Mexico

[Onesipmore]

Has anyone ever been? Planning on going with DH and a couple of teens for a week after Xmas .Have been slightly put off about the extensive seaweed on the beach which stank and being unable to swim in the sea. Any wise words? Thanks

@ValentinaLuna do you mind me asking where you stayed? They are University age, so don't need organised activities as such. Happy to lie out on the beach or laze by the pool with maybe the odd activity thrown in. Interesting points from a few re; violence on this thread.

We stayed at the dreams resort in puerto Morelos (not sure on spelling of that!)

I would skip Mexico and go to Costa Rica instead. But if you only have a week I would honestly stay closer to home - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Egypt, the Med coast of Morocco..

@mathanxiety I know, I sort of agree with that.Daughter went to Dubai this year with friends. We went to Oman as a family 2 years ago.Go to France every Summer. This ticked a box as weather was good, the hotel seemed relatively lux for the cost and it had various things for all of us individually to do.
Costa Rica is at the top of my places to visit but don't feel one week would do it proper justice sadly.

I wouldn't go long haul for one week either. What about Morocco or Turkey? Turkey have some fabulous hotels that are 5*

@Roastonsun8 Is it hot in Turkey second week of Jan? We can't go any other week than that :( !

Oh I missed that part. Turkey will be no good in Jan!

You don't have much choice if you want hot weather you will be likely looking at long haul.

I've got a two week itinerary planned as we are hoping to go to the Yucatan Peninsula early December 2023.

We're not AI people so my chosen hotels wouldn't be of interest. However, I found a fab looking one (to me) by Tulum. Really close to the Sian Ka'an nature reserve. Perfect.

BUT it looks like there has been a LOT of drug violence in Tulum recently, with tourists literally caught in the crossfire. Shot dead. Which has put me off going there!

Similarly Puerto Morelos which is close to Cancun. I fancied the Amar Inn but there was a shooting near there too.

Our little bit of beach time is likely to be Holbox Island which looks really nice. It's a couple of hours from Cancun Airport in the other direction and is car free. It looks very chilled. Fingers crossed nothing kicks off there.

I don't really get people who say it was soulless and not the real Mexico, well yes if you stay in your five star resort, just hire a car, we did. It was great. You do have to do a bit of research about where might not be safe to drive, but we went all over and only felt a bit wary once but that was at a police blockade/check point and we're just not used to the guns.
Teens will probably like Xplor ziplining, swimming in ceynotes, Tulum, Chichen Itza, maybe the little jungle boats you take out to go snorkelling, we drove through some beautiful towns and villages came across some local parades and celebrations and delicious street food. We went in January a few years ago and the beaches were immaculate.

Alternatively do a few days in a riad in Marrakech then drive down to Essaouira for water sports, horse riding, and a more relaxed vibe. Again don't bother going to an AI at la Palmeraie outside of Marrakech and then wondering why it's not the real Morocco.

@RewildingAmbridge thanks for the ideas re; Ziplining and ceynotes. Out family all have different agendas. Owing to the nature of my work I don't mind if I dont see anything, I just need to lie there in the sun with a supply of cocktails and books and to be able to snorkel. The teens will want to do a mixture of lazing around and. a few activities.DH probably diving.So I think we may well stick with it.

We are staying at a Dreams resort in Quintana Roo. It’s just a week for a wedding so the only trip we have booked is a day on a boat. No children going just two middle aged women post divorce. Not planning on eating in as the restaurants outside all look lovely. Would like to do some shopping if anyone knows anywhere good I’d appreciate it. It’s only a week and we are both nurses exhausted all we want is tequila cocktails, lovely Mexican food and some cheesy entertainment. I can’t wait and I don’t care that we could be anywhere. I’ve never done this type of holiday before. In my defence I have been years ago and did stay in a small B and B and did all the sightseeing then.