Blair

I am trying to decide which of these 2 places <BR>are beter for someone going for the first time to mexico. I have heard the beaches is Puerto Vallarta aren't great. Which place is better. Can someone help me. <BR> <BR>ps I am 26 years of age if this helps. Looking for a quiet, yet not that quiet vacation

Suanne

Hi Blair, <BR> <BR>I just got back from Cancun. It was my first visit to Mexico, and it was very nice there, just VERY commercialized. We did a day trip to Isla Mujeres, and it was really great. You don't get much "Mexico" in Cancun, very Americanized...mostly large hotels, malls, and restaurants. Isla Mujeres was very relaxed, had beautiful beaches, and the culture of Mexico that you won't find in Cancun. Check out Cozumel as well. Good luck!!!

Debbie

Hi Blair <BR> <BR>I too have just returned from Cancun, our first visit to Mexico, and agree completely with Suanne. <BR> <BR>We had picked this coast for easy accessibility to the Mayan ruins - especially Chicen Itza. <BR> <BR>We went down the coast about 40 miles to Playa Car for a day and fell in love with it - very beautiful beaches, very Mexican feel, laid back. We would definitely recommend that resort. There was a hotel there at the end of the Playa Car beach called Porto Real - we didn't go inside it, but it looked good from the outside and was in a great spot. <BR> <BR>Having said all that, we're heading back in November and trying Puerto Vallarta! Hope this helps anyway. <BR> <BR>

dan woodlief

Well, I have been to Cancun and several other places in the Yucatan but have not been to Puerto Vallarta. From what I have heard though, I would think PV will give you much more in the way of Mexican culture. I know some people take trips to Guadelajara from there too, which is considered to be the most "Mexican" city in Mexico. Cancun has very little of that, but there are some good restaurants and beaches. You may prefer Cozumel, but I didn't like the beaches as much as in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. I loved Playa del Carmen. It is quieter and more Mexican, has an easy to reach bus station, is much smaller, and you can easily travel from there to a lot of great places. The great thing about Cancun, however, is that you can get out of it. It makes a great hub for visiting a number of major Mayan ruins and other more Mexican cities and towns.

Jesse

Having been to both places, I would say PV is much better for a first time traveler to Mexico if you want to get the feel of mexican culture. It is true that the beaches aren't as nice as Cancun, but that is the only drawback. Cancun is very much like Miami Beach. PV is a tourist resort, but it is all Mexico. Much more diverse than Cancun and much, much more of a bargain. Feel free to e-mail me with any other questions you may have.

Blair

Thanks guys, I am getting the impression that Puerto Vallarta may be a better time. Cancun sounds a lot like going to a big huge packed beach. <BR> <BR>Blair

Joy

Blair- <BR> <BR>We've been to Cancun, but not to PV. And, we are going back to Cancun in 3 weeks. In my opinion, Cancun is more for the markets and night life, which is what we want. The beaches all depend on which hotel you stay at. All of the big hotels have their own beaches that are acutally really clean and not very packed at all. We've found that most people stay around the pool area, instead of the beach. Just my opinion... We simply love Cancun!! Good luck!

Diane

Haven't been on this forum for a while, but I'll jump in on this one -- whether you end up in Cancun or PV, if you've been anywhere in the Caribbean, you will notice that in Mexico, the beaches are open to everyone and it is really neat to notice that people who LIVE there can enjoy the wonderful beaches. Sure, you'll see tourists from Mexico City, but you'll also see local families picnic and play soccer on the beach. It bugs me on some of the Caribbean islands--where it seems like the hotels, restaurants and beautiful beaches are just for the tourists.

Sandy

Hi Blair...well here's my 2 cents...we've never been to the eastern side of Mexico (seeing as we live in the western part of Canada it's way easier for us to scoot down on the west coast). But I'm not ruling it out for future trips. We've been going down to the Puerto Vallarta area for a few years & have found that, although it's changed noticeably in the last 2 yrs.(what we've noticed anyway), it's still a wonderful area to explore. It's ALL there....if you want nightlife in the bars & clubs-it's there, if you want solitude on the beaches-it's there (although you may have to travel a little out of town to find it..but it's <BR>still there!).We first started out by staying right in PV but as the years go by we've done more exploring & have found that we're gravitating to staying outside of town...close enough that we can hop a bus & head into PV when we want but far enough away that we can feel that we've truly escaped the frozen Great White North and have our own slice of paradise. The best of both worlds! Puerto Vallarta was our first experience EVER of Mexico and what a wonderful memory ! You would NEVER regret going there. Email me if you'd like more info ....we're booked & heading back again this fall....can't get enough of that damn place !!!!!!! <BR>~~~Sandy

don

Oof! So many ways to approach this question. Carribean beach beats Pacific hands down, for sand and water, but Muertos Beach, PV is so much more fun, lots more interesting folks to chat with, vendors selling all kinds of food and stuff. Cancun Hotel Zone beats PV Hotel Zone, but I hate hotel zones. Old Town PV is awesome, lots of bars and cafes and small restaurants to hang out in and there are lots of really nice hotels on the beach. Old Town PV and Playa del Carmen south of Cancun are very similar in atmosphere. Have I confused you enough? OK- here it is- if you are staying in the hotel zone- pick one or the other because it dont matter. If you want to get out of the tourist ghetto and have some fun go to PV south of the Rio Cuale. If you want the Carribean style beach skip Cancun altogether and go to Playa del Carmen, you wont be sorry. Email if you need more info. Don

