Certainly there's always space to lie somewhere along the beach, partly because of its sheer size, partly because of the number of rival attractions from hotel pools to parasailing and "romantic" cruises.

Wedged into the northeastern corner of Central America between Mexico 's Yucatán peninsula and the Petén forests of Guatemala , Belize offers some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere in the Caribbean . The country actually consists of marginally more sea than land, with the dazzling turquoise shallows and cobalt depths of the longest barrier reef in the Americas just offshore.

  

With its great sands and fascinating marine life, Cabo San Lucas should be one of the most attractive spots in Baja.

 

  

The Central Pacific and Southern Nicoya are also home to some of the best-known beaches in the country, including some which are easily accessible from San José . Further south, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio has several extraordinary beaches, with white sands and azure waters.

ISLA COZUMEL offers the best diving in Mexico , with spectacular drop-offs, walls and swim-throughs, some beautiful coral gardens and a number of little-visited remote reefs where you can see larger pelagic fish and dolphins.

Isla Mujeres is located off the eastem shore of the Yucatán Peninsula, across the bay of Cancún. This is a typical tropical paradise with palm trees and crystal clear waters.

Beaches ring the bay all around La Paz , but the easiest to get to are undoubtedly those to the south, Decent ones are Playa del Tesoro , shortly before Pichilingue, and Playa Pichilingue , just beyond the ferry station. Both have simple facilities, including a restaurant. The best, however, is Playa de Balandra , actually several beaches around a saltwater lagoon with eight shallow bays, most of which are no more than waist deep.

Located in the state of Colima on Mexico 's 'Golden Riviera', Manzanillo is between Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco on the Pacific coast. In recent years, it has become a haven for sun worshippers, sports enthusiasts and honeymooners. It is a romantic setting for a wonderful holiday south-of-the-border.

Mazatlán has over 15 miles of pleasant beaches to enjoy. The most popular tourist beaches are located in golden zone, which is located north of Fiesta Land, the Moorish style complex that houses a great deal of Mazatlan 's hearty nightlife. In the golden zone you will find many varieties of water sports, great beachfront restaurants, and many of Mazatláns most popular hotels.

The beach is one of the prettiest on the coast with unfeasibly white sand and gloriously clear sea and the entire town is, for the moment, still compact and easily covered on foot - as well as playing host to the best nightlife on the Riviera Maya.

One of the favorite activities for visitors is scuba diving on the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest in the world, located along the Riviera Maya's coastline and experiencing cavern diving in the region´s ubderground rivers. T he Riviera Maya is a 180-kilometer stretch located along the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo , Mexico .