Are you staying at one of our Emporio hotels and want to make the most of your stay by taking in exceptional sights? Whether you’re in Ixtapa, Veracruz, Cancun, Mexico City, Zacatecas, Acapulco, Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta, each of these destinations has magical spots to ensure an unforgettable summer vacation.
If you want prices, hours and other details about the aquarium in Mazatlán, how to get to Roqueta Island, what to do at Ixtapa’s charming Barra de Potosí Beach, when the turtle release season is in Puerto Vallarta or other activities and destinations near our properties, read through to the end and discover it here.
Ixtapa is one of the most popular and lovely tourist destinations on the Pacific coast. The beaches here boast golden sand, crystal clear water, tropical climate and a full array of water and land activities.
If you stay at our Emporio Ixtapa Hotel, you’ll be at one of the top beaches in the area and have a spectacular view of the bay and ocean. Plus, you can visit one of Ixtapa’s most beautiful natural sites: Barra de Potosí.
Barra de Potosí is a small fishing community located where a saltwater lagoon meets the ocean, just 30 minutes from the hotel.
If you’re wondering what there is to do at Barra de Potosí, you’ll be able to see some of the region’s flora and fauna, including mangroves, birds, turtles, fish and crocodiles. You can also take a boat ride, go kayaking or paddle boarding on the lagoon or just relax on the beach, soaking in the tranquility and beauty of the place.
And of course, be sure and try some of the delicious food at the Barra de Potosí restaurants, where options include a la talla fish (butterflied, marinated in a dry chili mixture and grilled), coconut shrimp and sawfish ceviche.
Address: To get to Barra de Potosí, take the road to Barra de Potosí, km 17, in the state of Guerrero.
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Veracruz is one of Mexico’s richest and most diverse states, with its own unique history, culture and cuisine. If you stay at the Emporio Veracruz Hotel, you will get to see the city’s historical center, the oldest port in the Americas and the largest aquarium in Latin America.
Plus, you can visit one of the most impressive and mysterious archeological sites in Mexico: the Tajín archeological zone.
The history of Tajín reflects that of the capital of the Totonaca culture, which flourished between the 6th and 13th centuries. Outstanding among the 150 structures at the site are pyramids, palaces, ballgame courts and niches.
Among the most famous monuments is the Pyramid of Niches, which has 365 openings that represent the days of the year. Furthermore, murals and sculptures tell about Totonaca cosmogony, religion and daily life.
And make sure to watch the Papantla flying men as they carry out an ancestral ritual involving dance and music atop a tall post, as well as an impressive descent.
Address: El Tajín is located at km 13.5 on federal highway 129, in Papantla, Veracruz.
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. On Sundays, entrance is free for Mexicans. Entrance is free every day for students, teachers, INAPAM cardholders, retirees and children under 13.
Entrance fee: $95 pesos.
Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico and the world, and there’s a reason for that. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, it is a city that offers beaches with white sand and turquoise water, where you can relax, sunbathe and practice a number of water sports.
But Cancun also offers an adventure you will never forget: swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world. Whale sharks are peaceful, curious animals that mainly feed on plankton and visit Cancun’s coastline between June and September.
During these months, you can take a boat tour to the place where these marine giants gather and have the chance to jump in the water, with a professional guide and all the necessary equipment, and swim with them.
It’s an experience that will transmit the emotion and magic of nature and let you admire the beauty and grandeur of these animals. Don’t worry about safety; since whale sharks are not aggressive, they pose no danger to people.
Just follow the guide’s directions and respect the sharks’ space and rhythm. That way, you’ll fully enjoy a thrilling encounter that you’ll surely look forward to repeating.
If you would like to experience this adventure, we recommend reserving a tour in advance, since space is limited and demand high.
Mexico City is not only the capital but Mexico’s largest city, not to mention being among its most ancient and fascinating cities. It also offers an enormous variety of cultural, historical and artistic attractions that will give you an idea of the country’s wealth and diversity.
But if there’s one place you absolutely must see when in Mexico City, it’s the pyramids in Teotihuacan, the largest and most spectacular pre-Hispanic archeological site in Mexico.
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History tells us that the Teotihuacan archeological zone was one of the largest, most powerful cities in the ancient, pre-Hispanic world, and it reached its peak between the first and 6th centuries. Its name means “place where the gods were created,” and it is thought to have been a highly influential religious and political center in Mesoamerica.
Today, Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose size, architecture and mysticism will astound you. Here, you will get to walk the well-known Avenue of the Dead, which connects the city’s main monumental structures, such as the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Citadel.
You will also see murals and sculptures adorning various palaces and residential complexes, where you get an idea of the art and worldview of the ancient people of Teotihuacan.
You can also visit the site museums, where you will learn more about the history, culture and everyday life of this ancient civilization.
We suggest getting an early start for this visit, dressing comfortably, wearing a hat and sunblock and making sure you have water with you, since the visit may well be long and hot.
Address: Hamburgo 135, Colonia Juárez, Alcaldía Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City.
