mitla

Hello everyone! I've been reading these forums for a while and they are great. I'm currently planning my first solo trip to Puerto Vallarta for November (I have the tickets already!!) and I am *incredibly* excited!!

Anyway my worry is my mom. I'm lucky to be well-supported by most of my friends; they know me well so this decision isn't a surprise to them. But some of my friends will think I'm a nut and my mom, who has never been to Mexico, is freaked out at the prospect of me traveling alone--but I feel that this is absolutely the right thing for me at this time.

I'm 27 y/o woman, I live 2,000 miles away from her in a large city (I'm single), I'm fluent in Spanish and have traveled throughout Mexico extensively. Still, she is worried as any good mom would be and I think she will try to talk me out of going. How can I reassure her and my other family members who will probably be weirded out as well? Especially since the trip is scheduled for Thanksgiving week...

Do any of you have this same issue?

suze

Puerto Vallarta is an incredibly easy and safe place to travel. It is beautiful and unique. Your family's fear are unfounded for that destination particularly. I'm not sure why Thanksgiving would be weird, it's the beginning of the 'season' and should be lovely weather. With fluent Spanish and a background in traveling Mexico, Vallarta will be a cake-walk.

Hopefully you are staying downtown?

No, I don't have the same issue because I've been doing this so long, my family would more think it was strange it I didn't have something planned. And worried I'd be depressed if I didn't get my PV-time in once or twice a year.

mitla

Wow thanks for replying Suze!! I have been researching the trip and reading your responses here and on tripadvisor--your traveling history is so cool and inspiring!

Anyway I was just thinking because the family might think it weird that I chose to be away at Thanksgiving.

I'm real close to my mom so I think deep down she understands my motivations and desires to travel (she traveled out of the country herself during college!). I'm independent enough but I don't want to be down there and know she is freaking out the entire time I'm away--plus it's kind of disappointing for her not to share in my excitement of planning the trip. It's not a major issue, I just wondered if other solo travelers have experienced it.

I do plan on staying downtown, absolutely--I'm thinking about "casa andrea" or another similar place. I would love the authentic experience more than the behemoth American resorts. I'm a teacher so an escape from yelling kids would be a plus!

suze

Thanks for the kind words & nice to meet you, mitla!

I have worked out a deal with my family, as they understand my passion for travel. I can be away at Thanksgiving OR at Christmas... but not both
;-)

PV is my home away from home so it's not so much I'm an adventurous traveler, more the opposite. The number of trips I've tallied up is at least partly because I'm older than you! I found a place that suits me perfect so I go back again and again. For me it's relaxing (especially traveling alone) to get off the plane at the airport, smell the air, know what to expect & what I have to look forward to... rather than be on new territory with no idea of the lay of the land. Local owners or staff at several hotels and restaurants know me and welcome me each time I arrive with a hug or a hand shake.

I have stayed most times at Hotel Posada de Roger (12+), but also at Casa Andrea (3x), and Suites Emperador (1x this past June).

Hotels I have visited that are on my future list in that part of town are The Tropicana and Vallarta Sun Hotel, maybe Hotel Encino or Hotel Eloisa. There are even cheaper places that are quite nice, but I like a swimming pool so that limits my inclusion of the true budget places.
;-)

suze

Oops, sorry I got off talking about PV!

Hope others will see your post and can chime in about your family's feelings, traveling over holidays, going solo, etc.

kodi

Mitla, although I'm much older than you, I did experience family members worrying about me. Especially when I first drove by myself from Toronto to Florida.

The only advice I can give you , is to give your mom specific examples of how you plan to stay safe. It will help her.. even though they are common sense things, like being aware of your surroundings. Sometimes it helps moms if you say these things out loud to them. It makes them realize you DO know how to look after yourself and you are aware of what to do. It helped my mom.
She'll realize you are all grown up!!

Also, make sure to leave her the address and phone number of your hotel...and flight details. She'll feel better if she knows she can get in touch.

Maybe offer to go to an internet cafe and email her a couple of times.

Have a great time. SOUnds like your mom knows you will be ok, but will worry a bit anyway. Mom's do that!

vjpblovesitaly

PV is great. I went there for the first time in April and I was solo. I would really like to go back in a couple of years.

It is very safe.

vjpblovesitaly

I know this is not what the thread is about, but your authentic experience comment made me think of a couple of things and I wanted to link you to this street food guide in case you are interested in Taco stands. I went to a couple and they were very good.

http://www.vallarta-info.com/streetfood.html

Also I went up to Bucerias for a day trip. I liked the swimming up there and the town is nice. I think it is described as Puerto Vallarta 20 years ago or something.

http://www.buceriasmexico.com/

suze

Recently I have been vacationing in Hawaii in addition to Puerto Vallarta.

My Mom casually mentions to me something about how much better she feels and less worried she is when I go to Hawaii, instead of PV.

Bless her heart... she'd never muttered a word along those lines in all my years of traveling to Mexico on my own.

Jayna

I'm a 26-year-old woman traveling through Asia by myself right now. When I told my parents about this trip, there was dead silence on the phone. They were a bit freaked out. But I assured them I'd planned a lot and had an idea of what I'd be doing. I also said I'd keep my sister posted at all times of my whereabouts, so I could be contacted in emergencies and that I'd have my cell phone with me as well (although the last two haven't really happened...).

Although I'd been living more than 1500 miles away from them for the past four years and had taken a cross-country road trip myself two years before, my parents still, worried, though. Which, I'm kind of happy about...I know it only means they care.

As for being away at Thanksgiving...I'd explain why you're choosing that time (be it cheaper flights, less tourists, easiest vacation time to schedule, etc.) even though you'd like to spend that time with the family (if that is true) and assure her you'll see her soon!

Best wishes...keep us posted on how it goes!

Jayna
travels at www.ususbaby.com

jonathanrio

San Miguel de Allende is fabulous and very safe and friendly.