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Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
#144386
09/23/2017 06:40 PM
09/23/2017 06:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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It appears other Caribbean islands and the Keys are out this year. Too much hurricane damage. Mexico has never particularly appealed to us, though perhaps I should give it another look. I just don't want over commercialized and overbuilt like Cancun. Cheap or spring break type vibe is out as well. Is there anyplace on either coast (must be a beach) that has a chill perhaps upscale vibe? Not looking for cheap (possibly tainted according to the news) alcohol. I like beach chair service, and GOOD FOOD. Activities and perhaps a tour or two nearby. Shopping is ALWAYS a plus. Is there a locale in Mexico that fits this bill? I explored Costa Rico, but RCI didn't have anything near the beach. Closest was a 2 hour drive. Thank you!
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144387
09/23/2017 10:18 PM
09/23/2017 10:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646
Brookfield, CT.
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Leona,
We stayed for a week at the Club Regina in Puerto Vallarta a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had an upper unit overlooking the beach with our own hot tub on the balcony. Did not rent a car and used the local taxi services. Booked a few tours through the hotel concierge desk and they were all fun. Did one day if shopping in town which was way too much for me. It was a fun week but nothing that we would rate over St. Maarten, unless SXM wasn't available. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144389
09/24/2017 04:37 PM
09/24/2017 04:37 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 693 Lake Texoma, Texas
cruzer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 693
Lake Texoma, Texas
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Having gone through what you're trying to do, I settled on Isla Holbox, off the northern Yucatan Peninsula, about a 2 1/2 hour ride away from CUN, and also requiring a ferry crossing, and golf cart taxi to your hotel. Ironically, it'll take us as long to get from the left coast to either here or SXM, because of the 3rd leg via car service.
This place seems really laid back, and any activity off the island is a good 2 hours away by car. Looks to have many fine restaurants, and rooms run the gamut from $20 well over $500. Plenty of nice accommodations. Seems most people go for the few activities--especially whale shark trips, but the season is now over--reading, swimming, sunning, eating, and drinking
No building is over 3 stories tall, and the roads are hard packed sand. If you really want to kick back, this just might be the place.
I did have to spend many hours a day for 3 days to finally convince myself I really wanted this island as my SXM alternative.
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: bugambilias]
#144392
11/25/2017 01:30 PM
11/25/2017 01:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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We had a wonderful time in Mazatlan! Sunsets were gorgeous, food was good. Everything was so inexpensive! Dia de los Muertos parade was FUN! We were in the middle of it all, getting ice cold beer served down to us and the other revelers. The resorts gardens were spectacular. Swans and flamingos. Fountains, floral arrangements. Three swimming pools, one of which was adults only....yay, no screaming kids! Golf cart shuttles as the property was so large. Free bus to their sister resort, and complete access to their amenities as well. 24 hour room service if we got too lazy to cook or get dressed! lol Beaches and shopping very different than SXM, but it's a place we would go back to. Awesome staff, and made friends with one of our pulmonia drivers. Spent a great day with him in the countryside. Dancing horses, tequila farm, leather shop, authentic meal. If Photo Bucket hadn't gone all $$ on us, I would have loved to share the pictures.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144393
11/25/2017 04:02 PM
11/25/2017 04:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721
Central Florida!
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Would love to see those pictures too! Again, you can upload pictures here to the SXM or General photo forum. Or talk to Beerman or TomB about other options..
Carol Hill
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: bugambilias]
#144395
11/25/2017 10:12 PM
11/25/2017 10:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
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Bug... interesting that rates are up. We head to CUN Dec 8 at Ocean Coral and turquesa at $135/night with $300 air fare from Tulsa. We go to a different place every year and have yet to be disappointed, the Mexican's understand customer service. So much better than DR or Cuba. You don't get the awesome beaches, but after working in the Caribbean for years I just want a cheap place to chill. On Dec 23rd the rate goes to $474/night.
Mike
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144396
11/26/2017 09:28 AM
11/26/2017 09:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721
Central Florida!
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Says 'video not available'. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144399
11/26/2017 01:29 PM
11/26/2017 01:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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Yay!! I think I have figured out how to get pictures into posts! Stay tuned as I pull things together! This is the Mazatlan Airport. Was very old-timey. They had dogs inspecting passengers and luggage upon arrival. We had eaten chicken wraps and carrots on the plane, and had a few bones and carrots left. The dog followed us at the luggage carousel! lol They Mexican government takes protecting their agriculture and crops VERY seriously. You cannot enter with fruits, veggies, etc.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#144401
11/26/2017 05:50 PM
11/26/2017 05:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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Carol_Hill said: Paso Fino horses? Really lovely. And Friesians. This one is owned by a singer, and he rides it in parades.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144402
11/26/2017 06:01 PM
11/26/2017 06:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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First afternoon at the pool. Time for a snack of quesadillas and ceviche! Every night there is a themed buffet in addition to an ala carte menu. The dessert display is amazing. Funky beach side restaurant for breakfast. Looney Beans Delicious huevos divorciados! (but not as good as Ernest & Fidels) Another day of lunch by the pool. Burger and shrimp cocktail Sunset
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144407
11/26/2017 08:51 PM
11/26/2017 08:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,721
Central Florida!
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Regardless would appreciate seeing 'pre' pictures of SXM... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144409
12/16/2017 12:48 AM
12/16/2017 12:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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I care! Thanks for the PM heads up - I honestly missed them.
When I get a second I will shoot you a PM on how to size within the blog so they all come out the same size when you post them on TTOL.
Now it is midnight and I am hungry from looking at some of those shots.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#144411
12/17/2017 12:27 PM
12/17/2017 12:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658
Maine
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Great pics. Please post more! We have replaced our SXM trip with our first ever trip to Tulum Mexico. I know it's no where near where you vacationed, but we're trying to get a feel for Mexico! Thanks BeachKitten!
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Re: Seeking alternative to St Maarten this year :(
[Re: BeachKitten]
#155695
02/27/2018 05:23 PM
02/27/2018 05:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214 Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
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We had a wonderful time in Mazatlan! Sunsets were gorgeous, food was good. Everything was so inexpensive! Dia de los Muertos parade was FUN! We were in the middle of it all, getting ice cold beer served down to us and the other revelers. The resorts gardens were spectacular. Swans and flamingos. Fountains, floral arrangements. Three swimming pools, one of which was adults only....yay, no screaming kids! Golf cart shuttles as the property was so large. Free bus to their sister resort, and complete access to their amenities as well. 24 hour room service if we got too lazy to cook or get dressed! lol Beaches and shopping very different than SXM, but it's a place we would go back to. Awesome staff, and made friends with one of our pulmonia drivers. Spent a great day with him in the countryside. Dancing horses, tequila farm, leather shop, authentic meal. If Photo Bucket hadn't gone all $$ on us, I would have loved to share the pictures. I must be missing it, can you tell me the name of the resort? Thanks
Colleen
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