Florida versus Hawaii versus Mexico versus South West USA for winter

[Fredflintstone]

Although I love Hawaii, I gotta go Mexico and specifically Puerto Vallarta. It really comes down to value. The people are beautiful in both places. The beaches are nice. The temperature is pleasant. When I factor in an all inclusive in Mexico, I just can’t beat the experience for the price. I do no timesharing in Mexico as the all inclusive are a much better value.

Florida is nice but I just don’t like the instability of weather. Hawaii and PV’s weather systems are so much more stable IMO.

 

[DAKOTATEX]

I was wondering where Tuggers go in the winter. We have been breaking our winters into Hawaii and Mexico. We are thinking of changing this up. Where do you like to go and why ? Thanks

Bill

Moved to Texas from the Dakotas 25 years ago because we wanted out of the cold. We have our wish. Snow only a couple of times. If it is really a boring winter we can, and do, go down to a timeshare in Puerto Virata or Cancun for a time. We prefer this to the timeshares or long-term housing in either Florida or Arizona. Service (food and lodging) there has been great either of these locations. The locations we go to in Mexico are secure and we only venture out to nearby locations during the day.

 

[ValHam]

We like Mexico - Columbia and Costa Rica- We are now in P.V. for 4 months.

 

[TwilightHours]

Hawaii for me (Maui). Being on the west coast (PNW) makes it one of the more convenient places for me to go. It's not cheap to be sure but I still get a lot of value from what I am spending.

Weather is great, activities I like to do. It's just another US state, so that avoids other potential or real hassles/concerns. Also, I travel alone and it's absolutely comfortable for me in that regard.

 

[oceanlane96]

We have typically gone to Florida in the winter because of our work schedules (I'm a teacher) and so flights end up being insanely expensive for the one week I can get away (since everyone is traveling). We try to go as far south as possible to be sure we get warm weather! We've been in Orlando in February before and had it be 36 degrees!!

 

[Carolinian]

The security situation in Mexico is a concern these days. I have enjoyed Acapulco, Cancun, and Mexico City in the past, but would not consider them now.

I once like to go to the Bahamas, and did so a couple of times a year, but the changes since the redevelopment of Paradise Island are not to my taste, and the impact has been all around Nassau. My favorite hotels and restaurants are now gone, and they had been there for years, and access to Paradise Beach is not what it was. I enjoyed getting a day ticket to the Club Med on Paradise Island the day they had their superb seafood buffet, but Club Med is gone now, too.

I notice you left out the Caribbean, and that is also one of my favorites, especially Sint Maarten / St. Martin (I prefer staying on the French side). My wife really like Puerto Rico.

One of my friends goes to Costa Rica and really likes it. That is another place I would like to go one year.

You might also think about the Canary Islands, which have a lot of timeshare. I enjoyed the one trip I have taken there.

 

[bobby]

I was wondering where Tuggers go in the winter. We have been breaking our winters into Hawaii and Mexico. We are thinking of changing this up. Where do you like to go and why ? Thanks

Bill

A lot depends on whether you are in the west or east. For east, Hawaii is F A R. Southern Florida is an okay choice. Mexico safety iffy. Caribbean is my favorite but longer flights. Both FL and Caribbean fill up quickly in choice locations. Book a year ahead. This year I'm off to Jamaica.

 

[Roger Burgess]

What about Tuscon AZ?

 

[CanuckTravlr]

If I lived on the west coast, my vote would be for Hawaii. But I don't, so my vote is for "None of the above". That option, together with "The Caribbean" and "Other" are missing from the poll.

I spend most of November at our timeshare in South Carolina to extend the fall. January and February are the months I most want to head south due to the snow and cold, and Florida is not far enough south for me for the weather and water to be consistently warm and sunny.

My vote, and what I have been doing for about 20 years now, is to head to the Caribbean. There are lots of direct flights from Toronto to many different islands, so it's easy to get there in about 3 to 5 hours.

 

[x3 skier]

I spend the winter in Steamboat Springs CO skiing. As a true Snowbird, I go to the snow. Been doing it for 26 seasons with the next one coming up in a few weeks.

