The highlight of our entire trip to Mexico was a visit to Akumal bay for a snorkeling adventure to swim with green sea turtles in the wild. Akumal is a wonderful day in the sun and the sea, where the turtles are the stars of the show.

READ: How to Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico

Xcaret and Xel-Ha are two of the most popular parks in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Ideally, both places will be on your list. But if your time is limited, which one should you choose?

READ: Picking a Park on the Riviera Maya — Xcaret or Xel-Ha?

When’s the last time you soared above the treetops or swam in an underground river surrounded by million-year-old stalactites? At Xplor adventure park in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, these are just two of the exciting ways to spend the day.

READ: Soaring and Swimming at Mexico’s Xplor Adventure Park

In Mexico, we discovered one of the world's most beautiful wine regions. Yes, you heard that right: Mexican wine. In the Valle de Guadalupe wineries, we found viticultural excellence.

READ: Mexico’s Intriguing Wine Country: The Valle de Guadalupe

The colors, sights, and frenetic energy of the festival came flying at us. There were people everywhere—some in traditional clothing searching for the face painting station, some making their way to the next cultural performance, some just looking for the nearest taco stand. We were swept up in it all.

READ: Celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico

The Hacienda Tres Rios is an ecological oasis amid the busy resorts of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. It's a great base to explore the Riviera Maya.

READ: The Oasis of Hacienda Tres Rios

Xenses park defies explanation. And that’s kind of the point.

READ: Defy Your Senses at Xenses Park in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Visiting a cenote is one of the most popular things to do on a trip to Mexico. These fresh water sinkholes are the perfect way to cool off after exploring the Mayan ruins or simply on a hot day. This is the Ruta de Los Cenotes (or the Cenotes Trail).

READ: Adventure on the Ruta de Los Cenotes

The Hotel B Cozumel is the perfect home away from home for a relaxing vacation. This is the place for scuba diving or simply to just be in the moment.

READ: Just Be In the Moment at Hotel B Cozumel

Before heading to Mexico, we knew we wanted to go scuba diving in Cozumel. But we had no idea that our trip would end with an extremely close encounter with sharks!

READ: Close Encounters of the Shark Kind on a Cozumel Dive

The true beauty of an all-inclusive resort like the Occidental Grand Xcaret Riviera Maya is that it requires almost nothing of you. The biggest decisions of the day are whether to visit the pool or the beach and where you want to have dinner.

READ: Vacation Made Simple at the Occidental at Xcaret Destination

Exploring cenotes – whether swimming, diving, or snorkeling – is one of the more popular activities in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico.

READ: Underground Oases — An Adventurous Tour of Cenotes in Mexico

Chankanaab National Park was the perfect place to spend a day in Cozumel, Mexico. It had everything we needed: a beach, snorkeling, adult beverages and guacamole.

READ: Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel