Mexico can solve that particular problem for you.

Hotel rooms can feel pretty cramped if you’re traveling with the whole family. A room with a king or two double beds for a week could cost about $1150. On the other hand, if you get one of those vacation rentals in Mexico with say, two or three rooms, plus a kitchen and living room, you’ll be paying no more than $900 per week. It’s a good alternative, but only if you’re concerned about space.

If space is not important, you may be able to save more with a single room with one bed, plus all the hotel amenities, than with an entire house with lots of extra space you’re paying for but not using much.

Say Bye-bye to Hotel Amenities

Vacation rentals in Mexico are not hotels, there’s no question about that. These properties are often owned by private individuals who put them out for rent while they’re out vacationing in some other country. So as far as amenities are concerned, there won’t be any, except those that are already existing. That means, no room service, maid service, in house restaurants, bars, etc. But you do get to enjoy some owner privileges, like golf and tennis. Plus, you feel more like a local if you stay at an actual residence than at a room in a hotel.

Research

Looking for vacation rentals in Mexico shouldn’t be that hard to do. That’s what’s great about the Internet. Just one mouse click and a great multitude of information is immediately laid bare for you. You will find many websites specializing in vacation rentals in Mexico. But if you want to broaden your range of options more, you may want to try calling the Mexican Chamber of Commerce of a list of their vacation rentals. Some owners of lovely properties list their properties exclusively to specific local realtors who may or may not have a website put up.

Nothing Beats Early Preparation

Many people who opt for vacation rentals in Mexico are loyalists. That means, they tend to rent the same house for the same period every year. The vacation rental of your choice might be fully booked by the time you decide to call the realtor. That’s why it is advised that you make your preparations early. Some people actually do their planning for vacation rentals in Mexico at least right after the holidays. While this is not required for you, it is however advised that you make your preparations as early as possible in order to ensure that there’s a slot left open for you.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Compare the Final Costs

Note the emphasis on the word “final.” Most of the time, it isn’t enough that you compare the different list prices of vacation packages to Mexico. Find out what’s included in the price and what’s not. You may find yourself needing something and end up paying extra for it because your package does not include it. While extra costs are probably commonplace in a vacation, it pays to know how much you’re going to end up paying for, especially if you have a budget and you plan on sticking to it. Sometimes, it is quite possible that you bought vacation packages to Mexico that were supposed to be $250 cheaper but because of the extra costs they are actually the more expensive ones.

Here are the common extra costs you should prepare yourself for:

* Extra lodging
* Transportation
* Meals
* Drinks
* Tips
* Other mandatory charges like port taxes, etc.
* Activities

Ask Around

Part of your research is to ask those friends of yours who have taken the same trip or have dealt with the same company whose vacation packages to Mexico you’re planning to buy. They are bound to know something you don’t know. If none of your friends have taken the same trip or have dealt with the same company, then the tour company should be willing enough to provide you with the names of past customers. Here are some of the things you might want to ask about the vacation packages to Mexico:

* Was the trip well-organized?
* Did the trip include everything listed in the brochure?
* Were there any extra costs that you did not expect?
* How were the meals? Accommodations? The service in general?
* What did you like best about the package?
* What was your biggest disappointment?
* Would you travel with the same company again?

Compare the Length of Trips

Often with vacation packages to Mexico, nights, not days, are the yardstick. 7-night trips often include 6 full days and portions of two days. Most companies call this an 8-day trip. Others call it a 7-day trip. Nobody ever calls it a 6-day trip. So be careful when comparing the lengths of trips.

After you have made your comparison, you should now feel ready to make a wise decision about which vacation packages to Mexico you’re going to buy.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Below are some of the things that are in store for you when you buy a vacation package to Cancun Mexico:

Water Sports

Situated in Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Cancun never runs out of anything to quench your thirst for water sports. When you buy a vacation package to Cancun Mexico, don’t forget to visit the Parque Nizuc (Wet’ Wild), a marine park located just south of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, offering snorkeling, various waterslides, and a wave pool. The nearby Isla Mujeres (or Island of Women), just 11 km off the coast of Cancun, is a great diving spot set in a relaxed tropical setting and turquoise blue waters. A vacation package to Cancun Mexico that includes this island in the itinerary is going to be well worth it, not only because of the excellent diving it offers but also because of the many island sights that are easily accessible via bicycles and mopeds.

