sminerva21

So my husband and I are so confused on where to go. We're planning a trip for January 2011. We originally decided on St. Croix because the island seemed very secluded and laid back, but also had enough to do (rain forest tours, sunset sails, restaurants, snorkeling, etc). But then a lot of people started to tell us to look into Mexico because of the deals we could get (St. Croix was pushing our budget a bit). We were hoping to stay in the $2,000 for both of us (hotel and airfare only) for a week. Does anyone have location suggestions for Mexico? We were thinking Cozumel, but then started looking into the Riviera Maya, so now we're just confused. These are our priorities:

- Not too crowded, but not too far away from things (first big trip for us!)
- Beach front hotel is a must - we plan on spending most of our time on the beach
- Easy access to some sort of town for shopping and dining
- Water activities (snorkeling, sunset sails, etc.)

We also don't mind renting a car and driving. The spring breaker scene is what we're trying to stay away from. We just want a super relaxing, quiet vacation to escape city life.

I would love to hear suggestions!

jetsetj

may I suggest Puerto Vallarta and the Playa Los Arcos Hotel.
We just got back from PV and loved every minute of it.

It is small, very walkable town that just has an overall feel good atmosphere. read my trip report.

have fun...

suze

I love Puerto Vallarta myself, but I think the Caribbean side is more what you're seeking. How about Playa del Carmen? Isla Mujeres or Cozumel would be two other good choices.

cabron

The east coast can't hold a candle to the sunsets in Puerto Vallarta. It's also far more attractive geographically, with jungle covered mountains coming down to the sea.

Stewbear

Sorry but PV is not the place for secluded or laid back. it is crowded & busy. Now I love much about it but not for secluded surroundings.
I would suggest Zihuatanejo perhaps even one of the outer beaches such as Barra de Potosi or Troncones. I would urge you to go to zihuatanejo.net.
Zihua is a fishing village that has grown up a bit but no high rise hotels & lovely beaches.
Barra is a real fishing village with dirt roads, a few beach cafés & a half a dozen small lovely hotels/Inns. Set between 9 & 1/2 mile mostly empty beach & a Lagoon brimming with wildlife. About 30 minutes from Zihua & 20 from the International Airport.

sminerva21

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I'll look into these areas, and would love to keep the suggestions coming!

KVR

We've stayed at the Playa Los Arcos hotel in PV and I would not recommend it to anyone unless they know exactly what they are getting. It didn't bother us and we liked it, but it's a low budget hotel and not what I would think someone would expect in a hotel for a first time getaway vacation. The beaches in PV are just not a nice as the Carribean/Mexico.

We've done many trips to Mexico for under $2,000 with air and hotel. You'll find the better prices in Cozumel over Playa and the Mayan Riveria.

In Cozumel look at: Fiesta Americana, Melia Cozumel, Coral Princess Hotel & Resort, and Presidente Intercontinental.

In Playa del Carmen there are many boutique hotels off of 5th Avenue. They are about a 10 minute walk to a beach club. There is also the Grand Porto Real and the Royal that sits on the beach are are within walking distance to 5th Avenue.

We are staying at the Mahekal Beach Resort in Playa in December. They are little cottages that sit directly on the beach. About a 10-15 minute walk to 5th Avenue.

The resorts that are farther out in the Maya Riveria will cost a bit more espcially if you want an couples or adult only hotel.

January is high season, so expect to pay higher prices and have more crowds. We always go either sometime in the first 2 weeks of November or the first two weeks of December and get great prices and low crowds. If you can change your dates, you'll get more for your money.

MrShort1

I have never been to PV but I would think it very similair to Mazatlan. Spring Break brings out the crazies. The Mayan Riveria is very nice. We have stayed at Gran Bahia Principa which is a huge complex but very nice. I would think that it may be getting a younger crowd during peak times and we stayed at Dreams Tulum which is very small but very sheik as well. Then again you can even go further south to Belize where English is the official language. Caye Caulker or Amergris Caye. Cancun is a crazy place during spring break and I would assume Playa Del Carmen is also.

suze

No, actually PV is NOT a big "spring break" destination. It's not similar to Mazatlan at all in that way.