Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Mexico or the Carribean???

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Mexico or the Carribean???

My husband and I are looking to get away for a romantic 4 day vacation end of Sept. Any suggestions on whether to go Mexico or Carribean? Which island/city?

My personal opinion is that Mexico would be less expensive and you can stay at a lovely resort in Cancun. Go to a 5 star for romance/luxury. We are staying for the first time in Cancun and have reservations at Fiesta Americana Coral Beach - rated #7 on the Travel Channel's top 10 Mexican resorts. La Meridian is smaller and might really be wonderful as well.

Try the Tankah/Tulum area of the Mexican Caribbean, for the best of both worlds. Here are a few helpful webs sites to visit. http://CasaTropical.com Casa Tropical Tankah... Romantic, Mayan Riviera, beachfront villa, located on privately owned, 1/2 acre lot. Located in Tankah, Mexico, a 1 hour drive south of Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the Tulum ruins, with other major archaeological sites within driving distance. Great views with barrier reef just offshore, and Manatee Cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. Two guests quarters with kitchenettes, private patios, maid, gardener, manager. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is just south of Tankah and Tulum. Weather Base (past weather history, temps, rainfall, etc.) http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=509567&refer= Hidden Worlds snorkel & dive tours of cenotes http://hiddenworlds.com.mx/ Aktun Chen www.aktunchen.com Maps of Riviera Maya Can-do Maps http://WWW.cancunmap.com/ Check out this web site for tours lead by the Friends of Sian Ka'an group. It is a non-profit organization and tour guides are usually biologists. Very informative tours lead by a very worthwhile organization. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve http://www.cancun.com/siankaan/ photo of tankah's cenote' http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian/issues98/apr98/diver_jpg.html

Trixie, Where are you coming from? I ask because if I was on the East Coast USA, I'd go Caribbean, but West Coast would do Mexico... just because you only have 4 days would save on both overall expense and flying time.

Mexico for friendly local people, authentic atmosphere, music, and food. Caribbean islands for the white beaches and turquoise waters.

My pick is Cancun. The Carribean waters are clear and warm and beautiful and your overall trip will be less expensive than one to the Bahamas or Caymans. They have beautiful luxurious resorts that will pamper and delight you at a fraction of the cost for the same accommodations in the Other Carribean locations. Go to Cancun, you will not regret it.

To Mandy~~ but if saving money is an object for the original poster, then within Mexico... Cancun is a much more expensive destination than Pacific coast (i.e., Puerto Vallarta).

Have been to many places in both Mexico and Caribbean. Caribbean, particularly Virgin Islands are more expensive and the people are less friendly than in Mexico, but the scenery is more beautiful. If cheap is your main concern, Mexico is your best bet. If privacy and pretty water (snorkeling and sunbathing) is important, there are more options in Caribbean. There are package deals on aavacations.com to islands in Caribbean that are around $1000 per person, depending which island. Parts of the Carib. feel like you are in a tropical country and many parts of Mexico feel like you are in Florida, and don't have that "island" feel.

CHEAP: Playa del Carmen is cheaper than Cancun but with the same views and breathtaking waters of the Carribean which in my opinion are high and above PV and the other cities on the western coast of Mexico.

Trixie, I'd pick a place closest to home because 4-days is a pretty short vacation. A 2nd consideration, at least on the Pacific coast of Mexico, September is still the rainy season.