Disappointed in Riviera Maya-will I like Costa Rica better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(but I’ve heard they don’t really speak Spanish on the Bay Islands-has anyone been?).

What language do you think they speak? Spanish is definitely spoken on Roatan…if you’re noting that due to tourism many people are bilingual, that’s true, but that’s the case in all these areas you’re considering.

Op here. I thought they spoke creole and English like in Belize, but I’ve never been.

[Anonymous]

I love Cabo for the food, although the towns arent as cute and not all the beaches are swimable. I’d love to try Oaxaca but haven’t yet.
Costa Rica doesn’t have much colonial stuff—the Spanish really weren’t that interested in it. I’ve heard good things about the Caribbean side of CR but I haven’t been there. The CR food also isn’t as good as Mexican.

If you want beaches, Spanish speaking and colonial charm….why not Puerto Rico?

[Anonymous]

yeah would try Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For beaches? Maybe Turks and Caicos, but if you’re finding the Riviera Maya expensive, T&C would be worse. Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua and Belize all have some good beaches although the overall tourism infrastructure isn’t great in those countries…

Op here, yeah we can’t afford T and C, and we’re trying to target Spanish speaking countries.

Isn’t Nicaragua basically collapsing right now? I don’t think Americans can travel there but will check. And I’ve heard Honduras is pretty unsafe these days, though I imagine the Bay Islands are fine (but I’ve heard they don’t really speak Spanish on the Bay Islands-has anyone been?).

I guess I need to do more research but appreciate these thoughts from everyone!!

Our Turks and Caicos trio was way cheaper than Costa Rica. Keep an eye out for cheap flights then use Costco Travel for hotel.

[Anonymous]

Go to Puerto Rico. Old San Juan for the colonial town, El Yunque for hiking and ziplining, and Vieques for amazing beaches. Bonus: bioluminescent bay in Vieques.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Puerto Rico. Old San Juan for the colonial town, El Yunque for hiking and ziplining, and Vieques for amazing beaches. Bonus: bioluminescent bay in Vieques.

Op here. So this is dumb but it’s like I have a mental block around PR. I went through all the hassle of getting my kids passports and I’m gonna use them goshdarnit. Haha.

It sounds like I need to get over this.

I’ve also heard PR can be kind of dumpy….I must not be looking at the right places then!!

[Anonymous]

Op, we feel the same way. We used to go almost annually to the Riviera Maya, but are done after our last trip. It’s such a bummer because it is so easy and inexpensive to get there. We have been to Roatan recently and really enjoyed it, but the primary attraction is the reef and beach — excellent, easy shore snorkeling and diving. It really isn’t similar to the Yucatán which also has colonial towns and cenotes.

Santa Marta, Colombia also kind of ticks your boxes and is worth a look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Puerto Rico. Old San Juan for the colonial town, El Yunque for hiking and ziplining, and Vieques for amazing beaches. Bonus: bioluminescent bay in Vieques.

Op here. So this is dumb but it’s like I have a mental block around PR. I went through all the hassle of getting my kids passports and I’m gonna use them goshdarnit. Haha.

It sounds like I need to get over this.

I’ve also heard PR can be kind of dumpy….I must not be looking at the right places then!!

When were you hoping to go? Not sure if plan a 2023 spring break to PR right now. Vieques and Culebra are great, and combining with a couple days in San Juan and El Yunque would be a nice trip. I think those areas were not hit as hard by the recent hurricane. But the infrastructure is such a mess that again, I’d be hesitant booking something just a few months from now.

Could also see about Belize? Colombia is a good suggestion too.

[Anonymous]

If you like resorts maybe you won’t like Vieques. Vieques has gorgeous, pristine, uncrowded beaches with turquoise water and white sand. When we went there we snorkeled right off the beach, there was a free palapa with shade and benches, and only one other family there. But no fancy resorts. We loved that because it felt like a more authentic experience, but it’s not the type of place where you can get cocktails on the beach at an all-inclusive.

[Anonymous]

PP here who commented about Vieques. To be clear, there are beach resorts in PR, just not in Vieques. Luquillo is a nice beach on the main island, and others may have recommendations there, but the most beautiful beaches are on Vieques and Culebra, both of which lack resorts. We stayed at a nice AirBnB.

[Anonymous]

Worst American tourist ever and not even a bit embarrassed by it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been traveling to Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Akumal/Tulum area for the last 30 years. I love the beaches, ruins, food, etc.

