Top Ten Mexico Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

The Chinchorro Bank

You want coral? How about the largest coral-ringed lagoon in the world? The Chinchorro Bank, at 29 miles long by 9 miles wide, fits the bill. Diving amid this diverse bracelet of coral is an unforgettable experience. The reefs enclose four distinct cays and are just 19 miles (about a two-hour boat ride) offshore from Xcalak.

If the coral isn't enough of a lure, then go for the shipwrecks: The barrier reef has claimed some 20 ships over the centuries; all are now covered with colonies of coral, and the horizon is littered with the silhouettes of these vessels. Divers and underwater photographers, this is your dream-come-true locale. Camp on the beach or you can stay in the hotels in nearby Mahahual or Xcalak.