Ask MetaFilter Questions About Mexico

Lodging recommendations for Cabo San Lucas/San José del Cabo?

subajestad — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:32:01 GMT

The four of us (2 parents, a 12, and a 7 year old) will be there at the end of June for a week. We're looking for a place that is clean, not crazy expensive, right on the beach (or certainly not more than a few hundred yards). It'd be nice if it has an oven and a fridge, but if not we'd definitely need it to have an on-site restaurant. We'd like a beach that is "gentle" enough that the young'uns need not worry about being swept out to sea, and prefer to stay away from the big box hotels, but are really open to any good suggestion. Gracias mil por sus sugerencias.

All-Inclusives should be easy, right?

Fig — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:32:17 GMT

In about a month, 3 friends and I are going to an all-inclusive in Cancun. I'm fairly well-travelled, but I prefer going to cities and exploring around, so I've never done a cruise or any type of beachy resort vacation. What kind of tips/tricks does Metafilter have for getting the most out of relaxing, and drinking tropical drinks on the beach all day?

Some (maybe) pertinent details...There are 4 women going, all in our early 30s. We will be there for 4 days, and are using a timeshare at an all-inclusive resort on the "hotel strip" on the beach. I've been to Mexico before (Guadalajara, about 4 years ago), none of the other 3 have. 2 of us speak very rudimentary Spanish, 2 are at a conversational level.

Right now, the only planned excursion from the hotel is taking the ferry over to Isla Mujeres and bumming around the island for an afternoon. We enjoy eating, drinking, dancing, shopping, general fun activities. However, Senor Frogs, Margaritaville, Cheeseburgers in Paradise et al (and any other club that advertises 'foam parties') is our personal hell.

What are the tips/tricks you've learned from going to all-inclusive vacations? Should we bring anything that isn't obvious? (example: I saw a suggestion to bring a Thermos, so you can keep your drinks colder for longer than in the plastic cups they give you) Are there any safety concerns, apart from the normal precautions taken when travelling? Is there anything we should definitely check out in Cancun?

Thanks in advance!

Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende: The Scenic Route?

carsonb — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:02:47 GMT

In July I'm flying into Mexico City for my friend's wedding in San Miguel de Allende. I have two days (or so, it's pretty flexible) to get from the airport in FD to SMdA, can you help me figure out the best route and/or means of transportation? And also what I should do for fun and/or adventure with the extra day or so I have to explore the area?

I'm traveling alone. I have some little Spanish, more all the time, and some big itch for adventure. I've been to Mexico before, but really only the state of Sonora. My budget is fairly limited—I can't hire a palanquin, and I can't go skydiving or anything—but I'm willing to save extra to make this a memorable trip.

Looking at maps, I feel a little daunted by the distance between the two cities (~150mi) and don't really know where to start looking for a way to get from one to the other. Oh, and back again for my return flight...

That said, I scheduled some extra time so I don't have to feel rushed, racing to the wedding. I arrive on a Sunday, rehearsal dinner isn't until Thursday, but the house we're all staying in starts welcoming guests as early as Monday. Wedding guests will be trickling in that whole time. I'm thinking I'd like to show up on Tuesday, spend a few days with scattered friends before the wedding stuff starts in earnest.

That leaves a good portion of Sunday and all day Monday for me to do pretty much whatever I'd like around the Federal District. Or... I could spend the whole time on the road, wending. Consider me open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

Where to stay in Oaxaca - baby and in-law edition

Admira — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 05:45:58 GMT

Hi All, We'll be travelling to Mexico with our baby to see my wife's family, and then going on a short trip to Oaxaca with my parents in law. Somehow its come to me (the only non Mexican) to find accommodation in Oaxaca. Please help!

My mother in law has trouble walking (though she's not afraid of a 20 minute stroll) and my father in law also isn't the best so I'd like somewhere reasonably close to the Zocalo, though if its a walk (max 15 mins or so), I'd prefer it wasn't strenuous.

Also I'd like somewhere that doesn't feel like a backpackers, but also has character and charm.

We all speak Spanish so thats not a concern.

Thanks!

