Since Mexico is vast and rich in diverse landscapes and cultural history, it is hard (but not impossible!) to narrow down a list of the perfect locations for adventure travel in Mexico. In fact, having so much to choose from makes the journey more enriching and satisfying. Here are some diverse, popular choices to aid you in your search for the right locations, activities, and ambiance for your adventure in Mexico:

Set those mental images of wild college spring breaks aside because Cancun has so much more to offer! A visually exquisite spot with beautiful beaches, Cancun is located in a prime spot at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and is a great central hub since it is nearby to many adventurous activities. Zoom down the coast and spend the day at Xel-Ha park, an eco-touristic natural aquatic park, or zip over to Isla Mujeres, a small island nearby, for 35 pesos a ride ($3).

Playa del Carmen, like other resort destinations, has soft sand beaches and is a short ride away from stunning ancient ruins like Tulum. Coastline towns are where travelers find most mainstream tourist excursions. Thrill seekers will find that parasailing hundreds of feet above the ocean or ATVing and zip lining through the rainforests are excellent options to fuel those adrenaline rushes. For a spontaneous getaway, ride a ferry to Isla Cozumel, an island with the Western Hemisphere’s largest reef system and famous for its incomparable scuba diving. If diving is not your thing, suit up with mask and snorkel, skim across the top of the ocean, and still witness some of the most exquisite ocean life from above.

Once the center of an Aztec empire, Mexico City is now one of the great cultural cities of the world. As the capital, it is the country’s destination for politics, museums, nightlife, shopping, and grand architecture. Enrich your adventure in México by setting foot in some adventurously educational sites too! A must-see is the National Museum of Anthropology, as it holds one of the world’s largest collections of ancient pre-Hispanic Mayan Civilization artifacts. Largely resembling Manhattan’s Central Park, Chapultepec Park contains winding sidewalks, wide-open spaces, and an array of daily events. While meandering about, keep your head up and take in all the colonial architecture the city skyscrapers have to offer.