The Other Side of Mexico

So many travelers seem to think Cancun encompasses all of Mexico.  When someone says, "we want to go to Mexico," they usually mean Cancun.  Well I am here to officially inform you that Mexico is a great, big, incredible Country and extends well beyond the areas of Cancun.   In fact...let me introduce you to the other side of Mexico...the Pacific side.

Now that I have personally been to the Pacific side 3 times (and a 4th visit is planned), I can say without a doubt that it is my favorite side.  In my humbled opinion, it has so much more to offer than the Caribbean side of Mexico.  Yes the Caribbean side has white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.  So if you are a water person, you may be very content with only seeing the Caribbean side.  But if you want culture, history and adventure as well as beautiful sunsets and a laid back atmosphere, then you must plan a visit to the Pacific side asap.

For example, San Jose del Cabo has the historic Mission de San Jose del Cabo dating back to 1730AD.  You can participate in the art walk in San Jose del Cabo every Thursday night between June and November.  Or visit Los Cabos during the winter and enjoy seeing humpback whales breech the water as you sip your morning coffee on your oceanfront balcony.

Or you can enjoy a walk through downtown Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and eat at one of the 5-star dining venues that has made PVR a foodies paradise.  Wine connoisseur?  Plan a trip to PVR in March and enjoy their annual wine fest.

Visitors to Zihuatanejo get taken back in time when it was small fishing village and life went by at a much slower pace.  You can still go back in time as you walk the cobblestone streets.  Maybe you enjoy museum visits when traveling abroad.  If you do, then plan a visit to the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande.

And we can't talk about the Pacific side of Mexico without talking about Acapulco. It is the original Mexico Riviera.  It has been the home of the rich and famous for decades and still is.  It is the "Vegas" of Mexico.  Nightlife abounds along with the abundance of tours up into the rain forest or out and about on the blue waters of the Pacific.  From Acapulco, you can plan a side trip up into the historic silver mining town of Taxco and still see Mexico as it was back during the colonial periods of its history.

So much to do...so much to see.  It is worth every minute of extra time that it might take you to fly into the cities I just mentioned.  And I have not even touched on the geographical differences vs what pretty much all of Cancun and the Riviera Maya area looks like.

In the Los Cabos area, you have the beautiful and rugged desert mountains that look like they literally plunge down into the Sea of Cortez & Pacific Ocean.  That is contrasted with the lush, green rain forests and palm-lined beaches of Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

So much diversity in every aspect of travel when you venture over to the Pacific side of Mexico.  Please please don't overlook that part of Mexico when it comes to planning your next adventure.  You will not be disappointed.

Mexico...A Luxury Traveler's Haven

Too many people do not associate Mexico with luxury and that is a crying shame.   Mexico yells "luxury!!" but it seems not everyone is hearing or is willing to listen.  I know, when someone says they want to take a luxury trip somewhere, they usually think of places like the Mediterranean coasts of Italy or France or cities such as Venice or Paris.  Others that have more tropical destinations in mind usually equate luxury to St Lucia or Anguilla or some of the BVI's.  But few seem to say the words Mexico and luxury in the same sentence.  Well I am here to try to change that.

I have taken land-based vacations to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos and each of these cities & areas  have 5 star, luxurious options for those who want to be pampered like a dignitary and surrounded by the best of everything.   For example...Cancun has the beautiful Banyan Tree Mayakoba or the Fairmont Mayakoba.  Both are 5 diamond properties and offer the best in luxury accommodations and experience.  They are easily accessible from Cancun's international airport and you can be whisked to your resort in the finest of SUV's or private sedans.

Same goes for Puerto Vallarta.  You don't have to skimp on service or luxury when you stay at the 5 diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit or the St Regis Punta Mita.   This was the original destination of the rich and famous and was quickly named Mexico's Riviera which competed with any of Europe's top high-end destinations.

And you can't go to Cabo without acknowledging that this is the new hot destination for the luxury-minded traveler.   The luxury choices seem endless.  You can opt for the One and Only Palmilla or the Capella Pedragal or Secrets Marquis or Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf and Spa Resort.  All say "luxury" loud and clear.

Here is what all 3 destinations have in common and offer the luxury traveler:

1) Unique experiences.  Every discerning traveler wants something unique.  They want a special occasion option or an experience you can't get at every mass-traveled destination.  Mexico offers that in general, but especially in the 3 areas I am mentioning.  Maybe it is swimming with whale sharks or sipping a morning cup of coffee while watching whales breach the waters of the Sea of Cortez or seeing world-renowned art after dining at one of the world's best restaurants.  Or maybe it is taking in some of Mexico's UNESCO World Heritage sites (over 30 to choose from).  This is what Mexico can offer.

2) Easy Access.  All 3 areas have easily accessible airports from most major hubs in the US.  But what stands out to me is how close everything is to the airport.  There is no traffic to sit in (i.e. London, Paris etc) once you land.  The furthest you will travel to get to the resorts I have mentioned is 45 mins or less once you are in your private car.  Your private driver can give you a great run down on what to do, where to eat etc during the short transfer to your resort.

