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All-inclusive vacations; Mexico

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Old
07-14-2008, 10:34 PM
  #1
The Saurus
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All-inclusive vacations; Mexico

Following all the work I've put in this summer (still about four weeks to go) for a documentary that's in the works, I'll be spending a week in Mexico at an all inclusive resort.

Any tips? I've never been to a Mexican resort.

Any info would be great.

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07-14-2008, 10:51 PM
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Two words: Be careful!


Canadian couple murdered

Canadians shot in Mexico

Canadian tourist shot and killed

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Old
07-15-2008, 12:03 AM
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Wow, what's the deal?

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Old
07-15-2008, 12:06 AM
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bah.


what are the statistics for people who go to mexico and have an amazing time compared to those that get murdered?

i wouldn't let these stories dissuade you from traveling to mexico.

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07-15-2008, 12:10 AM
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Yeah the Drug Cartels own everything including the Police in Mexico. It's best just to stay away for the time being.

There's a HUGE drug war going on in Tijuana after the US arrested cartel leaders. Everyone is now fighting for control of the area.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...1m8tjdead.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...co-drugs-.html

How the war is effecting Tourism in the area:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...24tourism.html

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Old
07-15-2008, 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Dolemite View Post
Yeah the Drug Cartels own everything including the Police in Mexico. It's best just to stay away for the time being.

There's a HUGE drug war going on in Tijuana after the US arrested cartel leaders. Everyone is now fighting for control of the area.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...1m8tjdead.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...co-drugs-.html

How the war is effecting Tourism in the area:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...24tourism.html

Shame, Tijuana's a beautiful town

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Old
07-15-2008, 08:58 AM
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In your first link the primary suspects are Canadian.

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Old
07-15-2008, 09:14 AM
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This is crap because you never here the full story.

Thats like saying, don't come to Edmonton because we have a gang problem and murders are on the rise.

In at least 2 of those stories I would be willing to bet that there is FAR more then meets the eye.
That being said, if you aren't a giant jackass and don't like getting in trouble in a country that you are visiting in, then you will be completely fine. Enjoy yourself and don't put yourself in a situation that could be bad!

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07-15-2008, 09:19 AM
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And being on topic to the original question, I visited Puerto Vallarta, and wasn't completely satisfied. The beaches on the Gulf side are far more superior. If you would like to go and really enjoy yourself in a party and relaxing environment, go to the Mayan Riviera. I will be doing this for my honeymoon in November.

You really can't go wrong with a 4 Star or higher as well. Do some research on the resort you are staying at and you will find yourself a great deal as well.

Good luck, and enjoy your vacation!

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Old
07-15-2008, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by IBleedOil247 View Post
This is crap because you never here the full story.

Thats like saying, don't come to Edmonton because we have a gang problem and murders are on the rise.

In at least 2 of those stories I would be willing to bet that there is FAR more then meets the eye.
That being said, if you aren't a giant jackass and don't like getting in trouble in a country that you are visiting in, then you will be completely fine. Enjoy yourself and don't put yourself in a situation that could be bad!

What's crap about it? Those are real things that happened, I didn't make them up.

Secondly, did I ever say don't go...no. I simply said "be careful".

I've been all over Mexico. Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Cancun and Ixtapa. I have nothing against the place.

As for Edmonton, I'm sure it's like anywhere (including Mexico) that you have to avoid certain area's. Every City is like that.

When it comes to Mexico, violence against tourists is on the rise. It's a fact, and anybody travelling there just has to deal with. There's a huge drug problem there, fact! Obviously common sense plays a role. You shouldn't wear jewellery when leaving the resort, travel in groups etc...

I'd also like to add that you don't have to act like a jackass to get yourself in trouble.

Right now today, personally...I would avoid Mexico. There's nicer and safer vacation destinations.

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Old
07-15-2008, 09:55 AM
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What's crap about it? Those are real things that happened, I didn't make them up.

Secondly, did I ever say don't go...no. I simply said "be careful".

I've been all over Mexico. Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Cancun and Ixtapa. I have nothing against the place.

As for Edmonton, I'm sure it's like anywhere (including Mexico) that you have to avoid certain area's. Every City is like that.

