Candyce H. Stapen

From a cliffside castillo to a trio of eco-adventure parks, the 85-mile stretch along Mexico's Caribbean coast offers a wide range of fun in the sun for adventurous travelers, and luxurious splendor for those looking to get away from it all.

Two-by-two, the wildebeest come in a seemingly endless line of gray that cuts through the Masai Mara's golden plains. The wildebeest and their migrating companions, the zebra, move toward the Mara River. Hundreds upon hundreds of animals mass on the savannah just above the river bank, braying as they push into already crowded circles. The air is thick with expectation.

Botswana's Okavango Delta, stretching for some 4.45 million acres, reigns as the world's largest inland delta.

Going on safari can be the trip of a lifetime, but it's also a major investment. Here are some tips to make the best of your once-in-a-lifetime trip.