“The Mexican people have long welcomed Americans, and this year is no different. Our Travel Leaders travel agents who have traveled to Mexico recently have found the atmosphere as friendly and hospitable toward American tourists as ever,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network. “Moreover, Mexico is practically on sale with the U.S. dollar consistently worth nearly 20 pesos or more over the past three months – a ten-year high. Based on our neighbor’s proximity, wide range of vacation options and the immense value, the demand for Mexico travel is quite strong.”

Block noted that the most popular destinations within Mexico are Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. For Spring break, summer travel, or even a Fall wedding, Travel Leaders travel agents say Mexico should be high on everyone’s destination list in 2017 for the climate, the value, the hospitality and because it is an overall great destination close to home.

Value. “No destination we sell compares with our close neighbor Mexico for sheer value, as the dollar is particularly strong against the peso right now, which makes for great shopping,” said Terry Denton of Travel Leaders, Fort Worth, Texas. “The quality of the resorts, the incredible warmth emanating from the staff and the allure of the variegated destinations within Mexico create an incomparable vacation opportunity. Our Mexico bookings are extremely strong this year.”

Options. “There are few destinations that offer as much value for your hard earned money, yet also give you as limitless options for resorts and culture experiences,” added Brian Sanchez of Travel Leaders in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. “Mexico has an amazing variety of landscapes and culture. On the scenic Pacific side of the country, you can experience the beauty and wonder of the Baja Peninsula and the Sea of Cortez, visit the old cobblestone streets and charm of Puerto Vallarta, or spend time in the sleepy towns of Huatulco or Ixtapa. On the Gulf side are the popular beach destinations of the Riviera Maya, Cancun and Cozumel. Here you’ll find every style of accommodation or all-inclusive resort to fit your tastes, along with some of the best beaches in the world. This area also boasts some of the top areas for eco-tourism and chances to visit ancient Mayan ruins just off your resort.”

Luxury. Some of the best value is in the luxury segment. “With the peso being so low, we are able to provide our clients with a higher category of rooms because their money goes further, even when they buy it in U.S. dollars,” said Angie Hendricks of the Travel Leaders location in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who traveled to Mexico in September and again in October. “Mexico is our number one destination, because it is so easy to get to. We had a group of 30 who booked this past fall. Since November we have seen our bookings double.”

A little Spanish. From “Buenos dias” to “gracias,” small amounts of Spanish go a long way for Americans in Mexico as it shows respect, said Pam MacIntyre a Minnesota Travel Leaders agent who has been to Mexico 14 times, including to the Riviera Maya as recently as October 2016. “I found the wallet of a local that I was able to get back to her. She spoke no English, but was grateful and bought us both a beer.” One phrase to learn is: “La cuenta en pesos, por favor.” That’s how to ask to calculate your bill in pesos for establishments showing U.S. dollar prices.

Cash vs. credit cards. Credit cards are widely accepted in touristy locations and ATMs are easily available. “It’s always best to use your credit card, but it’s nice to have some walking around money in the local currency depending on what you’re doing and where you are traveling to,” added Sanchez. ATMs are known to give the best exchange rates for the convenience. Note, both the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso use the “$” symbol.

Tipping. “Save up your dollars before you travel and use them to tip at your resort,” advised Nancy Winter, a Maple Grove, Minnesota, Travel Leaders travel consultant who spent a week in Cancun and the Riviera Maya at the end of November. “It’s so easy to tip good service with such a small amount to us – and it means so much to the resort staff.” Housekeeping staff can be tipped on a daily basis. One should also tip luggage handlers (malateros) at the hotels. Outside of the resort, it is preferable to tip in pesos.

TravelLeaders.com features extensive profiles on nearly 3,500 travel agents and a sizeable cross-section of them specialize in Mexico, including subspecialties in destination weddings and honeymoons, cruises, resorts, and family travel. Travel Leaders experts offer particular insights on several highly popular destinations within Mexico.

• Puerto Vallarta. “Visit Puerto Vallarta for its history, as it has more than just the comfort of resorts, the relaxation of the beach and pools. It also offers the chance to experience a truly living city,” said Ann Waters, of the Travel Leaders in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “Explore small artisan shops, visit markets that are used daily by the residents of the city and take time to explore the surrounding mountains and the jungle. The setting of Puerto Vallarta, nestled between the mountains and the oceans gives it a very unique and intimate feel.”

• Los Cabos. “Everyone we came in contact with in Los Cabos was nice, friendly,” said Jane Jones, a Travel Leaders agent in Houston who was in Los Cabos in December. “It’s a beautiful place with warm and friendly people. The airport in Cabo even has a bar where you can order a Pacifico and chips with guacamole while they grab your luggage.”

• San Jose del Cabo. “For those not needing to swim in the ocean, San Jose del Cabo is a fantastic place to visit,” said Sondra Wilson of Travel Leaders, Richland, Washington, who visited there in February 2017. “I stayed at the Hyatt Ziva, an all-inclusive five-star resort that is a good value right now due to the exchange rate. Our clients would be very happy with this property, and every person we dealt with was lovely.”

“Travel Better” with Travel Leaders. Travel Leaders has thousands of travel agent specialists who assist and consult with clients on the perfect vacation, domestically or internationally. To find a qualified travel agent or to find the nearest Travel Leaders location, visit TravelLeaders.com or call 800-335-TRIP (8747). #iTravel Better with @TravelLeaders.

Travel Leaders is transforming travel with a name that boldly embodies our commitment to our vacation and business travel clients via a progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. As one of America’s top ten-ranked travel companies, Travel Leaders has assisted millions of travelers through our strong roots – the former Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, TraveLeaders and Tzell Travel Group joined together in 2008 to form one of the industry’s fastest-growing and robust networks of travel agents. Travel Leaders Franchise Group can trace its beginnings to 1984 as the franchise system “Ask Mr. Foster Travel,” which itself was North America’s first travel agency chain established in 1888.