Sell me on Mexico for my vacation
 

All,

I am overwhelmed with so many choices for vacation that we would like to take in end of April, early May 2018. I have always looked away from Mexico because of the party crowd/ wasted college kids vibe. We are in late 20's, married, 1 baby (won't be attending). I like bang for my buck but I know I get what I pay for. I have 350K Chase UR points that I can use as well as $1,200 dollars in Southwest gift cards. I am flying out of Dallas.

Are there any locations/ resorts that cater are top notch, private, great place for couples to relax without the wild side/girls parading around wearing nothing/ college bros etc.

Would love to hear some recommendations on resorts. Thank you for the time.

Cheers.

I vacation in Puerto Vallarta twice a year. I've never once seen "the party crowd/wasted college kids" there. But probably that depends on what resort or hotel you pick to stay at.

Never once (30+ trips) in PV have I seen "wild side/girls parading around wearing nothing".

But I rent an apartment myself downtown so can't help with "resort" recommendations from personal experience, but I think these might fit what you are looking for:

Villa Premiere/Buenaventura
Casa Magna Marriott
Sunset Plaza
Secrets/Now Amber

Or if you want something more economical these are beach-front traditional Mexican-style hotels (not resorts) in Zona Romantica/Old Town:

The Tropicana Hotel
Hotel Playa Los Arcos

Generally the Maya Riviera area of Mexico is great once you get south of Cancun.

If you want privacy, look into renting a condo on Half Moon Bay in north Akumal. Puerto Morelos is also a chill little beach town (still has its roots as a fishing village) as well.

Tulum is also a famous choice for those looking for something more off the beaten trail, it's becoming more expensive but still lacks the hordes of party people.

When you use the word "resort" are you meaning an AI (All Inclusive) or not? Wrong time of year for spring break and the "party hardy" crowd anyway. Budget per night for lodging would also help.
I agree with RAC about a nice condo on Half Moon Bay and have stayed there my last few trips to Mexico. Tulum has some lovely places but has gotten way too pricey for my retired income budget these days. We normally will go visit people staying there and eat lunch, do a beach bar crawl, etc.
Puerto Vallarta is a real nice town and I have visited there about 8 times, usually staying in the Hotel Zone, but hard for me when I crave the turquoise waters and white sand.
You might want to also mention any outside interests if any.

That's absolutely true jamie99. The ocean in PV looks nothing like the Caribbean, more like southern California actually.

Why I love the town is not for the color of the sand or the water. It's more about the lively Mexican culture, friendly local people, good tourist infrastructure. But it IS a city, vibrant, busy, hussle & bussle, may or may not appeal to this request.

Here's a few B&B's as example

http://www.casaisabelpv.com/
http://villasinvallarta.com/room-list/qmc/
http://www.garlandsdelrio.com/

If you avoid the beach resorts you'll see none of the sights and atmosphere you want to avoid, but will experience Mexican culture and history.

Good places: Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Mexico City. Plenty more I haven't seen.

Go to The French West Indies then Mexico will seem very tame!

You don't have to avoid beach resort towns to avoid college age kids acting badly.

While it is true that the beaches in PV are brown and the ones in The Carribbean are white, the choice is still yours to make as both sides offer exemplary restaurants, nite life, quality hotels and a warm embracing culture...

If you need to "be sold" on a vacation in Mexico, and can't do enough research on your own to realize that there is far more to Mexico than "locations/ resorts that cater are top notch, private, great place for couples to relax without the wild side/girls parading around wearing nothing/ college bros etc.", maybe it isn't the place for you.... Just a thought.

>>>You don't have to avoid beach resort towns to avoid college age kids acting badly.<<<

True enough. I just wanted to point out that Mexico has more to offer than beaches and resorts.

"...maybe it isn't the place for you.... Just a thought."

I've been thinking the same thing, kja. And as Fra_Diavolo rightly says, if bad behavior on beaches doesn't appeal, don't go to a beach and you're sure to be spared. But then I'd pay not to go to a "resort."

I also hesitate to recommend Mexico for someone approaching a trip needing to be "sold" on the idea. Painting with a broad brush, Mexico is simply not for everyone. It's not like travel in Hawaii or even the Caribbean. Not the "problem" of wild partying college kids (which personally I have never once had to witness in many trips) rather just the pace and culture of the country. It's different. If you don't go in with an open mind you may be disappointed.

Mexico is an amazing country, with tons of culture, fabulous food, and incredible diversity. And yeah, there are places with the drunken spring break crowd, but that's a pretty small aspect of the country.

You say you want "top notch", relaxing, quiet, etc.
I don't know about using your points, but the Royal Hideaway Playacar resort in Mexico's Riviera Maya is adults only, all inclusive on a beautiful beach. Quiet atmosphere, fantastic service, and good food.

If you stick with the Top Notch as you request. The higher price will likely eliminate any chance of spring breakers. That crowd isn't looking to vacation at a quiet & classy resort.

If you need to "be sold" on a vacation in Mexico, and can't do enough research on your own to realize that there is far more to Mexico than "locations/ resorts that cater are top notch, private, great place for couples to relax without the wild side/girls parading around wearing nothing/ college bros etc.", maybe it isn't the place for you.... Just a thought.

Well, I had to be sold. My last trip to Mexico (1980) we had a fun time (rented a house with a housekeeper and cook), but everyone in our group got so sick (some upon returning home) that I refused to return. Year after year some friends would invite us to go with them and I’d refuse. Fast forward to 2017, and we were headed to Guatemala. We wanted to “ add on” a beach stay. The easiest airport for us was. Cancun, and we chose Tulum. And I absolutely loved it, so much that I look at real estate from time to time. The beaches are beautiful, restaurants great, town funky, and hotels on the beach are all low-key, boutique-style. The loudest music we heard was Sunday afternoon salsa lessons. Loved every minute of it.

<<I have always looked away from Mexico because of the party crowd/ wasted college kids vibe.>>

That is very limited and easy to avoid. What part of Mexico are you considering? Do you want the white sand and blue waters of the Mexican Riveria? Or are you interested in the Pacific side? I am assuming you want a beach resort? You need to do some research and come back with some more defined ideas. There are so many places in Mexico to choose from that it's pretty difficult to give you recommendations without knowing more about what you're looking for.

I love Mexico! Especially Cancun. I highly recommend The Ritz Carlton Cancun. My home sweet home. I have been going there for 20 years. The Club level is the only way to go IMHO.

It's secure, safe and stunning. And you can either hop on the bus or walk to most shopping and restaurants. Besides the AAA 5 star restaurant's in the hotel, there are several across the street from the hotel.Harry's being one of them.

I'm going in May 2018 and can't hardly wait.