Seek Out Some Rest and Relaxation at a Resort in Mexico

August has arrived, leaving you with just a couple more weeks of potential summer vacationing before some annual back-to-school shopping and the inevitable return to the busy fall grind. Looking to take advantage of your remaining summer days, or capitalize on sun-drenched weather even after the fall solstice? Mexico's the place to be, with miles of white sandy beaches, tried-and-true hotspots like Acapulco, Los Cabos, and Cancun, and tourist draws like Riviera Maya, our amigo to the south is also easy on the wallet, making for the ideal R&R to finish up summer in the sun.

To get you there, Alaska Airlines is offering 1-way fares from Los Angeles to Mexico for as low as $146.55 (a low by $6; expires August 3). Although prices vary depending on the city, destinations include everywhere from Puerto Vallarta to Los Cabos; the lowest rate we found sends you to Mazatlan, known as the "Pearl of the Pacific."

Once you've arrived, a new boutique hotel is the perfect, inexpensive place to settle in in Playa Del Carmen, the friendly tourist town located in the Riviera Maya. The less-than-a-year-old Acanto Boutique Hotel is offering 3- or 4-night getaways for just $75 dollars per night (from $225, a low by at least $216; expires August 14). Not only is that 50% off regular rates, but the deluxe hotel rooms have private terraces and marble bathrooms, allowing you to rest easy in luxe accommodations. Fifth Avenue, the area's most well known drag, is just one block away and has a variety of restaurants, galleries, and shops. But that's still not all; Acanto guests receive passes to three of the neighborhood beach clubs, which includes beach beds, live DJs, food, and drinks.

Punta Coral, known as the gateway to the Mayan Riviera, is also a great place to stay. You can book a 3-night stay for two at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa Resort (from $468, a low by $88; expires August 15) and score a $100 credit in the process. The resort is perfect for a family getaway with its four pools, complimentary kids activities, and a delightful swim-up bar. If none of these accommodations are up your alley however, you can find a wider selection of discounted Riviera Maya and Cancun hotel stays via BookIt's hotel sale (expires August 5). Prices start at $124 and include properties like the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda Resort and Oasis Cancun.

Just a ferry ride away from the Riviera Maya, the Caribbean island of Cozumel has world-class scuba diving, snorkeling, and plenty of aquatic sports. There you'll find the all-inclusive, family-friendly Fiesta Americana Cozumel Resort (pictured), offering 3-night stays for two for $384 (a low by $84; expires August 6). Not only is this hotel near the beach on the island's southwest coast, but it also overlooks the largest coral reef in North America. This package also includes a segway tour for two, a $130 value. Not far away, Cozumel's only town, San Miguel, is chock full of restaurants, bars, and shops selling traditional Mayan handicrafts.

Los Cabos is known as the dual destination of tranquility and fun, not to mention the area where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez collide at Land's End. At the Cabo Azul Resort, you can vacation luxuriously just a stroll away from the charming Old Town San Jose del Cabo. The resort is offering first-time guests a discounted 4-night stay for four people in a garden view-villa (for $599, a low by $529; expires August 6), complete with 12 oceanfront acres to wander and a tri-level infinity pool. But, if you're looking for the livelier epicenter of party and play, you can stay in Los Cabos' more vibrant town of Cabo San Lucas at the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Palace. The hotel is offering 2-night stays for two bundled with a room upgrade and a $35 spa credit starting at just $459 (a low by $202; expires August 9).

If these Mexican destinations still haven't tickled your fancy, or covered your locale of choice, American Express Travel is also offering up to 40% off a variety of international hotels, including some in Mexico that start as low as $65 per night (expires August 13). Quite the steal, right?

Mexico's got something for everyone, whether you're a beach, water, or party enthusiast. But if you've got different ideas for a vacation, be sure to check out our daily travel deals for other airfare, hotel, and vacation packages.

^{At the time of publication, these travel deals offered the lowest prices we could find. Deals may include blackout dates, additional taxes, and fees. Some of our prices may be based on mandatory double occupancy.}

Photo credits top to bottom: Best Destination Wedding, Gadling, and escapes.ca