Carole

Hi Blair, <BR> <BR>Go to the Caribbean side of Mexico. South of Cancun for the most beautiful beaches. We love the Tulum area, with wonderful cenotes and archeological sites. Check out these sites for info about cenotes, weather etc. <BR>http://CasaTropical.com <BR>http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76590.html <BR>http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smiths...r98/caves.html

Jen

Blair, <BR> <BR>I studied abroad in Mexico on the Carribean side and spent my honeymoon on the Western side. If you want to feel "real Mexico" - go to PV hands down. Cancun has gorgeous beaches but is extremely commericialized and a haven for spring breakers. I have spent time in Playa del Carmen and Akumal as well. While the beaches beat PV in these areas, PV has an incredible charm and the town is wonderful. The restaruants are fabulous and there are bars and tons of things to do. PV is a tourist town, but they have managed to retain a Mexican feel, which Cancun definitely lacks. The streets are cobblestone and there is a "boardwalk" along the water/beach for strolling. PV also has glorious sunsets. It all depends on you, but if you are interested in the culture and more of the real Mexico, with all the comforts you expect, I would go to PV. I stayed in the Marriott in PV, which was great and it has the most beautiful views of the mountains and the bay, and the pool is the best.

rose

Definitely go to Puerto Vallarta. I recommend staying at an all-inlusive resort in Nuevo Vallarta (we stayed at a Radisson which recently changed names). The one we stayed at had a huge, beautiful beach area, 2 pools, great restaurants, disco and a ton of activities. Their activity directors were all in early twenties and kept the place hopping if you wanted to be involved. They also gave discount coupons to eat in restaurants in PV which was a 15 min. bus ride from the resort. It is a really great place to visit and if you stay at an all-inclusive you don't have to spend any money once you get there unless you want to go on excursions or into town to eat! It is our favorite place in Mexico. <BR>You will not get the true flavor of Mexico if you go to Cancun. Have a great trip!

sue

Puerto Vallarta - Eden or Allegro Nuevo? <BR>Am mom going w/daughter 15. Or should I go to Huatulco instead to the Royal Maeva?

Sandy

re: allegro or Eden <BR>Although I haven't been there myself, I know alot of families who went to Club Marival in Nuevo and loved it. They preferred it over Allegro. Don't know anyone whos stayed at Eden. Good luck.

maryvdh

Definitely Puerto Vallarta !! I live in Cancun for 5 years before coming to PVR and I am convinced that PV is definitely a much better, more authentical, more typical, more Mexican and friendlier option. <BR>If you have to chose between Allegro and Sunset Eden, I would personally chose Allegro, because their all-inclusive program is better, more variety of food, better activities, shows etc. If you are looking for a more quiet place, you might prefer the Eden Sunset. Another good recommendation is to check the web-site http://www.royale-tours.com for tours, actvities etc. <BR>Have a great vacation and send me an e-mail if you have any other questions !

dan

www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm

Jackie

I just returned from P.V. 2 days ago, for the 5th time and cannot say enough good things about it. I have been to Cancun only once and thought the bewaches and water were beautiful, but these were the only things it has over P.V. I would definitely recommend Vallarta, and also, staying in the Los Muertos beach area. You will get a wonderful feel for the culture and are in walking distance of all the action. Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

AR

I went to Cancun first and then to PV for my honeymoon. I was so disappointed we almost went home early! Although I agree that you get more "Mexican Culture", the beaches are not as nice and the water is unimpressive. I also got sick from the food - and I only ate at my hotel! Cancun has crystal clear water and white sand beaches. Our beach in PV was small, rocky and brown. We never went out on it. If you want to get away from commercialism, try another Carribean side destination like Playa del Carmen or Cozemel.

Dennis

<BR>Puerto Vallarta by all means. I don't recommend all inclusive hotels in Puerto Vallarta, because of all the great restaurants and cafes that flourish throughout PV. Be a shame to go and eat most of your meals in a hotel. Try staying in El Centro (Downtown) try the Playa Los Arcos right on the beach. Knocks off a taxi or bus ride to get to the action. Whatever you decide to do you will have a great time.