Where to go in Mexico?

We're thinking of going to Mexico in March and April, but don't know where to go. Any suggestions?

We need a nice beach for the Minx but would also like to find somewhere with a bustling Mexican vibe and traditional Colonial architecture, but not too touristy - which I think rules out Acapulco, Cancun and possibly PV -, and not too remote either as I fancy sitting in little cafes and restaurants and watching the world go by.

And any recommendations for beautiful, smallish (and cheap!) boutique-y hotels would also be much appreciated.   It is possible that the things I desire are not actually available in reality.

Let me know all your ideas - I know next to nothing about Mexico, so the smallest bits of information would be useful. Thank you!

Comments

[Camilla]

I've never been to Mexico, so this is second hand advice. But I've heard good reports of Los Cabos, which is at the end of the long finger of Mexico. Think some of it is very busy and one of the towns is a Mexican government tourist creation, while the other is a true Mexican town. Just looked on google - think
Cabo San Lucas is place to avoid and San Jose del Cabo rather nice.

I'd go to the Hawaiian islands myself.....

[Sarah]

Cozumel is just across the way from Cancun, but has a totally different vibe. I spent my time in tiny, tucked away restaurants, on quiet beaches, and avoided the touristy night clubs.

[Di Overton]

I watched Monty Don doing a programme about Mexico's gardens. It looks amazing. The floating gardens were so fabulous I put them on my blog last week.

[christina]

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/ !! go to the mayan riveria! :) its wonderfuuuuullll!!!! .... We went last year to a all inclusive [free food, drinks, entertainment..everything..its great!!!] we went to Gran Bahia Principe Akumal
it was so much fun!!

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/specialAvailability.jsp?pacID=714

[Tracy Martinez]

If you want nice and not too touristy, there are some nice places north of Puerto Vallarta.
Los De Marcos or Rincon de Guayabitos. We have been to both, very nice. Los Cabos is very pricey. But if you want the most beautiful water you can't beat the Mayan Riviera area near Cancun.

[OLIVIA]

I AGRRE WITH CHRISTINA, I´M MEXICAN AND I WILL SAY PUERTO VALLARTA IS COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE AND THE BEACH ITS NICE, LOS CABOS, AND PLAYA DEL CARMEN IN THE MAYAN RIVIERA ITS THE BEST OPTION.

[Shantal]

Hi, im from mexico and i recomend you to visit at first cancun is a beautifull beach, but it is a turistic place, another opcion can be puerto vallarta it is not much turistic than cancun, but a realy beautifull, beautifuuuull arquitectur is in Guanajuato, but there is no bech, good lucky!