Hey travelers:
In about 2 months I am traveling for some RnR in Mexico.
The question is where?
Options are:
1. Cancun
2. Puerto Vallarta
3. Zihuantanejo
The criteria are:
1. Sun/Beach
2. Relax
3. Ancient Ruins
4. Activities/Nightlife
I have heard so many differing opinions. Any suggestions on
destination and how to do it affordably?
Want a beach and chill place but not too desolate.
Muchas Gracias.
[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Sat 22 May, 12:23]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
...Zijuatanejo. I have been to all 3 places and for
authentic Mexican ambience and affordability, take Zih. PV
used to be cool until to many gringos moved there, Cancun
is too expensive, but Zih is really cool. It's a small town
150 miles north of Acapulco, about 85,000 people and most
of them work in Ixtapa or ZIH. Ixtapa is a big resort hotel
strip, ok place to go to see how the other half lives but 4
times as expensive for drinks and meals. Look in Zihuat for
an apartment, there are people on the streets who rent
them. If you speak Spanish, go to Zih, if not, go to Cancun
or PV. Things to do in Zijuatanejo: Palya Las Gatas for
snorkeling, have drinks at Brisas del Mar/ beer- 9.00 peosos
Pescadore de Paseo (Fisherman's Walk) See the little
museum at the end of the beach, it's got a lot of cool
finds. Then have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Meson del
Mar, the restaurant right next to the museum. Great food,
really nice staff, and good prices.
Playa La Ropa- Walk from downtown Zih down the beach to
Playa Madera, the next beach, then up tothe main road and
walk to Playa La Ropa, a long stretch of beautiful beach
lined with hotels and restaurants right on the beach. Had a
great candle-lit dinner here with my toes in the sand. Have
the tuna steak at Elvira's.
Zijuatanejo also has Tamales y Atoles Any, a restaurant
with excellent authentic Mexican food and the mezcal flows
like water and it's free. Have the pozole, a traditional
Mexican soup served with a big bowl of condiments such as
oregano, chili, avocado, onions, etc.. On Friday night and
sometimes Thursday as well, they have free entertainment.
We saw 5 acts of traditional Mexican song and dance.
The shopping is pretty good here for glassware, siver
jewellery, paper mache, clothes, and bartering is practiced
everywhere. Shop around though, prices can be cut in half
if you compare. Again, it really helps to habla Espanole in
Zih, only shopkeepers speak English here and a few people
who sell or work on tours and boats.
The beaches are great here, nice fine beige sand, good
shell picking in some spots and I saw puffer fish, moray
eel, and lots of tropical fish in relatively calm water at
Playa Las Gatas. It's a small coral reef where an Aztec
king sheltered the bay with a pile of stones.
If you befriend a real Mexicans, ask for Casuela, you
might get taken to a back yard bar where they serve this
500 year old drink of rum, pepsi, lime, grapefruit and
oranges. It is wonderful and after 2 bowls I felt quite
fine. Yes, it's served in clay bowls, not glasses. I don't
know how much it is because I was a guest. You also get
shrimp soup free with your drinks.
So, if you can speak Spanish, I reccommend Zijuatanejo,
but if not, I believe Puerta Vallarta would be good, Hotel
Bernal in old PV is cheap, clean, and safe. Take a day trip
to Boca de Tomatlan, a cool little fishing town but don't
be there after 5:30p.m. or before 9:30 a.m., they have
nasty little flies like noseeums that bite and you will
scratch yourself to bits. Day is good, morning and dusk
they will drive you crazy. Bueno suerta!
...is Merida. It's 200 miles east of Cancun and if you want
to see the ruins, Uxmal and Chichen Itza can both be done
from here. Also, get a Frommers' Mexico or LP book, that's
how I did it. Merida has lots of economical hotels near the
central zocalo, but check the sheets on your bed, you may
want new ones. Mine had huge holes in them. Hotel Latino is
cheap and clean but you may be woken up early by the
workers that stay there. It will be hot and humid,
Zijuatanejo may be more comfortable.
I have also been to all 3 and agree with most of debi's
post. However, Zih does not have the fabulous ruins.
*I hated Cancun. It is basically an American city that
someone stuck on a pretty beach. You will not find the true
mexico at Cancun. Mostly American, some Germans and some
people on vacation from Mexico City. However, if you do not
speak any Spanish you do not need to worry about it at all
in Cancun. The good thing about Cancun is the talc like
sand. Have you considered Cozumel? If you enjoy lying on
the beach or snorkeling/scuba it is quite nice. That way,
you could easily take a bus to see the ruins
of Chitchenitza(sp?) and Tulum. If you feel like traveling
up to Uxmal that could be done rather easily as well.
*Huatulco is another option. It is south of Acapulpo about
40 kilometers and has incredibly beautiful beaches.
It is lovely to take a boat out to one of the
islands and spend the day snorkeling and
finishing off the day with some grilled fish and
beer. Restaurants are inexpensive. Not much shopping. Ruins
are not the focus of that either, either.
Puerto Vallarta is nice and relaxed and has its charms.
*I don't think I would recommend Merida at least not if
you are going in the summer time. It was horribly hot, well
over 100 degrees and rained a lot, the result of which was
feeling like you were in a steam bath. I found it to be
accomplished rather easily to go from Cancun to Cozumel to
Merida to UXmal is you want to see it all and tolerate the
bus rides.
Best of luck.
m-morgan
I just got back from there last week and it sucked. It is
just like being in America!!!! It was so expensive and it
seemed that the main focus there was sex and drinking. Most
depressing was that the food was mostly American. I never
found a fish taco :( I hope that where ever you go you have
a blast! Some friends came back from
Zihuant. and said it was wonderful
Playa del Carmen is just south of Cancun -- and, although a
bit touristy, it is a laid-back little beach town in decent
proxity of the Mayan ruins at Tulum (beachfront and quite
beautiful), Chichen Itza (one of the major sets of ruins)
and Coba (the most extensive, and perhaps least visited for
its size). There are a number of smaller beachfront hotels
or more economical accomodations within a few blocks of the
beach. The ferry to Cozumel leaves from Playa del Carmen --
so you can go check out Cozumel also (the biggest downside
to Playa is that some cruise ships disgorge their passengers
at Cozumel/Playa for a few hours on certain days).