Gulf of Mexico vacation rentals

The ninth-largest body of water in the world, the Gulf of Mexico stretches from Florida in the United States to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and to Cuba. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the Florida Straits and to the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatán channel. The Gulf holds economic importance for its oil and seafood industries, as well as the many tourist destinations lining the shore. The warm waters and many sandy beaches circling the Gulf entice sun-seekers, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a good getaway. On the American Gulf Coast, a string of beach towns brings in visitors, including Sanibel Island in Florida; Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama; Biloxi, Mississippi; Grand Isle, Louisiana; and Galveston, Texas. In Mexico, resort towns dot the shore through the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Campeche, and Yucatán.

Much of the Gulf of Mexico sits in a subtropical climate, with a small portion stretching into tropical, but all of it tends to be warm and humid throughout the year. The most significant weather aspect in the region is the hurricane season that runs from June to November, which brings huge amounts of rain to the surrounding regions. If you’re staying in one of the area’s vacation rentals during hurricane season, pay close attention to the current forecasts and any potential evacuation orders. Winters tend to dry out and cool off slightly, though how much depends on the exact location along the shoreline.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

These wide white-sand beaches in Alabama offer visitors a laid-back, family-friendly vacation with plenty of space to spread out. A short drive from airports in Pensacola, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, the area’s gentle turquoise waters, sugar-white soft sand, and strong tourist infrastructure make vacationing here easy for everyone. Favorite activities here include golfing and deep-sea fishing, as well as tours of local historic sites.

San Francisco de Campeche

While Cancún, on the opposite side of the Yucatán Peninsula, tends to get much of the tourist attention, its Caribbean-facing resorts tend to differ greatly from the quieter Gulf side, where San Francisco de Campeche is located. You can visit archeological sites and pyramids from Indigenous civilizations, as well as colorful modern buildings and baroque architecture around the city; there’s easy access to nearby beaches.

Galveston

Galveston, a Texas resort town located on a barrier island about an hour from Houston, draws visitors to its amusement parks, gardens, and scenic shorelines along the Gulf of Mexico. Even if you stay on dry land, there are plenty of historic buildings and museums as well as a thriving arts scene to keep you occupied.