Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:30
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
It depends what you like.
I like seeing different cultures, not in a fake way for tourists (like a fire dance luau for tourists) but just walking around towns and markets and going to places that locals also go.
So if you are like that, l would say avoid resorts and stay in towns.
If you want the all inclusive resort experience then probably any of those you mentioned are fine.
I’m ok in a resort for a couple days but mostly I’m not a resort person so take my recommendations through that lense.
Cozumel is ugly and lacks character. Worth going to if you’re a diver.
Riveria Maya has some really beautiful spots. The ruins near Tulum are spectacular - that combo of ruins and nature. If you go early maybe you can see them with just a few people in an enjoyable way…try to avoid being there when all the tourist buses arrive. It’s very popular, there are lots of beautiful ruins more off the beaten path - Riveria Maya is pretty overrun. For example there are some excellent less crowded day trips from Palenque.
I absolutely love Oaxaca and would take teens. It’s been written about a lot here, do a search. Have not been to Mexico City yet but l want to go and I’ll take my tween.
I like seeing different cultures, not in a fake way for tourists (like a fire dance luau for tourists) but just walking around towns and markets and going to places that locals also go.
So if you are like that, l would say avoid resorts and stay in towns.
If you want the all inclusive resort experience then probably any of those you mentioned are fine.
I’m ok in a resort for a couple days but mostly I’m not a resort person so take my recommendations through that lense.
Cozumel is ugly and lacks character. Worth going to if you’re a diver.
Riveria Maya has some really beautiful spots. The ruins near Tulum are spectacular - that combo of ruins and nature. If you go early maybe you can see them with just a few people in an enjoyable way…try to avoid being there when all the tourist buses arrive. It’s very popular, there are lots of beautiful ruins more off the beaten path - Riveria Maya is pretty overrun. For example there are some excellent less crowded day trips from Palenque.
I absolutely love Oaxaca and would take teens. It’s been written about a lot here, do a search. Have not been to Mexico City yet but l want to go and I’ll take my tween.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:07
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Really really loved Mexico City.
I see this mentioned frequently, and as an adult I’d probably love an adult trip there. But how do teens like visiting CDMX? I find it hard to believe that a teenager would prefer visiting a city over the beautiful beach areas in MX.
Depends on the teen, I guess. I first went there as a young teen and loved all of the archaeological and cultural sites and the general vibe of the city. And there's lots of fun shopping (craft markets, etc). But for a teen who loves the beach (I didn't) maybe not so much.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:05
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Agree that Mexico City is awesome. Lots to do and see in the city (Xochimilco, so many great museums) and not far outside of it (Teotihuacan, Popocatepetl). Totally underrated city.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:05
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:Cabo can be disappointing because you can’t swim in the ocean
Not true. Depends on where you stay. Medano beach and lots of other places are swimmable. We go just about every year and recently bought there. You just have to research where you're staying. The weather is lovely, the people are amazing and welcoming, the food is phenomenal and the crime rate is super low. Cabo and west coast of Mexico all the way (over the Caribbean side)
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:04
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:Really really loved Mexico City.
I see this mentioned frequently, and as an adult I’d probably love an adult trip there. But how do teens like visiting CDMX? I find it hard to believe that a teenager would prefer visiting a city over the beautiful beach areas in MX.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:02
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:We just came back from Cabo. Loved it! Food was amazing. Swam with whale sharks and released baby sea turtles. Glorious sunsets.
Downside: no direct flights, no Mayan ruins.
That’s pretty cool. Were those excursions booked through your resort?
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:01
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:We just came back from Cabo. Loved it! Food was amazing. Swam with whale sharks and released baby sea turtles. Glorious sunsets.
Downside: no direct flights, no Mayan ruins.
Which resort did you stay at, and how was the food there?
Anonymous
12/27/2023 08:57
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:None of these places. Too touristy! Do you not want to experience any authenticity OP?!
What is your family’s favorite part of the country?
Anonymous
12/27/2023 00:29
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Anonymous wrote:Do the beaches in Riveria Maya and Playa del Carmen have seaweed? I’ve heard sargassum is a big problem in Mexico? My kids love the beach and having a nice clean sandy beach is very important to us.
Sometimes. Generally spring and summer higher risk than winter, but it can be unpredictable.
Larger resorts typically remove it, and barriers are being installed in some locations.
Quite a few articles about it—worth checking TripAdvisor forums as well.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 20:15
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Do the beaches in Riveria Maya and Playa del Carmen have seaweed? I’ve heard sargassum is a big problem in Mexico? My kids love the beach and having a nice clean sandy beach is very important to us.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 18:52
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Matamoros
Reminds me of DC.
Reminds me of DC.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 18:44
Subject: Re:First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Riviera Maya.
Mayan pyramids
Snorkeling/diving
Nature (Sian Kaan)
Adventure parks (Xcaret, etc.)
Caves/cenotes
Etc. etc.
Did Akumal this summer with a 14 yo and a 9 yo. Rented a condo.
Perfect easy but still adventurous intro to Mexico.
Mayan pyramids
Snorkeling/diving
Nature (Sian Kaan)
Adventure parks (Xcaret, etc.)
Caves/cenotes
Etc. etc.
Did Akumal this summer with a 14 yo and a 9 yo. Rented a condo.
Perfect easy but still adventurous intro to Mexico.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 16:45
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Really really loved Mexico City.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 07:25
Subject: First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Cabo can be disappointing because you can’t swim in the ocean
Anonymous
12/26/2023 05:35
Subject: Re:First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
Playa del Carmen and Cozumel
Nothing at all wrong with doing touristy things, especially on a first visit. After all, those are the big attractions, right? Plus there is extra security in those spots. Also if you stick to tourist hotels and restaurants you'll have a smaller chance of GI issues ruining your trip
IMO the caribbean water in the east coast is way nicer than the chilly Pacific on the west, and there are more swimable beaches.
Nothing at all wrong with doing touristy things, especially on a first visit. After all, those are the big attractions, right? Plus there is extra security in those spots. Also if you stick to tourist hotels and restaurants you'll have a smaller chance of GI issues ruining your trip
IMO the caribbean water in the east coast is way nicer than the chilly Pacific on the west, and there are more swimable beaches.