Hours: Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Entrance fee: $95 pesos per person. Free for children under 13, adults over 60, students, teachers, retirees and handicapped individuals.
Zacatecas is a colonial city located in the central-northern region of Mexico and known for its architectural beauty, cultural atmosphere and mining background. The city was founded in 1546, when deposits of silver and other metals were discovered, a driving force behind economic and social development in the region.
If you’re traveling through the city for business or pleasure, one place you cannot leave without visiting is El Edén Mine, one of the oldest and most famous mines in the city, where you can visit the underground world of mining.
The El Edén Mine was discovered in 1586 and was one of the richest and most productive mines in New Spain until it closed down in 1960, due to flooding.
In 1975, the mine was opened as a tourist attraction, offering a tour through its tunnels and galleries, where you get to see tools, machinery and processes used to mine the metals.
Tourists also get to see the range of rocks and minerals that were found in the mine, as they form an impressive collection displayed in the Rock and Mineral Museum located inside the mine.
Other activities are available to round out this singular experience, including a train ride, hanging bridge, slide, zip line and nightclub, located in the deepest part of the mine.
El Edén Mine is a place that transmits the emotion and adventure of mining and will teach you more about the history and culture of both the city and state of Zacatecas.
Don’t settle for seeing El Edén Mine in pictures! Put on your most comfortable clothes and footwear, take along a coat, since the temperature in the mine can be quite low, and make your way down into the beauty and history of this unique place.
Address: Antonio Dovalí Jaime, no number, Centro, Zacatecas.
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Entrance: $150 pesos for adults; students with an ID $120 pesos; children 4 – 11, retirees, and senior adult cardholders $80 pesos.
For an all-inclusive experience, Samba Vallarta All-Inclusive awaits! Our resort not only boasts an unequalled location with a fabulous view of a beach with gentle waves, the most delicious cuisine and a variety of entertainment programs, it also offers the chance to experience a turtle release.
Turtle release takes place annually between August and December, the season when the babies of these endangered animals start breaking their shells open to hatch.
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Our hotel collaborates with the local conservation program to protect the nests and help the newly hatched babies of such species as leatherback, black, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles make it to the ocean without predators or contamination affecting them.
If you like the idea of participating in this moving activity at the turtle camp in Puerto Vallarta together with friends, relatives and the littlest members of the family, check out the hotel’s children’s club during your stay, to get all the information and necessary equipment.
Participants get to choose and name a baby turtle and help it get to the edge to start its trip to the ocean. You should not miss this exciting and gratifying activity!
Address: Av. Costera y Playa, no number, Flamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, in the state of Nayarit.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Acapulco is a famous tourist destination in Mexico thanks to its warm weather, nightlife and stunning beaches. But besides enjoying the sun and sea in Acapulco Bay, we suggest exploring Roqueta Island, a hidden gem just eight minutes away by boat.
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Roqueta Beach is a natural destination for swimming in calm water, where you can also rent kayaks and jet skis to explore the coast. What’s more, snorkeling fans can check out the marine life not far off shore: from colorful coral reefs to sea turtles and dolphins.
You can even visit the Virgin of Guadalupe, seven meters underwater, a place full of symbolism and faith. What’s more, the Roqueta Island Acapulco tour will also take you to the lighthouse, a zoo and walking paths to get a look at the vegetation and the impressive rocky cliffs.
This island is definitely a can’t-miss destination for anyone in the market for a unique and surprising experience in Acapulco!
Address: To get to the island, take a fun boat ride from one of several places on the bay, such as La Reina Park and the waterfront (Malecón).
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Price: The boat ride is $80 pesos per person.
The Gran Acuario Mar de Cortés is a perfect destination to enjoy with family, friends or as a couple. Here you’ll get to see and learn about the rich marine biodiversity in the Sea of Cortez, also known as the “World’s Aquarium.”
One of the main attractions at this aquarium is the dolphin show, where you get to see these smart and friendly animals do incredible acrobatics and show off their talents in the water.
Besides the dolphins, you will see an enormous variety of species in the various tanks and exhibits. From colorful tropical fish to the thrill of sharks, the aquarium takes you into a fascinating world and helps understand the importance of conserving our oceans.
But that’s not all. The Gran Acuario Mar de Cortés also offers interactive activities that provide a one-of-a-kind experience. For instance, you can swim with sea lions, an incredible chance to get up close and personal with these adorable sea animals while having fun and learning all about them.
If you love adventure and adrenaline, don’t miss the chance to dive into a scuba experience. Mazatlán’s Gran Acuario provides all the equipment you need and then guides you so you can explore the artificial reefs and discover underwater secrets.
Address: Av. de los Deportes 111, Tellería, Mazatlán.
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Entrance fees: $250 pesos for adults and $150 pesos for children.
To sum up, every corner of Mexico offers a range of options to make for a fantastic summer vacation and get everything you can out of your stay. What’s more, Emporio’s central location enables you to explore some breathtaking destinations.
Think no more! Get the most out of your stay at any of our Emporio hotels by venturing out to some of these amazing places and activities and having an incredibly unforgettable experience.
March 20, 2025