How amazing of an experience would a quick trip to Mexico City be?

mmmmbobo — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:22:00 GMT

I have a relative who will be on a business trip to Mexico City for about 10 days in March, and I am very tempted to go down there for a few days and visit. However I am also concerned about the number of vacation days I will be burning up as I already have two other short trips on the books for March. I've been curious to see D.F. (Mexico City) for a long time. We would be staying in the heart of downtown, in the shopping/financial district, close to the huge urban park and a bunch of museums.

I guess my real question is, is this going to feel like an amazing cultural experience or more like just a big 'typical' metropolitan city? I've made several trips to Baja and I totally love it there, but that is the extent of my experience in Mexico.

Where can we watch the Super Bowl in Mexico City?

quadrilaterals — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:52:04 GMT

My Ravens-loving boyfriend wants to watch American football next weekend.

My Ravens-loving boyfriend wants to watch the Super Bowl while we're in Mexico City next weekend. We're staying in Condesa. Are there bars or expat-y places where he can watch it?

A huge, huge bonus if this place has something for me (I could care less about sportsball) to do in the meantime or suggestions for a single female in Condesa to do for a few hours in the evening.

Mexico resort restaurant attire

entropic — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:09:51 GMT

Mexico resort restaurant dress code?

We're going to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. The resort website lists the onsite restaurants, with dress codes including "casual", "casual elegance", and "formal". What the heck do those mean in the context of a beach resort?

Mexico Vacation Ideas

lunasol — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:09:35 GMT

18 days in Mexico, divided between the DF, Oaxaca City and the Oaxaca coast - what should I not miss?

I've been doing a ton of research for this trip (including reading all the previous AskMes!), but there's just so much to see, especially around Oaxaca and the DF, that my head is swimming a bit. I'll have roughly 5 days in Oaxaca City, 6 days on the coast, and 5 in Mexico City.

I'm more of a cultural traveler than anything else - I like exploring markets, interesting neighborhoods/villages, street art, and street food, and I'm always looking to meet and talk with interesting people, both locals and other travelers. But I have a low tolerance for museums, and ruins and churches start to blend together for me after a few. For instance, the high point of my trip to the Taj Mahal was not the building, but the Indian medical students I met there when I sought out some shade. I'm also really interested in political and social movements, but fairly reticent to be a "cause tourist."

Things already on my to-do list:

Everywhere: eat lots of street food, check out ALL THE MARKETS, practice my Spanish.

DF: Zocalo, Anthropology Museum, Coyoacan (for the Frida Kahlo Museum)

Bonus round: any recs on where I should stay? Either neighborhood or specific hotel/hostel?

Oaxaca: Zocalo, Santo Domingo, Hierve El Agua, Monte Alban, 1-2 of the village markets and maybe one of the villages known for crafts, but I'm not sure which one.

The Coast: I'll be staying in a nice-ish hotel near Playa Carazillo in Puerto Escondido for three days, but then I'd like to spend 3 days someplace a bit more rustic, right on the beach (a basic hut is fine). I'm thinking about either Mazunte or Lagunas de Chacahua. Thoughts? Mazunte seems easier to get to but Chacahua seems like more of an adventure and an interesting cultural experience.

My budget is around $60-70/day.

January Baja Whale Watching?

straw — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:21:00 GMT

Looking for information about budget whale watching vacations in Baja in early January.

My sweety and I are looking for a vacation in warmer climes at the end of her winter break, which means back to school on January 7th. We love whale watching, and haven't been to Baja yet, so would love to figure out something where we could spend a few days out on the water. Preferably with people who are respectful of the whales, who will let the whales come to the boat rather than chasing them down, and if they don't that's fine.

We're coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, if that impacts flight issues.

Complications: Budget right now means the $2800+ each "chartered plane out of San Diego to beachfront accomodations" is probably out. We also prefer off the beaten track sorts of vacations. Neither of us speaks Spanish, but we're okay with pantomime and learning fast. We'd rather spend $25-50 a night in a local hotel rather than $150 at some beachside tourist trap resort, we don't need umbrellas in our drinks.

We're also sheltered in our upper middle-class US existence and worried about things like police corruption that we keep hearing stories about in Cabo San Lucas and similar places.

So what we'd like is either a package deal somewhere between the "luxury coach/chartered airplane and swank touristy hotel on the beach" on the high end and the "umpteen days each way of driving and hostels" Green Tortoise on the low-end, or a pointer towards resources where we could plan a "Fly into X, take this bus to that town, stay in that small hotel" more self-supported trip. Sea kayaking is fine if they've got tandems, I can paddle long distances, she: not so much.

