adventureseeker

We are planning a 4 night stay in early March. We've been to Zihuatanejo before and LOVED it. Ixtapa was too "concrete jungle" for us.

What we are looking for: Mexican charm, off-the-beaten path experiences, yet a resort feel (palapas, infinity pool, on the beach). Adults-only would be ideal. Not looking for an AI since we adore getting out and exploring. Bottom line...we like to mix it up!

Can you recommend lodging, restaurants (hole in the walls to nicer), experiences, etc.

Also...any great spots to eat, drink, sunbathe under a palapa on the beach?

Muchas gracias!

adventureseeker

One more thing...Riviera Maya was first on my list (flights too long) and the Puerto Vallarta (hubby thinks not a safe choice and too long of a flight). For a short 4 night trip...a 2 1/2 direct flight from LA seemed like the winner.

suze

Puerto Vallarta is my favorite destination (it is a "safe" choice and not that much longer a flight from LA).

But Cabo has everything you are seeking as well, it's just a much smaller town. You can eat, drink, sunbathe under a palapa anywhere along Medano Beach, the main beach in town. It's lined with great beach bars and restaurants with nice set ups.

http://www.clubcascadasdebaja.com/
http://www.pueblobonitopacifica.com/

Check out the Cabo forum over on Trip Advisor. There's a lot more people there than here on Fodor's. The totally helped me plan my first trip to Cabo (I always go to PV) a couple years ago.

MichelleY

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is adult only, AI optional. The beach is on the Pacific side, beautiful,but not swim able. No vendors bugging you. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of fabulous places to stay. Capella Pedregal is supposed to be fab.

As Suze advised,check th Los Cabos board on Tripadvisor. Very active group over there.

adventureseeker

Thank u both!

Suze...do u have a trip report posted on PV? Or maybe just highlight some faves of yours there? What about PV hooked you? After doing some research, it appears to be way more reasonable, charming and way less touristy! Hmmm...

adventureseeker

Just checked out the links...great! Capella Pedregal...WOW!!

MichelleY

I think Cabos and PV are equally touristy,depending where you stay and hang out. You can click on our names and read our trip reports. I don't have any resent Cabos reports. we usually stay at PB Sunset beach which is fab. last month we stayed near San Jose del Cabos. lower key than Cabo San Lucas. perhaps check it out also.

Charlene1961

My husband and I just got back from a week long trip in Cabo December 17th, 2011. We travel a great deal but I had never been to Cabo. He had been once before. We stayed Playa de Grande which was awesome. During the day we walked a lot through the Marina and beyond. The street peddlers were relentless at the Marina. But, we nicely said no and they did not bother you. There are some fun places to eat and drink at the Marina. Beyond the Marina, we only went out two times at night for dinner. It is safe during the day but do heed the warnings that tourists are targets. My husband and I paid a lot of attention while we were there and had no problems as we took precautions as purchasing bottled drinks and just being aware of our surroundings. Not being paranoid but paying attention. We had a gift card for an upscale restaurant named Edith's. The food and service was great. It was the one time we let our guard down as it was a very upscale restaurant in an upscale area of Cabo. Staff was coming and going quickly to and from the table and my husband's phone was stolen. It was lying on the table between us as we took pictures. We left to take our resorts taxi back to the resort and we were offered to go to the rooftop of the restaurant to a lounge. We decided to go for one drink. We had one and left. When we got back down, the staff outside became scarce and we both instantly agreed something was wrong. We quickly walked to the front which was only a 100 yards to get our taxi. I do not remember anything until the next morning. My husband remembered getting in the resort taxi and that was it. We had receipts that provided us a timeline where we did not miss any time. We felt extremely lucky that all we lost was our phone. So, when you hear the stories about tourists being drugged, they are true. The bottom line is we had a great time except this experience obviously. As long as you venture out during the day, purchase canned or bottled drinks and pay attention, you will be okay. But, I would not recommend venturing out at night not unless the property is owned by the resort. My husband said it had changed a great deal in the last couple of years as far as safety. We met a lot of people where we stayed that have time shares and go each year for many years and a lot of them did not go last year because of the crime. They just came back this year and they only went to places they felt comfortable with. Also, the taxi driver told us to stay away from San Jose' as it was not safe. Also, if taking a taxi expect to pay $60 to $80 to the resort and they will offer to stop for supplies. My suggestion is to go straight to the resort and let them help you with any supplies you need. Safe travels.

suze

I've been to PV 20 times. Just click on my screen name here. You'll see a couple threads I started on the topic (I don't do 'trip reports' but post frequently). I'm also active on Trip Advisor's PV forum.

What about PV hooked me? First off the people. They are incredibly friendly and welcoming. It always just felt like "coming home" for me, right from my 1st trip. Also the setting on the Bay of Banderas, with the lush jungles and mountains surrounding.

Hard question to answer though, I always say "it's like falling in love", hard to describe or put a reason to why certain places steal your heart.

PV and Cabo are the same amount of "touristy" or not, I agree with Michelle on that. Just depends where you stay, where you walk, where you hang out. But Vallarta is definitely a larger city so just more opportunities in all kinds of categories.

Food/restaurants are fabulous both places.

The Baja peninsula is a desert, so that's another major difference. It's rough, rugged, dry, wild. Really dramatic scenery. Where PV is more typically tropical and lush.

suze

http://www.mardecortez.com/

I can't resist but post the hotel I stayed at. It was fantastic. probably a bit too budget for what you're seeking this trip & not a "resort feel (palapas, infinity pool, on the beach)" but it does have oodles of Mexican charm and an off the beaten path feel to it (it's downtown not in the Marina or on Medano).

Look at Los Milagros and The Bungalows for other alternative kinds of places to stay in Cabo.

With only 4 nights I'd probably go with Cabo. Save PV for when you have at least a week or more.

MichelleY

Wow Charlene! we just got back from Cabo also but have never run into any of the problems you had . Ediths is very upscale and I am surprised at what happened. The place you went for a drink was not part of Edith's WAs it? I didn't think Edith's had an upstairs. must have been another place?

suze

Sorry I hadn't read Charlene's post when I replied above.

Yes obvious you got 'slipped a mickey' when you truly don't remember anything until morning. Sad but true, it happens. But I don't think that means it is unsafe to go out at night in Cabo. I spent 1 week there staying at a budget local Mexican hotel as a single female and nothing bad happened to me. I walked all over downtown alone at night. Not sure how you ended up getting targeted, and it IS unfortunate, but I don't think that really needs to scare off other people.