bfox718

Hello,

My husband and I will be going away for his birthday in May and I'll be 5 months pregnant. I'm planning the trip as a somewhat surprise for him and I can't decide between Kauai or Riviera Maya. We've both been to Maui and really like it, but have yet to go to Kauai.

We typically enjoy a little adventure (kayaking, snorkeling, maybe one day of hiking), relaxing on a nice beach with a drink in hand (him!) and maybe a day trip here or there. I know these are entirely different destinations, but I cannot figure out which would be better. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Tomsd

Have never had the pleasure of actually going to the Rivera Maya - but have friends who have been there - and I also have been to many beaches in Mexico - and while they are fine - for what you are considering doing - get thee to Princeville/Hanalei on the North Shore of the Garden isle - Kauai.

Check other posts under Hawaii - to find a lot of info about Kauai.

gmoney

I would highly recommend the Riviera Maya. One of my favorite places on earth. We stayed at the Barcelo Tropical/Colonial and they have everything you want (jaw dropping beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, many many many drinks in hand, huge fantastic pools,) all on property and included. The snorkeling is fantastic right off the beach of the hotel. There are more day drips than I could possibly mention (ruins, cenotes, eco-parks, ziplines, etc..).

Have to say that I have never been to Hawaii, but then again I really don't have a huge desire to go there either. I live in Florida so the though of a long plane trip to Hawaii vs. the short trip to Carribean/Mexico is not real appealing to me. Don't know where you are coming from.

jamie99

Wow, tough choice, I've been to both at least 10 times and own a timeshare on Kauai at the Marriott. However I think I would pick Riviera Maya because the Mexican people are so friendly and your money goes a lot further than in Kauai. Be sure and get pesos, sure a lot of places will take dollars but you will be paying 15% more at least as you will probably get a 10-1 exchange rate when the peso is now about 12.5-1.

Tomsd

Love the Barcelo chain - the Spainish Club Med. We own a timeshore at the real Kauai - on the Northshore - at the Cliffs Club - and every time we return - are awed by the beauty of the Bali Hai splendor.

Here are a few pics of a beach most people don't even get to - Lumahai - the place where in the classic 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein - Academy Award winning - musicial/WWII love story -at "nurses beach" - Mitzi Gaynor "washes that man right out of her hair: http://tinyurl.com/88awtp2

Parts of Jurassic Park and The Thornbirds were also filmed up in the Hanalei/Princeville area.

Tomsd

fyi - and the Hanalei pier shown in the movie and the pics - is still there. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/

During our honeymoon in '86 - my wife also earned her Scuba Diving certificate in Hanalei harbor (It only took 3 days and was by a great little dive company called "Bubbles Below")- and we had a blast diving there after she got her ticket.

Great snorkeling at the end of the road at Ke Beach (a protected reef) and also at nearby "Tunnels".

bfox718

Thanks, this feedback really helps! We are certified so my husband might enjoy that.

My only concern with Playa is that it seems to be turning into a party scene. I'm sure my husband will enjoy that a little, but I really am in no mood to deal with club music, etc etc. Would we be better off staying on one of the outlying beaches (I'm currently looking at the Fairmont or maybe down by Tulum).

On the flip side, will Kauai have enough restaurants/bar options for my husband to go out? I feel like the two are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in that regard. If we do Kauai, my plan is to stay up in Princeville for three nights then Poipu for 3 nights.

sf7307

Poipu has some excellent restaurants now (much better than a few years ago), but not much of a bar scene --- Hanalei would be better in that regard.

montereybob

Kauai is definitely the opposite of a party scene island. It's a great place for finding peace and serenity along with eye popping scenic beauty. There are enough bars and restaurants in the small towns to keep hubby happy.

suze

I would choose Kauai.

I think they are both great destinations and there's definitely more to the Mayan Riviera than just a party scene. BUT being pregnant, you don't have to be as careful with food and water in Hawaii, like you really do need to do in Mexico.

Tomsd

Plenty of places to dine in Princeville and Hanalei - and even a few miles away at Kileaua. Other posts in here on that but try the Dolphin in Hanalei - the upscale restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel, the Bali Hai at the Hanalei Colony Resort if it's open, Tahiti Nui for some local music and food in Hanalei - and there are any number down at Poipu.

Think it's a good plan to split it up - and be sure to drive out/up to see the Grand Canyon above Waimea town. We also loved taking a trimarin trip up the incredibly beautiful red cliff/Napili Coast from Pt. Allen - and you can dive or snorkel, whichever you prefer, or just watch the dolphins, etc

http://tinyurl.com/6rc76ox

Songdoc

For me ... there's no contest. Not even close -- and I've been to both places many times.

And the winner is ...

KAUAI

Maya Riviera is very nice; Kauai is paradise.

con_brio

Well put, Songdoc. I spent 4 or 5 lovely vacations on the Mayan Riviera --nice, but it doesn't compare to Kauai. In every movie when they want to show Paradise, they film it on Kauai. I was only in Kauai once but am anxious to return. It is the most beautiful place I've ever been.

There are also advantages to being in the US and drinking US water--especially when pregnant. (I never got sick, but hated the flavor of the bottled "reverse osmosis" water.)

Another vote for Paradise.

sf7307

I've never been in Riviera Maya, but I know you can't go wrong on Kauai!

Shar

warmer waters in Riviera Maya but on Kauai you don't have to watch what you eat and being pregnant I would be concerned about that. I am very careful and got a little sick on my last visit to riviera maya - missed a snorkeling trip but I realized what I was eating(eggs) that were doing itso avoided them the rest of the trip and I was better. I do love Kauai however and if I were in your situation, I would stick withh America.....

Tomsd

Remember a great 10 day trip long ago - when we drove from SD over to Calexico - and took the train down to Matazalan, Guadalajara and then flew over to Puerto Vallarta. Loved it all - and were very careful about only drinking bottled water - and only ice made from bottled water, etc. Actually - we lived on beer and Margaritas, being young and all that.

We even swam at night in the Ocean by PV - after many Margaritas - and when we got back to the States - the movie Jaws came out and low and behold: It's more dangerous to swim in the ocean at night, at least if there are sharks around

Our last day on this epic adventure - the flight was canceled - so we stayed an extra day (that being a Sunday) - and had some fish stew (which was a day old) and on the flight home the next day (from PV) - I had to make an emergency trip to the wc, as did a couple of my other friends.

Have been to Hawaii over 20 times - and never sick once.

qwovadis

Been to both alternative-hawaii.com Princeville The Westin
spg.com is prettiest lush green best beach where South Pacific movie was filmed Na Pali Coast rand Canyon of the Pacific. My
choice if money is no object.

cancun.bookit.com nice beach touristy cheaper Meridien bidding
priceline.com for me usually from $80/nt. Ritz Carlton my fav but more $$$. xel-ha.com ruins like Cichen Itza fun but hot flat as a pancake and not too green.

So Hawaii for me...

andrews98682

I don't know what it's like in May, but I went to Cancun in the summer a few years ago and it was oppressively hot and humid. You couldn't even cool off in the water. I've never been to Kauai (going for the first time in a few weeks), but I have been to the other islands in the summer and the weather was very nice.

Maybe the week I was there was more the exception than the rule, weather-wise, but I wouldn't go back to Mexico in the summer. That said, I had a great time in Playa in January a year and a half ago.