We are heading to the Playa del Carmen area in August for about a week. Two adults and two kids, 11 and 10. We want to add a few days in a Colonial City. The two most likely seem to be Merida or Oaxaca. We are familiar with Mexico and speak Spanish mostly.

Merida would be easier to travel to, I think. We could flly from NYC to Merida, then rent a car there and drive to PDC, then fly home from Cancun. Alternatively, we could fly to Oaxaca, then to Cancun, then home. But, all flts from Oaxaca to Cancun certainly stop in Mexico City and we probably lose most of a day doing that. In addition, when we add Oaxaca to the trip airfare goes up a lot more. Same issue if we were to add Morelia instead.

We are looking for sightseeing, great food and shopping. I know Oaxaca had many problems earlier this year but I think those have finished. Also, we hear great things about that city, and its food. As for Merida, we don't know that much about it and can't find a huge amount of info on it. We have heard, however, that it is awfully hot in August, almost unbearably so. There are some beautiful hacienda hotels in that area but, I think the kids would be bored there.

I am happy to return to Mexico City, where we went two years ago, and spend more time, maybe even drive to Puebla but, the family wants to try someplace new.
Suggestions?
Thanks

Both cities are attractive and lively. I think I'd give the edge to Oaxaca for its cuisine and beautiful location in the mountains. However, I haven't been there since the disturbances last year and don't know how it's recovered. Another thing to consider is that the strikes which precipitated last year's problems had become an annual event beginning every May/June. A great deal of Oaxaca's appeal in on the zocalo -- you don't want to be closed off from it.

Merida has fine architecture but its greatest charm for me was the Saturday/Sunday street celebrations where the whole town seemed to be out dancing. In addition it is near what for my money are the most interesting ruins on the Yucatan, Uxmal and the Puuc cities. The problem, as you seem to know, is the heat and humdity. I thought it was pretty warm in February.

San Cristobal is cooler, but hard to reach. What about the colonial cities north of Mexico City? San Miguel, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, etc, and then flying to Cancun? A little cooler, though August is pretty rainy.

I love Mexico, but in August I think more of Maine and Canada.

I would recommend you fly into Merida, then out of Cancun. From Merida you can go down to Uxmal one day, then up to Progresso, or Celestun. On the way to Cancun, spend the night in Valladolid in order to catch Chichen Itza early in the morning--getting to Cancun late afternoon. Greats sites for kids this age to see (I teach 7th grade history!)

Thank you.

I didn't realize there is a "season" to political demonstrations in Oaxaca, though it probably makes sense.

The other Colonial Cities you mention also look appealing. Guanajuato looks really nice. Mexican friends of mine once told me it is "the most Colonial" of all the cities. Yet, it is also very small and the airport is Leon/Bajio, which isn't overflowing with flights from the States.

Maybe we could fly to Mexico City and bus it from there to Puebla or Cuernavaca? I fear I will be spending more time on the research boards. Thank you again.

Direct busses from the MC airport to both Puebla and Cuernavaca. Haven't been to the latter. Puebla is a sharp, fashionable city -- the people speak very quickly. Has its own beauty plus access to Cholula and Tlaxcala. We somehow missed the last but Cholula was fascinating. Certainly worth a couple of days.

Thank you.

Re: the bus from Mex City airport, it really runs from the airport, not the downtown bus station? Is it about a 2+ hour ride?

And, any suggestion for an upscale hotel in Puebla? I see there is a Camino Real there but it gets mixed reviews.
Gracias.

Yes, the bus runs directly from the airport and takes about two hours. If you're lucky you'll have a view of the volcanoes on the ride.

In Puebla, we stayed at the Meson Sacristia de la Compagna http://www.mesones-sacristia.com/

Beautiful place with a very good restaurant. Don't know if they have a room for four, though. Worth checking to be sure. The neighborhood is lively. Also close to the museum and a weekend market. Walk to the zocalo in about 5 to 10 minutes -- can't remember exactly. It wasn't far.

We took a cab to Cholula. The concierge at the hotel arranged it. Driver dropped us off at the pyramid and returned to pick us up an hour or two later. On the way back we visited the folk churches at Tonanzintla and Acatepec -- don't miss them!

To return to your original question -

I have enjoyed both Oaxaca and Merida, but I much prefer Oaxaca. It's smaller, quieter, and in my opinion less run-down and much more interesting architecturally than Merida. The food in Oaxaca is phenomenal - not so in Merida. Same with local crafts - OK in Merida, astounding in Oaxaca. The main market is especially fascinating. The Santo Domingo church may be the most beautiful in Mexico. And Oaxaca's zocalo is extremely inviting, with many cafes and restaurants spilling out from under the arcades. Merida's zocalo is nothing like that. Then there's the Monte Alban archeological site, just a short bus ride away.

You are correct - Merida seems to make more sense logistically. Fly to Merida, drive to Playa, fly home from Cancun. Easy.

But you certainly could fly from NYC to Oaxaca (try Newark to Houston on Continental - Continental flies direct flights from Houston straight into Oaxaca without a stop in Mexico City) and then just fly from Oaxaca to Playa.

I f you decide on Merida, Uxmal and Chichen Itza will make you very glad you did. Valladolid will not. The Hacienda Chichen is a great place to stay, adjacent to the Chichen Itza site, with a beautiful pool for you and the kids.

Also, if you are in the Yucatan and can possibly add Campeche, do so. Very beautiful.

I think Oaxaca may be cooler because of the elevation, but either way, it's August, and it's gonna be HOT HOT HOT.

Enjoy Mexico!