blep

The last 2 winters we've spent a week in the Puerto Morelos area. We really love the area, but are open to new ideas. We do not like Cancun; prefer a smaller town, like PM. We like to snorkel and sight-see. Any ideas?

JeanH

Ambergris Caye, Belize.

blep

Thanks, Jean. It looks beautiful!

blep

Any other suggestions? Puerto Vallarta?

theprofessor

Costa Alegre south of Puerto Vallarta is nice, undeveloped, without the crowds! I like La Manzanilla, Melaque, and barra de Navidad!

blep

Theprofessor;
Thank you for the suggestions. Where have you stayed in that area? Is there much to do as far as sightseeing? Good snorkeling? Costalegre.ca has quite a bit of interesting info, but would like your opinions too.

suze

only since you asked ... i love puerto vallarta, and go there every chance i get (1-2 x a year):

but it's no small town. ya gotta love being around lots of people (local, foreign tourist, and mexican families vacationing from inland), fun & noisy, diesel fumes from the busses, busy dusty cobblestone streets, vendors, shops, great restaurants, mariachi bands, sunsets, ice cream cones, corn on the cob, roosters waking you up...

and if you do go definitely stay away from Nuevo Vallarta, the Marina & hotel zone, if you hope to have a taste of normal life in town (El Centro & south of the river are my favorite areas).

butsey

I agree with Suze I also try to go at least 1x or 2x a year. If you are looking for snorkeling and water like the caribbean then maybe you should think about playa del carmen or somewhere in that vicinity. If you want somewhere tropical and guaranteed good weather in our winter months then P. Vallarta is the place. I think it is the best place I have ever been to.

Jed

For very good snorkling, take a look at Bonaire.

blep

Jed;
Bonaire looks beautiful! How did you get there and where did you stay?

Jed

We went on a "snorkling safari" run by the World Wildlife Federation a few years ago. We flew from Philly to Miami to Aruba to Bonaire. Stayed at Capt. Don's, had a jr. suite, which was very good, and I would recommend it.

blep

Thanks Jed! Looks wonderful! Is it primarily for adults, or is it kid friendly? Anything else to do in the area besides snorkeling or diving? Expensive?

Cate22

Another secluded place that hasn't been overrun by tourists and still has many beaches only accessible by boat...Huatulco, Mexico.

You can take a full day sailing excursion to these beaches, snorkel at your leisure and drink margaritas until your heart's content.

Oaxaca is also a 45 minute flight for historic mexican siteseeing, if you are interested.

We stayed at a local B&B called Agua Azul.

Good luck!
http://baysofhuatulco.com.mx/

Jed

We didn't do much else besides take a drive around the island. Check out <infobonaire.com>

I remember kids at Capt. Don's. I think they would enjoy the water, but can't be sure about anything else.

theprofessor

Blep: I spend all my time in the fishing village of La Manzanilla on the Bay of Tenacatita with a few visits to Melaque! Great snorkeling, boogie boarding, and fishing!

blep

Thanks for all the ideas! They all look great.