First, I just got back from NM/AZ and had a great time. Thanks to those who gave me information before I left on the trip. Grand Canyon was breathtaking. Not quite as impressed with Sadona, but I thought that Oak Creek Canyon (I think that is the correct name....Highway 89A) was beautiful.
Now my next question is...... 2 ex-roommates and I want to go on vacation together next year. One likes to scuba dive, I like to hike and snorkle, and one will not hike or camp and enjoys laying on the beach, and we would all probably like to see some "tourist" sights. I thought we might be able to find somewhere in Mexico that would fill all these needs. Beach, ruins, etc. But I have no idea where to start looking..... I don't want a total tourist trap - is there anywhere nice and not too overcommercialized but still affordable?? Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
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... but it would help to know ages of people going, speak
Spanish?, eat real Mexican food or no, have you been to
Mex. before and where? E-mail me info on wants and I will
try to help. I'm a Canadian but have been on 5 extensive
trips by bus, boat, plane, etc.. oh, and how much time will
you have? Let me know.
Hi,
I'm Mexican and live in Mexico City. The answers to your
questions depend on when you want to come to Mexico, if you
are on a budget and the time you are spending here.
The first thing you should know is exactly what you want.
Well, anyways, if you are looking for a place with a nice
beach and "ruins" go to Tulum in Quintana Roo, located in
the Yucatan Peninsula. (More than "ruins" such places are
power spots on earth. No wonder they're were built in those
places, sorry.)
Please, please don't get me wrong Lor, but if you want to
make a trip to some place you don't anything at all, try to
do some research first, see what your choices and you'll
find yourself planning your trip in a more down to earth
way. I know some people would get annoyed, but I have no
intention to be patronizing or anything.
I'll make a RTW trip starting in Russia and Mongolia. In
order to get really helpful and useful tips, as I did, I had
to check several guides and spend many hours looking at
websites, etc.
I had no big money to buy guides, but I spent a few days at
Tower Records here, took a little book and started copying
everything I needed from those guides.
I presume you are in Australia, where you can get loads of
information on any place on earth. Australians are great
travelers.
I'll cut the crap now. I hope you could make it to come to
Mexico, have a great time.
X
lor,
Personally, I wouldn't go to Mexico if I were you. I think
what you discribed in your above post is screaming....Costa
Rica! I love Costa Rica. It is getting a bit touristy but
it is still not as touristy as most places in Mexico. I
would also recommend Belize. In Belize you have great
beaches, diving, and you can do some hiking in the jungle.
There aren't as many tourists in Belize either. Have fun,
email for questions.
I agree about Tulum. It is a bit touristy but everything
you are asking for is either right there or easily
accessible. I am gonna be there on July 1st and stay for 9
nights. It will be my first time but I am getting lots of
info like you are trying to do.
go to www.locogringo.com to find out more info about that
area. There are lots of beaches, towns, villages, ruins,
lagoons, cenotes, etc. The Mexican people are very nice
too. Email me if you want.
Good luck and have fun
:)
nancy
thanks for the replys so far.
Debi - we are ages 27-28, all females, I speak Spanish (used to be fluently by now I'm out of practice), all will eat real Mexican food, we will have approx. 7-10 days, we are on a budget, and I have visited Mexico City, Taxco, Aculpolco, and Tijuana before. My friends have never been to Mexico. I will email you if you don't check this post again. Thanks!
Texan - I have looked into both Costa Rica and Belize - especially Belize (have been reading tons on it) and thought that I may save that trip for my husband and I when we have more money. I thought both places were a bit expensive for the kind of trip I'm thinking about now (i.e. miniature college reunion). Have you visited both?? Which did you like better? Have you tried public transportation in Belize? it sounds good in guidebooks (affordable, etc) but wondered if you know first hand.
Nancy, sounds like a good starting place for my research. I'll check out the web site you suggested. Thanks.
PS-Did I offend poster #2 ????
Debi hello nice to hear from you again.
I have heard good comments about Belize, its nice and its
becoming an american spot, good place for diving and
snorkeling.
LOR
TULUM its a amazing spot , you can take a direct bus from
cancun to tulum, there are some cabaines ne kilometer
beside the ruins, you can camp there or rent an
hammock.its totally safe and evry fullmoon night its a
party. nice place to rest, close there are places to
snorkel and daving.I have been there in april.
XOCHITL yo soy tambien de la ciudad y si necesitas
hospedaje en todo el mundo yo te puedo ayudar.
just tried to be helpful that's all. The question should be
has the tolerant, open minded, not-a-cliche-at-all-Texan
gone to Mexico at all???? Have a great time in Mexico.
Best regards
Post #2 if thats easier for you.
P.S. Gracias Pedro, afortunadamente tengo hospedaje.
Si quieren hacer hiking, sugiero que tan pronto lleguen se
pongan en contacto con un club de excursionismo. Recomiendo
el Club de Exploraciones de MΘxico (a reputable nonprofit
organization). Tel y fax (52)5740-8032 en la ciudad de
MΘxico. Organizan salidas a muy diversos lugares todos los
fines de semana, desde excursiones de monta±a hasta paseos
de turismo por lugares generalmente peque±os y con
atractivos hist≤ricos. Que se diviertan mucho. Cheers. B
I'm a gringo living in Mexico and every chance we (my wife
and I) get we head to the state of Oaxaca (pronounced:
Wah-HA-kah). It's in the southern part of Mexico on the
Pacific Coast and has everything! Incredible Mountains,
virgin beaches with great food and lodging (cheap),
uncrowded archeological sites and possibly the best
archeological/cultural museum we've ever seen (Oaxaca
City)... really, this Mexican State is fantastic :-)
We just got back from our 7th trip there last week. You can
fly right into the capital city (Oaxaca, Oaxaca) or one of
the beaches via Mexico City. Then after a couple of days in
the relaxing and very hip city you can travel thru the
Sierra Mountains to the coast - if you're into mountain
biking there's a bike shop guy who give's tours down to the
coast (with a 40 mile downhill!).
On the coast you've got some of the most laidback beautiful
beaches and the mountains are right there a few miles form
the beach.
If you interested contact me/us.
Tim Gulick
Zijuatanejo/Ixtapa. They are 2 towns 4 miles apart from
each other 150 miles north of Acapulco. Zih is not touristy
and with a group of people you should be able to find
accommodation cheap. Zih is a small town but very Mexican.
Ixtapa is a resort hotel strip on a beautiful 3 mile beach,
more expensive than Zih and lots of gringos but also
parasailing and horsebackriding. It depends what you want,
glitz or relaxation. The beaches around Zih bay are great
and the snorkeling at Playa Las Gatas is good and the water
calm. Read about it in a guide book, it's a very cool
place. And not too hot, the temp only varies a few degrees
year-round. Will be about 90F. in the summer. Enjoy the
tuna but don't fish for sailfish, they bring in too many
now, they will run out. Lots of fishing charters here, if
that's what you like, I would rather leave the fish in the
ocean. And the silver is cheaper on the beach than in the
glitzy shops. Make sure of the quality. Have fun.