Planning a Trip

Unless you intend to stick to the well-serviced beaches of the Caribbean, a trip to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula or the southern states of Tabasco and Chiapas will require planning, patience, and flexibility. Quintana Roo is by far the most advanced tourist state in this region, playing host to about half of all tourism to Mexico. It's easy to travel between Cancún and the beaches of the Riviera Maya, where tourist infrastructure is well developed. You can either plan on resort hopping along the Caribbean coast in a rental car, or taking buses to visit the Maya ruins in the Yucatán peninsula. Getting to and around Chiapas and Tabasco requires a little more ingenuity. Be prepared and willing to deal with everything.

Travelers to Mexico should be aware of security concerns in certain parts of the country and take precautions to maximize their safety. For the most part, Mexico is safe for travelers who steer clear of drugs and those who sell them, but visitors should still exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and remain aware of their surroundings at all times. Visit the U.S. State Department's website, www.state.gov, for up-to-date information on travel to Mexico.