 

[robleland]

I was wondering where Tuggers go in the winter. We have been breaking our winters into Hawaii and Mexico. We are thinking of changing this up. Where do you like to go and why ? Thanks

Bill

I don't really have an opinion about Mexico or FL because i love Maui so much. However in reading this, i would also put in a plug for the Palm Springs area, maybe particularly La Quinta. It's probably best around March. The air is so incredibly clear and days are nice. But it's true, they've had some rather dramatic storms lately - might not be fun for 4 days or so. AirBnb might be the best.

 

[PigsDad]

A lot depends on whether you are in the west or east. For east, Hawaii is F A R. Southern Florida is an okay choice. Mexico safety iffy. Caribbean is my favorite but longer flights. Both FL and Caribbean fill up quickly in choice locations. Book a year ahead. This year I'm off to Jamaica.

If you think Mexico is "iffy", I find it amazing that you are off to Jamaica, as it is currently the 10th most criminal country (hint: Mexico isn't in the top 10). In addition, Jamaica is #2 for murder rate!

Kurt

 

[rsackett]

well I dont winter anyplace, although I would like to living in Michigan.

IF I did my first choice if money and travel time was no object would be Hawaii. Flordia would be my second choice. Mexico would not make the list.

Taking money into account my first choice would be Flordia (drive there, no rental car).

one not on the list that is where I would actualy winter is Hilton Head Island. Closer than Florida, and coming from Michigan a big improvent in weather. I dont need it that hot, pluss its not crowded.

Ray

 

[easyrider]

Although I love Hawaii, I gotta go Mexico and specifically Puerto Vallarta. It really comes down to value. The people are beautiful in both places. The beaches are nice. The temperature is pleasant. When I factor in an all inclusive in Mexico, I just can’t beat the experience for the price. I do no timesharing in Mexico as the all inclusive are a much better value.

Florida is nice but I just don’t like the instability of weather. Hawaii and PV’s weather systems are so much more stable IMO.

Hawaii and Mexico have pretty much been our go to winter destinations with the exception of a couple of trips. The things Mexico has over other destinations are costs and rules. No where in the USA can you pet a whale or ride a dolphin. We have done both in Mexico. The fishing is fantastic. A 5* meal with drinks at a restaurant is less than half the cost of that meal in the USA.

I agree with you 100% regarding Hawaii and PV's weather. It's definitely a plus.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

The security situation in Mexico is a concern these days. I have enjoyed Acapulco, Cancun, and Mexico City in the past, but would not consider them now.

I once like to go to the Bahamas, and did so a couple of times a year, but the changes since the redevelopment of Paradise Island are not to my taste, and the impact has been all around Nassau. My favorite hotels and restaurants are now gone, and they had been there for years, and access to Paradise Beach is not what it was. I enjoyed getting a day ticket to the Club Med on Paradise Island the day they had their superb seafood buffet, but Club Med is gone now, too.

I notice you left out the Caribbean, and that is also one of my favorites, especially Sint Maarten / St. Martin (I prefer staying on the French side). My wife really like Puerto Rico.

One of my friends goes to Costa Rica and really likes it. That is another place I would like to go one year.

You might also think about the Canary Islands, which have a lot of timeshare. I enjoyed the one trip I have taken there.

We have been to Grand Cayman and the weather was absolutely perfect. The only downside for us was the long flights. Florida , Cancun and Hawaii are about 6 hour flights. PV and Cabo are about 4 hours. The South West might be 3 hours but we usually just drive.

I really have developed a dislike of flying because of random bs that effects most flyers sooner or later.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

What about Tuscon AZ?

I think if I was considering Tuscon I might just go to Rocky Point. Thinking about it now, I should check exchanges to Rocky Point just for kicks. We haven't been to Tuscon but have friends that stay in that area for months in the winter.

Roger, is Tuscon a place you like ?

Bill

 

[DaMarial]

Hawaii for us. Too many memories to say otherwise. We live out east, so long flight to the Islands usually via Denver, but if you have the airline points, first-class is lie-flat seating. Just sayin'.

We've timeshared in Florida which have been ok, but if Hawaii is not in our plans, then we prefer the more predictable weather, hiking opportunities (and spring training in March) near Phoenix. Second is Palm Springs if not in March.

