We are hoping to spend a few days to a week in Mexico over the Christmas break (sometime between 26th December to January 4th)
It may be we have left it too late to book and it will have to wait!
We moved from England to the Bay Area in California 2 years ago and know little about Mexico. We'd love to stay somewhere with good winter sunshine, a quieter resort, hotel or villa (as long as it has a pool). It would be great to be near some archaeological/ancient sites (my husband is an archaeolgist).Budget about $500/day.
I don't even know about transport. Do you fly through Mexico City? Our local airport is San Jose but we can easily do Oakland or SFO too.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
ps an upside: we do speak European Spanish which has been serving me well here in Palo Alto!

For ruins you'll want to be on the Caribbean side/east coast/Yucatan Peninsula. I'm sure you can get flights directly into Cancun from one of the airports you mention. It's nice not to have to transfer within Mexico.

Then head south to Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and Tulum area.

"It's nice not to have to transfer within Mexico."
Do not often disagree with Suze but I love to transfer in Mexico City. It is always a pleasant adventure.
On that subject Oakland has the best rates on Mexicana by far the superior airline to Mexico. They still have full meal service include & free booze for those who drink plus the most liberal luggage policy. Heads & shoulders above any US airline.

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www.mayan-traveller.com

good archeologic info.

would fly direct to Cancun from US.

www.mayan-traveler.com

sorry one too many ls

thanks so much to all for suggestions, I now have something to work with!I was particualrly glad to see the good report on Mexicana as I have been quite astonished at the terrible service on US airlines since we moved here from Europe! (Thank goodness for Virgin America!)
Has anyone styaed at the Five Star Alliance (whata funny name!)

also if we remove teh archaeology, any advice about Baja? It just seems much closer...

Two places you might find more than acceptable: Cuernavaca (stay at Las Mananitas??) and
San Miguel de Allende: can't be beaten. Both are fairly close to the D.F. Cuernavaca is about 2 hours by bus SMdA is a bit further. Neither is great for archeology, but both great for Mexican history. Tours to nearby towns are available. Cuernavaca to Taxco (the silver capitol) and the fascinating city of Guanajuato from SMdA.