When it comes to Mexico, violence against tourists is on the rise. It's a fact, and anybody travelling there just has to deal with. There's a huge drug problem there, fact! Obviously common sense plays a role. You shouldn't wear jewellery when leaving the resort, travel in groups etc...

I'd also like to add that you don't have to act like a jackass to get yourself in trouble.

Right now today, personally...I would avoid Mexico. There's nicer and safer vacation destinations.
Okay, I just want to say that I wasn't cracking on you for your input, I was talking about the stories themselves.
Obviously you have to be careful wherever you go, because there is crime everywhere, but if you have some common sense when travelling, certain situations can be avoided. That is all I was saying.

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Old
07-15-2008, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by IBleedOil247 View Post
And being on topic to the original question, I visited Puerto Vallarta, and wasn't completely satisfied. The beaches on the Gulf side are far more superior. If you would like to go and really enjoy yourself in a party and relaxing environment, go to the Mayan Riviera. I will be doing this for my honeymoon in November.

You really can't go wrong with a 4 Star or higher as well. Do some research on the resort you are staying at and you will find yourself a great deal as well.

Good luck, and enjoy your vacation!
I concur with this post.

One word of caution though - if at the orientation you're told that their water and ice are perfectly safe, don't believe it.

Trust me on this one.

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Old
07-15-2008, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by WeThePeople View Post
Following all the work I've put in this summer (still about four weeks to go) for a documentary that's in the works, I'll be spending a week in Mexico at an all inclusive resort.

Any tips? I've never been to a Mexican resort.

Any info would be great.
Hey, so here's the deal, I've been to mexico 30-35 times. I have only been to the Mayan Riviera/Cancun side 4 of those times and each time was met with poor weather. The beaches are with out a doubt far nice to look at and so much better for snorkeling and diving if you are looking for that type of thing.

In Puerto Vallarta (one of the cheapest places in mexico to visit) I have spent a significant amount of time. I am always met with pleasant weather, 30-35, if you go in the summer it's warmer, closer to 40 degrees Celsius (104F) maximum. The beaches have waves, no worries of any dangerous sealife.

There is so much to do and it is very comfortable. If you have specific questions please PM me, like I said, it's pretty much a second home for me.

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Old
07-15-2008, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by opus View Post
Whatever.

I lived in Mexico and never once had a problem, and it wasn't like things weren't happening when I was down there.

You just have to be smart. Don't do things you woundn't do in your home country. You're a visitor in THEIR country, not vise versa.

People totally blow the cases out of proportion. Hell, I was on the Pennisula during the Hurricane, through Chiapas and Oxaca. Not one problem. And I'm your stereotypical rich white girl.

If you want real advice, go to a travel agent. Take some books and listen. They know their stuff.

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Old
07-15-2008, 10:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opus View Post

Secondly, did I ever say don't go...no. I simply said "be careful".
Be smart.



Quote:
When it comes to Mexico, violence against tourists is on the rise. It's a fact, and anybody travelling there just has to deal with. There's a huge drug problem there, fact! Obviously common sense plays a role. You shouldn't wear jewellery when leaving the resort, travel in groups etc...
Totally depends on where you are. In cancun, yes. Stay on the resort. Hell, cancun was the only place I flat out hated.
Secondly, the drug problem isn't that great. I was down there for school for a year and never once had any issues. Even in Oxaca and Chiapas, which are two poorer states.

Quote:
I'd also like to add that you don't have to act like a jackass to get yourself in trouble.
Really? Any problem I've ever seen was because the person was drunk or acting like a jackass. Mexicans are great people and won't randomly jump you because you're white.

Quote:
Right now today, personally...I would avoid Mexico. There's nicer and safer vacation destinations.
Cuba has worse food. The Dominican has more problems with drugs and harassing toursits than Mexico does. Jamaica has larger problems with the military and what not. Costa Rica doesn't have the infastructure. Cayman Islands is really expensive...

Any other places?


Last edited by Ti-girl: 07-15-2008 at 11:27 AM.
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Old
07-15-2008, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Helm1Crosby0 View Post
Cuba has worse food. The Dominican has more problems with drugs and harassing toursits than Mexico does. Jamaica has larger problems with the military and what not. Costa Rica doesn't have the infastructure. Cayman Islands is really expensive...

