Need help on trip ideas!
 

Hi,

I need some help deciding where to go in Mexico.

We (me and hubby) are planning on a getaway right after Christmas for 4-5 days and be back before the New Year. We've never been to Mexico and don't speak any Spanish. Not knowing what to expect, I hope we can choose a destination that is safe for tourist and easy to get around. Beaches + historic sites are our points of interest and we do have a budget of around $1500 per person including airfare from Northern California. Price is much higher around Christmas time :(

Any inputs will help.

Thanks everyone!

Hi Shirley,

lots of touts about caveat emptor...

You are trying to go down in peak holiday season

for a very short time pretty much the worse plan moneywise

www.mexico.bookit.com www.priceline.com

will have cheap packages within your budget..

Cancun/PDC best beaches some Mayan Ruins around

Tulum/Uxmal www.xel-ha.com work well for a short stay..

Have fun,

We just returned a few days ago from our first trip to Puerto Vallarta. Great place for walking and exploring, both on the beach and around the town.

Beaches are ok, they're better on the Caribbean coast, but it will be a longer flight for you.

My suggestion is also Puerto Vallarta (knowing that prices are higher and you'd want to get a reservation soon, being the holiday week). It's very easy to get to out of SFO or other and offers the mix you seek... beaches, points of interest, history and culture, friendly people, ease and safety, Spanish not required.

Another easy place to get to is Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the Baja. It's not so much about history or culture, more about the beach, the sea, the rugged peninsula. But there is a cute town with shopping, restaurants, tourist ammenities. Also very easy and safe.

I agree the other side (Caribbean, Yucatan Peninsula) is very beautiful with lovely beaches, the opportunity to see ruins, etc. but it is significantly further to get to from No. Calif. so I'd save it for when you have more than only 4-5 days for your trip.

Getting to & from Cabo or PV you should be able to find nonstop flights (or one easy change maybe Phoenix at most).

The trick is all this is going to be prices... of plane ticket, of hotels, etc. The hotel I usually stay in PV gets twice as much for the same rooms those couple weeks over the holidays.

Check out www.tripalertz.com They are offering a great deal on an all inclusive vacation at the El Cid.

First timers, no Spanish PV would be my first choice. Second La Paz

Mostly I encourage you to continue your planning ASAP, because getting good price airfare and finding hotel rooms in the resort towns will be the challenge going over the Christmas holidays, since it's less than a couple months away.

Do you have an Alaskan Airlines credit card? To fly from SFO to PV you can fly buy one get the second for 99$ they also fly to other places in Mexico. Best deal around-don';t worry about Spanish $ speaks all languages-Chris