Hi there,

My fiance and I would like to go (our first time) to Mexico for our honeymoon in October.

We do want the "typical" honeymoon...romance beaches, beautiful scenery, great food/drinks, music and dancing, but we also want some "real" culture and not TOO touristy. Is this possible?

We NEVER thought that we would be the type of travelers interested in an all-inclusive, but we are a bit intrigued. Can anybody suggest some all-inclusives for the NON-all-inclusive type?

Also, is it the rainy season in October?

And, how can we do it for under $3000 for 2 including airfare?

Pacific Coast vs. Mayan Riviera: pros and cons?

All-inclusives: pros and cons?

Gosh, that's a lot to ask....I really appreciate any feedback I might get.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Regarding airfare prices, where are you flying from? This might also help you decide Mayan vs. Pacific coast.

I'm a huge fan and frequent visitor to Puerto Vallarta but never stayed at an AI. I will say that a "con" of all-inclusives at least in PV is there are so many fantastic restaurants of all kinds, all-inclusive hotel food can hardly compete with the choices in downtown.

October would be considered toward the end (but not out of) of rainy season on the West coast.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. If it's beautiful beaches you want, the east coast or Caribbean side of Mexico is where you want to go. You won't find the white powdery sand and beautiful, clear turquoise water on the Pacific side.

The Playa del Carmen area probably has most or 90% of what you are looking for. Royal Hideaway is a great resort for honeymooners - luxurious accommodations, beautiful beaches, wonderful food - but a bit pricey. Adventura Spa Palace is another great hotel with similar amenities but a little more reasonably priced. All the archaelogical and echological parks and touring sites are nearby.

As for airfare, it will depend on what city you are flying out of.

Thanks!!

I am flying out of New Orleans. Obviously, the Mayan Riviera (rather than the Mexican) is more convenient, but which is nicer?

The Caribbean side is definitely nicer as far as beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. I love the Pacific coast but I travel in from west coast USA, there are charming places but the beaches are rougher there. Maybe look into flying to Cancun then onto Playa del Carmen and along the coast. Maybe Cozumel but that's more known as a cruise ship and 'diving' destination.

Remember that October is still hurricane season we had to cancel our plans to Mexico twice because of hurricanes. Its a toss up of which coast to recommend for a honeymoon they are both wonderful. For beaches the Mayan Riviera for more than beaches P. Vallarta or Ixtapa are both places I would recommend highly there you have beauty that is more tropical and also mountains thay go to high heaven. P. Vallarta had a hurricane 2 yrs ago but that was the first one is 65yrs. they usually never get hurricanes.

We usually travel to Cancun/PDC area in the fall--Oct/Nov and have never cancelled our trip because of weather. Sometimes it rains a bit more than others, but we usually stay 7-10 days and 4-6 (or more) of those days are great! You get better bargains during that time of year. Of course, there's always a chance of a tropical storm or hurricane right smack in the middle of the time you're planning to be there. You can always purchase trip insurance at the time you book your reservations and as the time gets closer, if the weather doesn't cooperate, you can cancel and either get your money back or reschedule for a different time.

I'm not sure which "side" of the country is nicer, they both have their pros & cons, both are wonderful. The beaches on the Mayan coast are more beautiful, the landscape on the pacific is prettier.
I've been to both sides, and it's a tossup!
Just a personal thing with me, I don't think I'd like an Al, they put me in mind of a cruise ship! But lots of folks really like them.