and the last time i looked it was not all that much cheeper.

I've been to Mexico a bunch of times, since they are so close to me. I'm in Dallas.

Usually I find the best deals value-wise for Cancun and Cozumel. Cancun has some of the prettiest beaches in the world, but is known for being a party town. I've been there by myself even and have felt safe, although I did stay primarily on the resort. A lot of the resorts are all-inclusive and the food can be so-so at those places. I've not ever paid much attention to vegetarian options, but I'd assume they are around. Cozumel is just across the water from Cancun, but it is an island without very many beaches, mostly just a rocky shoreline. But if you are into scuba and snorkeling - then Cozumel will be a great place to visit.

I've also been to Acapulco by myself and again felt relatively safe staying on the resort and taking cabs to places that I had researched ahead of time. I liked Acapulco, because it had an old Hollywood vibe to it and beautiful cliffs where there are cliff-diving shows, but overall the beaches and costs are better in Cancun/Cozumel.

I've also been to Cabo. It seems to be where a lot of celebrities travel on vacation. It is again more expensive than Cancun plus you can't swim in most of the ocean there because of the riptides. It is known for it's deep sea fishing and golf courses. The food options are a ton better than in Cancun and there are fewer all-inclusive resorts. So you'll pay more for this trip.

As far as safety goes...I think that if you are going to a beach/tourist-y location, and aren't trying to explore unknown areas, then you should be fine.

Have a great trip and don't forget to wear sunscreen!

Also, this is the website where I find pretty good prices

resortvacationstogo.com

(I hope the link works. If not, just copy/paste into your URL.)

NDRU said:

Sorry I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but part of why I said that was that I feel you have to dismiss much of what Howard says. He's a lot like Woody Allen (ironically, since he makes fun of him constantly) and I would not want to live based on their paranoia & insecurities

Didn't take it that way.

Howard makes Woody look like a travel-lover. But it seems to me, too, that Mexico's gotten more dangerous in recent years, no?

Ace said:

NDRU said:

Sorry I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but part of why I said that was that I feel you have to dismiss much of what Howard says. He's a lot like Woody Allen (ironically, since he makes fun of him constantly) and I would not want to live based on their paranoia & insecurities

Didn't take it that way.

Howard makes Woody look like a travel-lover. But it seems to me, too, that Mexico's gotten more dangerous in recent years, no?

Yes it has:

More than 30 killed in dr...urist area

Mexican gang kidnaps last...een killed

But I think a good vacation can still be had there. You just have to be extremely cautious.

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

that's one view of/from the ritz carlton cancun. a good travel agent can get you an amazing package. there are buses that run to the clubs and shopping, and it's only something like 25 cents.

you can also book excursions to (i'll spell it phonetically) shell-ha, and chitzanitza, and also tulum which are mayan ruins (pronounced roo in ala stewie).

the hotel has great food, but they can recommend good local restaurants, and there are great shopping bazaars where you can bargain, as well as local artisans.

i've gotten the runs around cancun. chichenitza is rocking

Dear, how many times did i warn you about the water? but nooooo you said mas aqua mas aqua.

sextonseven said:

Ace said:

Didn't take it that way.

Howard makes Woody look like a travel-lover. But it seems to me, too, that Mexico's gotten more dangerous in recent years, no?

Yes it has:

More than 30 killed in dr...urist area

Mexican gang kidnaps last...een killed

But I think a good vacation can still be had there. You just have to be extremely cautious.

Well damn! That Acupulco report would seem to squash what I said pretty soundly. Used to be if you stayed in the resorts (which are often quite large) or the tourist areas right around them you'd be OK. I wonder if it's just Acupulco that's gone that bad? So, yeah, viva la Baja California!

Cerebus said:

sextonseven said:

Yes it has:

More than 30 killed in dr...urist area

Mexican gang kidnaps last...een killed

But I think a good vacation can still be had there. You just have to be extremely cautious.

Well damn! That Acupulco report would seem to squash what I said pretty soundly. Used to be if you stayed in the resorts (which are often quite large) or the tourist areas right around them you'd be OK. I wonder if it's just Acupulco that's gone that bad? So, yeah, viva la Baja California!

Yeah, Carrie should definitely cross Acapulco off her list of possible destinations, but other touristy cities seem to be okay.

