Mayan ruins in Palenque. Photo: Shutterstock
Thinking of taking a trip to Mexico this Christmas? Whether you want an alternative way to celebrate or you’re looking to escape the festivities completely, Mexico makes for a thrilling destination in December. Here are our top spots to bask in winter sun
1. La Paz, Baja California
December marks the perfect time of year to watch grey whales from the coast of Baja California. Having travelled over 9,500km from Alaska’s cool seas, the whales mate and spawn in the warm, shallow waters here. Sightings can be had from the shore (although, luck has a part to play here) or you can join a chartered boat for a day trip. Head out to sea and you might spot finbacks and blue whales too. In season, Insight Guides’ Baja: Pacific Coast Paradise holiday includes a tour with a reputable operator, as well as plenty of time to simply relax on the region's gorgeous beaches.
Christmas time on Plaza de la Constitucion, Mexico City. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Mexico City
No visit to Mexico would be complete without a stop in the fast-paced capital city. From delicious food to collections of world-class art, it’s safe to say Mexico City is an underrated destination. Make Zocalo Square your base, touring colonial architecture, the city’s National Palace, pretty parks, lively neighbourhoods and more from here. Visit in December and you’ll see the square lit up with thousands of glittering Christmas decorations too.
Combine your holiday with winter sun on Insight Guides’ Mexico City to the Yucatán trip, with three nights spent in the capital and another four on the world-famous peninsula.
3. Playa del Carmen
One of Mexico’s prime coastal spots, Playa del Carmen is home to palm-lined, white-sand beaches; the perfect place to relax and recharge over the Christmas break. Simply sit-back and unwind on the Riviera's world-class beaches, take to the waters for impressive diving or snorkelling, or head inland for haciendas, cenotes and Mayan ruins.
All activities listed above are included on Insight Guides' The Yucatán: Ruins and Haciendas holiday. What are you waiting for?
Playa del Carmen's beaches are beautiful in December and January. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Chiapas Highlands
Winter sun doesn't have to mean lazing by the sea, as you'll discover on Insight Guides' Mexico's Highlands and Coast holiday. Grand rivers, roaring waterfalls and cool pools make for alternative ways to cool off in Mexico's southern Chiapas region. The mountainous highlands are dotted with colonial towns and Mayan ruins, as well as many of the country's indigenous tribal communities.
5. Mayan ruins
Tulum, Uxmal and Chichén Itzá are three unmissable stops on the Mayan trail, which sprawls across Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan. Each site offers the traveller something a little different. Tulum, nestled among craggy rocks and overlooking the clear Caribbean Sea, is a beach-lover’s paradise, while Uxmal is hidden among thick, lush jungles. Chichén Itzá, possibly Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruin, represents this ancient civilisation at its peak.
Steer clear from the December crowds with Insight Guides’ Mexico: Mayan Trail holiday; private tours at each stop will show you the little-known sites and secrets these ruins are home to.
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