any suggestions would be greatly appreciated for a 4 day trip over Labor Day to a western Mexico destination, including places to stay and things to see. Cabo, Mazatlan, Ixtapa, Acapulco - ????

[This message has been edited by FormerStudent91 (edited 7/8/2008 1:33p).]

no one has any suggestions.


great.

I am interested in hearing any feedback if anyone has any! Anyone been to Ixtapa??? What's it like? What goes on there? (I don't know much but haven't really started researching. I'm looking more into Cabo for next year's big trip.)

We've been to Huatulco twice and going back for Christmas this year. It is further south from where you are looking.

You ought to be able to get some good pricing there. The numerous murders by the drug cartels have hurt tourism on the west coast.

(This info may be a little out of date... it was like this a couple of years ago, but I haven't heard much lately)

wife?
kids?
age?
interests?

all these are relevant when asking for a vacation suggestion.

Wimberly - what did you think of Huatulco? I normally vacation on the Caribbean side, but Huatulco is one of the places on the Pacific side that I've wanted to visit.

When I was in Mexico City I took a day trip to Taxco and LOVED it. It may be a little too far inland for your taste but if you can go then you won't be disappointed.

Bandit - bunch of 30(ish) women looking to just get away and relax on a not too expensive budget - say $1000 per person for travel and lodging.


ce- what's in Taxco?

It is where they mined silver. It is a town built into the side of a moutain and has the cobblestone streets and such. Has a bunch of silver stores.

Trust me, it is an awesome little place. It is between Mexico City and Acapulco. It might be an hour drive outside Acapulco.

Down here in DF right now, and if you want to get away from the really touristy beaches, Id check out Zihuatanejo. Closed bay, so safer swimming and also really close to Ixtapa and Acapulco. More of a Mexican small town vibe than some of the other larger resorts listed.

[This message has been edited by h1ag (edited 7/9/2008 11:22a).]

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Wimberly - what did you think of Huatulco? I normally vacation on the Caribbean side, but Huatulco is one of the places on the Pacific side that I've wanted to visit.

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Well, we are planning our 3rd visit. We rented the same vill the first two trips and are renting a different one in December. The Huatulco area consists of 9 bays, the AI area (Tangolunda), and two small towns (Santa Cruz and La Crucecita). Its is spread out so we walked or took taxis everywhere (~2 -2.50 per trip). This time a VW Bug comes with the villa. Strangely enough, we just got back from the BVI and the flora and landscape are eerily similar.

This is a real helpful site, especially the Message Board.
http://www.tomzap.com/huatulco.html

Has Acapulco changed much in 18 years? I wasn't that impressed, but then again I was on my honeymoon that proved to be an omen on how successful the marriage ended up being - not.

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Has a bunch of silver stores

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is this place touristy? or is it more authentic? like really good deals for really good stuff?

It is not touristy at all and it is very authentic. How the heck else do people hear about it? I only went because it included a stop in Cuernavaca on the way. I had never even heard of Taxco.

It was founded by the Spaniards. It was once (and might still be) the top manufacturer of silver in the world. Go!!!!!!!!! You will not be disappointed.

Also, I went to a silver store that the tour guide took us too (of course he got a commission) and bought a silver bracelet with my son's name engraved on it. I got a very good deal as per American standards. The stores further up in the hills told me I got robbed. If you are on your own without a tour guide getting commission you can get some outstanding deals. But the town itself is AWESOME. I adore Taxco and plan to go back one day.

Taxco is very cool! Did a day trip there out of Cuernavaca years ago & highly recommend it.

Headed to Zihuatanejo in a week and a half, I'll post a report when I get back.

you will not be disappointed in zihua. there are 2 threads on here with recommendations.


for OP: Mazatlan is where I recommend based on your group.

is OP for Old Person?

haha - '91 your 30-something group can let their hair down any weekend at my place! It sounds like you aim to party!

You're going to run out of things to do in any one place, unless you're in a pretty touristy place (and unless you are into fishing or golf). You could easily spend 4 days in a place like Cabo. -maybe even Acapulco. Otherwise, I suggest you fly into a place like D.F. (mexico city) and rent a car. Cruising around the highlands south of the city staying in places like Taxco, Cuernavaca, and random old castles that Cortez's kids built is fun! There's even a Zoofari to cruise through down there.

Know what...maybe that's too much stuff to do. I guess if you're flying in the first day, spend the next two days drinking pina coladas on the beach and shopping, and fly out on the fourth...yeah, that's plenty.

Ok, forget everything above and just pick a place on the beach with decently priced plane tickets! Cabo is the most 'Americanized' of them. -I would guess the safest too.

more along the lines of relaxing on a white sandy beach with hot cabana boys bringing an endless supply of maragitas on the rocks is what we are looking to do. been a crazy year and just want to unwind, si?

wow - I guess that does make us OPs after all!

P.S. ce - let's get a Texags group to go to Taxco! It could be like Ski's bbq bash except alot more dangerous than bees swarming!

where are you leaving from??

Houston

I am trying to accrue some vacation time to head to Southeast Asia for a couple of weeks. After that Taxco is in my cross hairs.

op=original poster.


and that vacation sounds like one I would love (minus cabana boys). You will not run out of stuff to do in any of the towns you mentioned

I have lived in Cuernavaca and loved it. City of eternal spring. Have spent a fair amount of time in Taxco (pronounced Tash-koh) and it is a nice place to get away to for the weekend. As for beaches, I recommend Zihuantenejo/Ixtapa and Mazatlan. I am going to Puerto Vallarta next week, so I will report back to you. I am all down for the more local vibe. I want to go to Mexico, not hear a damn bit of english and just chillax so I will report back if I find that vibe in PV.

Mazatlan, it is!


thanks for everybody's input - I really appreciate!


oh, and ce, if you need someone to go with you to Taxco, just let me know!

I looked at some pictures of the place you are going on the internet (I have never been). Looks like a pretty cool place.

It's supposed to be off the beaten path and is exactly what we were looking to do - absolutely nothing.

The name of the place we are staying is Pueblo Bonita Emerald Bay - holy cow, I can't wait!

If you want me to book a fair for us to Taxco then in turn you have to goto Saigon, Vietnam; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Bangkok, Thailand.

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You ought to be able to get some good pricing there. The numerous murders by the drug cartels have hurt tourism on the west coast.

(This info may be a little out of date... it was like this a couple of years ago, but I haven't heard much lately)

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It has actually gotten worse over the last few months. I know a lot of people who used to not care that now refuse to go to Mexico. The cartels are in the middle of a heavy struggle right now...

Not to put a damper on your vacation...

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If you want me to book a fair for us to Taxco then in turn you have to goto Saigon, Vietnam; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Bangkok, Thailand

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going to the Mediterranean this fall, so my vacation is all used up for this year. If you plan on going after 1/1/09 then I'm available.

what do i win for being first to suggest Mazatlan?

and that place looks awesome you are staying