5 week in US/Mexico

Old Apr 13th, 2014, 01:09 AM
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5 week in US/Mexico

Hi everyone, I'm posting this in the Central America and US forum and would love your opinion on this itinerary for the mexico experts out there


we are in our late 20s, married and wanting to do a last big trip before having kids, seeing places where we probably wouldn't return with kids.

this is the plan so far, I know its fast but please advise if you think its too fast and we will still get to experience the culture /food/ history of mexico.

Fly from Perth AUS to LA then connect straight away to Las Vegas, leaving 5th of November.
5 nights in Vegas to recover from Jet Lag 30th Birthday celebration on last night in Vegas. on the9th perhaps a day trip to the grand canyon.

DIrect flight with Volaris Vegas to MExico City. 5 night mexico city.

direct flight MC to Tuxtla Gutierez near SAn Cristobal de la CAssis in CHiapas. spend 6 nights in the area seeing the sights including Palenque. Night bus to Merida (does anyone know how much this might cost the website said $500 but do them mean Pesos??)

2 nights in Merida, hire car make our way to the CAribbean coast with CHichen Iza on the wal for half the day.4 nights playa del CArmen or Tulum area for some relaxing. can we pick a car up in Merida and drop off in CAncun? is driving in this area attrocious?


direct flight from CAncun to NYC- 7 nights there, arrive te day before thanksgiving, perhaps a day trip to one of the ski resorts a few hours away if there is snow. leave on 4th of dECEMBER after the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller centre . how cold is it likely to be in NYC in early Dec?

3 nights in HOng Kong on the way home (flying CAthay PAcific)

the travel costs will come to about $2400 per person excluding car hire and overnight bus

we have been to Europe doing 2-3 nights in each place then moving on by train so the fact we ae doing 4-6 nights in each spot I think is better but would love your opinon on what to cut back on and where to increase time in. thank you
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 04:15 AM
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What time of the year would this trip be? November? This might affect your ability to visit Grand Canyon. I'll let Arizona experts weigh in on this.

A minor point, but in the US, Direct means no change of planes, but possibly a stop. I assume you're talking about non-stops. All non-stops are direct, not all direct flights are non-stop

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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 05:13 AM
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Thanksgiving isn't yet winter in NYC and snow in the city is quite rare and the vermont ski areas are unlikely to have substantial snow. There may be some man made based on temps - but for real skiing that early in the year you will probably need to go to the Rockies.

High temps are likely to be in the upper 40s (F) - although it is possible to get quite cold at night - and light snow is possible - but very unlikely to do anything but melt the next am.

Also be aware that traveling the day before Thanksgiving may be THE busiest day of the year - since tens of thousands of college kids are going home for the holidays - or to a beach resort. You need to make reservations far in advance - since the kids will usually make reservations the day they get their class schedule - often in August. And expect prices to be sky high. And you will be in NYC at the most expensive time for hotels - so get advance pay reservations NOW - or anything at a decent price will be long guy (expect hotel prices double what they are in Jan/Fab).
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 07:34 AM
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Do you have all the plane reservations in place? Or can you change your flights within North America?

Lots of different places that you can visit from Las Vegas if you wish - Valley of Fire State Park, Death Valley National Park, and Zion National Park.

Can you stay overnight at Chichen Itza? I went on a day trip there from Playa del Carmen and literally was approached by a vendor every couple of minutes. I understand that they're just trying to make a living but it was so disruptive. I have heard that it's much better first thing in the morning and that is when I would go if I ever make it back that way.
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 02:29 PM
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I loved Cancun (on the Caribbean side) and especially our trip to Chichen Itza. A lot of people love Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side of Mexico.

One place which I've wanted to visit is San Miguel de Allende but it is a bit a trip north of Mexico City.

http://www.visitmexico.com/en/cancun

http://www.chichenitza.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Vallarta

I've also wanted to visit Playa del Carmen but will have to be a future trip.
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 05:11 PM
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I don't see any problem with visiting the Grand Canyon in early November. You're going to get a lot of suggestions and advice to skip Las Vegas altogether or cut it back to at most one night, so you'll have to decide how much time you really want to spend there.

Personally I think 5 nights in Las Vegas is a lot. For sure you need to spend a night at the Grand Canyon somewhere in there.
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Old Apr 13th, 2014, 08:52 PM
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The situation in Mexico often changes and I am not current. But I would never take a night bus there. Hope some Mexico current folks chime in for that portion of your trip. I would also want some input re driving in Mexico. You can cross post this in the Mexico or Central America forum.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 04:08 AM
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thanks for all your thoughts!!

the month will be November so hopig for mild cool weather in Vegas and cold wintery weather in NYC. good tips about thanksgiving, do you think its best to avoid NYC at this time if we can fnd good price accom? am looking at airbnb.com and have seen some reasonably priced and located apartments.
is the macys parade worthwhile to experience? Im hoping there will start to be a christmas feel by the last few days of our trip, shop windows etc


regarding Vegas, 5 nights may be too much but I thought it would be good to relax by a pool and catch up on jet lag as its 12 hours difference for us eek!!! then a day trip to CAnyon - or is it best to stay overnight at the GC?
is the weather likely to be too bad to visit GC ?

any other tips regarding these two cities would be appreciated but I can post in the individual forums. have also received advice about night busses in MExico, thanks for mentioning. they are first class so hopefully quite safe!!
thank you
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 04:45 AM
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I would want to rent a car in Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon and spend the night, then return to Vegas. The sunset and sunrise are spectacular there.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 05:04 AM
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Do NOT use airbnb.com in NY. In fact I think it is illegal there. Many people have booked through airbnb only to find there is NO apartment for them once they arrive.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 05:39 AM
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OMG are you serious? how do you know if it is legitimate? there are some reviews on the apartments i'm interested in can they be trusted?
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 05:51 AM
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"how do you know if it is legitimate"

