Cliffside Resort Overlooking the Pacific

From afar, the sun-baked clay and steppe-style façade of Capella Ixtapa Resort & Spa looks like it was carved out of the cliff face at water's edge. Up close, the resort still feels like an extension of its surroundings. Hardwood beams and thatched palapa roofs blend seamlessly with lush palmettos, cacti, and exotic flowers. Infinity pools appear to spill out onto the crashing waters of the Pacific Ocean. The setting and rustic architecture are equally striking; it's no surprise that Capella Ixtapa Resort & Spa was designated as Mexico's Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards in 2010 and is nominated again this year.

Inside the suites, you can soak up warm breezes from a private terrace or cool off in your own infinity plunge pool. Forbes Life described the contemporary rooms as "flat-out mesmerizing." It might take superhuman willpower to step away from your oceanfront lookout, but there's plenty to explore throughout the property. At the spa, an earthy-chic ambiance soothes the senses and whales off the coast perform Sade's greatest hits during outdoor massages.

Cast-iron wall sculptures add a touch of the avant-garde to the dining room at A Mares Restaurant, where inventive chefs push the boundaries of classic Mexican cuisine. A Mares serves dinner only, but the poolside Las Rocas Restaurant offers icy margaritas and shrimp cocktail throughout the day. If you're game for an adventure, you can book a horseback ride on the shores of Playa Larga, charter a deep-sea fishing boat, or snorkel around nearby coral reefs.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico: Resort Area Near Fishing Town

A popular resort area, Ixtapa lies along the Pacific Ocean on Mexico's southwest coast, in the strip of land known as Costa Grande. Its geography is marked by white-sands beaches and the crystal waters draw kayakers, snorkelers, and sport fishermen year-round.

About a 20-minute drive south along the coast, the quiet fishing town of Zihuatanejo offers a quiet alternative to the relative bustle of Ixtapa. Anyone who's seen an hourly cable broadcast of The Shawshank Redemption might recall that the Tim Robbins character dreams of living as a fisherman in Zihuatanejo. There are plenty of secluded spots to live out his dream along the Paseo del Pescador. Along the more lively fisherman's boardwalk, shops are stocked with Cuban cigars, handmade jewelry, and local tequila. There's usually a musician or two walking the stone streets, eager to serenade passersby with a romantic rendition of The Price is Right theme.

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