---DM

 

[amanven]

For the entire winter, SOUTH Florida (Orlando temps too up and down in January and February), for a week, Mexico (less chance of having cool weather and short flight from home), for 2 weeks to a month, Hawaii.

 

[itunuoba]

We started out in 2016 spending all of Jan., Feb. and March in Belize even though we owned a condo in St Augustine Fl. The condo was purchased many years ago, well before we retired, and rented out on an annual lease until we paid a bunch of the (Cndn) mortgage down, which was a year ago. We took it over and furnished it a year ago and stayed until mid-Dec. After spending some time in Belize and watching the temps in St. Augustine for the winter, DH decided it was too cold in St. Augustine for him and we would just use our condo for the fall and spring and go to Belize for Jan. & Feb. It worked out well last winter and we are doing it again this winter. As Canadians we are only allowed to stay in the USA for 182 days (6 mos) each year so by spending 2 of the winter months in Belize we can still come to Florida in mid-Oct. and stay until late Apr./early May without coming close to our limit. Our only problem is that we like to drive down in the fall, leave the car parked at the condo, then fly home for Christmas then fly to Belize at the beginning of March then drive home in late April but in addition to Canadian people, the US gov't doesnt allow our vehicles to remain in the US for more than 6 mos. either. We have decided to buy a small car to leave in Florida and fly down and back in the fall & spring so we can spend more than 6 mos in the south.

Belize, at least in Corozal where we stay, is much cheaper than anywhere in Florida and not 'touristy'. For the months we are down there the temps are in the high 80's to low 90s in the day and low to mid 70's at night with little rain. We have met many Canadian and American expats, some are snowbirds others have moved there permanently, for a much cheaper and simpler way of life.

We just found out that neighbours of ours in Ontario who used to rent a condo in the Fort Myers area each winter have bought a condo in the Dominican Republic after falling in love with the place while at a destination wedding last spring. We will see how their winter went when we get home in the spring.


~Diane

Fellow Canadians here from Alberta. We bought a house in Cancún and spend the winter months there. (Dec - April) then we visits Orlando for Christmas/ new year and back to Cancún. Things are no longer as cheap but still very reasonable and we get to escape the brutal cold.

 

[Hindsite]

The Canary Islands (part of Spain) or Madeira (part of Portugal) are good options for wintertime, if you fancy switching things up.

 

[elaine]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned cruising for warm weather winter getaway. We divested a couple of our TS because we found we’d rather cruise than go to FL or caribbean in winter. As we can easily drive to FL ports, the price of a cruise cabin was equal to annual fees and food. If we added airfare to caribbean, a cruise was less.

 

[Red elephant]

Hawaii for us. Too many memories to say otherwise. We live out east, so long flight to the Islands usually via Denver, but if you have the airline points, first-class is lie-flat seating. Just sayin'.

We've timeshared in Florida which have been ok, but if Hawaii is not in our plans, then we prefer the more predictable weather, hiking opportunities (and spring training in March) near Phoenix. Second is Palm Springs if not in March.

---DM

I live on the east coast as well. Bought timeshare in Maui to winter there. But went in Oct and the ocean was too cold. So have not even tried January or February. May winter in Thailand instead for warm ocean.

 

[bizaro86]

Fellow Canadians here from Alberta. We bought a house in Cancún and spend the winter months there. (Dec - April) then we visits Orlando for Christmas/ new year and back to Cancún. Things are no longer as cheap but still very reasonable and we get to escape the brutal cold.

Calgarian here - curious to hear why you selected Cancun vs the Pacific side? We usually do that because it's closer (both distance and time zone) although maybe that's a bigger consideration for a week vs a winter.

How did you find it navigating the real estate market in Mexico?

 

[heitmullerj02]

I moved to PHX area from East Coast 20 years ago and never looked back, we have the best winters. If you want to ski drive up to Flagstaff, Hike- Sedona, looks beautiful even in snow. Then come to the valley and swim in Scottsdale. It's an 6 hr ride to So Cal or Vegas if you get bored. What could be better!

 

[PigsDad]

I moved to PHX area from East Coast...

What could be better!

Trees? Green grass? Temperatures below 110 degrees? Enough humidity so your skin doesn't dry out? Ability to walk outside during the summer without melting?


Kurt