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what draw you to Mexico?

travelhome

travelhome

TUG Member
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Location
SF bay area
I saw on this board that many Tuggers fly down to Mexico every year and year after year. I'm wondering what draws you to Mexico?

beaches?
cultures?
luxury resorts?
relatively lower cost comparing to the vacations in the US at same level ?

If you would rank the following locations:
1) Cancun
2) Cabo
3) NV
4) Hawaii

What's your rank for beach quality?
What's your rank for vacation expense minus airfare (airfare not included since it would depend on your relative distance to these destinations)
What's your rank for family friendliness?

A poll for fun~~~
 
This is a 'if you don't know already, I can't explain it' question. We have traveled to Mexico regularly for years. East coast, West coast, interior cities, big and small. We enjoy it all. The culture, the warmth and friendliness of the people. We like the foods (all different regionally), The history, back thousands of years, the universities, as modern as tomorrow. We like the exchange rate, and feel we are helping a great people who are struggling with corrupt government, lousy infrastructure, oil revenues drying up, border drug wars, and an unfairly blamed influenza pandemic.

I don't see how one can rank the OPs choices other than 'I like 'a' better than 'c, and 'd better than 'b', so I won't try. Each place has something unique going for it, and Hawaii isn't in Mexico.

This year's getaway will be Mazatlan, next is Puerto Vallarta, but could just as well be Guadalajara and La Paz, or Yucatan. It really doesn't matter.

Others are content to go to a single resort year after year and never leave it except to go to the airport to fly out. We hardly stay at the resort at all. Leaving before or after breakfast,and hardly returning until spent and exhausted getting 'home' late at night is our style.

It helps to know a little Spanish, but if you don't, the natives will prod you along and help you experience their culture their way.

Give it a try, anywhere south of the border, or ask here, with your preferences- beaches, history, food, etc- and folks will be happy to suggest destinations that would fit.

As usual these are simply my opinions and likely to differ from others'.

Jim Ricks
 
Marlin.....Nice resorts on the beach. Golf......Marlin.... Nite life.......but mostly Marlin


CABO has it all. Hawaii is kind of boring.
 
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We have been to Mexico 4 times:
1st - Cruise ship - Cozamel
2nd - Cancun, Royal Resort
3rd - Isla Mujeres, Avalon Resort
4th - Isla Mujeres, Rented a house
Sept. 12th-19th we will be in Purto Moralas - 1st time south of Cancun.

One word - The "LOCALS".
Mexico's people are the most friendly and helpful people I have ever encountered. It took my husband till our 3rd trip to Mexico to "Get It"!! The culture, food and the beautiful beaches are also wonderful.
I can't wait to get back! My husband said after our last trip that he wanted to retire there!! (Ready when you are Hon!!) :cheer:
 
I echo Passepartout and tyH.

The warmth of the people. We feel welcome and at home, as opposed to being in an impersonal hotel.
 
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That is such a good question. We went to Mexico for the first time two years ago and have been back 4 times since then! Two in winter, two in summer. For us in the Midwest it is a very easy direct flight, 2-3 hours. That makes it wonderful. The beautiful blue ocean, the wonderful resorts, the weather, and the fabulous service, that is what makes Mexico so endearing. We are definitely hooked. I want to go everywhere, have made a vacation plan for the next 10 years.... how is that for obsessive! anyway..... Mexico makes it in the plan pretty much every year, just because I can't imagine not going again and again. I just love it!!!

Sue
 
We've been going to Cabo every year for the past 12 years since we bought a 2-bedroom unit at Pueblo Bonito Rose. We have a fixed week so we always go the same week in August and we always stay in our same unit.

The first time we went to Cabo we were comparing it to Hawaii, our most recent vacation before going to Cabo. We loved that all the activities we wanted to do were right in one place and we didn't have to drive all over to do fun things.

Here are the reasons we like it so much:
It doesn't take long to get there.
The weather is great. (not so much an issue now since we live in a place with great weather--but when we bought we lived in the Seattle area)
The people are so nice.
It's very relaxing.
We love our resort.
Our kids love it.
We always have a good time.
 
