Mexico destination for family vacation - not $$$$$

Old Apr 26th, 2016, 12:51 PM
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Mexico destination for family vacation - not $$$$$

Hi all,

We are a family of 4 (including 2 teenage daughters) looking to take a trip in February 2017 to the Caribbean or Mexico. I was expecting lodging in Mexico to be much less expensive than in the Caribbean, but it doesn't seem to be. Despite my research, I'm coming up with nothing so thought I'd reach out for some advice.

We've narrowed it down to either Puerta Vallarta or the Riviera Maya (not Cancun). Would prefer NOT to stay at an enormous resort or at an all-inclusive. We're looking for a nice hotel on the beach, with a pool, close to a town with restaurants and shops. Walking distance to town is even better. Nightlife isn't a priority.

I'm looking for recommendations on particular hotels and/or areas that I've overlooked. Thanks in advance.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:01 PM
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I go to Puerto Vallarta once or twice a year.

There are all kinds of nice local Mexican-style hotels on the beach there, not AI, with a pool, close to town, restaurants and shops, walking distance to everything.

Here's a few to give you an idea:

The Tropicana
http://www.tropicanavallarta.com/

Hotel Rosita
http://hotelrosita.com/

Hotel Playa Los Arcos
http://www.playalosarcos.com/
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:04 PM
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Or if you might want to try a condo stay instead, look at these two rental agencies (I've used both, they're great):
www.puerto-vallarta-rentals.com
www.vallarta-getaways.com
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:23 PM
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Rented a 2 bedroom View apartment in Guanajuato for $270 US a month including utilities, Cable & WiFi.
In fact spent less than $700 a month living very well including the above rent so not sure what you mean about costs unless you are talking about a beach front AI Suite.
With the peso so weak Mexico is the best bargain it has been in the last 30 years.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:26 PM
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PS
As a example. My old place Mary's Boon on St Martin rented from $20 to $40 a day back in the 80's now rents for several hundred a night.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:42 PM
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Stewbear, They're looking for a place *ON THE BEACH* no beach in Guanajuato unless I'm misreading my map -lol!

The places in Puerto Vallarta (which they specifically asked about) will be in the ~200/night range in February (which is high season). They are modest 3-star Mexican hotels.

The things about a condo rental is you might be able to get a 2-bedroom place for about the same price. Look at Plaza Mar or Vista Del Sol on PV Kid's website.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 03:49 PM
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Or if the prices above are still too much, you can get a quad/family room at Hotel Posada de Roger for $61/night in February (that's 2016 prices). It's 2-1/2 blocks from the beach. A rustic place, but safe, clean, welcoming if you're up for an adventure.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 04:30 PM
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Aware of that Suze but was only showing prices comparing Caribbean & Mexico. The high end Caribbean is several times more expensive than Mexico beach or not.
I know high end townhouses on the beach with full maid service for under $100 a day in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.
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Old Apr 26th, 2016, 05:43 PM
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Thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely take a look!
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Old May 15th, 2016, 02:05 PM
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We have stayed at the Vista del Sol in PV and the Playa Sol in Puerto Morelos and both were under that rate and 2 bedrooms. PV is a great town with wonderful people, but the beach isn't as good. Puerto Morelos is about 20 minutes south of Cancun and just a small fishing village with a very authentic Mexican feeling. The water is of course the crystal blue Caribbean water and here you won't find a town with a McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut or Home depot like you will in PV. However, PV has great sunsets. It's sort of a trade off and based on what you want. Do you want to see cenotes and ruins in the mayan or just wander around a town (which is wonderful and we do it every year in PV). To me it also might depend on the airfare costs and flight times. WE go to both and love both, but those two properties are our favorite in each destination. We use vrbo.com and have always been happy. Good luck, report back where you choose
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Old May 16th, 2016, 10:48 AM
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If you choose to go the condo rental route as mentioned by maried11 above, and have any interest in Puerto Vallarta, Vista de Sol and several other nice buildings can be found thru PV Kid at www.puerto-vallarta-rentals.com
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Old May 17th, 2016, 05:36 AM
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Another good source for vacation rentals is Vallarta Getaways, http://www.vallarta-getaways.com/rent/
for information on Vallarta
http://vallartainfo.com
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Old May 17th, 2016, 06:18 AM
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Look at the locogringo.com website - lots of info & hotels on the Mexican Caribbean.
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Old May 17th, 2016, 01:32 PM
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You should also check out www.visit-vallarta.com It's the best website out there I think for info on PV. The locogringo site mentioned above is great for the Mayan.
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Old May 17th, 2016, 01:39 PM
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Why do you like that particular website, maried11?
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Old May 18th, 2016, 08:59 AM
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suze - did you look at the website? It has a lot of information on it. I wish I would have seen that prior to the first time I visited. Looks great as an introduction to PV and the area.
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Old May 18th, 2016, 09:49 AM
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tom42~ Oh I am plenty familiar with it ;-)

I'm sure some people might like it fine but there are too many things about it that I think are completely ridiculous so hard to take the rest of it too seriously. Just look at the women's suggested packing list and you'll see what I mean -lol!

Also it focuses more about things *outside* the city, and fancy formal tours and activities. I always stay right downtown and don't need to pay a lot of money for entertainment and tours.

I prefer www.vallartainfo.com for a more up-to-date and down-to-earth approach.
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Old May 18th, 2016, 10:07 AM
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Also a lot is very out of date.
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Old May 18th, 2016, 10:29 AM
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That's why I said vallartainfo is more up-to-date, cabron.
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Old May 20th, 2016, 09:42 PM
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I like it for the honesty and the "non advertising" part of it. It's hard to take a website like Vallartainfo seriously when they promote the places where they get paid for and the one Iposted does not. JMO
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