Mexico travel, where to stay?

danger boy

I am planning to vacation in Mexico next year.. but I don't know where to go. I want a coastal town I know that right now.. but which one?

Another thing I would like is to be able to see some sights such as ruins or some historical sights. I"m not much into doing the shopping thing much. I would hit the beach a few times.. but for the most part I want to sight see in the day.. and dinner/drinks/clubbing at night.

I"m not opposed to staying away from the major cities.. say 20 or 30 miles out if it offers a unique experience.

Of those who have vacationed in Mexico let me know which city you stayed in and would you stay there again knowing what I'm looking for.

Sami

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59137

Polk discount will be applied...

bruss

i stayed here before.. outside of cancun about 20 miles if i remember right. Had alot of fun.. A cab ride into cancun was like 10-15 bucks. We rode the bus once and decided it was better and faster to eat the extra $$ for the cab..

http://www.palaceresorts.com/resorts/moonpalace/index.asp

sucks2beme

I normally elect to stay out of Mexico.:D

danger boy

sucks2beme wrote: »

I normally elect to stay out of Mexico.:D

to much tequila one time and you don't remember the goat incident?

Sami

I just talked to my wife, she said if you want to see the Mayan ruins then you need to stay in Play del Carmen (fly to Cancun). She also said Mexico City but for a tourist, it's not really recommended.

Systems

We go every year down to Cabo San Lucas to fish. A 2 week trip with 8 - 12 guys with a convoy of trucks pulling boats. Not this year for me though. I had to work all summer. We usually rent a house for the 2 weeks and get a good rate with a lady that cleans and cooks for us. We stayed on the water 2 years ago and all the boats were docked at the house. I was out around $1200 for the 2 weeks. BTW we have a lobster bake several times when we go. Fresh lobsters for around $5.00 each American. Hell I even traded oreos and Chef Boyarde raviolli for lobsters before.

Chuck

SKsolutions

Mexico is the only cure for me after a busy season. I've been many times, but this one is the best I've found for the money. We used to be able to Charter direct, but Aeromexico doesn't fly that route from Boston anymore (First class upgrade was sweet!). Commercial is bearable, and doesn't add much to the package. Around 1400 per person for a jr. Suite, per week, including airfare, all meals (food is exceptional for all inclusive), and all you can drink 24/7.
The property is stunning, the staff super friendly, and the grounds are immaculate. The pictures on the site don't begin to do it justice. Oh, for being in the prime Hotel-zone, there are barely any kids or spring breakers running around, that is a must for me. . .I'm done with that.
Link:
Riu Palace, Las Americas, Cancun.

I have some pics, but this is about where we lounged on a queen sized bed by the pool for week. We seem to get the same one, 3 years running.

Sami

Good shrimp too, about $5 a kilo for the big fat ones (river shrimp is a bit more). Once I move down there I'm planning to get a fishing boat (big enough to cross over to Cabo).

tryrrthg

My wife and I stayed at the Mayan Palace between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. we enjoyed ourselves. Took a cheap bus ride to Playa Del Carmen for shopping and dinners out. Inexpensive bus rides to all the tourist places can be found at the bus stop in Playa Del Carmen.

Tulum was pretty cool, with the ruins looking out over the clear blue water.

danger boy

wow.. those places look incredible. All inclusive sounds good to me.. i'm not into doing the spa thing or neither will any of the big hairy guys i'm with.

thanks for the suggestions.. Cancun or Playa Del Carmen sound good so far

sucks2beme

danger boy wrote: »

to much tequila one time and you don't remember the goat incident?

It was the goat's owner that had me concerned.:eek:

jflail2

I stayed in Cuernavaca ("the city of eternal spring") for about a month and a half back in 2003. Great town, and highly recommended for American travelers. Clean, safe and lots to see and do. It's only about 1.5 hours south of DF, and is close to a lot of other neat stuff as well (boat rides at Zochimilco, Taxco for silver, Aztec ruins (which are actually closer to DF iirc), and about an hour away from the shore.) Outstanding restaurant in Cuernavaca as well, Las Mananitas is consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Mexico/Latin America/even the world.

That being said, it is an hour or more away from the shore, so that may knock it right off the list for you. One of my roommates down there was from Veracruz (gulf side of Mexico), and he swore up and down it was the best place to go to on the east coast of Mexico...

If you do happen to stay in DF a couple of nights, I'd obviously try to stay in the zona rosa, as that is the safest, "touristy" part of DF. I stayed at the Plaza Florencia.

Overall I loved it down there. Definitely going to stay another month when finances allow it.

Mike Reeter

We just got back from a week in Cancun...VERY relaxing just layin around the beach and the pools.

Have been on trips to the Myan Ruins,it's uaually an all day adventure...

If you like scuba diving or snorkling,there's plenty of that also.

Just make sure to get an all inclusive pkg. at one of the resorts.

Great food and drink.

I'm like you and give a **** about the shopping,even though the dollar is cheap right now,it will still buy you a lot.

