Best time to go to Mexico???
 

My husband and I are planning on taking a trip to Mexico. We are thinking 1st week of September. Is this a good time to go?
Also, we want to go to Mexico to see the ancient ruins. Is it best to stay in an AI? We just don't want to go there to lay on the beach for 7 days. (although doing that is absolutely amazing!) We wanted this trip to be a little different.

Any suggestions?
Thank you
A

Personally, I think ANYTIME is a good time to go to Mexico! There are some considerations which may have a bearing on when you decide to go.

Summer months can be very hot and humid, especially July and August. But then there's the Caribbean and gorgeous pools to cool off in!

Fall months the temperatures are just about right I think - high 80's. There is more of a chance for rain during this time and even a tropical storm or two - but usually not enough to disrupt a vacation. Besides the prices are the lowest during this time. (Except for Thanksgiving week and Christmas week.)

Your choice on an AI will depend on how you want to spend your vacation. Again, personally, I choose an AI because I don't want to have to pay for every soft drink, bottled water, margarita, snack, meal, etc. everytime I want something. At $6 or so per drink (alchoholic or not), $8-15 for a hamburger or sandwich, $20+ for a meal, it can get quite expensive. The idea of lounging by the pool or the beach and being served snacks, hamburgers, frozen drinks, etc. is my idea of heaven and one of the reasons I escape to Mexico 2-3 times a year. We sometimes eat out away from hotel, but sometimes we don't.

The beach resorts are so beautiful in Mexico and have almost everything you need, you can have a romantic vacation and never leave your resort. Or you can venture out to sightseeing, shopping, etc.

Enjoy your vacation - you are going to love Mexico.

I've never been to Mexico during September, but I'm guessing the first week will be pretty darn hot. We were at Chitzen Itza in January and it was hot. The guide said it can be over 110 there in the summer. It's an awesome site, but be prepared. It's quite large and there is some walking involved.

I think if you want to lie around the pool and the beach and have people bring you drinks, then an AI is the way to go. But, if you stay at one of the small beach hotels in Playa Del Carmen, you can still have the beach, maybe a pool, but also a choice of very good restaurants. We stayed on the beach in a small hotel for about $65.00 per night including a very basic continental breakfast (coffe, juice, fruit and rolls). They also had bar service on the beach, and there they would bring me ice cold bottles of Sol beer for US $1.50.

The beach in Playa Del Carmen is only a block from the main street where there are loads of restaurants. If you wander a few more blocks away from the beach, there are numerous small VERY cheap local restaurants.

The downside is the beach in town isn't as nice as the beaches at the resort. It's narrower, and there are small boats tied up. Living in the land locked midwest, I enjoyed watching the people come and go on the fishing and diving excursions. But, it certainly isn't an idyllic deserted beach. In fact, it's pretty darn interesting people watching.

The Tulum ruins are only about an hour south of PDC. I'm not sure how far Coba is and I think the distance to Chitzan Itza is about the same as from Cancun.

Have a great time.

Jean

You can't be serious about those prices in Mexico, unless they are very near the AI. I was planning to go independently this winter, and all my research would indicate it is easy to eat and drink there on a budget, $1 beers and under $5 lunches like in southern Europe and Cuba. Anyone else with comments?

Cancun is the most expensive place to eat out in, although there are some out of the way spots and local restaurants that are cheaper. PDC has cheaper restaurants but their beaches are not as nice as Cancun's IMO.

Drinks at most resorts, Cancun, PDC and elsewhere will run you $5-6 per drink. Domestic beer may be cheaper, I don't know since I don't drink beer.

As above- anytime is a great time to go. However, September might be a really good time. I think Oaxaca City might be a great place for you to go at this time. It would be something different, it is packed with culture and various things to, you could visit ruins at Monte Alban, Mitla, etc. plus you would be in the off season, so things would be quieter. Although there is more than enough to do around Oaxaca City, you could also take the short flight to Huatulco and do the beach if you so desired.

For Carolred, regarding prices:

I know Cancun can be quite expensive but have never been myself. I'm not sure where you've been researching prices been but I think that's a bit low unless you really get way off-the-beaten path. (& of course there will always be someone like on Lonely Planet who swears you can still do it on $10/day total budget ;-)

In Puerto Vallarta to get a $1 beer you'd need to buy it from a store yourself. Restaurants/bars are more like $2. Margaritas from $2.50-5.00 depending where you're drinking. But yes, breakfast and lunch can be had for $5, but even that you need to be a bit away (geographically within town) from the high-end resorts.

General wisdom says Mexico is not the bargain it was 20 or even 10 years ago.

sorry about that blob in my post, it was meant to be a winking smile (i forgot about those dang auto-icons on this BB).

Rainiest month of the year- not a good idea!

Just keep in mind that September is still Hurricane season, so weather is a bit unpredictable. It will be very hot so walking around the ruins will be miserable if you don't like the heat! The prices are better during that time but definitly for a reason!

Thank you all for your posts....I wasn't aware that early September was ther rainiest month...but I will definetly take that into consideration!
Thanks

For the AI question ... I think it depends both on your own personal taste for accomodations, but also where you end up going. For example, I hear Cancun is quite expensive for food and drink so it AI might be a money-saver. In Puerto Vallarta there are literally hundreds of great restaurants that are not expensive so I'd never choose an AI there.