Looking for a holiday that serves sizzling sunshine, epic hotels, vibrant culture and more tacos than you can shake a sombrero at? Welcome to Mexico.

Holidays to Mexico 2026 highlights

• Beaches that bring the tropical vibes

• Swanky resorts with all the bells and whistles

• Loads of cenotes where you can take a cheeky dip (Google it, and thank us later)

• Home to the second-largest coral reef in the world

• Delish food that'll give your local takeaway a run for its money

Good to know

• 🤩 Fun fact - Mexico introduced the world to chocolate! The ancient Mayans were the first to turn cacao beans into a drink, calling it the “food of the gods."

• 🏖️ Best beach - now this is a hard one. If you’re into laid-back vibes, check out Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres—calm waters and perfect sunsets. For adventure seekers, Akumal Beach offers snorkelling with turtles! And for scenery lovers, Tulum Beach combines jaw-dropping views with Mayan ruins. You’re spoiled for choice!

• 🍺 Price of a pint - a refreshing cerveza will set you back about 30-50 MXN (roughly £1.20-£2). Time to say "Salud!" to a cold one!

Where's the best area to stay in Mexico?

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back family retreat, an epic group adventure, or a romantic escape for two, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you. From dreamy beach holidays to lively towns and cities buzzing with culture and nightlife, it’s all here. Here are just a few of our top-pick destinations for your next Mexico holidays:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Cancun - Yes it's lively, but the Hotel Zone is packed with family-friendly all-inclusives, and the calm Caribbean waters are perfect for kids. Waterparks, aquariums, and pirate ship adventures all on the doorstep.

• Riviera Maya - If you want something slightly quieter, Riviera Maya has bigger, more spread-out resorts with private beaches, waterparks, and easy access to cenotes and Mayan ruins for day trips.

💑 Couples

• Riviera Maya - Yes there are big family resorts, but there are also swanky adults-only resorts & jungle spas. Tulum's beachfront ruins and Akumal's sea turtles are proper romantic day-trip material.

• Playa del Carmen - Boutique feel with Fifth Avenue's restaurants, bars, and shops. Beach by day, cocktails and strolling by night.

🎉 Groups

• Cancun - Beach clubs by day, Coco Bongo and the Hotel Zone clubs by night. The nightlife here is built for groups who want to go big.

Best Beaches to visit on your Mexico holidays

From the iconic sands of Tulum to the serene shores of Bahía Balandra, Mexico boasts some of the world's most stunning coastal gems you should definitely check out on your 2026 holidays. Whether you're after a bustling beach party, a tranquil retreat, or a chance to swim with turtles, there's a perfect spot waiting for you. Here are a few of our faves*:

• Playa Norte: made entirely of crushed coral with shallow, paddle-friendly waters, this place is known for its quieter vibe and scuba sites thanks to its large population of white sharks (don't worry - they're harmless, and chances are you'll only see them if you want to!)

• Playa Paraíso: a top sandy spot in Tulum, serving up gorg views, chilled vibes and a ton of activities - from snorkelling to scuba diving

• Playa del Carmen: a buzzing beach town with soft, white sands like you've seen on Insta, bright blue waters and some top-tier diving sites, if you're into that

• Playa Tortugas: a lively, fam-friendly beach with shallow waters perfect for the youngsters, loads of food and drink venues dotted around, and plenty of fun activities to try your hand at - from watersports and beach volley to an epic bungee-jump off the pier!

• Playa Mujeres: prepare for some serious girl power, because this beach translates to women's beach. Don't worry, it's not a woman-only zone, but it is a long, sandy stretch known for its sunbathing and snorkelling opportunities. Tip: wear comfy footwear - some of the paths are a tad rocky!

• Playa Zicatela: this ones for the thrill-seekers, if you find yourself over in Puerto Escondido and you've got your trusty surfboard in tow, then you're gonna wanna shred your way through these epic pipeline waves, or kick back on the sand and catch the action from there.

• Akumal Beach: known as 'place of the turtles,' this is a must-visit spot for snorkellers if you fancy checking out the colourful coral reefs and saying hey to the adorable sea turtles while you're down there

• Playa Maroma: often considered one of the most beaut beaches in the world (no biggie), this stretch is all about the powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters that take your casual swim to a whole new level

• Bahia Balandra: think shallow waters that span for miles (perfect for swimming and kayaking), and pristine sands that look like something straight off a postcard

*Okay fine, it was more than a few.

Best Hotels to stay at on your holidays to Mexico

Looking for the perfect spot to soak up the sun in Mexico? Whether you're planning a last-minute beachside escape in Cancun, a luxury resort in the Riviera Maya, or a boutique stay in Tulum, we’ve got you covered with our top hotel picks:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - Massive beachfront complex in the Riviera Maya with 4 buffet restaurants, 15 bars, a waterpark, kids' club, and a 24-hour all-inclusive programme. Access to multiple hotels within the resort means you'll never run out of things to do.

• Grand Oasis Cancun - Right in the Cancun Hotel Zone with beach clubs, a mega pool area, a kids' zone, and a relaxing spa. All-inclusive and properly set up for families.

• Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa - In the Cancun Hotel Zone with outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, a private beach with an ocean trampoline, movie nights, and water sports. Brilliant for families who want a bit of everything.

• Melia Cozumel - On Cozumel island with an adults-only swim-up bar, kids' mini electric car driving lessons, water sports, and three restaurants. A different pace to the mainland resorts.

