My teenage son enjoys snorkeling, , ocean swimming, boogie boarding and other activities. For a graduation trip next June, would you experts recommend Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta? We live on the West coast, so I'd rather not do the Caribbean this time, but I want some decent snorkeling off the beaches. Looks like the Sea of Cortez would fit the bill. But others tell me PV has way more mexican culture than Los Cabos. What about the Corridor? We've done Hawaii and he wants to try someplace else. Any advice gratefully recieved. Thanks.

I would pick Puerto Vallarta in a heartbeat. I think it is just a much better place for someone his age. Honestly I have never been to Cabo myself partly because I think of it as expensive, for middle-class couples, retired people who want to go deep sea fishing & golfing, etc. PV is a more vibrant and varied destination and has a true Mexican town. Cabo is only for tourists.

Cabo has much better snorkeling and diving, in part because the water is much clearer and cleaner (Vallarta is in a bay with run-off from seven rivers while the Cabo area has no run-off except after rains, and the water is much deeper). Also a lot better golf and world-class big game fishing. A lot of kids his age go there in June for after-graduation parties so he'd meet a lot of young people.

<b>others tell me PV has way more mexican culture than Los Cabos.</b>

This is true, Vallarta began as a much larger Mexican town than Cabo before tourism hit so there's a more 'Mexican' feel to it, but there are several small towns near Cabo that are still 'authentic', from tiny farming villages like Miraflores and Santiago to slightly touristy spots like Todos Santos (which also has great surfing) and San Jose del Cabo to fishing towns like Los Barilles on the East Cape.

<b>What about the Corridor?</b>

This is the 15 mile or so stretch between Cabo and San Jose, with a small number of excellent hotels. Good choice for you but maybe a bit dull (compared to Cabo) for a kid's graduation trip.

This is based on four trips to Vallarta and more than a dozen to Cabo (mostly for fishing). Vallarta is nice but for a teenager looking for &quot;snorkeling, , ocean swimming, boogie boarding and other activities&quot; I would pick Cabo.

Bill

I second Cabo. I love it. I haven't snorkled but there are lots of things to do that your son would love to do. Fishing, skim boarding, surfing, etc. The onlky thing is not all the beaches are swimable ( too rough) so you must check before you book. You can get to them easily.
In all fairness though I haven't been to PV so I am probably biased.

I'd choose PV for me, just a lovely town where you feel like you're really in Mexico.
To me, Los Cabos wasn't all that pretty.

Dear dallasdeb:

For water activities, Cabo would be great. Many beaches are not swimmable, but the main beach right in Cabo, Medano Beach is, and this is where everything is happening for someone his age. Choose a resort on this beach or nearby; not on the Corridor. PV is more authentic, but will an 18 yr. old really care about that??

Will you be going with him? If not, be aware that Cabo is party central. The drinking age is 18 and he will probably be approached to buy drugs. I have never had any problem with this since I am an old lady at 50!!, but my hairdresser is a 30 something male and had all kinds of offers. You know your son, so you make the wise choice for him.

Good luck with your decision.

MY

Thanks for the warning, MichelleY, yes I will be going with him. I remember going to Mexico when i was 18, many years ago. . . This time, it's a family affair.

I think everyone is right--he won't care about the culture part. So far his favorite place has been NYC!

I notice VRBO has many condos available in Los Cabos. Anyone have a history good or bad? I sure appreciate all the ideas I'm getting.

Hi deb -

You may want to consider Puerto Escondido. A genuine Mexican town, not all built up, with the best waves in Mexico.

thanks, robertino. It looks enchanting!