Talum

In the past decade, Tulum has grown into a coveted vacation for luxury travelers (or, as the New York Times says, the "Yoga tourist"). But it still tempts bargain-hunters who remember when this tucked-away jewel of Mexico's east coast was more of a secluded getaway. Here, you'll find some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins in the Western Hemisphere, ruins that have the cerulean waters of the Caribbean Sea as a backdrop.  And there are other out-of-this-world wonders, including several cenotes (or underground water-filled caverns) and bioreserves. As an added plus: Tulum continues to be the tiny, quiet alternative to the other Riviera Maya resort areas during the Spring Break season.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas first beckoned to Hollywood's elite in the 1970s as a luxurious reprieve from the "dregs" of show business. The town's rather seedy reputation changed as world-class resorts took up residence here, in the neighboring village of San José del Cabo, and along the 18-mile stretch of highway that connects the two (known as "the Corridor"). The construction of an international airport in the 1980s made it easier for travelers from all over to hop a nonstop flight to the "Los Cabos" area.

Thirty years later, this destination on the southernmost tip of Baja California is still known for its decadence—just take a look at the sprawling golf courses or deluxe villas. But the elitist pretense has dwindled: Days in the spa are just as coveted as evenings at a beachside watering hole. And there's a good chance that you'll see celebutantes and college freshmen sunning themselves side-by-side on a Cabo beach.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, Mazatlán is once again a coveted beach escape. The sidewalk cafés and scenic Malecónare just as busy as they were when film stars like John Wayne and Gary Cooper used to come to town. Residents are thankful for the renaissance -- this "Pearl of the Pacific" definitely experienced a low point in the 1970s and 1980s. And they support and enjoy the revitalization efforts of the Centro Histórico and the refurbished museums and theaters just as much as the tourists. You should do the same.

Mazatlán may never be the celebrity playground that it once was (that distinction now belongs to Cabo San Lucas), and its beaches aren't quite as golden as Puerto Vallarta's gorgeous strip. But for that you can be thankful. Instead, this city has carved a niche for unpretentious travelers who want to enjoy the beach on a budget.

Cozumel

Cozumel's clear turquoise waters and powdery sands coax travelers by the hundreds from cold winter climates to this 250-square-mile island off the Yucatán Peninsula. Cruise ships are a constant feature of Cozumel's coastal views, and the atmosphere on this charming island is often interrupted by tourist chatter. In fact, Cozumel's charms are so effective that the shopping plazas along the waterfront stay congested much of the year.

But crowds shouldn't deter you from discovering what this tiny Yucatán island has to offer, especially as Cozumel's real allure is far away from the downtown area. You can hire a fishing or diving charter boat to discover the shallow reefs along the coast (this is arguably one of the best diving destinations in the world), take a glass-bottom boat on a tour around the island, or simply find a quiet beach where you can relax and do nothing. Once the cruise ships clear out, you should head down to the plaza for some live music and the real skinny on this little island.

Acapulco

In the 1950s—long before the rise of Cancún and Cabo—Acapulco was the go-to Mexican destination. During its heyday, the "Pearl of the Pacific" attracted the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and even John F. Kennedy with its amber beaches and pulsating nightlife. Acapulco's former beauty was celebrated on the big screen in films like Elvis Presley's "Fun in Acapulco" and the hit TV series, "The Love Boat." But as the 20th century wore on, Acapulco's glorious reputation tarnished as the city succumbed to over-crowding, pollution, and drug trafficking.

Several decades after its fall from beach-destination grace, Acapulco is steadily reviving. It's a popular weekend getaway for many Mexican vacationers, not to mention a prevailing hideaway for European travelers, so you'll find the ambience is more international than the Americanized Cancún. Dance to the live music along the Zócalo, hunt down some of Mexico's best ceviche downtown, or escape from the tourist hubbub in Acapulco Diamante's swank nightclubs—you can still hear echoes of the glamour and glitz of the city's Hollywood heyday.

Cancun, Quintana Roo

Cancún is nothing if not resilient. Consider the debilitating effects Hurricane Wilma had on the region in 2005—drowned shores, felled storefronts, and capsized boats. But less than 10 years later, this skinny "7"-shaped barrier island in southeastern Mexico is once again a go-to spot for beaches, golfing, and nightlife. Cancún also remains one of the most affordable vacations in the Western Hemisphere—you could pay less than $600 per person for an all-inclusive vacation along these Yucatán sands, even during the self-indulgent Spring Break season.

So what's there to do here? We're glad you asked. Cancún's beaches are indeed spectacular spots to try some jet-skiing and parasailing. And there's also a host of after-hours activities; we'd particularly recommend you take in the acrobatic dance performances at the Coco Bongo Cancún. But this area is also close to one of the most recognizable sites of Mexico—don't miss out the chance to behold Chichén Itzá, a large Mayan archaeological site that is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Playa del Carmen, Cancun

Playa del Carmen has carved its own Euro-chic niche along the Yucatán Peninsula. Sophisticated expats and vacationing Europeans relax at the beachside lounges, upholding this small enclave's budding reputation asthe place in Quintana Roo to see and be seen. The area's nerve center is El Zócalo, and similar to Mediterranean beachfront towns like Nice, the funky little public square is within walking distance of the beach. Just off the square and running parallel with the shore, La Quinta Avenida features 20 blocks worth of delicious eateries and quirky shops.Cancún is so 10 years ago -- today's savvy beachgoers choose the cosmopolitan "Playa."

Puerto Vallarta

This is more than just a coastal resort getaway. Somehow Puerto Vallarta -- also known as "Vallarta" or just "PV" -- maintains a small-town ambience, while still boasting one of the most unique and sophisticated oceanfronts inMexico. The dining options and the hotel choices reflect more of the same -- you'll find both elegance and efficiency mingled together within the hotel and restaurant areas.

Most people associate this west-coast town with its boundaries -- the Banderas Bay that snakes along the coast, or the palm-tree tinted Sierra Madre Mountains that stand tall in the east -- but Puerto Vallarta is more than its scenery. Take some time to discover its other perks for yourself -- through sampling the delicious food, discovering a hidden boutique in the Zona Romantica, sipping a signature cocktail at a bar along the Malecón, or jiving to a salsa beat in a Havana-style nightclub.