We would like to take a two week holiday either December/05 or February/06. We are taking our daughters, ages 24 & 26, and our youngest daughter's boyfriend, age 26 with us. We don't want to go to a totally isolated place because of them. We are lucky in that we have friends who are letting us use their timeshare exchange, and we have aeroplan miles, enough for 3, maybe 4 of us. We are not well off, and so don't want an all-inclusive. We feel that we wouldn't eat or drink enough to cover the cost, and we prefer to go outside the resort to eat, so we're looking for a place where we can get reasonably priced meals. We're thinking of either the Caribbean, Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen, or Isla Mujures. My nephew went to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in January. They loved Cozumel, but didn't like PdC. They said that there were too many half-naked over-weight people running around. I bet he wouldn't have complained if they had been age 20 something females. They stayed in Cozumel the first week, because they were worried that the ferry wouldn't be running when it was time to go back to Cancun to the airport. Does anyone have any suggestions on places we should consider? We have never done anything like this as a family before, and we want this to be special. Thanks in advance to everyone who replies to my message.

We go every year to the MR. Unlike your nephew, we don't care much for Cozumel, but like PdC. Unfortunately, food is becoming expensive on the MR and often the quality is not up to the cost. You might want to consider the Oasis Akumal or Akumal beach resort--both 3 star AI's, so they are not that expensive and the food is taken care of.
With two weeks and on a budget, suggest you divide the time between several places--I.E. Begin at Isla Mujeres. Hotels are pretty reasonable there and the food not too expensive. (email me and I will suggest some hotels). Then go to a 3-star AI at Akumal. You might want to end up at Tulum. Various moderate rate hotels and everyone seems to love it (except poss. the ultra-posh Cancun hotel types. I have been to tulum several times, but not to stay). This would give you variety and the experience of several situations. You might want to rent a car (but not for IM)or you can hire taxis for a ride down the strip or the bus service is very good. Don't think of the buses like those of the US--it is a whole different world--cheap and very efficient. Buses leave every fifteen minutes from the central bus station in Cancun for points south. There is a large bus station in PdC, also with connections everywhere.

Good luck,
Norm

Penny1,

An afterthought-for going from CC Airport to Puerto Juarez (for the boat to Isla Mujeres) you might want to go to cancunvalet.com, and check it out. I think the van is around $40--per van, up to 10 people. A private taxi would cost as much (or more) and might not be as much room for the people and luggage you have. They also have service to other points on Mayan Riviera.

Norm

Please e-mail us at
[email protected]
We will e-mail you back with our 30 page brochure which is a first timers guide to Isla Mujeres. In it we also discuss PDC and other Riverea destinations.
Dan and Ginny

If you want a family vacation you'd never forget go to the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica and stay at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, Cabinas Las Caletas ***, or La Paloma. You'll find all of these with a Google internet search.

It's an adventure your family will never forget. Not like going to the polluted crowded beaches of Mexico. You'll see monkeys, macaws, wild parrots, Coati's (Anteaters), beautiful sunsets, beaches, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking and much more.

La Paloma is the luxurious resort on the Osa. Cabinas Las Caletas is very nice but rustic for the budget-minded outdoors oriented family.

This message is for norbrad393. Please email me the info you talked about. You didn't leave your email address on the website. Thanks.

Penny, Everyone knows that I love Cozumel - go every year -and stay for a month. I think it is the perfect choice for your holiday. That said: you may be very restricted in your choices based on the type of travel you propose. The dates your suggest are High Season in the Carribbean and Mexico. Have you already attempted to get your timeshare exchange and frequent flier tickets? Unfortunately you may find it quite difficult, if not impossible, to get what you want, when you want it. I don't mean to be negative or rain on your parade, it is however a fact of life with "free travel".

A few planning tips: In what exchange program is your friends timeshare registered? They should have a listing of those properties available for exchange. This will narrow your destinations. Do they own High Season time? How long have they had their timeshare exchange "banked"? Is their home resort a Gold Resort (or other top level definition)? All of these things effect what they are able to exchange for - where and when.

In what airline program do you have your miles? What is your departure city? Again, these two factors will greatly narrow your choices for destinations. I have been going to Cozumel for 12 years and have never found two seats at the "Standard Miles" award level for a January or February departure. I live in a major airline hub city with non-stop flights directly into Cozumel and still the only FF seats are "Rule Busters" at twice the mileage or First Class - also a huge mileage cost.

Again, I don't mean to be cruel in any way, but getting your hearts set on a destination and then finding out you can't get there is the cruelest cut.

If you do go to Cozumel, post again and I will be happy to send you my "Things to See and Do" list. Good Luck.