Any other places?
Yeah how about Europe!? It may cost a bit more but it is definitely cooler than going to Mexico. I spent 1 week in Puerto Vallarta in May of this year. I was at a buddy's wedding and the Resort was a Four Star. Nearly everyone who went down for the wedding hated the food and had stomach and digestion issues. The weather was super hot and muggy and due to all of the pollution in PV the air was terrible and stank like a mixture of hot garbage, burning wood and diesel exhaust. I came back from 2 weeks in Europe in the beginning of June. That trip kicked the Mexico trip's ASS! Not even a close comparison. Amsterdam is a fantastic city that is super interesting to tour around in. Heck I looked over my shoulder at a burger stand and Joffrey Lupul was standing behind me! I also went to Germany, Prague and Belgium. All great places as well. Good luck with Mexico. I know it's cheap and it's close but c'mon man...spread your wings!

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07-15-2008, 11:27 AM
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Hi, Im Cal Nauton Jr.

and Im Ricky Bobby

Urging you not to go to Tijuana

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Old
07-15-2008, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Fortboy View Post
Yeah how about Europe!? It may cost a bit more but it is definitely cooler than going to Mexico. I spent 1 week in Puerto Vallarta in May of this year. I was at a buddy's wedding and the Resort was a Four Star. Nearly everyone who went down for the wedding hated the food and had stomach and digestion issues. The weather was super hot and muggy and due to all of the pollution in PV the air was terrible and stank like a mixture of hot garbage, burning wood and diesel exhaust. I came back from 2 weeks in Europe in the beginning of June. That trip kicked the Mexico trip's ASS! Not even a close comparison. Amsterdam is a fantastic city that is super interesting to tour around in. Heck I looked over my shoulder at a burger stand and Joffrey Lupul was standing behind me! I also went to Germany, Prague and Belgium. All great places as well. Good luck with Mexico. I know it's cheap and it's close but c'mon man...spread your wings!
I was in Europe for a full summer. Cost me an arm and a leg, my friend got her passport stolen and we had to stay in hostels.

I love the culture, but where I was in Mexico, there was no polution, the food was amazing and I never once got sick.

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07-15-2008, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Helm1Crosby0 View Post
I was in Europe for a full summer. Cost me an arm and a leg, my friend got her passport stolen and we had to stay in hostels.

I love the culture, but where I was in Mexico, there was no polution, the food was amazing and I never once got sick.
I thought you said you were a rich white girl. But you say you stayed in Hostels?? I stayed in Hostels when i backpacked around Europe for 3 months when I was 18. But now that I'm older and richer I hotel'd it the whole way.

P.S - The food in Mexico was terrible in my opinion. Not just at the resort as it was so bad there that we ended up eating off the resort most of the time and I still thought the food was subpar. Could be just PV tho. Not saying it wasn't great where you were.

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07-15-2008, 12:51 PM
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I know people who go to mexico all the time and love it. It's called not going to Mexico City or whatever where these murders and kidnappings happen. Last I checked a few murders and kidnappings have happened in every state or province in north america, but does that stop you from leaving your houses? I doubt it.

You people for the most part are media drones no offense. Wow you read a couple stories of something bad happening and now go online and tell people not to go there when the place in actuality is beautiful and one of the cheapest/best places to go on vacation especially on a tight budget. Don't go down the street flipping off random people and starting brawls and I'm sure you'll be fine. People have even told me that the people there rely on tourism to make $ (a lot of them) and are really friendly. If your american, wear canadian apparel and they won't hate you

If you tip (even at an all inclusive resort) you'll get 20x better service too including cases of hard liquor for free if you tip all the time, and your minibar will be always stocked to the max of the stuff you like and your room cleaned frequently if you leave a 1$ tip on your bed and a 1$ tip in the minibar per day, the money u save in going all inclusive and the service you get for a simple 1$ tip at a time is WELL worth it.

Don't let these geeks convince you not to go based on crimes that happen in any given country you can go to, mexico isn't as bad as people make it out to be and its sad just how much people on here seem to feed into the media like they're plugged into the matrix and don't have a mind of their own or can't think for themselves.

Just keep watching your FOX NEWS guys, seriously LOL

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07-15-2008, 12:51 PM
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I thought you said you were a rich white girl. But you say you stayed in Hostels?? I stayed in Hostels when i backpacked around Europe for 3 months when I was 18. But now that I'm older and richer I hotel'd it the whole way.

