Sandwiched between the United States and Central America, Mexico is a country full of diverse geography, rich culture, and a fascinating history. With nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexico's beaches attract travelers from far and wide. The water is perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and even whale-watching! Beyond the beach, there are Mayan ruins and jungles scattered throughout Mexico, just waiting to be explored.

Before you embark on your journey to the Land of Eternal Sunshine, here are some important things you need to know!

When to Go to Mexico

Dry season: October - April

The temperature during the dry season ranges from the mid-70's to the mid-80's, which is the perfect climate for lots of activities, both on land and in the sea. In the evening, ocean breezes will cool it down even more, which is perfect for relaxing after a long day of fun.

Wet season: May - September

Although many travelers stray away from Mexico during the rainy season, this can be an advantage for you - less tourists means that beaches will be less crowded and rates on hotels and flights will be cheaper. Plus, the rain can cool off an otherwise hot day, leaving you with fresh air and lots of beautiful greenery.

What to Do

There's so much to do in Mexico besides just laying out on the beach (although there's nothing wrong with that). The most popular locations for tours and activities are Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen.

Cabo San Lucas: Paddle board at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, an impressive rock formation in the Gulf of California that's also a popular spot for sea lions - you can also take a glass-bottom kayak out to the Arch and see all the marine life right beneath you!

Cancun: Ziplining through the Mayan jungles is sure to get your heart pumping, but be sure to enjoy the greenery around you too. After your thrilling ride, explore the world-famous ruins of Chichen Itza and its architecture that have withheld the tests of time.

Puerta Vallarta: Nestled on the Pacific Ocean coastline, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to scuba dive. You'll be able to see a multitude of tropical fish, manatees, coral reefs, and maybe even reef sharks on your dive. If you prefer being out of the water, a whale-watching tour is great - it allows you to see the majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Playa del Carmen: Snorkeling is a popular activity in Playa del Carmen - you can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of a Mayan underground river, or in the beautiful blue Caribbean sea. On land, you can also take an ATV tour for an exciting ride through the jungle.

Expand Your Palate

In Mexico, you'll be able to taste real Mexican food, not just the Americanized version of it. If you think Taco Bell or Chipotle serves up good Mexican food, just wait till you try the real thing.

Authentic tacos are always made with soft corn tortillas, and they're usually freshly pressed. There's usually no lettuce, tomato, or shredded cheese in the taco, and the meat that goes inside isn't ground beef - most taquerías have 5-6 options of different meats, like grilled steak or spicy pork. They're sprinkled with cilantro and diced onions, and served with lots of limes, which you squeeze over the tacos before enjoying.

Tortas are a kind of sandwich that can be served hot, cold, grilled, or toasted in the same manner as a panini. It comes on a long white sandwich roll and  contains meat, mashed avocado, a spread made of black or pinto beans, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Horchata is a traditional drink made from rice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Although it's normally served cold as a refreshing summer beverage, it can be enjoyed hot as well.

Ceviche is a seafood appetizer typically made from fresh, raw fish cured by citrus juices, such as lime or lemon and seasoned with chili peppers. In Mexico, it is often served with tostadas, or deep-fried tortillas - some even use is as a taco filling.

Chili & lime mango is one of the most popular street foods in Mexico. Although fresh mango sprinkled with chili powder and lime doesn't sound like they'd go together, the fusion of sweet and spicy balance each other perfectly. Some street vendors will even carve your mango into a flower, which makes it almost too pretty to eat!

Connect with Locals

Language apps are great for translating signs and getting around, but the best way to experience Mexico is by talking to the locals- they'll give you the inside scoop on what to do, where (and what) to eat, and give you helpful advice on anything else you need to know. Plus, you'll get insight on their culture from a direct source, which is both enlightening and educating.

Although all of this information is helpful, it can be overwhelming, which is why we've taken all the important stuff and put it in one place. Happy travels!