1. Get Rosy

The Caribbean island of Cozumel is famous for ripping currents that deliver roller-coaster dives along healthy coral walls. There are so many epic dive sites here, but Santa Rosa Wall comes to mind for a fabulous experience where diving feels like flying.

2. A Whale of a Time

North of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres is a far smaller island with one very big draw: Whale sharks, often by the hundreds, converge here from June to September, when you can get into the water to fin along with them.

3. Beneath Your Feet

Mexico’s fresh water beckons divers too. The spring-fed waters of the Yucatan’s roughly 6,000 cenotes can be explored by snorkeling, freediving or, if you’re cave certified, on scuba.

4. It’s Always Taco O’Clock

You haven’t had fish tacos until you’ve had Baja fish tacos. In La Paz, near the southern end of the Baja Peninsula, they usually go for about a buck each, are always served atop corn tortillas and predictably overflow with delicate fried fish, coleslaw, diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro and copious lime wedges.

5. Wave Hello

Superb diving aside, you can’t talk about Mexico without talking about surfing. The country’s Pacific coast is filthy with waves. During winter’s massive northwest swells, big-wave surfers descend on the islands of Todos Santos, 12 miles west of Baja California, to surf peaks that can pass 40 feet high.

Related:

• Eight Dive Resorts with Great House Reefs
• Five Best Places to Scuba Dive in Mexico
• A Photographer’s Must Dive Cozumel List