Our family is considering a trip to Mexico this August.We would like to visit Mayan ruins, colonial towns and finish in a beach destination.

We are also interested in some "active" adventures...kayaking,hiking,snorkeling, horseback riding.

Our original thought was the Yucatan, but the weather is a major consideration.

Any recomendations that would fit our requirements AND have less likelihood of rain are greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks!

August is NOT the time to go to the beach areas. Consider Mountain Mexico with so much to see.

Personally, I wouldn't go to the Yucatan in August. A little rain is one thing, a hurricane something else. Last August we went to Mexico City and the mountains north. Leaving, we met people who'd been evacuated from Yucatan because of the hurricane.

So my advice is, if you want to visit Mexico in August, head for the mountains. Colonial cities, ancient ruins (even one northern Maya ruin at Xochicalco), and plenty of outdoors activity, but not much in the way of water-based sports. I don't know if we were particularly lucky, the the weather was fine last August. There was very little rain (one night and one evening) and pleasant temperatures in the high seventies/low eighties.

the Riviera Maya is hot in August, but we've traveled there 3xs in that month, and actually, it's a pretty good time for a beach vacation.
But for ruins and colonial towns inland -- it is just too hot.

I would not recommend anywhere west coast Pacific beach resort in August (Mazatlan, PV, Acapulco). HOT, humid, and rainy season.

Last July, we flew into Tuxtla Gutierrez, went to San Cristobal de las Casas, then bussed to Palenque, Merida, and Isla Mujeres. This covers all of your requirements. We LOVED it!

Do the ruins have to be Mayan? Another possibility is fly into Mexico City, then go to Puebla and Oaxaca. The beach is tricky from there (far and a harrowing bus ride) but you might choose from Huatulco or Puerto Escondido.

Or you could fly into Mexico City, then bus to Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, and/or Guanajuato, and then on to Puerto Vallarta. This doesn't offer any ruins that I know of, however.

Cimbrone, how long was your trip?

Please pardon me for hijacking, ljv. We are also interested in a late July/early August trip to Mexico and have similar requirements but no desire for the beach, so I'm curious to see how your itinerary takes shape.

Leely, 10 days. Best trip ever.

Cimbrone, thank you!