2 single girls in late 20's planning a week long trip to Mexico in November. We both have never been there and would like any ideas or advice on where to stay based on best beaches, nightlife, shopping, etc. We were thinking Cancun. Also is AI worth the extra money.. we do like our drinks!! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I was in Cancun earlier this month. While I enjoyed it, I've been there before, and it's not quite back 100%, so others might not be so forgiving...I think by this time next year it will be great again.
Als are very popular. I'm not a fan. I do think with most of them you're getting quantity not quality, but to each his own...the Riu hotels in Cancun are popular.
I like the

east coast:
Cancun
Isla Mujeres
Playa del Carmen

west coast:
Puerto Vallarta

Budget dependent, but check www.luxurylink.com
ElCareyes resort has a screaming bargain.
That's Costalegre between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo - www.costalegre.ca
www.elcareyes.com
M (SMdA, Gto.)

I've never been a fan of the all-inclusive option, so I'll leave that up to you. As far as just where to plant yourself, suze has some good suggestions - though I'd change the order a bit. For my money, Cancun is a bit of a younger crowd (I'm in my late-20s as well); I was in Playa del Carmen for the first time this April, and I thought it was a much more "grown-up" scene. Plenty of drinking, dancing and debauching, but geared more toward folks who have outgrown Cancun.

Depending on where you're flying in from, though, PV might be your best bet. Despite the fact that it's obviously a tourist resort, you get a very Mexican vibe - not surprising, since the city was around well before the first gringos and gringas were dancing on the tables. (Cancun, by way of contrast, was a purpose-built resort erected in the 1970s.) Beautiful location, charming cobbled streets...and a notorious nightlife. One of Mexico's best options as far as beach resorts go.

Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
www.travelgator.com

Puerto Vallarta is my personal favorite, and where I vacation every year. While it is a "tourist resort", it is also a normal every-day working Mexican city. Just depends which part of town you hang around.

I have never stayed at an all-inclusive so can't help with that part. Vallarta has great shopping and plenty of nightlife. The beaches are fun but not as picture-perfect as on the Caribbean side. The people in PV are very friendly and welcoming is an extra bonus.

Chris' point is excellent!! There are a few locations that were built (by government or investors?) specifically to attract tourists which have little or nothing to do with Mexican culture. And then there are normal towns that existed & the tourist infrastructure grew gradually. If you want to know you are in Mexico, choose a place that naturally evolved rather than being created only to capture tourist dollar. Puerto Vallarta is one of those places, a good balance of a regular city with ammenities for tourist comfort and entertainment.

If you are just looking for an all-inclusive to lay by the pool, by above philosophizing doesn't much matter -LOL! enjoy!!

The beaches of the Pacific coast of Mexico don't compare to those of the Mayan Riviera. Also, the water in the Pacific is not as clear.
If you've never been to Mexico, Cancun is a good introduction. It seems more like Florida than a foreign country. Personally, I can't stand it for this reason. Playa del Carmen has much more character and you will see other tourists who are not from the USA. PDC is about half an hour south of Cancun. Thus if you go to the Mayan Riviera you can see both, as well as Cozumel. Puerto Vallarta is okay but there is not much close by to explore.

Yes, I definitely agree the Caribbean side has nicer beaches and ocean water.

But there is plenty to do in and around Puerto Vallarta. All the formal tours, cruises, activities, visiting outlying towns and beaches, plus in town excellent nightlife, restaurants, and shopping are what made me think to recommend it for these two.

FYI
Hurricane John is expected to hit Puerto Vallarta by Thursday. Since its a category 4 storm this may cause significant damage to resorts and beaches.

Actually RBcal there have been NO Reports of John hitting PV. Don't know where your getting your info but it is Incorrect! John is now past Zihuatanejo were there was ZERO damage & is now about 100 miles south of Manzanillo but the eye is not expected to hit any land. it now looks like it MAY give Cabo a glancing blow.

From the AP. Note you might want check a map, PV is in north of Manzanillo and southeast of Cabo. The storm is heading north/northwest.

"The storm was expected to strengthen Thursday, and Mexico issued hurricane warnings for about 400 miles of coast from the port of Lazaro Cardenas to the fishing and shipping community of San Blas, an area encompassing the bay where Puerto Vallarta is located.

While the center of John was forecast to remain just offshore, hurricane-force winds were expected to begin raking beaches near Puerto Vallarta by Thursday, the hurricane center said."

Well as one who has traveled the Mexican Pacific coast I indeed know the geography. I am not sure why you are predicting doom for PV but nothing in the facts suggests that. What do you expect the storm to hang a Right at Bahia de Bandras then make a Left to Cabo? Such silliness!

I didn't predict anything only stated what AP and NOAA has said. I wish I had your power of predictions and knew exactly where it will land. Many people in New Orleans didn't take Katrina seriously either.

keeping my fingers crossed for everyone on the Pacific coast and Baja. Hope this storms weakens...a lot.

Just got an e-mail from my friend at CocoCabanas in Barra de Navidad (actually on the Isla fronting on the Pacific).
Some light rain, but little wind and no damage.
Looks like the Costalegre (Manzanillo to PV) dodged a big bullet.
I hope the same holds for Los Cabos, but at the moment, things look bad.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Just talked to a good friend who has lived in PV for 35 years. She says that only a bit of rain is falling with medium surf. Storm is well off shore.

I was also curious about the predictions of doom for Puerto Vallarta and that fact that RBCal just thinks it is "ok" and that there isn't much to do there. Interesting perspective.

As far as storms because of the way it sets on a protected Bay, it is extremely rare for hurricane damage to occur. The last time (maybe 5 years back) was the first in 50 years. And November when these girls hope to travel is well past the rainy season anyways.

Yeah Suze as you know my one grip with PV is there is TOO Much going on with Too many of those dang Gringos, Like Me! LOL
Seriously anyone who could get bored there must be dead!

Stewbear, true enough. In all my years of going to PV (many) and/or posting about it on travel forums... I have heard various complaints but this is the first time anyone ever said there was a lack of things to do in the area. Like I said, just seems an odd comment.