Mexico Experts

Need some help here tuggers... trying to plan a 3 week mexico vacation somewhat last minute- June or July 2013.


looks like i have enough banked weeks with Platinum Interchange and DAE but it looks like the inventory available for my dates are the Park Royals. A quick tripadvisor search has mixed reviews on the Park Royals so is there one better than the others?
and also a quick google search shows that some of them are all inclusive, how much are the all inclusive fees?
or if this is cost prohibitive i have quickly searched skyauction and they have weeks for 199-279 i could go this route but still dont know where to stay. and dont know how skyauction really works. im leaning towards cancun only because someone has told me there is the most to do there besides the reort for sightseing, pyramids, etc. BUt im still open to wherever.

also it wil be our first trip to mexico, heck we dont even have passports yet. but i was thinking instead of one resort maybe try different resorts in different cities. hows travel like in mexico are there some cities/resorts close to each other that we can do this with rental car, bus or will it have to be by plane? (cancun-cozumel for instance)?

1 or 2 bedroom will be fine for us so far its just me and the wife-40s, Son-21, daughter 8 and possibly a aunt in her late 50's.



im sure ill have more questions like where to go, where to eat after i establish where to stay.

THANKS IN ADVANCE


The reason for this last minute trip is just got exciting news my Son was accepted to Medical School so trying for family vacation before he starts.

The Pueblo Bonito resorts are fairly popular, and they have locations in Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. They're not mandatory AI, but do offer AI as an option. To my thinking, AI depends on what your vacation is all about. If you want to veg at the resort and never go anywhere, or you drink like the proverbial fish, then it makes sense; otherwise I'd hit the local spots for food (Mazatlan has some excellent restaurants).

As to the cities, Cabo is primarily a tourist town. Mazatlan is a functional city with a tourism segment (the Gold Zone). Puerto Vallarta is somewhere in-between. If you want tropical, then Puerto Vallarta is where you'd want to go. If you want great beaches I'd pick Mazatlan (there's also a water park for the kids - check to be sure it's open during the time you'd be there). If you like golf then Cabo might be better suited to you. These are the cities I've been to - can't speak for the Eastern Mexico spots, but I'm sure someone else will give you the skinny on them!

I'd suggest that you visit tripadvisor.com and start reading/leaving posts in the forums of cities you are considering.

Let us know what you decide! I'm a big Mexico fan (I have a timeshare in both Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta).

OP, it looks like you asked a bunch of questions about Cancun area 4 years ago. Did you not go?

How 'Mexico' do you want? Cancun is like Florida but has Mayan sites. Nice resorts, but the whole area seems 'bland' to me. Need groceries? Go to WalMart. As posted earlier, the West coast is more 'Mexican' to me. Colonial cities and architecture. The central inland area is perhaps the most 'Mexican.'

Once you get your accommodations figured out and get your passports applied for, it will be time to nail down the 'what to do there' and where to eat. Once you taste Mexico you'll be back, so it really isn't important for a first trip there. You'll have a great time.

Passepartout said:

OP, it looks like you asked a bunch of questions about Cancun area 4 years ago. Did you not go?

How 'Mexico' do you want? Cancun is like Florida but has Mayan sites. Nice resorts, but the whole area seems 'bland' to me. Need groceries? Go to WalMart. As posted earlier, the West coast is more 'Mexican' to me. Colonial cities and architecture. The central inland area is perhaps the most 'Mexican.'

Once you get your accommodations figured out and get your passports applied for, it will be time to nail down the 'what to do there' and where to eat. Once you taste Mexico you'll be back, so it really isn't important for a first trip there. You'll have a great time.

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hmm.. dont remember what i was planning for 4 years ago but no never went. im thinking that was a quick getaway.

im not sure about the exchanges now because looks like my availibility is only for park royals and they are all inclusive: 61.00 adult and 31.00 a kid per person per night OMG thats like 1500 for 1 week for the 4 of us. darnit i thought i was going to get a supercheap 3 week vacation paying only exchange rates

how does skyauction work?

im thinking before i got crazy to narrow it down to cancun or los cabos. based on recomendations from coworkers

Two things:
1) All Inclusive is very expensive unless you are the 'hang around the resort and drink' people. And

2) There are more AIs in the Cancun area (Yucatan) than in Cabo or the W. Coast.

