who has been to mexico or egypt?

[trace2]

me and dh and ds whos 3.5ys, wants to go to mexico or egypt, sharm el sheikh.

wheres best to go with ds, and are we better of going alinclusive?

been to Sharm pre DD when DH and I were diving nuts.
Am a little concerned about Egypt after last years bombing in Sharm (Probably totally irrational)
Lots of lovely 5 star hotels there, but not much to do unless you like sun/sand/diving

mmmm me too but it looks great

5 hour flight to Egypt
Would love to go to Mexico
You need our resident travel expert Tiredemma

I've never been to Egypt, have lived in Mexico however. I imagine you're thinking Cancún or somewhere around there. Cancún itself has been very badly damaged by a hurricane, which may be a relatively 'good' thing in terms of pricing, particularly if you are thinking all-inclusive/mostly by the pool type thing (and can find a hotel which hasn't been half-demolished!).

Down the coast a little way from Cancún is Playa del Carmen which used to be a little less touristy and a little more authentic, I think it's gone more touristy now, but that would suit you better I would guess. Playa del Carmen is opposite the island of Cozumel, which is also popular.

There are lots of other possibilities in Mexico, depends what kind of holiday you are looking for. I've a feeling the rainy season might be about to start - they came very late the year I was there, in May time.

My sister has just booked up to go to Egypt in October. I think they are going to Naama Bay, sharm al sheikh. They won't be taking any kids with them but the hotel they are staying at is child friendly.The flight is only 5 hours so not too long for a 3.5 yo.

yes thats my first choice, but would go to cyprus too

took dd to Egypt last February when she was 5 months old (Safaga).
went to Sharm El Sheik the May before that when I was expecting!!
haven't been to Mexico - would love to....
difficult choice!

been to both Mexico wins for me just love the place... but don't do an all inclusive get out and try the real food- proper guacomole etc is divine as is all the local food.. the people are great and so friendly loads to see and do... in reality, same for Egypt but I found Sharm bit limited unless you dive or spend days on beach.. I would move around a bit more ... but on balance both great places... but I would be swung by the flight time with a 3.5 year old!

Playa del Carmen is where weve been looking at at mexico

if you do go there -- make sure you do book to leave the resort and get to see real mexico -that bit is a very americanised resort..

i will dh wants to see things, too how long is the flight is it 13 hours?

think it is about 12 hours depends on your connections i have been twice flew once in Mexico city and then another time we had a really bad stop over in the US but you should be able to do it in 12... I hope you go for mexico and get out to the jungle and mayan ruins... amazing..

Been to Egypt and Mexico.

I love them both for different reasons and really think that Mexico will be a more child friendly destination.

We were in Playa Del Carmen in May and the weather was wonderful - the rainy seasons starts in earnest in June.

There are loads of options for independent travel too with some fantastic historical sights nearby (Tulum - the Mayan site on the sea is nearby). I didn't go to Cancun but I believe that it's over-touristed and that Playa Del Carmen is a better option these days.

Egypt is also wonderful and on the plus side the flight is shorter.

Let us know how you get on.

Dejags
x

i think youve made our minds up dh wants to see mayan ruins, and more, whens best time to go?

London - Mexico City = 12hrs (approx).

Mexico City - Cancun for Playa Del Carmen = 1.5hrs.

December - March are the best times of year.

If you can fit in Tikal (it'll be a few days worth of a side excursion to Guatemala) this the the most amazing place on earth - you may remember it from one of the old Star Wars Movies.

Otherwise enjoy the local sights - it really is a wonderful place to visit

well we was going to disney, orlando and thats a long flight, so its not much more

yes i will and yes i do, dh says mexico, is april any good to go?

I have not been in April so not sure but I totally back up dejags on Tikal one of the most amazing places I have EVER been to still amazes me now

trace, I've been to both Mexico (Easter 2004) and Sharm (August 2005) with dh and ds1 who is now 11 ans ds2 now 8. We stayed at the Gala Resort in Playacar which is a large gated community in Playa del Carmen. The Gala Resort is a very child friendly AI hotel and the kids club is excellent. Dh and I had several meals on our own because the children wanted to eat in/with the Kids Club in the evening. There is loads to do along the Mayan Riviera: visit Tulum or Coba (Mayan ruins sites) EcoParks XCaret and XelHa (I'll give you some links in a minute) and take a day trip to Cozumel. The weather was amazing when we were there in April. Here are some website to check out JM Travel , LocoGringo , Playa Info , I Love Playa , Debbies Caribbean Resort Reviews and of course Tripadvisor where you will find recent guest reviews of all the hotels and a discussion forum.
It sounds like you've already decided in favour of Mexico so I won't rabbit on about Sharm. If there is anything you want to know just ask but my recommendation would be Mexico over Sharm any day. Hope some of the links are useful.

Sharm is not really Egypt, if taht makes sense. Nice beaches and fantastic diving but really not very Egyptian at all. If you're into ruins then Egypt is incredible but you'd need to go to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan - basically anywhere on the Nile. The pyramids are just unbelievable. Cairo is an amazing city but I would never go there in summer. In fact I wouldn't go anywhere except the Red Sea in summer. I am also not sure what it's like for kids - been there lots of times but when it was just me. My instinct is that if you've never been and you want to do it justice you might find it difficult with kids. There is just so much to see. Sharm is nice but wouldn't want anyone to visit and think that was what Egypt was like.

I echo the ones who say to go to Mexico but go out of the ressorts, there so much to see in the area as to spend all the time basking under the sun. Besides, Hurricane Wilme severely damaged many of the beaches, where befroe where long and wide strips of beautiful white sandsm there is little know, the Hurricane washed it away!

Howeve, I would still consider Cancun as a base to explore the region. It's a lovely area and the food is wonderful (especially if you go out the torist areas who have a watered down version of the real mexican food -not all of it spicy btw)

thank you ladies, will take all of your addvice and let you know what i decide