We stayed at the Moon Palace,about 20 minutes south of the airport.

Sami

I always skip all inclusive, you'll miss on the local food. Drinks, well, they don't cost much so it's not a big deal either, and who wants to spend their time at the hotel? That's the biggest part of Puerto Vallarta, the food is great if you know the places to go.

hearingimpared

Just make sure to bring a couple of 12 packs of Scott toilet tissue.

Sami

hearingimpared wrote: »

Just make sure to bring a couple of 12 packs of Scott toilet tissue.

LOL, I take it you have a weak stomach.

hearingimpared

Sami wrote: »

LOL, I take it you have a weak stomach.

Not the stomach, the way low down plumbing. I know people with iron guts that couldn't get more that five feet away from the can in Cancun!!!:D

Sami

Could be, I haven't really heard that good stories about Cancun. Since I don't dive anymore, I much prefer the Pacific side. Avoid Acapulco though.

danger boy

i have been reading that Cancun has one of the most advanced water systems in Mexico and is safe to drink now..

I want to go here.. to Chichen-Itza it's one of the seven wonders of the world..

danger boy

ok people you need to vote on which city in Mexico to vacation in.. I love your stories and suggestions.. but this is a poll.. so please take a minute and vote.

Mike Reeter

The Ruins are a sight to behold,this was taken at Chichen Itza

66chevyIISS

Tiauana isn't an option?? haha

My wife and I stayed at the Sheraton in Puerto Vallerta and loved it, but I've never been anywhere else in Mexico to compare it to. WE always wanted to see the Mayans, but having a baby put that on hold for a few years.

SKsolutions

From Cancun you can drive or tour-bus to Chichen. The Riviera Maya to the south which includes: Xcaret, Tulum, Xelha, Playa del Carmen is also 'day tripable'. They are all a bit touristy but worth doing at least once if you have time. I like the resorts in Cancun better, but if you go during peak periods, the Riviera should be more relaxing.

If you are planning for the near future, you should be fine. I go in mid to late September. It's the beginning of the stormy season. Weather is usually fine, but I've dodged many Hurricanes, coming and going. One destroyed much of the coast. After Oct 1st, it's a crapshoot.:eek:

PSOVLSK

I've been to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa and will be going to Cancun next week. Cabo has been the best so far...by a long shot. I should mention that I went ot Cabo over 10 years ago before it became such a tourist attraction.

Sami is correct about missing out on the local cuisine, etc. by going all inclusive, but if you partake in the alcoholic beverage, all-inclusive is the way to go.

PolkThug

Take your swim trunks to Tulum! The beach in front of the cliffs is awesome. I like the Aventura Spa Palace all inclusive. You can eat and drink at all of their different properties no matter which one you actually stay at.

http://www.palaceresorts.com/RESORTS/AventuraSpaPalace/Index.asp

tryrrthg

PolkThug wrote: »

Take your swim trunks to Tulum! The beach in front of the cliffs is awesome.

Agreed! Those Mayan's knew what they were doing setting up shop there!

I wish we had gone to Chichen Itza, but it was like a 4 hour bus ride from our resort and we didn't want to spend 8 hours of our day on a bus.

jeremie

I have been both to PV and Riviera Maya and the Riviera side below cancun is much nicer. We stayed at the Iberostar and had a great time. Make sure to see Chichen Itza and be prepared for the heat while you are there.

Sami

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Cabo has been the best so far...by a long shot.

The problem with Cabo is the missing infrastructure, it's still in its infancy so don't expect much in terms of activities and nightlife.

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Sami is correct about missing out on the local cuisine, etc. by going all inclusive, but if you partake in the alcoholic beverage, all-inclusive is the way to go.

Then again, getting hammered is dirt cheap anyways (well, maybe not in Cancun area), so if the all inclusive isn't close to the same price go without. I've heard it too many times people staying in the resort their whole vacation, just because it's all inclusive and they want the "free" food and alcohol.

To anyone going to PV, try Mauricio's. Last time we ate there, huge plate full of shrimp, fish, or combination, ~$10. Includes appetizers, desert, and alcohol (YMMV with the alcohol though). Ocho Tostadas or Etcera if you are in mood for aquachile camaron. I took 12 people to a Brazilian (buffet) steakhouse; with tip I ended up paying $250 and we did drink a lot of beer and caipirinhas.

jamesguthrie

I voted for "other". Specifically, Playa del Carmen. My wife and I were there several years ago and loved it. Fly into Cancun, then it's about an hour drive south (we took a van arranged by our hotel). Great access to the ruins, the beach, Cancun, whatever you want.

PSOVLSK

Sami wrote: »

I've heard it too many times people staying in the resort their whole vacation, just because it's all inclusive and they want the "free" food and alcohol.

Agreed. I can't imagine going to Mexico and never leaving the resort. I always go out and experience the town a little bit. Even with all-inclusive I always plan to have a couple of meals at local places.

Interesting to hear that Cabo is still lacking infastructure. I thought that it was starting to boom when I went many years ago.