Need help with a first trip to Mexico - want ruins, beaches, nightlife for 40 year old birthday celebration?

Question

My wife is turning 40. We will be inviting another couple as well. Not taking any kids. This is our first trip to Mexico. Ideally we want good weather (low humidity), hiking and/or touring Mayan/Aztec ruins, some beach time (we like the beach but will get bored just lying there), water sports (kayaking, sunset cruises) and nightlife (we enjoy clubs but are not going to drink like fish - at least I don't think so).
Considering:
* Cozumel & Cancun but hear that they are too cheesey and touristy -- overboard on the drinking culture.
* Cabo San Lucas - but hear that the beaches have fierce undertows that keep you from enjoying the water.
* Mayan Riviera/ Playa Del Carmen/ Tulum - but hear that it has 90% humidity. Yuck!
What is the best spot for us? What else should I consider? Specific hotels, beaches, restaurants and points of interest are appreciated!!!

Answer 1

The Mayan sounds a bit like what your looking for, but you said you don't like humidity, I would head to Cabo but you are right swimming off all the beaches on the Pacific side is dangerous due to swift sea currents and powerful waves. You can Swim and snorkel on the Sea of Cortez side of Lover's Beach. As for hotels and night life , I love the RIU chain , the RIU Palace is beautiful and close to downtown.

The shopping is good El Callejon located across from the famous club Cabo Wabo, on Guerrero, between Madero and Cardenas.

Nightlife is full of fun you can see alot of reviews on tripadvisor.... http://www.tripadvisor.com

Have fun =)

Answer 2

Here's an idea. Come on down to Mexico City. Spend a few days here, then head to one of several locations on the beach just hours away on a nice air conditioned greyhound type bus. The bus trip will be about $30 each, and it's a great way to see part of the country. From Mex City you can go to Veracruz on the gulf side, or either Acapulco or Ixtapa (or Zihuatenejo...smaller and less touristy) on the Pacific side. Try to let go of the need to plan everythig to a T. It's a lot more fun and a lot less to worry about. Decide when you get here (I say here because I moved to Mex from Chicago 4 years ago) where you want to go for the second leg. If you stay in Colonia Roma (I know a great hotel for $50 per night) You can enjoy a beautiful part of the city, and be close to the night spots in the Zona Rosa for 1/3 the price. In Mexico City you can visit ruins like Templo Mayor in the Zocalo(city center), or head up to Teotihuacan and see a dead city from the time of Christ. There are two enormous pyramids there.

More about beaches.... Acapulco is great for beaches and no worries about undertow on the beaches that are in bays or coves. Don't go El Diamante .....there are undertows there.

Ixtapa is sorta plastic, but Zihua is the opposite, kinds like a quaint fishing village. They are neighboring towns, so you could see both.

Veracruz? Haven't been yet, its next on my list.

Mexico City has beautiful weather with no humidity, 75-80 in the day and 65 or so at night. Acapulco is hot, but fairly low humidity.

Answer 3

For me it would be the Mayan Riviera. The beaches are great, there's lots of ruins that are within reach on a day trip. Plus, water parks, eco-tours, diving, snorkeling. And there are a wide range of bars and restaurants in PDC that don't cater to the spring break crowd. The coastal area will be warm/hot but it's generally breezy, so it's generally comfortable. It's doesn't feel the same as 90% humidity in NYC in the summer time, at least not to me. You got an ocean breeze, shade from palm trees and a Margarita.

When/if you go inland to the ruins, it's almost a sure bet that it's going to be really hot but I think that's a small price to pay given how impressive they are.

If you center yourself somewhere around Playa Del Carmen, you can always, drive, bus or take the collectivo north about 45 minutes and see Cancun - your wife might like it if she's a big shopper. There's lots of high end shops and malls there, not the best prices but lots of shopping. There's also lots of shopping in PDC just that Cancun has more of it. The ferry to Cozumel leaves from PDC so you could plan on a day there too if you wanted to dive/snorkel that's only about 30 minutes and $10 for the one way trip.

And for ruins, you'll have packaged tours you can go on that will take you to the ruins in comfort with no stress. If you are more adventurous and rent a car you be able to see more and it might be cheaper if you can split the cost with other couples. You can hit any of these ruins and be back to your hotel, before nightfall (assuming you start in the morning).

Tulum (about 30 minutes from PDC)
Coba (about 60 minutes from PDC)
Muyil (about 60 minutes from PDC)
Ek Balam (about 2 1/2 hours from PDC)
Chichen Itza (about 3 hours from PDC)

Answer 4

Go to Playa del Carmen (in the Riviera Maya) and from there you can take tours to Xcaret, Xel Ha, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Chichen Itza. Go anytime between november and march so the humidity doesnt affect you as much and you can enjoy a much better time. From May to September the heat and humidity are the strongest so avoid going in these months.

Answer 5

You need to do some research first. Everyone has a different idea of what they think is a great vacation spot.

go to this site and read the reviews on the hotels you are interested in.
http://www.tripadvisor.com

Here is a good site for prices.
http://www.apllevacations.com

There are beaches in Cabo that are swimmable. I think you would like that area. Don't rule anything out.

Good Luck and I hope you find your ideal place.

Answer 6

The Rivera Maya is the best except for the humidity and it is not close to night life. Most of the better resorts there have there own clubs and entertainment.
We loved the El Dorado Sea Side resort.
This is the best place to price/book your trip.
http://www.love.allabouthoneymoons.com

Answer 7

No offence, but you should just stay at home!! The whole idea of visiting another country is to be adventurous and experience the whole package!! Live a little. Take the good with the bad. That's what travelling is all about.

Answer 8

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