Gulf of Mexico houseboat rentals

The Gulf of Mexico stretches along the coast of North America, circling from Miami in the US to Cancún in Mexico. On the Mexico side, the gulf’s coastline begins in the northern state of Tamaulipas, where you’ll find the sprawling Reserva de la Biósfera el Cielo — a UNESCO World Heritage site with caves and natural pools to explore — and continues down along the edge of the Yucatán Peninsula, renowned for its towering remnants of Mayan civilization.

The Gulf Coast’s 1,700 miles are home to five Mexican states in total — Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán — each with their own historic and natural sites. In each state you’ll find gorgeous beaches, picturesque towns, massive rainforests, hidden lagoons, and dramatic coastlines.

The Gulf of Mexico coast is known for its sunny skies, high heat, and noticeable humidity during the summer months. If you’re visiting between December and April, you’ll find the most reliably dry, warm weather conditions then, and many people from northern countries book a vacation rental here to escape the snow. The hurricane season peaks between September to November, and so you will want to check the weather conditions before you set out on your travels. If you crave a truly immersive experience, look no further than Veracruz’s Carnaval celebration in February or March, which is one of the biggest in all of Mexico. At the US border, the cities of Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas, celebrate the Charro Days Festival around the same time, a four-day-long event that celebrates the two cities’ shared heritage.

Yucatán Peninsula

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. This region of southeastern Mexico is renowned for its remnants of Mayan civilization, and you can explore pyramids and other ruins at historic sites throughout the area. Chichén Itzá and Uxmal are two of the most popular and important archeological sites in the country, while the Mayan World Museum of Mérida offers artifacts and historical exhibits further exploring the ancient civilization.

Veracruz

Heroica Veracruz (or just “Veracruz”) is home to one of Mexico’s busiest ports, and its distinctive culture and cuisine blend Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. Devote a day or two to the Old Town, where you can wander amid crumbling forts and 500-year-old buildings (the Museo de la Ciudad, or City Museum, can give you context). Take a nighttime walk along the boardwalk, El Malecón, admiring the stars over the Gulf waters. Duck into small, family-run restaurants for bowls of arroz a la tumbada, a spicy, tomato-based seafood stew, or vuelve a la vida, seafood cocktail with a kick. Perhaps you’ll want to visit Latin America’s largest aquarium as well.

Visit a Pueblo Mágico

Mexico is home to over 130 “pueblos mágicos,” towns whose distinct cultural legacies and architectural charms have earned a special citation from the national government. Several of these pueblos line the Gulf of Mexico, while others are found by driving an hour or so inland. At Isla Aguada, a tiny fishing port perched on a narrow isthmus in Campeche, you can venture out onto the water for wild dolphin sightings.