Planning a trip to Mexico...

BlazinJack · 03-18-2009, 03:24 PM

so i've been to Cabo and to Puerto Vallarta over that last few years, and i really liked them, but... now i have a kid, and im not really into partyin all hours of the night anymore. im looking for a quiet place to lay on the beach and do some touristy stuff. my kid will be 9-10 months during our trip.
so ive been looking into the Cancun/ mexican riviera area, and was wondering if anyone has visited there in August/September time and wondered what they though? (family friendly? totally party area only? ect...) so post up your experiences!

BlazinJack · 03-18-2009, 03:53 PM

I must smell funny?!?! (thats a bump!)

Big_Fisch · 03-18-2009, 04:16 PM

We honeymooned at Iberostar resort in Cozumel, Mexico in early September of '04. It was hot, but not unbearable and that resort is PERFECT for you, with a kid.
There is SOME partying available at the resort, but it is not forcefed to you and there is plenty to do relaxation-wise.
Also, unlike the majority of the resorts that are hotel style (high-rise buildings), this one has individual huts, 2-stories each, and have more character than anything I've ever stayed in. To elaborate, they have straw roofs (top level, at least) and there are usually lizards crawling around in them. When we checked in, there was a crab on our bed that I had to chase out of the room, but it was fun.
We didn't get bothered by any critters the entire time, but it was cool becuase they have iguanas and flamingos just roaming free on the resort property.
Look it up.
That resort is also towards the southern tip of the island (IIRC, it was the southern-most actual resort) and is away from the main town.

Like I said, look it up (http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Cozumel-hotels/Iberostar-Cozumel_3_68.html) and, if you have any questions, let me know...I think I can pretty much remember everything clearly enough.

**jbolty** · 03-18-2009, 04:50 PM

I case you have not heard, a good portion of Mexico is overrun with a drug war. I would not go down there for any reason. It was bad enough when you just had to worry about bribing the police.

nwiTJdave · 03-18-2009, 05:03 PM

i know it isnt Mexico but try looking up the resort called Atlantis. Its in the Bahamas. very kid friendly place with alot of activities on site.

I was last down in Cancun in December and enjoyed it as usual, however like most party towns everything basically shuts down around 630 and gets ready for the nightlife which is amazing if you dont have a kid. If you do want to go out one night the hotels usually have deals where you can pay anywhere from 20-50 bucks a person for open bar and I highly reccomend Club Basic. Dance floor bounces to the beat and I think its wed. nights they have an amaaaazing wet tshirt contest where the water shoots out of the floor. Needless to say the wife smacked me after I was taking some pictures of it and if she didnt delete them all i would gladly show you the "club"...

Cancun is really hurting for buisness like most toursit places so some pretty good deals are to be had right now. For 2 round trip tickets and 7 nights is only like 650 a person for some resorts.

**Boreal** · 03-18-2009, 05:04 PM

I grew up in San Diego and I've spent A LOT of time in Mexico. Call me a wuss if you want, but I'm with jbolty ... no way I'd be headed south of the border these days.

nwiTJdave · 03-18-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbolty

I case you have not heard, a good portion of Mexico is overrun with a drug war. I would not go down there for any reason. It was bad enough when you just had to worry about bribing the police.

pretty much just the border towns are being affected by the drug violence. yes i know that it is everywhere in Mexico but its pretty much just up North right now for the major fighting.

-Zona- · 03-18-2009, 06:19 PM

Mexican Police & Army= FAIL

I would not head down there for quite sometime, unless of course you are planning on starting a cartel- in which case I'd say right now that's a shrewed business venture.

THISISWEIRD · 03-18-2009, 07:32 PM

Like you guys, I was uninformed about the violence in Mexico until a recent trip. I spent a great deal of time researching the violence and wether it was safe for me to travel (with a family left behind).

It is very bad, but it is not widespread into major tourist destinations. It's targeted to drug related folks, be they cartel or police/govt. Look here:http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war

So, unless you are run a drug cartel, work for the DEA or the Mexican govt, or flash jewelry like 50 cent (normal theft in all tourist destinations), I think you are fine. I laughed quite a bit during my travels at how silly it seemed I had been. Americans are not targets.

I went to Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun...just got back Sunday. It's a small fishing village that is starting to see some bigger properties moving in, but mostly it's small and very, very friendly. I would recommend it to anyone and you will feel very safe. Stayed here: www.nabalam.com

You can also stay at places much, much cheaper. In fact, several people I meet there don't even make reservations. They just show up and find where the want to stay for how much they want to pay. But...it's not Cancun. If you want an American city vacation in a foreign country, this ain't the place for you.

