December beach destinations in Mexico
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Oct 28, 2012 9:28 PM Last Post By: JRinPV
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December beach destinations in Mexico
Hi,My girlfriend and I are considering a week-long Christmas vacation in Mexico this year. The trip would most likely take place over December 23-30. We'd like to go somewhere warm and sunny with great beaches and interesting sights.
We're in our early 30s, late 20s, but we're not into the club/party scene. We appreciate good restaurants serving authentic, local cuisine. We prefer vacationing a-la-carte versus staying at all-inclusive resorts. Touristy areas are fine as long as they're not overcrowded or overcommercialized. We enjoy swimming (ocean), sunbathing, hiking, cycling, snorkeling and sightseeing. Places with historical and cultural sights are always a plus.
Any recommendations?
2
You are aware that everyone from everywhere, Mexico included, takes their vacation at exactly this time of year, right? Within that cohort, how many do you think are going to pass up an uncrowded, undercommercialized beach with good food, if they can find it?Mazatlan, Cancun, Ixtapa, Acapulco, Cabo, Sayulita, name your beach. Lube yourselves up with suntan oil and mucho dinero, and squeeze yourselves in.
3
On the availability issue you could make your life a lot easier if you could move your dates back to 21-28 as the really heavy days will be 28th-1st (28th falls on a Friday so people will be taking an extended New Year vacation/long weekend). At that time of year the weather and sea are warmer on the Pacific side anywhere from Zihuatenejo and points south (so Zihuatenejo, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco). Huatulco is my personal favorite. But if you want "sights" then you should maybe look at somewhere like Playa del Carmen on the other side.4
Where I spend the winter, not too far from Manzanillo, Colima you could not even rent a broom closet. The little town of normally 12,000 people all of a sudden has 30,000+ for the Christmas week.They even bring police from areas far away for crowd and traffic control.
Don't imagine it to be much different anywhere on the Pacific coast. I see license plates from as far away as Coahuila and almost from anywhere in Mexico. The Nationals will drive a long way for a beach holiday at Christmas and again at Easter.
5
check out mazunte, san augustinillo or even zipolite on oaxaca coast. just got back from a week in san augustinillo (albeit in the low season) and it was great. there is nothing to do except swim in the sea, catch/eat fish and read a book. not much to speak of in terms of culture, but you could always add a few days in oaxaca city which is really something.quite a few lodgings scattered along the beach in those places and i think there were maybe 10 gringos in the entire village the whole time we were there. i imagine in high season it is different but could be worth a punt. food is good, beer is cheap. no parties to speak of.
good luck
CHRIS
6
- 5, I live year around on a Jalisco coast beach and I can assure you that the difference between September/October and the Christmas holiday period is like night and day. The OP should book early and be ready for 'sticker shock' as hotel prices substantially escalate. Were I to walk the beach today, I would see a few folks. During the Christmas period, I would have to take my own sand to find a place to lie down.
RGM is right on.
7
Where ever you decide to go book now as December is big exican vacation time and all of Mexico will go to the beach. It will be high season so expect to pay more too. Flights also sell out earl for that time of years so get that taken care of also. I like the Yucatan at this time of year as no so hot and you can really enjoy a visit to Mayan ruins. Photos see my web site wolfcalls.com8
Thank you everyone for the excellent advice! I'm definitely expecting there'll be some sticker shock in December, I think that goes without saying. :) If it turns out to be too much we might postpone Mexico for another time of year, but at the very least I wanted to get some recommendations for places to look at. It sounds like Central & South Pacific Coast destinations are our best bet, with maybe Playa Del Carmen on the other side as backup.10
For excellent food and restaurants, Puerto Vallarta fits your bill, best and most varied restaurants outside of Mexico City. If you stay on the south side of town, you'll find it bit less commercialized, if you stay away from the beach, which will be packed with nationals at that time, as will any other beach in Mexico! There's no escape :)11
Most popular Mexican beach destinations will be very crowded during that time. You NEED to book early or you can forget it.As for destinations you have lots of options:
-Puerto Vallarta
-Playa del Carmen
-Acapulco
Just a few suggestions.