Ace said:

NDRU said:

Sorry I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but part of why I said that was that I feel you have to dismiss much of what Howard says. He's a lot like Woody Allen (ironically, since he makes fun of him constantly) and I would not want to live based on their paranoia & insecurities

Didn't take it that way.

Howard makes Woody look like a travel-lover. But it seems to me, too, that Mexico's gotten more dangerous in recent years, no?

definitely, but that is in certain areas, I think. Like in the US, there are some very dangerous neighborhoods. I know it's way out of hand in Mexico right now, but still you get my point. There are definitely safer places and the gov't wants to protect tourists because of the revenue.

Still, I did not feel like exploring the cities in the same way I would in, say, Paris. I went to Mexico for the weather more than for the culture.

i've been there. you won't find trouble unless you go looking for it.

where's alejandro? i miss that guy...

Cerebus said:

sextonseven said:

Yes it has:

More than 30 killed in dr...urist area

Mexican gang kidnaps last...een killed

But I think a good vacation can still be had there. You just have to be extremely cautious.

Well damn! That Acupulco report would seem to squash what I said pretty soundly. Used to be if you stayed in the resorts (which are often quite large) or the tourist areas right around them you'd be OK. I wonder if it's just Acupulco that's gone that bad? So, yeah, viva la Baja California!

yeah that is really disturbing, but people get murdered here in Oakland, too.

I have not seen anyone hanging from a bridge yet, though...

I was 13 and 16 though ... back in the 70-80s

Michael goes for work ~ says it's not plesant

the americanized resort areas may be different though

Be safe and enjoy

We went here in May.

http://www.secretsresorts...lversands/

LOVED it. Will return.

CarrieMpls said:

Yeah, I’m aware of the poverty. And I’m aware of the drinking water and all of the good travel common sense.

I guess I’m looking for where specifically did you go? What part, what beach, what resort? What did you do that you’d LOVE to do again or are SO happy you got a chance to do/see? What didn’t you like? Etc.

Mayan and Aztec ruins sound like fun.

Shots?

i guess you don't really need shots to visit mexico. i just said that because myself would want to be immunized against some of the stuff listed on the CDC website.

there's no vaccine for dengue fever currently, but if you stay near the coast and don't go deep jungling around you won't encounter it i think.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/trav...exico.aspx

[Edited 1/12/11 16:28pm]

XxAxX said:

CarrieMpls said:

Yeah, I’m aware of the poverty. And I’m aware of the drinking water and all of the good travel common sense.

I guess I’m looking for where specifically did you go? What part, what beach, what resort? What did you do that you’d LOVE to do again or are SO happy you got a chance to do/see? What didn’t you like? Etc.

Mayan and Aztec ruins sound like fun.

Shots?

i guess you don't really need shots to visit mexico. i just said that because myself would want to be immunized against some of the stuff listed on the CDC website.

there's no vaccine for dengue fever currently, but if you stay near the coast and don't go deep jungling around you won't encounter it i think.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/trav...exico.aspx

[Edited 1/12/11 16:28pm]

youre just Lilly, life of the party aren't you dear...

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

i guess you don't really need shots to visit mexico. i just said that because myself would want to be immunized against some of the stuff listed on the CDC website.

there's no vaccine for dengue fever currently, but if you stay near the coast and don't go deep jungling around you won't encounter it i think.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/trav...exico.aspx

[Edited 1/12/11 16:28pm]

youre just Lilly, life of the party aren't you dear...

yep i like to keep my conversation just as shiny as possible

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

youre just Lilly, life of the party aren't you dear...

yep i like to keep my conversation just as shiny as possible

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

yep i like to keep my conversation just as shiny as possible

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

pweeety pwease? im speaking in my pwetty pwease voice....

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

pweeety pwease? im speaking in my pwetty pwease voice....

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

pweeety pwease? im speaking in my pwetty pwease voice....

My 18 lb cat jumps on my back and kneads like that when I'm in bed. Feels awesome except when he does it at 4:00 in the morning after I went to bed at 3:00.

You guys rock!

Plenty to look into. Thanks!

Nah hell way

Drug wars, corruption, 14 headless peeps in Acapulco and tourists getting killed.

luv4u said:

Nah hell way

Drug wars, corruption, 14 headless peeps in Acapulco and tourists getting killed.

You should also avoid Arizona...