Our last trip though, in 2021 was the first time we’d been since 2016, and it was super disappointing. The sargassum (even though it was winter, it popped up a couple of times), the crowds, the exploding prices, the scams, etc. It just felt like everything had changed in a bad way. Things that used to cost $5-10 (like admission to a cenote), were now $30-40 and crowded. Not to mention the security situation, which escalated in the days before our trip. All was fine and we felt safe, but I didn’t enjoy worrying about it and monitoring it.

I’ve never been to Costa Rica-would that be a good alternative? Or Cartagena, Columbia? I’m looking for beaches and cute colonial towns. Ideally Spanish speaking. I know CR has also exploded in popularity the last couple of years so worried it will have similar problems to Cancun/Riviera Maya. I’d love to go to Guatemala but the beaches there are meh and it’s hard to get around.

Thank you!!

If you think PR is dumpy you are definitely going to think Guatemala is dumpy.

[Anonymous]

Costa Rica - beach in Samara gives off a Tulum-like vibe. Fly to SJO and then its a few hour drive. You can book a transfer because you don't need a car in the town. The town is fun an walkable but not colonial.

Honduras - I've been to Utila (better for diving), not Roatan (better for beaches) and Spanish & English are spoken there. But its a hassle to get to, so I would find some closer beaches. Towns are not cute.

Nicaragua- San Juan del Sur would also give some Tulum like vibes, but my Nica friend has avoided it the last few years so I wouldn't go back now either. but Granada + San Juan would check the boxes at another time in history.

Mexico- consider Holbox, "the next Tulum". Its the same flight to Cancun, but then a few hour transfer to the ferry. Holbox Dream is a great budget hotel on the beach. No ruins or culture nearby.

Colombia - fly to Cartagena. Within an hour or so is the Santa Marta area. Parque Tayrona is a gorgeous, protected park but I remember the lodging there to be pretty rustic. Rodadero is this resort town frequented by Colombians. Ocean City like. You can rent chairs and cover in a little stall and then all day people walk by "masaje? masaje?" "aqua de coco!" so you can definitely practice your Spanish. I don't remember it being the most beautiful beach of my life but its a pretty fun experience. Cartagena is a cute Colonial town but you leave the city for the good beaches.

I have an in law from El Salvador. Suchitoto is their cute colonial town. Costa del Sol is their beach. I haven't been though to make any recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here who commented about Vieques. To be clear, there are beach resorts in PR, just not in Vieques. Luquillo is a nice beach on the main island, and others may have recommendations there, but the most beautiful beaches are on Vieques and Culebra, both of which lack resorts. We stayed at a nice AirBnB.

That’s a good point. I did read that someone bought the old W property but imagine that will take a long time. Hacienda Tamarindo in Esperanza is a nice boutique hotel option though. Really depends what OP is looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costa Rica - beach in Samara gives off a Tulum-like vibe. Fly to SJO and then its a few hour drive. You can book a transfer because you don't need a car in the town. The town is fun an walkable but not colonial.

Honduras - I've been to Utila (better for diving), not Roatan (better for beaches) and Spanish & English are spoken there. But its a hassle to get to, so I would find some closer beaches. Towns are not cute.

Nicaragua- San Juan del Sur would also give some Tulum like vibes, but my Nica friend has avoided it the last few years so I wouldn't go back now either. but Granada + San Juan would check the boxes at another time in history.

Mexico- consider Holbox, "the next Tulum". Its the same flight to Cancun, but then a few hour transfer to the ferry. Holbox Dream is a great budget hotel on the beach. No ruins or culture nearby.

Colombia - fly to Cartagena. Within an hour or so is the Santa Marta area. Parque Tayrona is a gorgeous, protected park but I remember the lodging there to be pretty rustic. Rodadero is this resort town frequented by Colombians. Ocean City like. You can rent chairs and cover in a little stall and then all day people walk by "masaje? masaje?" "aqua de coco!" so you can definitely practice your Spanish. I don't remember it being the most beautiful beach of my life but its a pretty fun experience. Cartagena is a cute Colonial town but you leave the city for the good beaches.

I have an in law from El Salvador. Suchitoto is their cute colonial town. Costa del Sol is their beach. I haven't been though to make any recommendations.

PP here. Also I loved Culebra, PR but again, no culture or ruins, just a gorgeous beach, care required. I guess I've been to a lot of Spanish-speaking beaches!