We’re considering it for the spring. Any suggestions?
Anywhere along the Playa Riviera, from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, is safe and very nice. The exact location would depend on what type of vacation you are looking for. All of these areas are safe - the main problems tend to be either those that are self inflicted by drinking too much or pick-pocketing and petty theft you might encounter in any tourist destination. For what it’s worth, over the almost twenty time I’ve been to this area over the past 15 years I’ve never been robber or mugged or anything like that.
Cancun - nightlife focused, variety of restaurants, nice though smaller beaches. Wide range of hotels
Playa del Carmen - more laid back but still plenty of nightlife and dining options. Bigger beaches, though some stretches are kind of reserved for hotels/beach clubs. Generally either resorts or smaller hotels, but also more of an option for Airbnb or similar for condo rentals.
Resorts - I don’t have experience with the resorts in the area, but there are many along that whole stretch of the riviera.
Isla Mujeres - off the coast of Cancun. More isolated, quiet and more of a beach focused vacation.
I’ve been to other spots in Mexico, but not other beach spots.
Acapulco I’ve heard has nice beaches and nightlife, but based on its reputation doesn’t satisfy your safety requirement.
Puerto Vallarta I’ve heard is nice and I belief is supposed to be safe.
And I’ve heard nice things about the area of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, but I really don’t know enough about it.
Second Cancún and Mayan Riviera. Very safe and tourist oriented. My parents lived in Cancún for years and I’ve been there a lot. I wouldn’t go there during spring break, maybe, but my folks lived downtown, not in the hotel zone. Be aware that the city of Cancún is a big, modern city with little traditional Mexican vibe, and it’s also not right on the beaches. I’m going to Baja for the first time this May – it sounds more laid back and tranquilo than Cancún.
I had a good vacation in Cozumel, which is an island off the coast of Playa del Carmen. I wasn’t really comparing costs, but I’m told it is cheaper than the traditional Riviera Maya spots.
More than likely you are planning on *flying *to your destination. And that’s a good thing. Stay off the highways, don’t rent a car. Stay on the resort grounds. Want to see the pyramids? Take a bus tour with lots of other people.
Call me paranoid, but after one is robbed by the Federal police in Mexico, staying off the highways and advising others to also do so is a no brainer.
More in the where NOT to take a Mexican vacation, the US Dept of State Travel warning for Mexico. Especially note the areas that are listed as “defer non-essential travel” for US Government personnel. (my emphasis added in the following quote)
Major tourist areas on a beach tend to get lot’s of security and be away from the major fighting over control of smuggling routes into the US. There are areas in Mexico that have security situations similar or worse than Iraq in 2011. It’s worth checking, especially if you see a great deal off the beaten path. Don’t be lulled into thinking the security situation nearby the major resort is the same as the one on your side trip.
Travel planning 101 - Don’t take your family to a location where a Special Forces operative, with multiple combat tours, is prohibited from going on leave.
I’m wondering why you’re planning to go to Mexico if you don’t know where you want to go in Mexico? Serious question; I’m just trying to understand the motivation and expectations.
Riviera Maya is awesome, especially in some of the larger resorts with ecological parks. I’ve been to the Grand Palladium twice, and I doubt I will ever go any place else when in Riviera Maya. On the other hand, I’ve been to Grand Palladium in Riviera Nayarit (north or Puerto Vallarta) and doubt that I will ever return. On the other other hand, there are awesome hotels (that I don’t have personal experience with) in Puerto Vallarta proper.
I love Manzanillo, but usually have stayed with locals in a time share. Lots of decent hotels in the area, though, and perfectly safe. Also check out the nearby small towns.
Acapulco is mostly safe as a tourist destination, but it’s kind of a relic of the 1970’s. Still, lots of high quality hotels, and lower quality, too.
If it’s your first time in Mexico and you don’t want to be exposed to Mexico proper, Riviera Maya is the place to go. And I don’t mean that in a bad way – I love Mexico (I’ve lived there five years) – but it’s nice to go to someplace without worries (compared to Acapulco with minimal worries, but worries all the same).
Is this a family trip?
Thanks, all.
Yes, it’d be a family trip: my wife, three teenage boys and me. We’ve never been to Mexico and have been thinking of giving it a try. We’ve seen pictures of the beaches and, as winter starts to hit here, it seemed worth looking into.
Acapulco is no longer very safe. Cancun and Playa del Carmen have beautiful beaches and are probably your best choice. First time I went to Playa it was literally a beach and a dirt road. The Mayan Riveria has fine hotels and American style restaurants, but I find it touristy. Huatulco is nice, have heard Los Cabos is too.
Be sure to make it back before the wall goes up!
QFT. Unfortunately the narco war has even spread on occasion to the tourist areas of Acapulco.
Cancun can be a good place to base out of. You can do a day tour to Chichen Itza or Isla Mujeres or just lounge on the beach. Nightlife if you like, but if you stay towards the south end of the hotel zone it can be comparatively quiet. Still, definitely not a sleepy beach town.
We stayed in Playa del Carmen (at the Reef Playacar) a couple of years ago, it was a beautiful area and our first time in all-inclusive hotels. We found plenty to do, the hotel booked us onto coach tours to the local sites and we took a couple of walks into the local town for a change of scenery.
It was a great restful trip for me, and to be honest we never felt unsafe at all but of course we also didn’t really go anywhere outside the location that wasn’t on an organised tour.
For beaches with a flavor of Mexico, consider these. Listed from less to more expensive. Only because of the travel involved.
Isla Mujeres. A short ferry ride from Cancun. Playa Norte is beautiful. Snorkeling is very nice. There are day trips to Isla Contoy, a bird preserve. And live music. Don’t just do a day trip there. Book your stay there.
Isla Holbox. From Cancun a 1.5 hour bus trip, then a water taxi. Kick off your shoes. There is no pavement there. Certain times of the year you can swim with Whale Sharks. The largest fish in the world. There is also a bird preserve nearby.
But if you want waves, Puerto Escondido, on the Pacific, is the destination. Rated #3 in the world for surfing. Plus there are quieter beaches, also. A beautiful seaside town.
At any of the beaches, rooms can be had (for your size family) from $30USD to $200USD. Depending on the season. With the peso at 20 to the USD, it is the perfect time to come.
Some hotels charge in USD, though, like the Palladium that I mentioned above. Of course they’re in Mexico so they convert their USD price into MXN, and by time the charge comes through (even with international, no-conversion-cost cards), you never really pay the quoted USD price!
None of the places I mentioned charge in USD. I just quoted the price in USD for the benefit of the OP.
We love Peurto Vallarta and Neuvo Vallarta. Lots of history, clean water, the beach is good with lots of access. We got married at the Royal Decameron in Bucerias. I would also look at Zihuatanejo if you want a little less touristy.
Have you considered taking a cruise? You usually get a couple of stops where you can go ashore and do stuff. We did one last year, and are planning another for February…