P.S - The food in Mexico was terrible in my opinion. Not just at the resort as it was so bad there that we ended up eating off the resort most of the time and I still thought the food was subpar. Could be just PV tho. Not saying it wasn't great where you were.

Can you not read? Their **** got stolen!

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Old
07-15-2008, 12:56 PM
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P.S - The food in Mexico was terrible in my opinion. Not just at the resort as it was so bad there that we ended up eating off the resort most of the time and I still thought the food was subpar. Could be just PV tho. Not saying it wasn't great where you were.
I can't stand food from the West coast of Mexico. Sends my ulcer for a loop.

East coast, north of cancun in Merida and Campeche...dear lord, just leave me there.

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07-15-2008, 03:02 PM
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On the all-inclusive stuff, here's a few lessons that I learned (I've been to Dominican a few times, and the Mayan Riviera once):

1. Mrs_NyQuil is very diligent in checking the prices on vacations on a regular basis. They can fluctuate quite a lot within a short period of time and you can get 4 star - 5 star resorts for a fairly reasonable price if you're picky. I'd stay away from 3 star resorts in general, as they tend to have more problems, from what I've heard. Resort food at higher rated resorts can actually be very good, particularly at the "a la carte" restaurants.

2. Wear swim suits etc. underneath your travel clothes (or in your carry-on) in case you can't get into your room right away, so you can still enjoy the beach and not have to go rooting through your luggage in the public bathroom or something.

3. Bring your own cup and/or mug. Depending on where the bars are, and the line-ups, you may want to invest in something a little bigger than the cups they typically provide.

4. E-mail the resort ahead of time and tell them that you're there for some kind of special occasion (anniversary, honeymoon, birthday milestone, etc.) and ask if they have some kind of upgrade available. We e-mailed saying that we were repeat customers and ended up bumped to VIP for free with an ocean-view room, free rum and towels, extra "a la carte" reservations, etc. It's worth a try.

5. Book your "a la carte" restaurant reservations for the week at the very instant you arrive at the resort. The best restaurants and the best times fill up very quickly. Do a little research on the resort and look at customer reviews to figure out what the best restaurants are at the resort. (depending on the size, there might be many)

6. This is just my personal experience, but I switched to beer from the more alcoholic drinks and I found that I had much more staying power over the entire day. Plus, the beer at the resorts is often surprisingly good. El Presidente in Dominican Republic is tasty. The house wine is usually awful, necessitating buying a bottle at inflated prices if that's your thing.

-Personally, I've never had any fear for my safety whatsoever. The biggest problem on the resort are drunken tourists who are more annoying than anything else. Going off the resort is a bit different but if you're in a group, it's no big deal.

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Old
07-15-2008, 04:31 PM
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Really? Any problem I've ever seen was because the person was drunk or acting like a jackass. Mexicans are great people and won't randomly jump you because you're white.
What about the guy from Burnaby BC that was shot three times in his hotel? Does that constitute being a jackass...in the room, you know...your room??? Does it? Just curious.

Did the couple from Woodridge ON not get their throats slashed in the hotel room as well...yeah, they did.

While the cases are isolated, they have happened and they have happened on the resort. Don't kid yourself.

(I'm not here to bash the Country of Mexico, just making the OP aware that violence is on the rise and he needs to be careful. Like I said originally, I have been to Mexico many times.)


Quote:
Cuba has worse food. The Dominican has more problems with drugs and harassing toursits than Mexico does. Jamaica has larger problems with the military and what not. Costa Rica doesn't have the infastructure. Cayman Islands is really expensive...

Any other places?
There's more places to go than the ones you mentioned.

You actually think the Dominican has worse drug issues than Mexico??? Are you kidding me???

Jamaica is safe if you stay away from Kingston.

Costa Rica is gorgeous...what infrastructure? He's not moving there, he's vacationing.

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07-15-2008, 04:36 PM
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I know people who go to mexico all the time and love it. It's called not going to Mexico City or whatever where these murders and kidnappings happen. Last I checked a few murders and kidnappings have happened in every state or province in north america, but does that stop you from leaving your houses? I doubt it.
Where did I say don't go? Humour me.

If you know how to read, some of the murders happened on the resort. Those are just facts.

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