Been to Cozumel, Cancun & area, La Paz, Cabo, PV, MX City, and Tijuana of course. Some of these areas multiple times. Still want to see Acapulco and Maz ++ many more areas.

Love the people, the culture, the history & architecture, the food and the proximity, great diving/snorkeling in some areas.
 
Have done several Timeshare vactions in maui,Kauai,big island,Cabo,Mazatlan,Puerto vallarta and Cancun.
Mexico has the edge for cost as its cheaper than Hawaii and closer for us to travel. We goto Mexico for beach vacations and love the Carribean style beaches in the Cancun area.
If all thing were equal however I would choose in this order:
Kauai The garden Island,land of rainbows and waterfalls, totally magical and my number 1 pick
Maui
Big Island
Cancun
Cabo
Puerto vallarta
mazatlan
 
I actually prefer Mexico to Hawaii. It is not as scenic - but where is?

However, Mexico is closer, cheaper, much less commercialized and with a very rich culture. I also prefer the weather; February in Puerto Vallarta (our favorite) is absolutely perfect.

Mike
 
I call it the trifecta with Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel:

For a weeks vacation you are there in 3 hrs from the eastern/central US with often great airfares.

The area is built for vacationing; resorts, restaurants, entertainment, public transportation, theme parks, sight seeing, and natural areas. All readily available at reasonable prices with excellent service.

The 2nd longest barrier reef is off shore for snorkeling and scuba diving, inland are rain forests and Mayan sites. The coast is the Caribbean and sand.

All the comforts are available or "go off the grid" if you like, it's all there.
 
buceo said:
I call it the trifecta with Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel:

For a weeks vacation you are there in 3 hrs from the eastern/central US with often great airfares.

The area is built for vacationing; resorts, restaurants, entertainment, public transportation, theme parks, sight seeing, and natural areas. All readily available at reasonable prices with excellent service.

The 2nd longest barrier reef is off shore for snorkeling and scuba diving, inland are rain forests and Mayan sites. The coast is the Caribbean and sand.

All the comforts are available or "go off the grid" if you like, it's all there.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to the reef in Puerto Morelos? We wanted to snorkel there last year but the water was not calm.
 
Yes, sorry you couldn't get out. I'm not sure when you were there, but the winter waters can be rough. I generally go diving, but friends who have snorkeled at Puerto Morelos really enjoyed it.

Just south on the hwy from the road to Puerto Morelos is an excellent botanical garden, nature trails and landscaped areas. If you've not been there and like to snorkel but can't, maybe it's an option? Dr Alfredo Barrera Jardin Botanico, walkable from the Puerto Morelos bus stop, but not exactly a nice walk along the hwy, sometimes I grab a cab.
 
buceo said:
Yes, sorry you couldn't get out. I'm not sure when you were there, but the winter waters can be rough. I generally go diving, but friends who have snorkeled at Puerto Morelos really enjoyed it.

Just south on the hwy from the road to Puerto Morelos is an excellent botanical garden, nature trails and landscaped areas. If you've not been there and like to snorkel but can't, maybe it's an option? Dr Alfredo Barrera Jardin Botanico, walkable from the Puerto Morelos bus stop, but not exactly a nice walk along the hwy, sometimes I grab a cab.
Click to expand...

Glenn, we were there during march 2008. Is it safe to swim out to the reef to snorkel or should we hire a tour guide in puerto morelos? We usually stay in puerto aventuras since we like to have a calm beach. Always rent a car to go out and explore the area. Have enjoyed snorkeling in Akumal and Isla Mujeres. Hoping to try Puerto Morelos next year.
 
Catira said:
Glenn, we were there during march 2008. Is it safe to swim out to the reef to snorkel or should we hire a tour guide in puerto morelos? We usually stay in puerto aventuras since we like to have a calm beach. Always rent a car to go out and explore the area. Have enjoyed snorkeling in Akumal and Isla Mujeres. Hoping to try Puerto Morelos next year.
Click to expand...
Catire:
I can't say from personal experience, but feel pretty certain that you need to reach the reef by boat at Puerto Morelos, so yes hire a guide. You might just get in a boat from your own resort, but sounds like you get a car. I think Akumal is about the only place for shore snorkeling in the area, at least that I know of. I've been out in some rough seas in Feb diving, always good to go for two weeks, pretty good chance then for multiple calm days. Have you snorkeled the cenotes, they're always calm (and cold)?
 
