Best of the Pacific Coast

Riberas de la Costa Azul [1]: Beat the crowds at Puerto Arista by heading just down the coast to the Costa Azul, with broad gray-black sand, calmer water, and beachside palapas serving the freshest of seafood. Camp on the beach or stay in the bustling town of Pijijiapán, about 20 kilometers inland.

Reserva Natural La Encrucijada [2]: Barra de Zacapulco is the jumping-off point for boat tours into this impressive nature reserve, home to birds, crocs, and the tallest mangrove trees in Latin America — 25 meters (80 feet) or more. Join nighttime sea turtle patrols or just relax on the wide windswept beach.

Museo Arqueológico del Soconusco [3]: An excellent collection of artifacts, from pottery to musical instruments to stone monuments, helps showcase the rich culture and history of Izapa and other ancient Pacific-coast cities. Kids will get a kick out of the stelae rubbings and vocabulary games too.

Tacaná Volcano [4]: Nearly 4,100 meters (13,120 feet) and still classified as active, Tacaná makes for a challenging three-day climb, with stunning views of the Pacific and the distant peaks in both Mexico and Guatemala as a reward for reaching the cool, bare summit.

Ruta del Café [5]: Journey into the heart of Chiapanecan coffee country — and one of the state’s most scenic areas — where you can spend the night at centuries-old coffee plantations, see how the beans are harvested and processed, and of course sample some of the world-famous end product.