Mayan Archeological Sights

A vacation package to Cancun Mexico means a visit to the historic Yucatan Peninsula, considered as the gateway to ancient Mayan culture. Here in this southeast region of land separating the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, you will find local residents that are descendants of the ancient Mayan tribe and many gorgeous beaches that are only steps away from ancient ruins and temples.

Among the many archeological sites that may be included in your vacation package to Cancun Mexico are Calakmul, located about 30 miles from the Guatemalan border, the Chichen-Itza, the site where the famous El Castillo Pyramid is located, and Palenque, featuring great stone carvings. Another site that is located ridiculously close to Cancun is Tulum.

Once a major seaport for the ancient Mayan traders, Tulum is now known for being the site of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A vacation package to Cancun Mexico means sightings of the Mayan stone walled fortress in Tulum, set against a backdrop of clear, turquoise waters and magnificent mountains.

Nightlife
Acapulco may be the queen of nightlife among all Mexico destinations, but that doesn’t mean that Cancun has nothing to offer for those who want to roam the countryside at night. The Cantina’s should be of some interest if you plan on spending groovy Caribbean nights with your vacation package to Cancun Mexico. With a hundred year history at its belt when it began as no more than an astute liquor store, the Cantinas have gone a long way from a crude bar with tables and chairs to a proper refuge for men who want to spend their afternoons meeting and greeting, drinking tequila, socializing, and gambling.

Cancun’s Hotel Zone also comes alive the minute the sun sets beyond the horizon. With multi million dollar discos lining the whole area, it is impossible not to feel invigorated by the Latin vibes infused with African and native tunes that the Cancun music scene chortles out at night.

Tags: Cancun Mexico, Cancun Mexico Vacations, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

But as uniquely varied as a vacation Mexico might be, traveling to a foreign country is the same no matter what country of destination you choose. That’s why you need to keep the following travel essentials in mind, if not to help you enjoy your vacation Mexico more, then at least to keep you safe and secure:

Getting There

Mexico is located in North America, bordered to the South by the United States and the Latin America, specifically Guatemala and Belize. To the northwest is the Pacific Ocean and to the east is the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. At the junction between Baja California and the Pacific Ocean is a small body of water teeming with fish life; this is the Sea of Cortez and it forms Mexico’s fourth coastline.

If you are taking your vacation Mexico from the UK or Europe, the only way for you to get there is by plane. The British Airways offers direct flights to Mexico City with average flight times of 11 to 12 hours. Or, you can connect via the USA with one of the American Carriers. There are also other alternative flight patterns you can take. The great thing about Mexico is that it is one of the top billed vacation destinations in the world so you never run out of ways to get there. You can even go there via a vacation Mexico cruise with a stopover at one of the Mexican coastal resorts.

From the USA and Canada, you can just drive to Mexico. This is especially feasible if you are living in one of the Souther US States that borders the country. However, this may require a fair amount of paper work, permit arrangements and planning. Vacation Mexico flights are available in the US and Canada daily so as far as alternatives go, this should be a good choice. Most of these flights arrive in Mexico although some flights form the US may arrive in Cancun, Puerta Vallarta, and Baja.

Entry Requirements

Good news to holders of American, Australian, Canadian, British/EU Member Countries: you do not need a Visa to go on a vacation Mexico tour. If you do not belong to this category, then you should check with your local Mexican consulate for details of visa requirements.

Getting Around

So you’ve checked through customs and you’re finally in Mexico, your vacation destination choice. The next question to ask is: How do you get around?

That is not much of a problem. Mexico is comprised of 31 states and one federal district, each one with its own collection of delights for you to enjoy on your vacation Mexico. If you plan on sampling all of these, domestic flights are available, but this can be expensive. You have a far better chance to enjoy the country side if you take the bus and mini vans that cruise through Mexico’s streets. Taxicabs are also plentiful as well as car rentals and limos.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

The Rio Grande

As one of the two most important geological features in New Mexico, the Rio Grande (the other one is the Sangre de Cristo Mountains) begins in the northern mountains and winds its way southward across the state until it reaches the Mexican and Texan borders of El Paso. The Rocky Mountain cordillera stretches to the south of this New Mexico vacation property while the San Juan Mountain range and the Sangre de Cristo range reign supreme in the north.

For several millennia, the Rio Grande has breathed life into the otherwise barren landscape. It is home to many ancient Anasuzi groups whose petroglyph drawings and remains of their villages and homes are still visible in many parts of the state.

