how about?» Substituting the day trips from La Paz for the circumnavigation of Isla Espíritu Santo by kayak.Mexican Tourist BoardesperanzaBOALa Paz..El Fuerte.Creel.Chihuahua.Mexico CityMEXICOCanyons and kayaks 13 days, 11 nightsMexico City 2 nights, Chihuahua 1n, Creel 1n, Divisadero 1n, el Fuerte 1n, ferry 1n, La Paz 3n, Mexico City 1n.Day 1 Daytime flight to Mexico City and transfer to your hotel in the historic centre. Day 2 Full-day excursion to the ruins and pyramids at Teotihuacán (p10) and the museum in the medieval-style convent at Guadalupe. Day 3 Fly north to Chihuahua. Day 4 Board the Copper Canyon train and ride to Creel, an agreeable little town set in pine forests. Day 5 Continue to enjoy the views from the cliff-hugging railway as you drive to Divisadero, where you'll glimpse the vast scale of the 1,760m-deep canyon. Continue the village of Posada Barrancas on the canyon's rim. Day 6 Back on the train to colonial El Fuerte. Day 7 After a day exploring the town take the overnight ferry to La Paz. Day 8 Relaxing in La Paz. Day 9 Full-day kayaking expedition. Day 10 Optional full-day trip by boat to watch the grey whales (Feb?Mar). Stroll down the peaceful palm-lined malecón or stretch out on any of the gorgeous beaches. Day 11 Fly to Mexico City. Day 12 Transfer to the airport and fly to the UK arriving day 13. Prices from £1,630pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Daily departures from the UK the copper canyon railway Spend five days riding the train through the Copper Canyon from the Pacific port town of Los Mochis to Chihuahua in the north or vice versa. The 655km route climbs into the Sierra Madre, negotiating 39 box-girder and cantilever bridges, plunging into 86 yawning tunnels and climbing the steep bits by switchback. There are a score of gorges and ravines, some deeper than the Grand Canyon. On the rim, cool pine forests and snow-dusted mountains; at the bottom, a sub-tropical climate supports palms and citrus groves. The land you pass through is occupied by the indigenous Tarahumara people who practice subsistence agriculture from their simple homes.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 15 In the Copper Canyon everything was 'Mexican time' so suitably loony?but great fun nonetheless. PD, Wimbledon

Below Guanajuato, the birth place of artist Diego Rivera, is a work of art itself.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.Mexico City.Guanajuato.Patzcuaro.Morelia.Ixtapa-ZihuatanejoMexico, with its vast distances criss-crossed by a comprehensive modern network of roads, is an ideal country in which to hire a car and explore independently. We've devised two itineraries in regions best-suited to this kind of travel, though the kind of freedom you will have means these are flexible and we are open to your own ideas.The riches of the Bajío and the central highlandsDriving north-west from Mexico City you pass through ranges of gnarled, humpy but starkly beautiful hills. Here, and in the bountiful valleys of the Bajío, fortunes were built on the mining of precious metals, and a necklace of prosperous colonial towns sprung up which share a heritage of baroque churches, leafy squares and pastel-washed houses.The Pacific coast to the west, stretching south from the resort of Puerto Vallarta has sheltered sandy coves and surf-strafed beach, with upmarket resorts, spas and hotels, but also fishing villages which have retained their seaside charm. Our favourites include the Mediterranean-style Las Careyes, and the thatched villas at El Tamarindo, with an 18-hole golf course.Self drive in Mexico16 MexicoColonial Cities and Pacific Coast* 13 days, 11 nightsMexico City 2; Guanajuato 2, Morelia 2, Zihuanatejo 4, Mexico City 1.Day 1 Daytime flight to Mexico City. Transfer to the first class hotel the Meliá Reforma, a glassy tower of classic style and comfort in a central location. Day 2 Full-day city tour visiting the Museum of Anthropology, National Palace and Cathedral before continuing to the temples and pyramids of Teotihuacán (p10). Day 3 Your air-conditioned car is delivered to your hotel. A guide will escort you to the city outskirts. Each of the colonial towns you'll visit has its own character; Guanajuato is built in a ravine so narrow its roads are forced underground; Morelia has many stately monuments and lake-side Patzcuaro is one of the most picturesque villages in the country. Drive to Guanajuato (5hrs)?visiting Querétaro (2hrs) en route?and arrive at the boutique Quinta las Acacias. Day 4 At leisure to explore the city. Day 5 Drive to Morelia (3-4hrs) visiting Patzcuaro (45 mins) en route. Your colonial-style hotel, the hilltop Villa Montaña, has lovely views from the pool and sculptured gardens. Day 6 At leisure in Morelia. Day 7 Drive to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on the Pacific coast (4hrs). Accommodation is at the upmarket property Tides Zihuatanejo. Drop off your car at the rental office. Days 8-10 Relax and enjoy the many facilities at the resort. Day 11 Fly to Mexico City. Overnight at the Meliá Reforma. Day 12 Transfer to airport for your flight to the UK arriving day 13. Prices from £1,902pp based on two sharing, including car hire but excluding transatlantic flights. Daily departures from the UK how about?» Spending a few days in San Miguel de Allende, staying at the lovely Casa de Sierra Nevada.* This itinerary can also be taken with a car and driver, in which case guided city tours are included in Querétero, Guanajuato and Morelia. Prices from £2,535pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights.MEXICO