You can research or look at the many threads here for starters. Or you can just believe the poster above and book a hotel.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 05:54 AM
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Schmerl is correct, short term apartment rentals in NYC are usually illegal and very often scams. Try for a reasonable hotel such as the Beacon, but note you are visiting at the height of the season and prices will be high.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 01:38 PM
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We just got back from living in Mexico for 2 years on a volunteer experience which is part of the US govt. called Peace Corps. We have visited all the places you are including and here are some thoughts:

>

Volaris is a good airline and it is an easy flight. I think you might be happy with 3-4 nights given you won't be jetlagged but if you really have lots to see then 5 nights is good. We always stay in a place called Suites Amberes in the Zona Rosa because it has a kitchen and is near the subway (which is very easy and safe to take-just watch belongings). The fancy area of town is called Polanco with all the posh hotels and there is a lovely area to stay called Condesa which is nice but not as many hotel choices. Be sure to check out http://www.goodfoodmexicocity.com/#/ for good eating suggestions





>

Yes this is probably the right price in pesos which will be just around $40US dollars right now. Buses are GREAT! in Mexico-use the first class ones for long distances-many have wifi and all have movies and reclining seats and are super cheap

>

You should be able to pick up a car in Merida and then drop in Cancun-but check the prices. One other idea is to take a bus instead to Playa del carmen instead and then rent a car there and just stay long enough to visit Akumal and Tulum areas to the south-there is a cool eco area south of tulum called Sian Ka'an. Then you could take the bus up to Merida and back to Cancun. If you would want to see CHichen Iza, then you would need to take a tour from Playa or something though, but it maybe be cheaper with the car. You could also keep the car from playa spend 2-3 driving to Merida and chiche on the way, and then come back to Playa and drop the car and take a shuttle back to the airport - about $50 US per person. So it depends on time you have and how much you like to drive. Driving is not hard in that part of Mexico but they lots of "topes" speed bumps, so it gets annoying and you also have to be careful of having the "federales" stop you for supposedly speeding and then take your drivers license. They basically want a bribe of about $500 pesos. It is the MOST annoying thing about driving in Mexico. We even got stopped once with a Mexican friend driving the car and he paid too! So be sure to not give them your license-make a photo copy and tell them original is in your luggage or something. I don't mean to worry you, but it does happen. I only had it happen once in all the driving I have done in that area but it is enough make me prefer buses now Also cabs are pretty cheap as are private cars you can hire to take you on day tours-although of course since the tourist areas are well known-they tend to inflate prices..
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 02:45 PM
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Definitely recommend spending at least 1 night at the Grand Canyon. Drop one of the Vegas nights, rent a car and drive yourself. Much better than doing a loooong day trip. Sunset and sunrise are magical there.
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 05:31 PM
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thanks very much guys, that is scary about the federales wanting bribe money, how can a country run with these kid of people!?

thanks for the apartment advice, I am disappointed I wanted a self contained apartment rather than a hotel in NYC so we can prepare some meals at home. if anyone knows any ligitimate apartment rentals for 1 week please let me know .

thanks again!!
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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 06:15 PM
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Short-term apartment rental in NYC are almost all illegal. They may well be scams. Even if not, neighbors may complain(you're not allowed to be there) and it could be a problem.

Air BnB has recently changed their rules and made the apartment owners responsible for following local laws - since Air BnB now refuses to be responsible.

Since you are a couple who can use a double bed (most hotel rooms in NYC have 1 double bed) you can use Priceline or any of the discount sites. But do look early - since you are going at the most expensive time of year. If you pay in advance you can often get better rates.

Yes, he parade is wonderful. There are more than a million viewers in the streets and if you want to get near the performances you typically have to be there by 7 am (or be REALLY tall). Also the balloons are blown up the night before in the park behind he museum of nat'l history - and that's a lot of fun - but also huge lines.

You are unlikely to get wintry weather in NYC until after Christmas - it's possible - but most snow and real cold (20s and under) are Jan or Feb. But the temps are usually nice and brisk for doing a lot of trekking around.
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Old Apr 15th, 2014, 06:28 AM
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Yeah I don't want the federales thing to necessarily scare you off. I have a driven a lot in Mexico over 2o years and had it happen only once-but I am thinking it is pretty common along that tourist stretch. If you do rent a car ask the agency about it and look in the glove box-there is usually a piece of paper telling you not to hand over license etc.

All that said, Mexico is a great country and well worth the visit.
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Old Apr 15th, 2014, 11:04 AM
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I've been traveling to that part of Mexico (Riviera Maya) since 1999 every year and have never been stopped or gotten a ticket. The trick is to obey the speed limit signs rather than driving with the flow of traffic since every one speeds down there, even the taxis. Also the federales do not give tickets, the local police do. Once or twice we have been stopped at federale checkpoints, just show them our passport and car registration, and off we go - they are looking for smugglers and stuff like that.
If for some reason you do get stopped (have read they like to hit up people heading to the airport), give yourself plenty of time and demand to be taken to the station and do not ever admit you are heading to the airport. Say you are going to Cancun or Isla Mujeres or something.
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Old Apr 15th, 2014, 04:54 PM
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Yep. If you ask for the ticket and don't appear to be in a hurry, they will let you go and move onto easier pickings. And in these situations, just remember, you aren't in any physical danger. They just want to line their pockets.

As for how a country can operate like this - quite a large portion of the world operates in this manner.
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