I want to go to Mexico over x-mas break. Any suggestions where to go?

[callous taoboy]

Thanks.

[RebelOne]

1. Mexico City and Acapulco, of course.

But beware, everybody will try to sell you junk.

[callous taoboy]

2. I was thinking Acapulco. Have you been?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. Cozumel!

80 degree water, 300' visibility. If you dive it's paradise but even the snorkeling is something you will never forget. The place is clean and the local Government seems to be much more progressive than other places in Mexico that I've visited. There is not the abject poverty that you will find in places like Acapulco if you drive even a few blocks off the main drag. Cozumel is clean, the food is good, the beaches are great and the locals understand that their biggest tourist draw is the quality of their reef environment thus, they are very strict about keeping it clean and pristine. Just try not to shop for tourist trinkets when the cruise ships are in as the prices go way up on those days.

Acapulco is EXPENSIVE.
Puerto Vallarta is Fun if all you want to do is party but you will not get much culture. Mostly young, drunk gringos.
Mexico City is way too crowded and iffy.
Cancun is like Vegas but more expensive.

All of your trip will be much better if you know a little Spanish. The natives do appreciate the attempt to show respect for their culture even if you only know a little shopping Spanish.

True story; My wife and I went to a club in PV with some gringos we met at Carlos O'brians. I ordered my drinks in Spanish, the other folks we were with ordered in English. At the end of the evening, the English got charged about $5.00 per drink. I got charged $5.00 for the entire evening. It pays to show some respect and believe me, if you act like the Ugly American, you will be charged for it.

[callous taoboy]

7. This sounds good! Thanks for the detail.

[Kali]

4. Mexico is a diverse place.

What sorts of things do you enjoy, what kind of climate/scenery are you interested in? Urban, beach, mountains, desert? Nightlife or remote nature? History, prehistory, natural history? Food, adventure, shopping, just relaxing? How much time are you talking about, how much time are you willing to spend traveling or do you want to stay in one place? Drive, fly, public transport? Have a passport? (you need one to get back in the US)

[arbusto_baboso]

5. Ixtapa. Yes, it's touristy, BUT.....

It's also where a lot of wealthy Mexicans vacation, so it still has a little bit of authenticity to it.

[hedgehog]

6. There's lots to see in Mexico this time of year

Oh, you didn't mean Mexico, NY?

[callous taoboy]

8. Oooof. No thanks!

[MissMillie]

9. you're not really asking us to tell you where to go, are you?

:silly:

[callous taoboy]

16. Well, I'm not much on travel but I need a change right now.

[GoCubsGo]

10. The Yucatan

Check out the pyramids at Chichen Itza and Uxmal, and the other Mayan ruins on the peninsula. Tulum is spectacular. It's right on the coast. And, Cancun is there, too, if you want a trip to the beach.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

11. Excellent suggestions

All easily accessible from Cozumel

[mtnester]

14. Stay in Akumal..lovely little town

[callous taoboy]

17. I'll check that out.

[mtnester]

19. A good resource for Yucatan travel, etc is LocoGringo

www.locogringo.com


even for Belize

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Yikes! I'd avoid the jails if I were you....

:scared:

[AngryAmish]

13. Don't drive

Mexican law enforcement likes to pull people over this time of year to grab the presents.

[WolverineDG]

15. There's Cancun

yes touristy, but you can get to Chitzen Itza from there. When I was there last, the first class bus took you right there from Cancun & picked you up at the same spot. Or to get a combination of beach, sun, sand, & history, you could head to Tulum. And still hit Cozumel. I like all 3 places, so it would be hard for me to pick which one to go to if you can only go to one. :)

If you go to Cancun, don't feel shy about getting on the bus & heading into town. The bus driver will hand you a piece of paper with coupons for stores & restaurants on it. My friends & I found a really nice place to eat from one of those tout sheets.

I saw in another post that someone recommended Uxmal...totally forgot that I had been there too. Great place to check out, not as well-known as Chichen Itza, but has the huge Pyramid of the Magician (major negative vibes there though, at least for me :scared: )

Kelly

[ipfilter]

18. Don't go to any Donkey Shows. nt

[WinkyDink]

20. NOT-Mexico, is where:

http://mexicovacationawareness.com/?gclid=CPWb3cnW2Z4CFVw55QodUi_Nrw

The Mexico Vacation Awareness Organization was formed with the hope of achieving two main objectives. Our first objective is to create awareness about the many dangers that await you when traveling to Mexico. How many times have you heard “you will be safe as long as you stay “inside” the resort”? On this site you will read stories that show staying inside the resort does not ensure your safety. At many resorts in Mexico the levels of safety standards are far below those in the U.S. From low balcony heights and lack of lifeguards at the pools, to non-existent first aid emergency plans. What you read will shock you.