We have been on the Mexican Riviera cruises, Eastern and Western. Some Mexican ports we visited were in Maztalan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, and Cozumel (I think I am forgetting one). We also went to Acapulco for our honeymoon almost 27 years ago.

We did just return from Cancun almost two weeks ago. We stayed at the Royal Sands and enjoyed ourselves. Mexicans are friendly, food is good, water is clear/clean and most importantly we felt safe. If I did not hate flying so much, would definitely go to Mexico more often.
 
For what it is worth....

what draws you to Mexico?

beaches?
cultures?
luxury resorts?
relatively lower cost comparing to the vacations in the US at same level ?

If you would rank the following locations:
1) Cancun
2) Cabo
3) NV
4) Hawaii

First, I assume NV is Nevada? All of these are nice locations...but people choose to go to Mexico for a number of reasons. I bought at the Royal Islander in part because it is among the nicest resorts on some of the nicest beaches in the world and easy to get to for the to the majority of people on the East and Gulf Coasts of America. That makes this area (Cancun) a highly desired area for vacations. For one thing it is much cheaper to get to Cancun for the majority of people in the United States than to say Hawaii or Cabo.

I also believe that the Royals have a great quality product...as a result people who go to the Royal Sands, or the Tri-Royals have a good time and go back year after year.

So when you have beautiful beaches, friendly people, high quality resorts for much less than comparable prices than other places you will typically find many return guests year after year.
 
I must echo much of what has been said. Mexico has a great local culture, many activities (great diving and great zip lines), great value for your money, great weather. We have been going to Mexico in the winter for several years. We love the timeshares in PV, in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. But we also love the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende. We have never had a bad experience in Mexico. The people are absolutely wonderful, and the service is always great. Easy to get to, inexpensive to enjoy, always a great experience.
 
buceo said:
For a weeks vacation you are there in 3 hrs from the eastern/central US with often great airfares.
Click to expand...

3 hours flying time plus 2-3 hours in the airport before boarding + several hours inbetween flights if you have a connection - and for us, at least 2 hours to an airport.....

Despite that, it's definitely closer than Hawaii, as you pointed out.

Non-stop at good times helps a lot, and you're right, the airfares are often good, especially this summer!
 
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We are going for our first time this December and definitely looking forward to it. We will be going to Cabo - it is close for us on the west coast. We are going to see the whales - we hope. And the weather.

Given the responses in this forum, I get the idea that we should not just hang out at the resort. We don't plan on renting a car as we will only be in Cabo for 5 days, and planned on doing a lot of R&R on the beach. However, I get the feeling that we won't really be seeing Mexico if we don't get out and about. Maybe we'll take a day or two and visit the local towns to see what all of the rest of you have already discovered. Thanks for the "motivation"!
 
Besides the Marlin, Golf and party atmosphere at the clubs in Cabo, another big reason we like it in Cabo, is it has never rained.
 
mikenk said:
I actually prefer Mexico to Hawaii. It is not as scenic - but where is?

However, Mexico is closer, cheaper, much less commercialized and with a very rich culture. I also prefer the weather; February in Puerto Vallarta (our favorite) is absolutely perfect.

Mike
Click to expand...

Our thoughts exactly! :cheer: We go over and over again because of the weather, friendly residents/staff and the over-all cost of our vacation.

We went to Maui this past April and decided that while it was really nice, we really preferred Mexico because time zone is about the same as ours, we can get there not only cheaper, but faster, and the natives are friendlier.

We have been to Hawaii 8 times, but to Mexico once or twice a year (for 2-3 weeks at a time) since 1992 when we took our first trip to the PV/NV area because of the reasons listed above. We have actually sold our Hawaii & other USA timeshares and own only in Mexico now. Since our first exchange in 1992, we have been to Acapulco, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Mayan Riviera/Playa del Carmen, Mazatlan, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) and soon to Cabo.
 
Mexico

The people especially, the culture and of course the great food and the ice cold cerveza on the beach, say at the Office or Baja Cantina, Solomons, oh my guess I'm thinking about October already:hysterical:
 
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