Help Planning1st trip to Mexico
 

...actually not a first trip, as we have visted Playa Del Carmen several times while cruising...so our 1st time to visit solo.

We like beautiful beaches, SNORKELING, good food, nice resort, fun(!) and a little bit of nightlife.

We LOVE Turks & Caicos, and as tempted as we are to return there, we want to try something new. Have visted many other islands through out the Caribbean...so this definitly not our first island trip.

Any suggestions? Any other advice you could give to help us narrow down our choices. We are thinking Riveria Maya.

Skip the Riviera Maya and do something a little bit more sophisticated with breathtaking sights. I suggest Acapulco. The bay is simply amazing at night, there are plenty of excellent restaurants, nightlight, and glamour but with a gentle Mexican touch, so it's not over the top or snooty. This is assuming you want beach and sun and snorkling as you've indicated. For a different kind of adventure I'd recommend an archeological tour of the Yucatan peninsula.

Acapulco can be fun, but it's *NOT* where you want to be if SNORKELING (all caps) is your priority.

Cozumel would be much better choice, as would anything along the Mayan Riviera coast, from Playa del Carmen all the way up to Cancun and Isla Mujeres --- this is where you find the white sand beaches and the coral reefs, not to mention the occasional cenote if your inclinations run to the down under...

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

Good advice from TioGringo--if snorkeling is your thing, Acapulco is not the place. I, too, would recommend Cozumel or the coastline south of Cancun.

Since this post, of course, our vacation interests have changed. This always happens when we are trying to narrow down. Poor Mexico, while I am dying to go there my S.O. in now into Costa Rica. It is funny, because this happend a little over a year ago, was thinking the same trip and we ended up in the Turks -- which we loved!

Mexico is not totally written off, but exploring the Costa Rica option a little more.

Thanks for all your input, I will be back if this is what we decide to do.

Can you tell us what you liked about Turks & Caicos? It's near the top of my list. They survived the hurricanes ok? Any GOOD hotels within walking distance to restaurants? Any tours to take? 4 or 5 days enough for a couple who's not supposed to be in the sun a whole lot?