Donald Trump may have said that he wants to build a wall on the border to keep Mexicans out of the US, but a lot of Americans themselves go over the border for holiday... and for good reason.
There are various places and things to do in Mexico. Aside from the beach and golf, it has culture, wildlife, and adventure. One can swim with dolphins, zip on a wire across the jungle, go to a show (Cirque du Soleil is a big hit), learn about ancient civilizations, or drive for miles down its long, beautiful coastline. See DailyMailCoUK report Mexican magic: The beaches are exquisite, but so are the caves and ruins - Sue Lawley explores the wonderful Yucatan Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula sticks out into the waters of the Caribbean and most of its hotels have fronting beautiful white sandy beaches. In Playa del Carmen, there is an all-inclusive resort and a boutique hotel.
The big resort, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, is 3 hotels-in-one: a section for families, another for adults only, and a third called ZEN, set apart from the beach, for those looking for a more intimate experience. One can eat, drink and swim in any. However, children under 12 are not allowed in the adult section.
At first, the size of the place is overwhelming, but it grows on you. People can be smug about all-inclusive deals, but there really are no extras: meals, drinks, and activities are all included in the price. The kids' club and teenager hangout are open all day.
There are eight restaurants, including two Mexican, an Italian, a French, and Asian, all serving good food. The hotel is facing the beach, the rooms are huge, the staff attentive, just like in a luxury cruise. There is plenty to explore beyond its walls.
One can go underground. Yucatan has no surface rivers, all its water lies beneath. It is reached through cenotes, sinkholes, where the land has caved in to create pools. One can explore the wonderful blues and greens of the Rio Secreto, and swim through caves of stalactites and stalagmites in a wetsuit with a lamp on your head. Turn it off and one would be plunged into total blackness - an eerie, but exhilarating experience.
One can also visit Valladolid, an old city with colonial era churches, boutiques, restaurants with secluded gardens, and a delightful handicraft museum. Or one can go to a ruin. Yucatan is Mayan country, home to a sophisticated ancient civilization that disappeared after the Spanish conquest. The remains of the settlements can be seen all over the peninsula.
Mexico is still learning about tourism. This means that the locals go about their business with a genuinely friendly attitude and with a sense of purpose. See also Traveler's Today report Mexico City's Best Museums, Street Walks, and Neighborhood Bistros.
