Destinations: Mexico - Beyond the Resorts
by John Hawks

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Because you won't be relying primarily on the cruise lines or major tour companies for these trips, in many cases, your first decision will be picking the proper travel season. Mexico offers two primary seasons -- the high period, from December through Easter, and the low season in the other months. Prices during the low period can drop 20 to 50 percent off the high-season rates. (You'll notice high-season rates in the summertime in beach cities frequented by Mexican nationals on vacation, while on the other hand, prices don't swing as widely in the colonial interior regions.)

Check with your travel packager or Mexico's tourism office for climate patterns, too, in the regions you'd like to book. It rains in many parts of the country between May and October, but those rains may have little impact on your travel plans in the drier regions.

Mexico offers numerous tourist regions spread across its 761,000 square miles and 31 states, including these destinations that you can package yourself or find reputable tour operators with FIT and escorted itineraries for your clients:

Baja California: Baja courts the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other along a peninsula that's actually longer than Italy. It's the perfect trip extension for your clients eager to enjoy sports like golf and fishing (or the remote, relaxed atmosphere of its more isolated resorts).

The Copper Canyon: In the northern state of Chihuahua lies a network of almost two dozen canyons that threaten to put the Grand Canyon to shame. Many tour operators offer trips based around the Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad that runs almost 400 miles from Topolobampo to Chihuahua City, twisting and turning its way to more than a mile above sea level.

The North-Central Region: You'll find many sleepy, authentic colonial cities settled between the Texas and New Mexico borders to the north and Mexico City in the south. If your clients want to truly escape to a slower pace of vacation, this region will give you many ideas for trip planning.

The Gulf Coast: This region includes numerous destinations off the beaten path where you'll see the true spirit of Mexico, from Veracruz's capital Xalapa in the mountains to the port of Veracruz itself.

Tarascan Country: Heard about the millions of monarch butterflies that migrate to Mexico every year? They come to the eastern part of the state of Michoacan, where the Tarascan Indians have settled. Another interesting stop is Morelia, considered the prototypical Mexican town.

Oaxaca and Chiapas: Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas offer a mix of Indian and Mayan cultures, lots of handicrafts, and the laid-back colonial feel your clients may need after a few Riviera Maya weekends.

You'll never learn much detail from short articles like this one. Our goal instead is to whet your appetite to explore Mexico beyond the resorts to close more repeat sales with your clients who won't travel further than North America but who've "been there, done that" with the Caribbean and with Mexico's main attractions.

Start your research with the Mexico Tourism Board's Web site. Frommers.com will also give you many ideas for planning the perfect Mexico getaway for your clients. Finally, don't forget to check with your favorite preferred suppliers for alternative Mexico itineraries!