Mexico in January
 

I would like to visit Mexico the 2nd or 3rd week of January 2007. I have a budget of about $2,000 including flight ($500) which leaves $1500. I could use some ideas on lodging as close to the beach as possible. I am looking for some quiet R&R, not a loud partying atmosphere. Single female traveler so safety is important.
Any suggestions would be very
appreciated!

Bythecee, you should also post this Latin Ameria forum as they will probably have more info on the hotels.

How long will you be there? Is your $2000 budget for everything or just lodging and flight? Also, what type of lodging are you looking for (5 star, resort, budget, etc.)?

I like the "Old Town" area in Puerto Vallarta. I've been there a dozen times solo. I pay $50USD/night for a small local 3-star hotel and use public transportation to get around.

I am planning on going for 1 week. My budget of $2000 is for everything including flight which will be around $500.
I'm very ok with the budget accomodations as long as they are clean and safe.

Try the Casa de la Reyna in Bucerias, just north of Puerto Vallarta. They have self contained apts so you can cook on your own. You're right on the beach, can walk to town in the mornings for fresh tortillas (and then cook up some scrambled eggs for your own morning burritos) and take a bus either to PV or up to Sayulita for some surfing. Very relaxing!

Downtown PV might be too noisy or hectic for you. But for me traveling solo staying way out by Bucerias in an apartment would simply be too lonely and dull.

Lots of great advice. I'll check out all of them. Thanks everbody!

There is a beautiful, quiet area called Troncones, near Zihau/Ixtapa. Perfect for quiet R&R. The Eden Hotel has simple, inexpensive and lovely accomodations and a single female would be quite comfortable and safe there.

This thread brings up an interesting point about traveling solo. When someone mentioned "quiet R&R" and "close to a beach" could mean many different things. For myself, when I travel alone, I like to be in a situation where there are other people around and lots of activities available. The times I've gone to a non-touristed place or rented an apartment in a neighborhood (as I mentioned above) I ended up bored and lonely. That's why someplace like Puerto Vallarta or Waikiki suits me best for solo beach vacationing.

How about doing a cruise. January is a good time pricewise to cruise. Most cruises to Mexico go out of LA or SD and do 3 stops and 3 days on the ship. Lots of activities/socializing opportunities to be a part of if you so choose.
Take a look at www.cruisecritic.com and www.cruisemates.com. Both have solo/singles bb as a part of the website.
Faith