Enough Snow/Rain! Mexico Needed! Suggestions?
 

Being in the northwest, we've had the never ending winter! Time for a cure (or, band-aid!).

I've been to Cabo twice, Puerto Vallarta once. I am looking to go back somewhere in Mexico. Looking for a few suggestions to cure the winter blues and get a tan/vitamin D!

1) Good beach (if I remember correctly, beaches weren't as good in PV).
2) Interesting places to wander/photograph - interest in photography, landscapes or interesting things in town.
3) Inexpensive (my impression is that Cancun would be pricier than other west coast locations)
4) Safe - but, I think most 'tourist' destinations are mostly safe right now.
5) Hotels? Something in town, close to the things of interest (including beach!)

I suppose Mexico isn't a requirement, just seems like price-wise it's going to be less than other destinations and a little closer. 37 years old male, so I don't need a couples retreat or senior golf destination :) Looking to get the most mileage for my money!

Sun, beach and photography will be a huge priority!

Thanks for your recommendations.

The Yucatán south and west of Cancún has a lot of great options for lodging, beaches, snorkeling in cenotes and with sea turtles, Maya ruins, etc. My photos, blogs, and travelogues are below if you're interested. Happy trails!
http://flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I'm in Seattle and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas are the places I'd go. They are easiest to get to and fit everything on your list.

You could head to the Caribbean side, someplace like Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres (flying into Cancun but not staying there) but it does take a bit more time and effort.

Hawaii is the other place I head when I just need a sun and beach break. I just stay right in Waikiki. I can do 10 days either Hawaii or PV for the same price.

Zihuatanejo has wonderful beaches, great cafés & reasonable hotels.

Cancun is actually fairly cheap at least the hotel prices are generally low for the quality you get.
You could pay an arm and a leg but you don't have to.

The Hilton currently has rates as low as $109 per night and the pools are excellent.
Food prices are high at the resorts so take a local bus into town (or to one of the cheaper places at the mall within the hotel zone).

I opted to stay at the Casa Magna Marriott this week (around $100 per night).

I prefer the low key condos in Playa and Akumal but they do cost more for 3 people and sometimes the beds are just too hard for me after a night or two.

so look up Playa del Carmen if you want nightlife (or Cancun if you want to party/nightclub)... akumal for snorkeling & turtles, Tulum has photographic ruins, cenotes AND a beautiful beach.
In fact most areas of the Riviera Maya have beautiful beaches but some are rocky and some have rip rides so choose carefully if this is important to you.

Since you've been to Puerto Vallarta, I'd say go to Playa Del Carmen. I just got back from there and it was great. It's more than Cancun but way better, I think. For what it's worth I'm also in my late 30s and single.

If seeking most mileage for $, Cancun and Playa makes alot of sense. You don't say which airline but you can possibly find a 2 segment to get to MIA or ATL, then on to CUN (or CZM although Cozumel is usually a bit more expensive to fly to).

The beaches on the Caribbean side, IMO, are incomparably superior to the Pacific as you can effortlessly swim and snorkel coral reefs in 80 deg+ water with alot of sealife if you're staying at the right hotel or condo. You also get to eat motulenos for breakfast in the Yucatan, my abs favorite....

What's your budget and how much time do you have? You can take a comfortable, A/C bus from CUN-Playa del Carmen -- IIRC it's around $12 each way and drops you off in the heart of Playa which doesn't have the gated compound feel of CUN. You don't sound like you want to be trapped in a AI resort but rather wandering around town and finding great dives to eat fresh seafood and Mexican. Make sure your departure from CUN isn't too early to give you enough time to catch the bus back up to the airport.

Zihua's costs will be at least 30 % less than Cancun. This includes hotels, restaurants & transportation. Plus coming from the Northwest closer.

How important is nightlife? Playa Del Carmen has plenty of that.
I don't know what it's like after dark on Cozumel, but I would like to vacation there after doing a daytrip a few weeks ago. The water is incredibly clear.
As for which coast has nicer beaches, I'd say that's a tossup. If you want turquoise water, obviously, the Caribbean side wins, but I'd argue the water where I stayed near Puerto Vallarta (Mismaloya) was every bit as clear on a calm day. Also, the landscape was more dramatic, almost like parts of Hawaii with the steep cliffs. Either way, you can't really go wrong.