Cancun calls with its stunning aqua-blue waters and white-sand beaches. Despite its reputation as a spring-break paradise, anyone will find plenty to do here, too. Explore ancient Mayan ruins, the Xel-Ha waterpark and the thrilling Interactive Aquarium, or just enjoy beautiful beaches.

Cancun is one of Mexico's most famous destinations, and despite its reputation as a spring-break paradise, families will find plenty to do here, too. Explore ancient Mayan ruins, the Xel-Ha waterpark and the thrilling Interactive Aquarium, or just enjoy beautiful beaches.

Bring your sunglasses and cool clothes to Playa del Carmen, where the hot sun lights up the white-sand beaches. This is heaven for beach-loving kids and those who enjoy swimming or just lounging under the sun.

Playa del Carmen, on the Mexican Caribbean, is home to sandy beaches, Mayan archaeological sites and child-centred theme parks. Kids and adults enjoy clambering through Discovery Jungle Park's authentic rope bridges and exploring Xcaret's underground rivers, butterfly pavilion and aquarium.

Going to the seashore at Cozumel is fascinating because of the island's diverse beach offerings. Although it has its fair share of typically beautiful white-sand beaches, it also boasts a number of rocky beaches that are not great for sunbathing or swimming but are ideal for snorkelling.

Tropical Margarita Island is Venezuela's main Caribbean resort, with a few dozen white-sand beaches leading into turquoise waters. Nearby Los Roques archipelago is a pristine coral atoll that offers unparalleled scuba diving.

A proliferation of malls makes shopping a breeze in affordable Rio. Try Barrashopping, a vast complex of more than 600 stores. At Galleria River in Arpoador, a dozen stores cater to surfers and skaters. Alternatively, get a taste for Brazilian beach life and score souvenirs from vendors strolling the sands.

Perhaps nowhere on earth is the beach so crucial to a big city's culture as in Rio, with its two most popular strips having even been immortalized in song. Of the two, Copacabana is bigger and livelier, Ipanema a bit more upscale and relaxed. For even greater Žlan, try Leblon just to their west.

On the second-largest natural bay on the continent, Puerto Vallarta has miles and miles of world-class beaches. The coastline is dotted with quiet coves and spectacular islands, and the water caters to all sorts of beach activities, from sunbathing to snorkelling to windsurfing.

Thanks to the steady stream of cruise ship passengers passing through its harbour, Puerto Vallarta is geared toward the shopper, with virtually anything Mexican-made being readily available. The marina boardwalk, its nearby market, and the surrounding streets are full of shopping opportunities.

All the right ingredients for a fabulous family getaway are on offer in, Puerto Vallarta; wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, great resorts and welcoming people. Perched between the ocean and the jungle, PV offers all the sports and activities of a perfect Pacific playground.

Latin America's shopping capital offers exciting experiences along its grand, wide boulevards. Galleria Pacifico and Patio Bullrich are upmarket malls, crammed with Argentine fashions. You'll find fabulous shoes, bags and other items for appealing prices throughout the city, known for its leather goods.

Buenos Aires' European heritage is evident in its architecture, boulevards and parks. Recoleta Cemetery is the final resting place of many of the city's tycoons and presidents, as well as still-beloved first lady Eva Peron. Cafe Tortoni, the city's oldest bar, will transport you back to 1858, and the spectacular Teatro Colon impresses just as it did in 1908.

Acapulco's wild nightlife is matched by its wild beaches--the waters can be wavy and dangerous, but that also makes them great for surfing. However, there are lots of places with calmer waters where swimming is safe and fun, especially Caleta Beach, a favourite among families.

Situated on Mexico's left coast, San Jose del Cabo delivers a delicious taste of the Pacific. Go snorkelling at El Estero, the renowned estuary where exotic marine life and vegetation await, or take a dip in the pools and soak up the sun on the shore at Playa Hotelera.

With one of the longest stretches of beach in Mexico, it's no wonder Mazatlan can offer such an enviable variety of beach experiences. Surfers can find big waves, sunbathers can relax on secluded swaths of golden sand and everyone can party or dine at casual palapa restaurants and bars.

Manzanillo remains as beautiful as when it was "discovered" by the jet set in the 1970s, but its beaches are now largely deserted. Sport fishers will be in heaven, and the International Sailfish Tournament takes place twice a year. Underwater visibility is high, making snorkelling and scuba diving memorable.