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Teach me about Mexico
What is the difference between Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Riviera Nayarit, and Isla Mujeres?
These are all locations of the Palace resorts. After years of dying to go, I think DH and I are going to take a vacation in August. Does the location really matter, or are they all nice places?
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Posted 4/2/09 9:55 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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JTK
my 4 boys!
Member since 6/06 7396 total posts
Name:
Kristi
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
are you guys night life people or would you rather a secluded vacation?
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| Posted 4/2/09 1:04 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
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Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Each locale is not far from each other--but the amount of tourism differs a pretty decent amount.
If you want to be in the middle of everything -- the hotel zone, all the clubs, restaurants, shopping, and such -- Cancun is for that.
Riviera Maya is a lil bit outside of Cancun and the hotel zones and is a bit more peaceful compared to the more touristy area, but not by a huge amount
Cozumel is many miles further south from Cancun. Its actually off the coast of Mexico--and is its own small island. Many people who are not into all the big party scenes of Cancun, but want the beatiful beaches of Mexico enjoy Cozumel for its seclusion.
Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Cancun. I don't know much about it as far as how the tourism and hotels are -- but I know that just about everywhere in Cancun has some type of day trip to Isla Mujeres, usually for snorkeling.
I had never heard of Riviera Nayarit before--and plugged it into google maps -- and it also appears to be near Cancun...but slightly away from the hotel zone.
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| Posted 4/2/09 3:29 PM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Riviera Nayarit is in the Puerto Vallarta area, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico; the beaches and ocean is not as beautiful as in the Cancun/Playa del Carmen area...
Message edited 4/2/2009 3:53:39 PM.
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| Posted 4/2/09 3:52 PM |
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strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
i would say cozumel and riviera maya are similar ( i have been to both and enjoyed both) cancun is probably a younger crowd and more night life...i don't know much about the other 2
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| Posted 4/2/09 7:01 PM |
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strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
i also wanted to ask....what type of vacation are you looking for? relaxing --touring --nt. life?
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| Posted 4/2/09 7:01 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
just wanted to say that if you're looking to travel to Mexico in the near future, you should check the news. they have massive drug wars going on - and it's spread to the tourist areas like Cancun 
some info from various media sources
Message edited 4/2/2009 9:49:25 PM.
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| Posted 4/2/09 9:45 PM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
my friend just came back from Riviera Maya, she was there with her husband and 19 month old daughter, no problems to report... she had a great time!
my other firend lol she went to Cozumel and didnt like it very much because the beaches were very rocky, she stayed at the Iberostar... she said that Occidental had a better beach though...
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| Posted 4/2/09 9:59 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
just wanted to say that if you're looking to travel to Mexico in the near future, you should check the news. they have massive drug wars going on - and it's spread to the tourist areas like Cancun
some info from various media sources
the increased issues with mexico and the drug cartels are really more towards the border towns that are closer to the u.s. -- which in reality have always been a bit dangerous. areas like cancun and such are still pretty safe as they have a great deal of money coming in from tourism and therefore much better police and protection overall.
it really is terrible how bad things have gotten with the drug wars though.
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| Posted 4/2/09 11:16 PM |
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
We like night life, water sports, touring. We're not sun people, so we don't really like to lie on the beach. But we definitely love the beach for swimming.
I'm not set on Mexico. There's also Dominican Republic. But since I've never been to an all-inclusive, I thought Mexico would be good since there are so many options.
How is the Dominican Republic? Would you recommend that over Mexico?
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| Posted 4/3/09 7:05 AM |
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Is Cancun really just for college student? DH and I are 29 and 30. We like night life, but obviously a little toned down from college.
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| Posted 4/3/09 7:06 AM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
I like Mexico because of the history, so much to see especially the Mayan ruins: you have Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Ek Balaam (which I had no time to see last time, I have to go there on our next trip)... in DR you are pretty much stuck at the hotel, although there are some trips that you can take (Santo Domingo is an almost 4 hour drive)...
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| Posted 4/3/09 8:03 AM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5015 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
How is the Dominican Republic? Would you recommend that over Mexico?
DH and I like DR better than Mexico (Mayan Riviera). The beaches are prettier and it's cheaper.
BUT, we don't leave the resorts we go to. If you are in the mood to explore, Mexico has more to see than DR.
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| Posted 4/3/09 8:49 AM |
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
So would you all say Riveria Maya is the best location if I want a mix of touring, beaches, and night life?
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| Posted 4/3/09 10:46 AM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Is Cancun really just for college student? DH and I are 29 and 30. We like night life, but obviously a little toned down from college.
As long as you don't go during a college break time, then I would say no. Cancun is definitely going to give you the most options as far as nightlife goes. There are tons of bars and clubs. Rivera Maya nightlife is really in Playa Del Carmen. It's not as clubby, but there are plenty of cute bars to choose from.
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| Posted 4/3/09 11:38 AM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Posted by melbalalala
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
How is the Dominican Republic? Would you recommend that over Mexico?
DH and I like DR better than Mexico (Mayan Riviera). The beaches are prettier and it's cheaper.
BUT, we don't leave the resorts we go to. If you are in the mood to explore, Mexico has more to see than DR.
What she said! 
I've done AIs in cancun twice -- and an AI in DR once. Overall--I liked the AI in DR better, as the beach was nicer and I loved the food and relaxation
BUT -- like Mel said -- if you want to be able to leave the resort and really explore and head out to the clubs and stuff and shop away from the resorts -- Cancun is a better choice. Both times I did Cancun, we were able to leave the hotel and grab a bus up and down the hotel zone and do tons of shopping and exploring.
In DR -- I just wanted to lay out and relax and have good food and drinks. Which is exactly what we did!
You don't have to be a college student to enjoy Cancun. My parents went before I did and they loved it. You can have a great time without doing the whole spring break-esque kind of partying.
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| Posted 4/3/09 2:25 PM |
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Thanks everyone!  I think Cancun is the way to go. Plus, the 4 resorts I'm looking into are close to the airport, so that is good. I didn't want to have to rent a car or travel far.
Now if only the timing works out. With DH's software release and me graduating sometime in the summer or fall, this may be tricky...
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| Posted 4/3/09 3:15 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Teach me about Mexico
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Thanks everyone! I think Cancun is the way to go. Plus, the 4 resorts I'm looking into are close to the airport, so that is good. I didn't want to have to rent a car or travel far.
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just a tip--you really do NOT need to rent a car at all out there! the bus is very easy to use as it just goes up and down the strip....and its 6 pesos per person (.60 cents). if you do any attractions of tours, usually your hotel will arrange it with the tour operators and they pick you up and drop you off
happy planning!
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| Posted 4/4/09 11:40 AM |
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