Consider Puerto Vallarta; of the Mexican spots we've visited, it is our favorite area. It has some of the charm of Europe: cobblestone streets, small businesses, good restaurants, "authentic" Mexico as opposed to the strictly resortized tourist areas (unless you decide on Nuevo Vallarta).....we like it a lot. You might find better timeshare availability there, too.

PStreet1 said:

Consider Puerto Vallarta; of the Mexican spots we've visited, it is our favorite area. It has some of the charm of Europe: cobblestone streets, small businesses, good restaurants, "authentic" Mexico as opposed to the strictly resortized tourist areas (unless you decide on Nuevo Vallarta).....we like it a lot. You might find better timeshare availability there, too.

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I would agree with Pat for a first visit to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta area would be great; superb restaurants and you can get a good feel for Mexico and the charm of the people.

Our first trip was in 2004 to Nuevo which is nice for a first trip as you are in a modern resort area but also close enough to PV and Bucerias for visiting and exploring. We have since gone back twice a year to Mexico - also really like Cabo area.

Mike

+2 for Puerto Vallarta, and NO AI. There are too many good eateries to be tied to any one- especially at a resort. Get away from the resort and enjoy the ambiance. Just don't fall for the 'body snatchers' and take a TS presentation! They are particularly bad in PV.

Sorry Puerto Vallarta cheerleaders, but I would NOT recommend PV or NV. Especially in the summer! Isn't that the rainy season? We have been there 2 times in the last few years, and it just wasn't our cup of tea. The beaches were NOTHING like the beaches in Cancun/Playa del Carmen, or even in Cabo. We found dead fish on them, and the sand was not the nice white sand we like. For us, it is all about the beach, so if that is what may help drive your decision, I would suggest Playa del Carmen or Cabo.

maja651 said:

Sorry Puerto Vallarta cheerleaders, but I would NOT recommend PV or NV. Especially in the summer! Isn't that the rainy season? We have been there 2 times in the last few years, and it just wasn't our cup of tea. The beaches were NOTHING like the beaches in Cancun/Playa del Carmen, or even in Cabo. We found dead fish on them, and the sand was not the nice white sand we like. For us, it is all about the beach, so if that is what may help drive your decision, I would suggest Playa del Carmen or Cabo.

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That is true; the ocean around PV because of the rivers is not as pristine as the East coast or Cabo. If the goal is just the beach and ocean, Puerto Vallarta might not be the first choice over the others. If the goal is more culture and people, restaurants, and mountains, then PV is a great first choice.

Of course, if the ocean and beach is the primary focus - might consider Florida.

Good point on the rainy season; that time of the year could be a problem; Cabo is probably best in summer - not real sure as we don't go in summer.

Mike

I'm in Mazatlan every second week of July. Most of the rain happens at night with spectacular thunder and lightening shows.

mikenk said:

. . . .

Of course, if the ocean and beach is the primary focus - might consider Florida.. . .

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Yuck, no way. I'll take white sand and crystal clear turquoise water any day over darker sand, green water, and not being able to see my toes. To me, that means almost any Caribbean island and Cancun :whoopie:. And then there are the Mexican people, the friendly service.....nope, I don't think a Florida beach vacation is even close!

(But please correct me if I'm wrong - I wouldn't mind the lower air fare!)

pjrose said:

Yuck, no way. I'll take white sand and crystal clear turquoise water any day over darker sand, green water, and not being able to see my toes. To me, that means almost any Caribbean island and Cancun :whoopie:. And then there are the Mexican people, the friendly service.....nope, I don't think a Florida beach vacation is even close!

(But please correct me if I'm wrong - I wouldn't mind the lower air fare!)

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Pjrose----I agree with you wholeheartedly. Funny story---we returned from Aruba on January 1 to COLD Buffalo. My next vacation from school is not until Easter week. All I could think of is cold and snow and how do we get out of here for a long weekend. I chose a weekend at the end of February; I checked airfares and hotels in Florida. The prices were outrageous. Just for my own satisfaction I checked Cancun. I got lower airfare than to West Palm Beach and we are booked into the Club 91 of the JW Marriott in Cancun for about $200 less a night than the Marriott in Delray Beach. So in about 3 weeks we are off for 4 nights to Cancun to the beautiful beaches and relaxing atmosphere. Then we will return to the Royal Sands at the end of March.