If you decide to rent out a New Mexico vacation property right in this area, or buy, or simply stay a rental place for a brief vacation spell, you’ll be within walking distance of these fascinating ruins. The history of this land we only know in movies as the land of cowboys and Indians will be right within your reach. Other noteworthy sites you might want to check out while staying in a New Mexico vacation property are the ruins of ancient villages and cliff houses at Bandelier National Monument in the mountains near Los Alamos and at the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in the northwest part of the state.

Indian Pueblos, both Ancient and Modern

Home to diverse groups of Native Americans, New Mexico has at least 19 inhabited pueblos or Indian villages with some of them having been continuously inhabited for thousands of years. In addition to Pueblos, a stay at New Mexico vacation property could mean a visit to the reservations of Mescalero Apaches, Zunis and Navajos in the state.

When the first Spanish conquistadores arrived here, they had trouble penetrating this inhospitable land. They had to use the Rio Grande Valley, beginning in El Paso del Note now known as El Paso Texas, they followed the valley, conquering Indians and establishing colonies along the way. With a New Mexico vacation property, you have the chance to trace that piece of history.

Old Route 66

The Old Route 66, the “mother road,” no longer exists, but you can still see remnants of this old road when you follow Route 25 that bisects the state from north to south, entering through the northern mountains at the Colorado border before joining the Rio Grande Valley and follows it south to El Paso. Bisecting the state from east to west from Texas to Arizona, Route 40 also offers a taste of the original path of Route 66.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Bordered in the south by Guatemala and Belize and in the north by the United States of America, Mexico is a fairly large country that covers a surface of 761 thousand square miles. It is comprised of 31 different states and the federal district and surrounded by no less than four coasts – the Sea of Cortes, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Beaches? Mexico vacations have plenty of those. Fun in the sun? That goes with the territory. Cultural diversity? Mexico vacations offer you no less than a millennial culture of Olmecan tribe (the first civilization that made its appearance in the peninsula around 1500 BC), rich European traditions and history, plus indigenous art and architecture. Think Egypt is the only place on earth that has pyramids? Think again! Mexico is home to two of the world’s largest pyramids: The largest is Cheop’s in Egypt; the second largest is the Pyramic of Cholula; and the third largest is Piramide del Sol or the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Just choose which of the following Mexico vacations you want and be transported to a whole new world of travel.

Mexico Vacations: Travel through History

Mexico is one of the few nations that has something truly unique to offer: a historic past to be proud of. Before Christopher Columbus discovered America and Hernan Cortes came to Mexico in search of the elusive El Dorado, the Golden City, Mexico was already alive and thriving under the Mayans and the Aztecs. Other cultures that emerged in this rich land of promises include:

* Oaxaca: Zapotec and Mixteca cultures
* Gulf Coast: Olmec, Totnaca, and Huasteca cultures
* Central Plateau: Teotihuacan, Toltec, Mexica, and other cultures of the plateau

By choosing Mexico vacations that seek to discover this country’s rich past, you’ll be tracing the roots of the proud people of Mexico and how such a civilization came to be.

Mexico Vacations: Commune with Nature

Offering you with tons of hiking trails, national parks, biosphere reserves, and other protected areas, Mexico vacations leave you open to true wonders of nature. Mexico is home to a vast number of plant and animal species, many of them native and can only be found in the tropical climate of this country. Here you will find a cornucopia of desert plants, rain forests, water plants, herbs, endemic plant species, and mushrooms. You will also find many unique butterfly species, reptiles and amphibians, and other mammals.

Mexico Vacations: Culture and Society

With such a rich history, it therefore goes without saying that Mexico has, if anything, an interesting culture and society. However, when you go on Mexico vacations, you will find yourself face to face with the diverse culture of this splendid country. It is found in the art of its people, the maximum expression of the human spirit and a lifestyle in and of itself, its fiestas and traditions that reflect the zest, joy, and folklore inherent in Mexican traditions, and food, which Mexicans feel is the most pleasurable experience at any hour of any given day.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Mexico is located in North America, bordered to the north by the United States and to the southeast by Central America, specifically Belize and Guatemala. Looking at a map of Latin America, Mexico is that country that is the northernmost and westernmost. Spain is the birthplace of Mexico’s official language, Spanish. But despite this lofty title, it is actually not the place where the most number of Spanish-speaking people live. Mexico holds that title, being the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world, though English is also widely spoken, for monolinguistic convenience.

For a great Mexico vacation, consider the following fast facts about this wonderful country that offers you everything:

Population: Mexico boasts of more than 100,000 inhabitants located in various points of the country, divided into 31 states and one federal district. However, for the most populous spots, check Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey and their surrounding areas. Mexico has one of the most hospitable people in the world so wherever you go in this beautiful country, you will always feel welcome.