**jbolty** · 03-18-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THISISWEIRD

Like you guys, I was uninformed about the violence in Mexico until a recent trip. I spent a great deal of time researching the violence and wether it was safe for me to travel (with a family left behind).

It is very bad, but it is not widespread into major tourist destinations. It's targeted to drug related folks, be they cartel or police/govt. Look here:http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war

So, unless you are run a drug cartel, work for the DEA or the Mexican govt, or flash jewelry like 50 cent (normal theft in all tourist destinations), I think you are fine. I laughed quite a bit during my travels at how silly it seemed I had been. Americans are not targets.

I went to Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun...just got back Sunday. It's a small fishing village that is starting to see some bigger properties moving in, but mostly it's small and very, very friendly. I would recommend it to anyone and you will feel very safe. Stayed here: www.nabalam.com

You can also stay at places much, much cheaper. In fact, several people I meet there don't even make reservations. They just show up and find where the want to stay for how much they want to pay. But...it's not Cancun. If you want an American city vacation in a foreign country, this ain't the place for you.

It's your life but in my opinion going into a country where the police and military are just as likely to be criminals as the criminals is just plain dumb. If you have trouble there is nowhere to turn and no one to trust. If the mexicans want to live that way they can have it.

Buy American.

**ruby red** · 03-18-2009, 09:25 PM

The violence in TJ has been well known in San Diego County for years. Our friends just north of us in Orange County were clueless about the violence. But the violence has escalated and has come across the border into our country. I heard on the radio this morning that they are sending federal agents to help protect our borders. Mexico has always been a big party place for the kids from SDSU for spring break, but I heard they aren't going to Mexico this year. I have had friends to go Cancun and they said it was fine as long as they didn't leave the resort. I don't consider it much of a vacation if I'm forced to stay on the "Compound". Pick a different place to go, especially with a baby.

alig33 · 03-18-2009, 09:48 PM

Well if you wanta risk it with a kid thats your decsion but theres no way i would take a 10 month old into mexico at this time. you may here its not bad at the resorts but that could be a way to get bussinies, they dont care about you once youve payed. its turning into a third world country, would you take your kid to somalia?

Jeebs · 03-18-2009, 09:58 PM

I have a friend who just went to Acapulco and the resort had armed, private security there and they were told to leave the resort at their own risk. That is not my idea of a good time.

There are plenty of other vacation spots in the US and around the globe. Why not check somewhere else out since you've been to MX before?

Comanche_ · 03-18-2009, 09:59 PM

If you want the mexico experience in america. come here.

Just a few weeks ago, some gang members broke into a mans house while he and his family were eating dinner, and cut off his head with a machete infront of his family. they think it was an gang inniation thing(iirc).

and a 16 year old was shot in the face as he looked out a window to see what was going on outside( gang fight.) it his is jaw, went down his spine and is loged by his kidneys. i belive he's still alive.

There are also gang related murders every week and lot's of rapes and drug busts.

**HotSauceJunky** · 03-18-2009, 10:02 PM

I would avoid Mexico and go to the Bahamas or Florida. If you do go make sure you have an up to date passport to get back in the U.S. And that your driver's license isn't about to expire.

03-18-2009, 07:32 PM	#9
THISISWEIRD Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: WV Posts: 66 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Like you guys, I was uninformed about the violence in Mexico until a recent trip. I spent a great deal of time researching the violence and wether it was safe for me to travel (with a family left behind). It is very bad, but it is not widespread into major tourist destinations. It's targeted to drug related folks, be they cartel or police/govt. Look here:http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/its-a-war So, unless you are run a drug cartel, work for the DEA or the Mexican govt, or flash jewelry like 50 cent (normal theft in all tourist destinations), I think you are fine. I laughed quite a bit during my travels at how silly it seemed I had been. Americans are not targets. I went to Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun...just got back Sunday. It's a small fishing village that is starting to see some bigger properties moving in, but mostly it's small and very, very friendly. I would recommend it to anyone and you will feel very safe. Stayed here: www.nabalam.com You can also stay at places much, much cheaper. In fact, several people I meet there don't even make reservations. They just show up and find where the want to stay for how much they want to pay. But...it's not Cancun. If you want an American city vacation in a foreign country, this ain't the place for you.