Mexico has two distinct tourist seasons, so when you go depends on where you go. If you live in the cold, snowy north, then you'll want to visit Mexico's beaches in the winter. But if you're looking for colonial charm, then summer is the best time to visit. However, that coincides with the rainy season, which runs from May to October. No, it doesn't rain constantly, just in the late afternoons, leaving you plenty of time to explore.

But more than the weather, you may want to take advantage of the peak and off-peak tourist seasons. At the beach resorts, the peak of winter season begins on December 15 and ends at the end of April or after Easter, whichever comes first. At both times, many Mexicans take a two-week vacation, usually visiting or traveling with family. This can be a problem, as hotels in some areas fill up with Mexican families. Off-peak season begins around April 15 and lasts until December 14. During this time, you can save as much as 25 to 50 percent on resort hotels. Of course, sometimes you can save just as much with family packages during the rest of the year. Unfortunately, you won't find any seasonal rates at any hotels in Mexico's interior.