iuhoosier

My husband & I are looking to go to Mexico for a few days to celebrate my 30th birthday. We are open to areas - we will be coming from San Francisco. Looking at prior forum topics, it looks like Riveria Maya is well liked.

Since it will be a short trip, we're looking at all inclusives, but we're not tied to it.

Any assistance with names of all inclusives and/or places we should look at would be appreciated!

hopefulist

What do you want to do? We're spending a month in Mexico next summer, 1/2 of it on the Yucatan for ruins, snorkeling, diving, fly-fishing, villages, hiking, eating, hammocks... If you tell us when you plan to go, how long you plan to stay, what your interests are, and your general budget level we'll be able to help you more.

suze

Mexico is huge and incredibly diverse. Are you looking for a beach vacation specifically? Where are you coming from (as far as flight times)? Sure Riviera Maya is beautiful since it's on the Caribbean side and offers the most AI's. But the Pacific coast is nice too... Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas.

Answers to the questions hopefulist asks above will help us make some better suggestions.

MFNYC

You should consider staying in a hotel (non-AI) in Playa Del Carmen. The town is very lively and filled with some great restaurants. It is also very accessible to some of the major sights in the area (ruins, eco-parks, cenotes, etc). The beach has recently been restored so it is in great shape. I haven't stayed in hotels there (I stayed in AIs when my kids were young, and now condos with my kids who area older).

There are some recent threads here about hotels in the area. Personally, I can't help there but I do think the area and the town there is great, with lots to do for a couple your age.

zootsi

I agree with MFNYC, especially if you want to be in a lively area. Other places on the same coast to consider would be Akumal, Tulum & Puerto Morelos. Have you been to the locogringo.com website?

iuhoosier

Thanks for the comments ... we're looking for a beach vacation - snorkling, kayaking - and probably will only be there 3-4 nights. We'd love to go zip-lining, if its something available, but it is not a must. We'll be coming from San Francisco. We love trying new restaurants (so AI probably not the best), though having an AI where we can grab a drink any time w/out worrying about expense sounds appealing too!

zootsi, I'm going to check out the locogringo website.

suze

Puerto Vallarta is my personal favorite, PV has everything you request, and is a very easy flight from SFO.

CaribbeanChick

We did RIU Palace Playa del Carmen last Nov.. it's great for a short trip.. after 3-4 days you get a little tired of the food.. we stayed 5 days 4 nights..but we loved it! Took a day tour to Chicken Itza, and another day to Xcaret! Have fun!

jamie99

While I love the Riviera Maya, and am going back to Akumal in two weeks, for such a short stay and for coming from the West Coast (I am in LA) I would also vote for Puerto Vallarta, was there last December. Great food, and all price ranges so no need to do AI in PV. Flight to Cancun takes up almost a whole day from LA. I think PV has a zipline or two (not my thing so not an expert, sorry).

suze

Yes PV does have at least one zipline that people love. It has everything you could want in a Mexican vacation... charming city, friendly people, fantastic food. I don't know anyone who does All-Inclusive there because the restaurants, cafes, and bars are so wonderful. The ocean/beach is not as pretty as the Caribbean side, that's the only negative.

welch

Look at Casa de Mita in the Punta Mita area outside PV.
It's a gorgeous little inn- all inclusive but a little different. Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.
All true!