A: Of the two, my personal favorite is Cancun. It's hard to beat the crystal blue waters for scuba and snorkeling, and there are ancient ruins to visit, great nightlife, and miles of pristine beaches. (Note from SBS: Nonetheless, many vacationers consider Cancún over-developed; the area now has a whopping 22,000+ hotel rooms).
Q: When's the best time of year to visit -- and why?
A: Mexico in the fall is my personal favorite. When the leaves are beginning to turn here in Seattle and we're headed for another eight months of rain, I begin to dream of Mexico. Warm sunny days lazing on the beach, a margarita as the sun goes down, and long, cool evenings enjoying a leisurely stroll What's not to like? Winter and spring are equally enjoyable. Mexico in the summer can be uncomfortably warm and humid.
Q: How bad are the crime and pollution in Mexico City?
A: I caution people to treat a visit to Mexico City as they would a visit to New York City. Pollution is worse than New York (I've seen the sun once in my visits there). Crime is bad if you're not careful. Don't travel alone at night, and watch where you go. That said, the people of Mexico City are friendly, the nightlife is great, and if you're a bargain hunter, the shopping can't be beat.
Q: Where can you get the best silver jewelry in Mexico?
A: The real finds are from by local artisans off the beaten path (and not normally shown in the jewelry shops). I've had luck finding artisans by inquiring within the local art community and street painters . They're more than happy to refer you to a small artisan. But avoid street vendors. In any of the resort towns, you will be approached by merchants showing their wares. Most of the silver is low-grade and will tarnish easily.
Q: What Mexican food should every visitor try at least once?
A: If you're blessed with an iron stomach (like my wife tells me I am), you've got to eat at least one authentic Mexican taco. Nothing like the U.S. version, true Mexican tacos can only be found at small shops or walk-up carts. My doctor doesn't approve, but I can't get enough of these.
Byline: In 1995 Rob Long co-founded Go2Mexico and led the development team for the company's flagship Web site, the Mexico Travel Guide.