If you go to Mexico in June or July you will die! Have I got your attention? Good. Now I will elaborate. You can never change first impressions.

It is hot, unbelievably hot and humid. And it is the rainy season. I mean walk into a sauna fully clothed hot. You can survive by staying in the water at all times with a cool drink in your hand or never leaving the shadow of a palapa.

Go to Mexico. It is safe, beautiful, and the people are fantastic, it's just the months you have chosen. I have been traveling to Mexico for 3 to 4 weeks the past 7 years. In fact, I leave for Mexico this year in May for 4 weeks.

Check with other travelers concerning the best months to go and change your itinerary if possible.

mikenk said:

Good point on the rainy season; that time of the year could be a problem; Cabo is probably best in summer - not real sure as we don't go in summer.

Mike

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Coarsegold Bob said:

If you go to Mexico in June or July you will die! . . .
Go to Mexico. It is safe, beautiful, and the people are fantastic, it's just the months you have chosen.

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Cabo would be your best option for June/July. It is a desert climate rather than a tropical climate like PV or Cancun so it's not as humid. If you can spend two weeks, an option would be to spend a few days in San Jose del Cabo for a quieter, laid-back sort of place. Then drive up to LaPaz for some time in a Mexican city that is not primarily a tourist destination. On the way back to Cabo check out Todo Santos for an artsy little place, and then spend a week in Cabo, hopefully in a resort on Medano Beach, the safe swimmable beach with all the water activities and easy walking distance to town.

Coarsegold Bob said:

If you go to Mexico in June or July you will die! Have I got your attention? Good. Now I will elaborate. You can never change first impressions.

It is hot, unbelievably hot and humid. And it is the rainy season. I mean walk into a sauna fully clothed hot. You can survive by staying in the water at all times with a cool drink in your hand or never leaving the shadow of a palapa.

.

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I disagree. We go late June - early July almost every year. We originally bought in December/January and wondered why anyone would buy in summer. Turns out it is not a problem. Yes, it is hot, but not THAT hot. The ocean breezes help. There is plenty of relief in the A/C, shade outside, pools, and sea. A 30 minute rain in the afternoon is not uncommon, but it dries quickly. No biggie.

I don't think of staying in the palapa's shade or in the water as surviving, as that's much of why we are there! However, I don't recommend going on a long excursion to an inland destination in the summer. People do and they have a good time, but I'd pick a destination closer to the water instead; it's cooler.

Thanks for all the replies guys...


still trying to find exchange/city we want to go.

Have to go in July... little one doesnt get outta school until late June and Medical School starts August and then there will be no free time for older one.


WE understand HOT been going to Havasu middle of summers for like 15 years

Karen G said:

Cabo would be your best option for June/July. It is a desert climate rather than a tropical climate like PV or Cancun so it's not as humid. If you can spend two weeks, an option would be to spend a few days in San Jose del Cabo for a quieter, laid-back sort of place. Then drive up to LaPaz for some time in a Mexican city that is not primarily a tourist destination. On the way back to Cabo check out Todo Santos for an artsy little place, and then spend a week in Cabo, hopefully in a resort on Medano Beach, the safe swimmable beach with all the water activities and easy walking distance to town.

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This sounds like a nice plan for July. We actually prefer San Jose del Cabo over Cabo San Lucas; excellent restaurants; laid back; Sunday night in the town square with the local families is really fun.

Mike

I just got back from 3 1/2 weeks in Mexico (Riviera Maya).

Cancun was our least favorite. It is so Americanized (full of fast food, Sr. Frogs, Margaritaville and other chains they think you'd like). We call it Mexican New York City. I know I'll never go back.

We much preferred Puerto Morelos (excellent for snorkeling) but wonderful small town atmosphere; ditto for Akumal, Tulum was excellent. Lots and lots of restaurants and probably the prettiest beach I've ever seen. Not to mention easy access to the ruins. Isla Mujeres is right off the tip of Cancun and where we spent the first 5 days of our trip. We were there 5 years ago on a day trip and finally got back. It is a small paradise where you can rent a golf cart and enjoy a multitude of things to do on one small, friendly island. After going to Isla I wondered what I would find to do in Cancun. Sitting at a resort all day long is not my idea of fun.