Language: As mentioned, Mexico is home to the most number of Spanish speaking people. A good grasp of the Spanish language may come in handy when you’re on a Mexico vacation, although there are some 66 indigenous languages spoken by some of the country’s pre-Hispanic cultures.

Weather: Get ready for a lot of warm weather when you go on a Mexico vacation. Mexico’s average temperatures range between 25 degrees Centigrade to 30 degress Centigrade (77 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). May to September are the hottest months of the year, especially if you are vacationing in the coasts. Things get cooler from October to April.

Time Zone: During the winter, the southern, eastern and some central regions states are on Central Standard Time (GMT -6 hours). The northwest and Pacific coast states re on Mountain Standard Time (GMT -7 hours). Baja California, on the other hand, is on Pacific Standard Time (GMT -8 hours). During the summer, daylight savings time is applied.

Currency: Peso. Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 pesos. Coins are issued in denominations of five, 10, 20, 50 cents, and one, two five, 10, and 20 pesos. Americans should have no problem with the US dollar as this currency is accepted at all money exchange bureaus across the country. The Euro and Canadian dollar are also exchanged.

Visa and Passports: To apply for a visa or passport, you can consult the Mexican Embassy’s website at www.sre.gob.mx/delegaciones/dire.htm. You can also consult Immigration Services at www.migracion.gob.mx/principal.asp.

Transportation: Going on a Mexico vacation is easy. The country has an excellent highway system, airports in many major cities, and bus terminals in nearly every municipality. There are also local transports in the form of taxi and bus services. In Mexico City and Leon, there is an express bus line, called metrobus that lets you travel in and through the city.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Mexico vacation tours reflect the mix of the modern and traditional so sharply striking in Mexico’s tourist landscape. Clichéd or surreal, the charm to Mexico vacation tours lies in the fact that they can be both, and do it convincingly too. With Mexico vacation tours, you can have fun whether your passion is to throw back margaritas, listen to howler monkeys, or surf the Mexican Pipeline. You can even go visit the Mayan ruins or make the most out of your Day of the Dead with a collection of posable skeletons.

Below are some great Mexico vacation tours that will guarantee you enjoy a tiny slice of Mexico:

Mexico-Tours.com

Mexico-Tours.com offers some great year round Mexico vacation tours, whether you are traveling alone or with the whole family in tow. Their packages range from 3 days to 1 week with destinations to the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun, Acapulco, Oaxaca, and Central Mexico. One tour package lets you discover the most important archeological sites in North America, plus a visit to colonial Merida and the Resort City of Cancun, and a whole lot more all for the duration of one week. Another features three night stays at Mexico City, plus a look-see at the Aztec pyramid and the Shrine of Guadalupe. Most of these Mexico vacation tours are available any day of the year, except for the longer tours which are often available during the weekend.

AndaleMexico.com

Another great place to look for Mexico vacation tours is AndaleMexico.com. This international travel company and tour operator is officially registered with the Mexican Tourism Board and offers full service Internet travel customization, for group or private Mexico vacation tours. Build your own tour package by choosing your preferred destination, what activities you want to participate in, and the number of days you want to spend on a vacation. Options include 1-3 day trips, 3-7 days, and full Mexico excursions that would last from 8 to 20 days, while destinations include all the popular tourist magnets, such as Mexico City, Cancun, Merida, Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca, and more.

CaravanTours.com

CaravanTours.com has many good Mexico vacation tours at a price you can certainly afford. What makes CaravanTours different from all other providers of Mexico vacation tours is that all of their tours are fully escorted “against anybody and everybody: polished, complete, and fun!” Featuring complete sight seeing, professional Tour Directors and great itineraries, get ready to enjoy Mexico’s pride with tour packages on ancient civilizations, colonial cities, and the famous Copper Canyon.

Of course, there are plenty more places you can check out for more Mexico vacation tours. But the above list should give you some head start in planning your perfect vacation tour.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Cancun

Once no more than a small fishing village located in Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, Cancun was developed into the country’s main center for tourism some time in the late 19th century. Now, the state is one of the favorite Mexico vacation spots that travelers like you frequent.

Cancun features a hotel zone where you can find the glitziest resorts, modern hotel buildings, white powdery beaches, and fantastic ocean waves. Here, the water seems always clear the sun always bright, and the beaches always perfect, so it’s no wonder that this shoreline gets top billing when it comes to Mexico vacation spots.

