We have visited PDC, Cancun, Mazatlan, Pt. Vallerta, throughout the Baha. We are looking for a nice place to visit that is not as touristy as the above places. We are perhaps interested in renting a Villa. I did a search on Google and found some great prices on villas in Huatalco but know little about this area. Could someone recommend a place in Mexico that is less touristy and expensive for everyday enjoyment (not accomodation) than the places we have already visited. We are not limited to Mexico but have already travelled throughout Belize, Jamaica and Guatamala so don't really want to go back there. Thanks for your help.

Hi, I found Huatulco to be kind of an odd place _ apparently the Mexican government thought it was going to be another Cancun so they built a big infrastructure but the resort never really developed. It is odd to see it because there isn't really much historical around, and there are all these new tree-lined boulevards with nothing on them. There are some big resorts like club med and sheratons and things but all far apart and you can't easily walk between them. The little town (las crucitas? can't remember for sure) has a few good restaurants and little shops. <BR> <BR>That said, we stayed at a smaller hotel nearer the main dock and liked it very much. The bays are very pretty and you can get locals to take you out on a tour for snorkeling and seeing beaches. And you're within a couple hours of puerto angel and puerto escondido, which are both interesting little hippie beaches. Also, we picked up a cheap flight to Oaxaca and spent several days there and really loved it. Great crafts and archaeological sites. If you are not set on a beach i think Oaxaca is a great place, still fairly inexpensive though you might find more tourists than you want...

Hi - All of the Mexican destinations you have mentioned are beach resorts. Are you interested in inland Mexico? One thought - you can make a great loop of Mex. City, Queretaro, San Miguel, and Guanajuato (depending on how much time you have). These places are very interesting, and though they get plenty of tourists, they are certainly less touristy than the rseorts. There are a buch of other good places to go to, this is just one example.

Why not Isla Mujeres? It meets all your needs. <BR>We are sure you are familiar with this island as it is only 10 miles from cancun. Visit isla-mujeres.net else e-mail us and we will send you our 20 page home grown brouchure. We spend a month a year down there. Dan and Ginny

Thank you everyone for your help. I am actually not familiar with Isla Mujeres. We did not visit there when we were in Cancun. Does anyone have any feedback on La Manzanilla? There are some lovely isolated villas there that are very reasonable and we are considering that as well. Also, inland is a definate option if we would be able to visit an area of Mexico that is relatively unspoiled. Both husbands are divers but I am sure they could give it a "miss" for once. The wives don't swim so we don't care other than for the view, if we have ocean front.

I suspect from your account of your past travels that you are used to the more plush side of travel. If you really want "not touristy" you are going to have to make some compromises in that area. When you are ready to do that, try the bottom of the Copper canyon: La Bufa, Batopilas, or Urique. Or try making this post on the Thorn Tree, where the emphasis is more "not as touristy."

You are right Keith, we do enjoy the more "plush" accomodation. But, on the same note do not enjoy getting accosted with time share sellers and over priced everything. The last time we were in Cabo, we found it to be a big rip off. Having since travelled to the South Pacific and enjoyed greatly their lovely motels that are not posh but very comfortable and reasonable, we do want to enjoy without the feeling that "we got taken". <BR> <BR>So, having said that, although we have travelled in "plush", we are not adverse to travelling in plain comfort. I do not want to compromise in that I am in a dump but for only 2 weeks, we do want to have a lovely villa that is reasonably priced in an area that is still unspoiled and great to visit. <BR> <BR>By this I mean, I want to visit an area where I can still see some local culture, shop for groceries, kick back and enjoy life without constant harrassment by beach sellers. <BR> <BR>This may be impossible to find in Mexico anymore. Having started visiting Mexico in the late 70's, I really do see a change, as you can imagine. But, this is why I am asking for help. There are so many places that we have not visited and I am sure that there are still places that we can rent a villa and still shop for groceries (we like to do our own cooking) and relax without compromise. <BR> <BR>Am I wrong? <BR> <BR>

www.vrbo.com/vrbo/5108.htm Check out Sayulita, 35 miles north of PV. We have rented a casita there for October. Looks great & is so reasonable. I've been told it is an authentic Mexican town with good restaurants, grocery stores, local art, good beaches & kayaking. Close enough to PV if the mood strikes. There are villas at Hotel Costa Careyes, 1 1/2 hrs drive north of Manzanilla, the hotel is great & there are homes that they rent perched upon the cliffs. Very secluded, small one street towns along the way, no English spoken as a rule. Small clinic close by though that came in handy! Good luck!

Huatulco might be what you're looking for. As stated, it's a resrot that didn't happen. There are All-Inclusive hotels, inexpensive hotels and condos. I go to Puerto Escondido, but it's a little more basic than what u\you are probably looking for. If you go to www.tomzap.com, look through the Huatulco section, then go to the visitor's comments section, you ca either do a search or just ask questions. Some very well-versed epople will be able to help you out.

I would definitely look into Zihuatanejo on the Pacific side. It is a very quaint fishing type of village.

Zihua has not been a sleepy little fishing village for years. I live in Huatulco and can highly recommend the tranqil and safe laid-back lifestyle and terrific infrastructure. Check out www.tomzap.com for lots of info on Huatulco.