Hey, Fodotites, we need your help! Every year we go away @ Christmas usually to the Caribbean. This year we are booked to go to Neuvo Vallarta in Mexico. We are now thinking that we shd. cancel & try to book something in the Caribbean instead. The reason? Mexico is so much less expensive than the Caribbean that we are now asking: Is there something wrong w/ Mexico? Why does it cost so much less to spend a week in an oceanfront condo in Neuvo Vallarta than an oceanfront hotel room in Aruba?

There's nothing wrong with Mexico, in my opinion! One reason it may be cheaper is the strength of the dollar against the Peso. We went to Acapulco in 98 (stayed at Acapulco Princess/ Pierre Marques) and loved the service and the friendliness of the people. Then we spent our next three trips in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Aruba and Turks and Caicos). This year we are going back to Mexico (PDC) because it is such a good value. We usually spend about $4,000 - $5,000 to go to the Caribbean and just don't feel good about spending that much this year due to the economy. Our Mexico trip will be half the cost of the Caribbean. By the way, I have heard lots of good things about Nuevo Vallarta. If I were you I wouldn't change your plans unless you want to pay an arm-and-a-leg to go to the Caribbean. I love the Caribbean, but think Mexico is great too. We look for good beaches and golf. Of all our trips, the weather was the best in Mexico in February!

Nuevo Vallarta is not on the Caribbean side of Mexico, it is on the Pacific Ocean. Nuevo is nice, we stayed there two yrs. ago. Last yr. we went to Cancun, Mexico, which is on the Caribbean side. Big difference! Cancun has the very blue Caribbean waters, whereas Nuevo, has the dark blue Pacific Ocean water. I think you always pay more to be in the Caribbean. Cancun is less expensive than Aruba. Hope that helps.

We have been to Puerto Vallarta once and Nuevo Vallarta once. We enjoyed each trip and were always amazed at the value we got for our money. I would love to go back tomorrow! Everyone has their own opinions and ideas of what is important to them. Here are some things, in my opinion, to know before you decide. PV & NV, as said earlier, do not have the crystal blue water of the Caribbean. Some claim that the water in PV is dirty. That is not the case. I believe the lack of clarity is caused from the Rio Cuale emptying into the ocean as well as the Pacific currents. The town of PV maintains charm and character. You do not need to fear leaving your resort and browsing the town. We never felt unsafe in PV and often took the city bus. In fact, much of the charm of PV is venturing out and finding new places to dine. Nuevo Vallarta is about 20 min. north of the city of PV. Nuevo Vallarta is mainly private homes and all-inclusives. One of our trips was an all-inclusive, one was not. PV is a relatively inexpensive place to eat and drink. An all-inclusive is not necessary. On the other hand, it is not a bad thing either. We enjoyed not keeping that mental running tab in your mind of what you are spending as you order each drink. When we wanted quantity, we stayed at the resort. When we wanted something different, we ventured out. It was kind of the best of both worlds. Buses run from PV to NV and taxis are plentiful and cheap. I think you will be pleased with PV. But either way, take the information offered here and make your decision based on your own priorities. Happy vacation.

The above posters all make good points, also remember...the Caribbean resorts are all islands, so they must import everything and so it costs more to get just about everything there. (Hence a Coke for two bucks) Mainland Mexico, on the other hand, has a huge economy and infrastructure so most goods are much cheaper. <BR>The above are also right that the water won't be that Caribbean blue; the Pacific resorts are still lovely, but you just need to have your expectations adjusted.<BR>have a terrific trip _ I love Mexico and hope you will too!

The caribbean is more expensive because, the truth is it is better!

Mr. Mexico: Could you elaborate please? Why is it 'better'?

Well Dave,<BR>Been to Mexico, been to the Caribbean...like the Caribbean better. Never got sick in the Caribbean, did in Mexico. Never had hassels with the local people in the Caribbean, did in Mexico. Diving, snorkeling, water prettier in the Caribbean...hey, that's just my option, take it or leave it.

Mr. Mexico if you don't care for Mexico, why do you call yourself Mr Mexico?

Because I've HAD to travel there for my work and I was calling myself Mr. Mexico as sort of a sarcastic way of saying I DIDN't like Mexico.

I used to go to the Caribbean, but for years now I've gone to Mexico. Mr. Mexico said he never had trouble with the locals in the Caribbean. Well, maybe that's true if you stay in a 'compound' and don't go anywhere else. If you do venture out, you're likely to be hassled as much and probably more than you will be in Mexico. At least that was my experience. I agree that the water is not as nice on the Pacific side - snorkling is much better off the Caribbean coast (Cozumel and areas along the Yucatan are wonderful). However one of the reasons I go to Mexico is the culture. It's a big country. There is so much to see and do there. I know that for many people Mexico is just a beach destination. But it's so much more than that. Some of the areas in the interior are amazing. <BR><BR>I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy parts of the Caribbean - Martinique and Guadaloupe were wonderful experiences - like France, but tropical. But the islands generally just don't hold the same appeal for me.

Well, that's why we have TRAVEL TALK here...everyone is FREE to give their opinion on where to go. I would be more afraid to go into inner Mexico, like around Mexico City than ANYWHERE in the Caribbean. I had a friend, I was working with that was robbed on highway 115 around Mexico City in broad daylight! Hey, but that's just the beginning of problems I had while working in Mexico, along with others I was there with. BUT, I really should be talking up Mexico, because frankly I would prefer everyone to go there, instead of the Caribbean, less crowded for me.

Well, I just have to say that safety is a relative issue. Mexico and the Caribbean are both huge areas. I had two female friends robbed and raped in broad daylight in a very touristy area in Jamaica. But that doesn't mean that other islands or even other cities in Jamaica are bad.<BR>Mexico is cheaper because unlike Caribbean islands, their economy isn't solely based on US tourist dollars. And importing goods can really jack the prices up. Don't ever base your vacation on price. I spent less than $35 a day in Budapest a few years ago and had the best vacation ever.

I'm not an economist, so I'm not sure why it's less expensive in Mexico than other Caribbean destinations.<BR><BR>I like to think you get better overall value in Mexico...and think beyond money. The travel to Mexico tends to be shorter (saved time is a huge value to me) and less expensive just because it's closer. The other value is Mexico are the choices you have. We have been to Cabo, PV and are off to Playa del Carmen in February. We stay away from all-inclusives in Mexico because each town tends to have a good selection of retaurants with relatively inexpensive eats and drinks. The exception to this rule would be Cabo (my opinion), where the prices felt very American! Finally, we have received nothing but the finest service in Mexico. Yes, there are street vendors who will try to sell you anything at anytime and there are annoying time share folks, but a simple "no" tends to work. These factors keep bringing my wife and I back to Mexico.<BR><BR>One point about clear ocean water, too. While it tends to be true that the Pacific side is a little rougher and not as pretty as the Caribbean, there are some exceptions. Cabo San Lucas is one...we found the water to be exceptionally clear and the snorkling in protected bays was spectacular. The ocean is not safe for swimming just anywhere in Cabo, but there are locations to be had.

Mexican labor is even cheaper in Mexico than it is in the U.S. or other countries!!