Also willing to hear "too early in the season to see whales", or "Go to San Diego instead", or...?

Suggestions? Do we need to rent a car? Any experiences? Thanks!

Resort in Playa del Carmen

yogalemon — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:05:23 GMT

Flying into Cancun for a week in October and thinking of staying at Playa del Carmen - need recommendations for a hotel or resort that can accommodate lots of energetic activities AND slothful beach relaxing.

Extra points for a resort that can offer us condos with at least 2 bedrooms and some kitchen facilities. Thanks for any suggestions.

established restaurants/bars/cafes in Madrid/Barcelona

mrmarley — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:35:13 GMT

I will soon be in Madrid & Barcelona for a long week. I'm looking for established/trusted restaurants/ bars/ cafes in central areas that don't suck, places that aren't too touristy/a rip-off, but enjoy a good reputation for whatever reason, even if expensive. open to any type of cuisine. thank you

Mid October trip to the Riviera Maya area. Where to stay??

LaBellaStella — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:32:32 GMT

We need to get away! Mid to late October is the target date. Requirements: all inclusive, close to airport, excellent food.

We've been to the Grand Palladium resort complex twice-first time, Colonial, second time Riviera. Loved the first place, second was not quite as nice. We really didn't like the long drive to and from the airport. We are two adults, mid 50's who like to people watch, eat excellent food and walk on the beach. Pretty scenery, really nice room and amenities would be frosting on the cake of our trip. Oh, and reasonable cost, or special deals are a given-we have to save up for these trips for several years, and want big bang for our $$!
Any suggestions?

Can I drive across the Mexico border in my partner's car?

psycheslamp — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 20:44:32 GMT

Can I take a road trip to Mexico in a car that's not registered in my name?

I'm planning a road trip to Baja California with some friends. My car is registered under my partner's name only (who sadly can't join us because he has to work), though we are both on the insurance, and obviously have the same address on all documents.

Will I be able to drive the car across the border? Because we'll both be out of town until the day before I'm planning to leave, I don't think I can get my name added to the title before the road trip.

It seems that I don't need a temporary vehicle importation permit if I'm just driving around Baja, and so won't need to show the title/registration documents, but I'm having trouble confirming on the Internet that my specific situation is ok. Any advice the hive mind can offer?

A warm place with no memory

lunasol — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:14:25 GMT

Mexico beach filter: Is there anywhere I could go on the Yucatan for a low-cost, laid-back, bohemian-esque week on the beach this November? Or should I stick with the area around Zipolite on the Oaxaca coast?

I'm planning a trip to Mexico this November. I have 3 weeks for this trip and was initially planning a couple of days in Mexico City, 4-5 days in Oaxaca, a week around San Cristobal de las Casas/Palenque/Agua Azul and a week on the beaches around Zipolite.

Zipolite sounds perfect to me in many ways - I like my beach experiences rustic, cheap and laid-back. I'd rather avoid cruise ships, big resorts and tour buses. And I don't have a ton to spend on this trip.

But I've been reading that the beaches around Zipolite, while beautiful, are not good for swimming. And it seems like there's so much cool stuff to see/do on the Mayan Riviera: bioluminescent bays, snorkeling near reefs, cenotes.

Is there any beach in that area where I could stay in a very basic cabana/bungalow on the beach, free of huge resorts, for under $20/night, and where I can also get around to see other stuff in the area? I guess Tulum used to be like this, but not anymore - what about Isla Holbox? Alternately, is there anywhere on the Oaxaca coast where swimming will be ok?

Oh, and I realize this is pretty early to be asking, but my decision about this will determine whether I fly into the DF or Cancun, so I want to decide in the next few weeks so I can get a good deal on a flight.

How to have fun and avoid getting taken hostage in TJ?

HotPatatta — Tue, 29 May 2012 03:33:27 GMT

Heading down to Tijuana next week. What should we do that's fun, interesting, and (mostly) safe? Are there any day trips worth taking?

My folks will refuse to pay any ransom, so I'd prefer to stick to areas that aren't too risky for a few of us who are very white.