💑 Couples

• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults-only luxury on an award-winning beach in the Riviera Maya. Infinity pool, multiple restaurants, yoga classes, cocktail-making sessions, and a spa that's worth the trip alone.

• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya - Adults-only with nine dining options, three pools (including infinity), and activities from archery to beach volleyball. 200m from the beach and surrounded by tropical gardens.

• Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa - Set on a white-sand beach surrounded by tropical gardens with nine restaurants, a world-class spa, and the Tulum Mayan ruins just minutes away. Great for couples who want romance with a side of history.

• Iberostar Selection Cancun - Beachfront in Cancun with 10 pools, spa, and food for every mood. A proper five-star that delivers on the luxury without being stuffy.

🎉 Groups

• Grand Oasis Cancun - Beach clubs, adults-only bars, pool parties, and Cancun's nightlife on the doorstep. Built for groups who want the full-on Mexico experience.

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - So big it has its own shopping centre, sports bar, bowling alley, and nightclub. Six hotels in one complex means your group can spread out and regroup for dinner.

✨ Luxury

• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults-only on one of Mexico's most famous beaches. Private plunge pools, butler service in premium suites, a world-class spa, and the kind of attention to detail that justifies the price tag.

• Bluebay Grand Esmeralda - Five-star with six a la carte restaurants, beachside pools with in-water sun loungers, and a spa for when you need proper pampering.

💰 Value

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - Incredible amount of resort for the price. 24-hour all-inclusive, waterpark, 15 bars, and 2km of private beach. Hard to beat for value on a long-haul all-inclusive.

• Melia Cozumel - Good-value island option with all-inclusive, water sports, and a more laid-back pace than the mainland mega-resorts.

👉 See all Mexico hotels 👉 All-inclusive Mexico holidays

Mexico holidays 2026 travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🐢 Snorkelling with sea turtles at Akumal Beach in the Riviera Maya - calm, shallow water and gentle turtles that swim right up to you.

• 🏴‍☠️ Captain Hook's Pirate Ship dinner cruise from Cancun - sword fights, walking the plank, and a proper swashbuckling adventure the kids will talk about for months.

• 🏛️ Day trip to the Tulum ruins - ancient Mayan clifftop temple with a white sand beach directly below. History and beach day in one.

• 💦 Xcaret eco-park near Playa del Carmen - underground rivers, snorkelling, a butterfly pavilion, and a spectacular evening show with traditional Mexican music and dance.

💑 Couples

• 🏊 Cenote swim at Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote near Tulum - crystal-clear jungle pools surrounded by stalactites. Otherworldly and properly romantic.

• 🌅 Sunset dinner on the beach at Playa del Carmen - Fifth Avenue's seafront restaurants serve fresh ceviche and margaritas with Caribbean views.

• 🤿 Scuba diving at Cozumel's Palancar Reef - part of the world's second-largest barrier reef. Visibility up to 60 metres and colourful coral everywhere.

• 🏛️ Sunrise at Chichen Itza - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Book an early-morning tour from Cancun or the Riviera Maya to beat the crowds.

🎉 Groups

• 🎉 Coco Bongo in Cancun - part nightclub, part Cirque du Soleil. Acrobats, confetti cannons, and a packed dance floor until the early hours. The one everyone talks about.

• 🏎️ ATV jungle tours and zip-lining at Xplor park near Playa del Carmen - underground rivers, amphibious vehicles, and proper adrenaline. Brilliant group day out.

• ⛵ Isla Mujeres catamaran trip from Cancun - sail the Caribbean, swim, snorkel, open bar, and a beach club stop on the island. The ultimate group day.

• 🕳️ Cenote hopping near Tulum - hit three or four different cenotes in a day, each one completely different. Swimming, cliff jumping, and underground caves.

🗣️ Local Lingo: talk like a local 🇲🇽

• Hola – Hello

• Gracias – Thank you

• Una cerveza, por favor – A beer, please

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?

• ¡Qué padre! – That’s cool!

• ¿Dónde está la playa? – Where is the beach?

• Lo siento, no hablo mucho español – Sorry, I don’t speak much Spanish

🌎 Mexico Destinations

• Cancun - The big one. Caribbean beaches, mega all-inclusive resorts, and a nightlife scene that goes until sunrise. The Hotel Zone is a 14-mile strip of pure holiday.

• Riviera Maya - Stretching south from Cancun along the coast. Bigger resorts, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and a more laid-back feel than Cancun itself.

• Playa del Carmen - Boutique beach town with Fifth Avenue's restaurants and bars, Caribbean diving, and a more walkable, independent vibe.

• Mexico City - One of the world's great cities. Ancient Aztec ruins, world-class food, rooftop bars, and Frida Kahlo's Blue House. Brilliant as a city-break add-on.

🌍 More Caribbean & Americas Destinations

• Dominican Republic - All-inclusive Caribbean without the long-haul price tag of some rivals. Punta Cana's beaches are gorgeous and the resorts are brilliant value.

• Jamaica - Reggae, rum, jerk chicken, and some of the Caribbean's most stunning beaches. A completely different vibe to Mexico but just as unforgettable.

• Barbados - More upmarket Caribbean charm with pink-sand beaches, rum distilleries, and a brilliant food scene.

• Florida - Theme parks, beaches, and shopping. A completely different kind of long-haul jolly but in the same flight-time ballpark from the UK & Ireland.