Here are a few fun things you can do in this awesome destination:

* Swimming with the Dolphins – At Villas Marlin, Club Baccara, Avalon Grand, and Gran Caribe Real Cancun located in the one of the most beautiful Mexico vacation spots, La Isla, you can swim with the dolphins for a price range starting at 50 dollars.

* Matador/Bull Face-Off – Here’s a chance for you to reflect on Mexico’s Spanish roots. Every Wednesday at precisely 3:30 p.m. a brave matador has a face off with a stupid bull at the Bull Ring in Bonampak and the corner of Sayil, in an ancient manhood ritual that have become part of Mexican tradition.

* Clean, Family Fun – All inclusive resorts, free water parks, joy rides, and family friendly attractions, it’s no wonder that Cancun is considered one of the best Mexico vacation spots for the traveling family. At Cancun’s hotel zone, go past Punta Nizuc to find a family water park complete with rides and attractions that the kids are surely going to love. There is also a small ecological park in the heart of downtown Cancun featuring spider monkeys, replica Mayan dwellings, ducks, and crocodiles, and all for free.

Ixtapa

If you are crazy about golf, then Ixtapa is one of those Mexico vacation spots that should interest you. This charming state that forms part of Mexico’s famous Guerrero Sun Triangle has several excellent golf courses, including the 18 hole golf course at the Palma Real Golf and Tennis Club. The course was designed by no less than world class designer Robert Trent Jones and features excellent golfing for beginners and pros alike.

For more golfing options, the Marina Ixtapa Golf Course also offers great golfing for enthusiasts with its 18 hole course designed by Robert Von Hagge. Prices start at 50 dollars and may vary according to the golf course and whether you are playing during the week or the weekend.

Besides golf, Ixtapa also offers great sport fishing, a fact that is only recently discovered by the more adventurous anglers. The place is teeming with a profusion of sailfish, black and blue marlin, as well as yellowfin tuna and dorado or mahi-mahi. In fact, Ixtapa, holds the record of over a thousand pound blue marlin caught off its shore.

There are plenty more Mexico vacation spots you can check out. Places like Los Cabos and Mazatlan offers great sight seeing options, along with snorkeling and horseback riding. The beaches of Tulum have always beckoned tourists to come visit while the Northern Region of Mexico holds its own brand of charm with its dazzling landscape of arid deserts and mysterious looking gorges.

Tags: Mexico Golf Vacation, Mexico Vacation, Vacations

Whichever your reasons, Mexico vacation rentals can be a great choice, especially when it comes to budget issues. Sure, you will probably give up a few things along the way. Okay, make it a lot of things, like maid service, concierge service, room service, in house restaurants, poolside bar, beach chairs and towels, flexibility in check in dates. But these things you can live without, unless you’ve spent your entire life spoiled rotten by hotel rooms and services. And in return for giving up these things, here’s what you gain: space, money in your pocket and certain perks that come only when you rent from an owner, such as golf and tennis privileges.

Getting Started

First thing’s first; decide on which Mexico destination you want to visit. Mexico has lots of options – ancient ruins, gorgeous white sand beaches, desert landscapes, hot springs, mountain trekking, scuba, and more. After making your decision, then time for you to search for Mexico vacation rentals in that particular destination.

You can do your preliminary research on the Internet. Sites like MexicoVacations.com offers great Mexico vacation rentals and information about the many different destinations they have. You can also try contacting the local Chamber of Commerce and ask for a listing of local realtors who handle Mexico vacation rentals. The latter method might come in handy since there are also many lovely properties that are only listed exclusively with an agent.

Whatever you do, it is important that you do your research early. You’ll be surprised by the number of people who start planning their summer vacations as soon as the holidays are over. While you don’t have to do this, it may help since many people who opt for Mexico vacation rentals are loyalists, meaning they rent the same house for the same block of time every year. If you start early, you have a better chance of choosing a place of your preference and get early booking discounts, to boot.

Know What You Want

The next important consideration when choosing Mexico vacation rentals is you. No matter how great a property it is, if it’s not what you want, then chances are you’re not going to have a lot of fun staying there. Keep the following questions handy when you start shopping for Mexican vacation rentals:

* Do they allow pets?
* Is the place conducive to small children or an old family member who isn’t very mobile?
* How far is it from the beach or other sources of entertainment?

You can perhaps add a few more things in there. Anyway, those questions are just basic stuff. So after making sure that the Mexico vacation rentals of your choice have exactly what you want and need, then you are finally ready to make that all important choice.

Tags: Mexico, Mexico Vacation, Vacations