The Best Places to Get Away from It All

Costa Alegre: Between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, a number of superexclusive hotels cater to those with both time and money. These resorts -- Hotelito Desconocido, Las Alamandas, Hotel Careyes, and El Tamarindo -- are miles from civilization on private beaches.

San Sebastián: A 15-minute flight from Puerto Vallarta takes you a century back in time. The colonial mountain town of San Sebastián used to be the center of Mexico's mining operations; today, it's simply a place of delicious seclusion in a magical mountain setting.

Punta Mita: Its ancient inhabitants considered the northern tip of the Bay of Banderas sacred ground. Today, the point where the Sea of Cortez, the Pacific Ocean, and Banderas Bay meet is evolving into Mexico's most exclusive residential resort development. The beaches are white and the waters crystalline.

Riviera Maya & Punta Allen Peninsula: Away from the popular resort of Cancún, the Riviera Maya's heavenly quiet getctixs offer tranquillity at low prices on beautiful palm-lined beaches. South of the Tulum ruins, Punta Allen's beachside budget inns offer some of the most peaceful getctixs in the country.

Lago Bacalar: The spring-fed waters of Lake Bacalar -- Mexico's second-largest lake -- make an ideal place to unwind. South of Cancún, near Chetumal, there's nothing around for miles. If you want adventure, you can take a kayak out on the lake, follow a birding trail, or venture to Belize or the nearby Maya ruins.

Cerocahui: Up in the high Sierra Tarahumara, far from where the large tours stop, you'll find a peaceful little town surrounding a former mission. Nearby are two small hotels that are even more peaceful -- no phones, no crowds, no traffic, just beautiful mountains and canyons clothed in pine forest.

Todos Santos: Purportedly home of the original Hotel California: You can check out any time, but you may not want to leave once you unwind for a while in this artists' outpost, also known as "Bohemian Baja." But come soon, because it's gaining the attention of like-minded adventurers.

• Acapulco
• Cancun
• Cozumel
• Ixtapa
• Los Cabos
• Mazatlan
• Mexico City
• Playa Del Carmen
• Puerto Vallarta
• Riviera Maya