Mexico is not one destination — it’s a dozen different trips depending on where you land. Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are both “Mexico beach vacations” in the same way that Tuscany and Sicily are both “Italy” — technically true, practically worlds apart. Riviera Maya has boutique all-inclusives tucked into jungle stretching toward Tulum. Puerto Vallarta has cobblestone streets, a food scene that rewards wandering, and resorts that feel nothing like the spring break stereotype that follows Cancun around.
I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta more than once specifically because it feels like real Mexico — the kind of place where you leave the resort and find something worth finding. These guides are written for travelers who want to choose well, not just book something and hope for the best.