In years past we have gone to Cabo san Lucas which I love. No humidity there! And Puerto Vallarta, it is hard to match the beauty of that town. We loved everything about Puerto Vallarta (easy day trips, wonderful restaurants, the Old Town, flea market and walkability). They didn't have the best beaches, you had to travel to get to the really good ones. In spite of this (and we are beach bums) we feel that Puerto Vallarta will be our next Mexican destination.

Public transportation in Mexico is very good. You questioned about going to Cancun to Cozumel. You could take a public bus from downtown Cancun (the ADO station) to Playa del Carmen. Once you depart the Playa del Carmen bus station the ferry to Cozumel (which is an island) is only a few blocks away.

Trip advisor is a wonderful source of information as well as TUG. I hope you enjoy your trip, wherever it may take you.

2 coasts + baha + central = 4 possibilities

east coast runs from yucatan to riviera maya

ok based on DAE/Platinum Interchange availibility for the month of July..


thumbs up or thumbs down for any of these resorts?

WICC Alta Vista- PV
WIVC Casa De Playa- PV
Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta
Rancho Banderas Vacation Village - PV
Park Royal Los Tules- PV (ADDED)


whats the night life like in PV?
and i mostly chose these because no AI .. i calculated 1400 a week for 4 people at a AI resort. and im trying for 3 weeks so that would be cost prohibitive.

none of these have the availabiltiy 2-3 weeks straight so may have to stay at two or more of them

Thanks

cxr said:

ok based on DAE/Platinum Interchange availibility for the month of July..


thumbs up or thumbs down for any of these resorts?

WICC Alta Vista- PV
WIVC Casa De Playa- PV
Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta
Rancho Banderas Vacation Village - PV


whats the night life like in PV?
and i mostly chose these because no AI .. i calculated 1400 a week for 4 people at a AI resort. and im trying for 3 weeks so that would be cost prohibitive.

Thanks

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Mayan Palace is gorgeous but in Nuevo Vallarta which is a ways outside PV.

PV nightlife is fun and plenty to do.

buzglyd said:

Mayan Palace is gorgeous but in Nuevo Vallarta which is a ways outside PV.

PV nightlife is fun and plenty to do.

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The Mayan Palace in NV is down to one wing of an original 3. If it is available, then it would be a good choice..nice pool, wide beach with lots of palapas and lots of restaurants on and off site (10 minute walk). You could luck out and be put in the Grand Mayan with its much more spectacular pool.

True though, PV is about a half hour away offering lots more to do at night and see and lots of restaurants. But NV is also close to Bucerias and Sayulita which both are interesting for a day's visit each.

The marina in PV has many excursions you can take which usually include breakfast, drinks and lunch/dinner.

Vallarta Adventures in PV and NV also offer a good variety of trips/excursions to take on land or sea.

BTW, transportation to the Mayan Palace is free from the airport to the resort. You contact the concierge for reservations. This keeps you from accepting rivals' offers to do a timeshare presentation.

PS: Avoid all timeshare presentations and enjoy your whole time while away.

pjrose said:

I disagree. We go late June - early July almost every year. We originally bought in December/January and wondered why anyone would buy in summer. Turns out it is not a problem. Yes, it is hot, but not THAT hot. The ocean breezes help. There is plenty of relief in the A/C, shade outside, pools, and sea. A 30 minute rain in the afternoon is not uncommon, but it dries quickly. No biggie.

I don't think of staying in the palapa's shade or in the water as surviving, as that's much of why we are there! However, I don't recommend going on a long excursion to an inland destination in the summer. People do and they have a good time, but I'd pick a destination closer to the water instead; it's cooler.

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Agreed. Another reason that I enjoy Mazatlan in mid July is that there aren't many tourists from nob (north of the border). This is instead the time of year that the Mexican nationals vacation. The family dynamic is really fun to watch. Not just mom, dad and the 2 kids, but two to four more kids, both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - and last year it was so busy the neighbors must have joined in! I have yet to hear arguing or whining and the one kid I saw crying was doing so because he'd been stung by a jellyfish.

another option not mentioned

There is a Mayan Palace at the marina in Puerta Vallarta.