November getaway - your suggestions please

[tbone]

Hey Y'all

So, my wife celebrates a "milestone" birthday in November and we'd like to get away for one week. We've been to PDC several times (3 for her, 8 for me) and we're planning on 3 weeks in PDC and area again in March as usual. So, we're thinking we'd like to go someplace different for this one week. Probably an AI just to kick back in the sun even though we're not really AI kind of people. We need sun & beach. Now I know there are no beaches like in the RM but we're lookin for an alternative.
We've pretty much ruled out PV because we've heard it's beaches aren't great. Maybe Mazatlan. Any suggestions? Like how's the weather in Mazatlan/west coast likely to be in November? Any AI suggestions in that area? We wanna keep it simple, ie. direct flight from Edmonton, not too much ground travel, etc.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Salud,
Thomas

[Rissask]

Hi Tbone!
Did you do this quiz to see if any other places in Mexico appeal to you? How about Huatulco, our favourite? The beaches are the closest to the Caribbean beaches there, they are gorgeous!


We really liked staying in Zihuantanejo too, if you've never been to Ixtapa/Zihua.

Both of those will be hot but not as humid as PV or Maz in November.


Where do the charters in Edmonton go to? I think in November I might avoid Cuba, the DR and Jamaica, and the rest of the Caribbean for that matter, but that is just me.

[TJordan]

NYC


Not quite what you're looking for, but it's beautiful this time of year.

[michele1004]

I don't know where you heard the beaches aren't great in PV. No -----the water isn't as blue as the Carribean side but the beaches are just fine. Nuevo Vallarta has many AI's to choose from and the beaches north of Puerto Vallarta are very wide and nice. You also don't have to deal with the wind factor on the west side of Mexico as well. We love the Pacific side of Mexico and will be making our 7th trip their next Feb.

[tbone]

Thanks Riss. Actually, I did the quiz earlier and it came up with Mazatlan, PV then Cancun.
I've heard Huatulco is fabulous so I'll do some research as to charters, etc.
And, I agree, November weather in the Carib can be iffy. That's why we're thinkin west coast.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by tbone

Thanks Riss. Actually, I did the quiz earlier and it came up with Mazatlan, PV then Cancun.
I've heard Huatulco is fabulous so I'll do some research as to charters, etc.
And, I agree, November weather in the Carib can be iffy. That's why we're thinkin west coast.

I looked on escapes.ca..... so, apparently they don't begin the charters to Huatulco until December 2 out of Edmonton.

But if you can wait until then, then here is a sweet deal- with Sunwing, a week at the 3 star non AI Villablanca is only $715 plus $273 each on Dec 2! We had lunch there one day, and while it is not beachfront it is a great location, nice pool, easy walk to a couple of beach clubs and both towns in the area, and it is a very nice, small, colonial style hotel. Very Mexican!

For an AI, the Las Brisas is $955 plus the same taxes for the week. Great prices!


Or how about this one- the Dorado Pacifico is $1184 plus $297 taxes each for November 15th. We have stayed there both trips to Ixtapa, we love it because it is a great location right in the middle of the main beach in Ixtapa and easy walk to shopping and restaurants, and it is non AI but you get a $115 a week drink credit so you can still drink at the swim up bar and piano bar all week for 'free'.

There are some really nice beaches in that area (La Ropa and Las Gatas in Zihua bay, and all the beaches at Isla Ixtapa) , although the main one in Ixtapa can be quite rough. but it sure is purty!


the beaches right IN PV aren't the greatest, murky and pebbly sand, but you are right, Michelle, south and north of town there is very nice beaches. Mismaloya is very pretty and the beach at Sayulita is the best we have seen for a variety of things, swimming and hanging out and watching surfers and boogie boarding! That is a possibility Tbone, head to PV and stay up in a villa in Sayulita, or San Pancho for the week. Really cool places.

[michele1004]

the beaches right IN PV aren't the greatest, murky and pebbly sand, but you are right, Michelle, south and north of town there is very nice beaches. Mismaloya is very pretty and the beach at Sayulita is the best we have seen for a variety of things, swimming and hanging out and watching surfers and boogie boarding! That is a possibility Tbone, head to PV and stay up in a villa in Sayulita, or San Pancho for the week. Really cool places. [/quote]

That's what we're doing next February.....renting a villa in Sayulita. We were in Sayulita about three years ago and just loved the town and how the plaza comes to life at night. Very quaint town to just lay back and chill for a week and the prices to rent the villas are VERY reasonable to say the least.

[tbone]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far.

Michele1004, sorry, didn't mean to dis PV beaches. I heard they weren't great in the city itself but better can be found north/south. We've got friends who go to Rincon every year and love it.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by michele1004

That's what we're doing next February.....renting a villa in Sayulita. We were in Sayulita about three years ago and just loved the town and how the plaza comes to life at night. Very quaint town to just lay back and chill for a week and the prices to rent the villas are VERY reasonable to say the least.

Cool! and no kidding about the prices, you can get SUCH a nice place for so little!

We loved it there too, I really want to go back some day. We are going to Barra de Navidad instead in late February I think (unless I can convince Don to go back to Huatulco and Puerto Escondido...I'm trying ).


We stayed in a villa on the south side of town for ten days. (See my trip report link in my siggy.) Case de Ensueno, rented it through VRBO. Huge room with full kitchen and the biggest patio/balcony I have ever seen. Nice plunge pool that we had to ourselves because we were the only two people staying there. $500 for ten days. and dead quiet at night except for the roosters.

[michele1004]

No problem Tbone........it's the only way to find out about places you've never been. Last year we stayed right in PV....called the romantic zone and our condo was right on the beach. We were in the ocean every day and the people watching on that end of PV is so amazing.

[Rissask]

Tbone, there are some really nice 5 star resorts in Los Cabos with Sunday departures in November from Edmonton too.

price varies from $1200- 1400 plus taxes-ish per person.

BONUS- flights are direct and WestJet!!


Great fishing in November there, if that appeals at all to you.

[TXMichelle]

I was going to say Los Cabos too...never been, but have heard good things.

[Rissask]

You could also stay at an AI south of PV like Buckly did in this trip report (lots of pics!)



it is Dreams Puerto Vallarta and is down by Mismaloya, nice beach.

Out of Edmonton it is Saturday November 29th, Deluxe room for $1573 plus $299 taxes....pretty steep, but I bet it will be a better price in early November.

[Mr Cancun]

I visited Costa Rica this year for the first time & would would love to go back.

[MN Annie]

Originally Posted by Mr Cancun

I visited Costa Rica this year for the first time & would would love to go back.

Where did you stay in Costa Rica? I've been looking at going there in the next year or two.