3)  Safety.  Contrary to what the news tries to tell you.  Mexico is a generally safe country. They have their bad areas just like we do here in the US.  We just like to talk about everyone else more than looking in the mirror.  All 3 areas offer a safe environment for the luxury traveler.  That does not mean someone should let their guard down just like someone should always be vigilant even while dining off of Rodeo Drive.  But the areas themselves are geographically removed from the more dangerous areas featured in the news.

4) Appeal to every generation.  Whether you are a generation Y luxury traveler or a baby boomer who likes the finer things of life, all 3 areas offer a bit of everything.  Want to learn about the ecosystem of the desert that sits between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean and then ride a camel along the shore of the Pacific?  You can do that in Cabo.  Or maybe you want to sit in the quiet ambience of a small, chic restaurant and sip the finest of tequila.  You can do that too.  Or maybe you want to kayak out into the Sea or Cortez and get up close to a migrating humpback whale.  Or you want to try diving off into one of the many Cenotes near Cancun.  Or sit and enjoy a fine bottle of wine from your private balcony while watching the sunset in Puerto Vallarta or take a horse back ride into the lush mountains just outside the city. There is something for everyone and all can be done as a private or shared experience.

5) Privacy.  The luxury and discerning traveler sometimes needs a respite from their daily routine and people in general.  These destinations and their luxury accommodations offer that retreat.  From the luxury private pool villas at Banyan Tree to the Villa Cortez at the One and Only Palmilla.

So please please...do not overlook Mexico when it comes to a luxury getaway.  It is my favorite destination and my wish is everyone would at least appreciate Mexico for its people, its beauty, its culture and rich history and yes...even its luxurious offerings.

"The Corridor" of Mexico

I have so many superlatives that I could use to describe my trip to the Los Cabos area of Mexico, otherwise known as "the corridor."  Let's start with incredible, beautiful, enchanting, awe-inspiring and SAFE!.   Do you get the idea that I love this part of Mexico?

Let's first start with a geographic lesson.  So many people use Los Cabos in a general sense to identify the area or town known as Cabo San Lucas.  When in reality there are 3 distinct areas that make up the tip of the Baja Peninsula; San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas.  When you fly into the area...you will fly into San Jose del Cabo which is a wonderful, quiet little fishing village on the banks of the Sea of Cortez.  From there, most vacationers will travel along a gorgeous stretch of highway that will take them to the town of Cabo San Lucas.  The area connecting the two towns is called Los Cabos or "The Corridor."

We based our stay out of the beautiful Secrets Marquis Los Cabos Resort and Spa.  The resort is surrounded by the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range on one side and the azure blue Sea of Cortez on the other.  The contrast of the cactus-covered mountains with the sounds of the sea are striking which to me makes this area very special.

We had the privilege of visiting 12 resorts during this visit and I want to simply recap 3 of them to show  you the range of accommodation possibilities that this area has to offer.

First...let's start with the resort we stayed at.  Secrets Marquis is a luxury all-inclusive resort and is adults only, which simply means you have to be 17 years of age or older to stay there, situated in the "Corridor."  The resort offers all ranges of room categories, from standard, well-appointed rooms up to their luxury private casitas.  Each room comes with an amazing view.  The resort is situated on a smaller footprint than some of its sister resorts on the Caribbean side of Mexico.  But that also means there are less choices when it comes to food and beverage.  But if you are looking for a quiet, luxury escape with some of the best vistas in the world, then this resort is perfect for you.  The infinity pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez is incredible and makes this resort one of my top choices.

The second resort I want to mention is Me Cabo by Melia.  This is the opposite of Secrets Marquis.  It is located in Cabo San Lucas, centrally located near all of the night life that Cabo has to offer.  This means that this resort is not for those seeking an escape and R&R.  This resort is perfect for the younger and young at heart who want activities, a cool vibe combined with luxury surroundings.  The resort is also ideally located on one of the best stretches of swimmable beach in all of Cabo.  You want Miami South Beach Chic combined with incredible views of the Sea of Cortez and its amazing landscape?  This is your resort.  I am a Me Cabo fan!

The last resort I want to touch on in this review is Pueblo Bonito Pacifica.  You want some R&R, some wellness and spiritual healing, but also want to stay in close proximity to some night time hot spots?  This resort is right up your alley.  This was one of 2 resorts that I was able to visit that is located on the Pacific Ocean side of Cabo San Lucas.  Let's see what words I can use to describe it...gorgeous, peaceful, tranquil, stunning...get the idea?  This luxury all-inclusive getaway is again not your typical all-inclusive that you may be used to in the Caribbean.  It does not come with your typical French, Italian, Asian, Buffet and Mexican choices like is becoming the standard in so many all-inclusives.  The restaurants are focussed on serving what is fresh and local and is simply more international than focussed on a specific style.  Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is centered around wellness which means it has one of the best spas in the world.  The rooms are modern, yet comfortable and stylish.  The beach and pools invite you to take a deep breath and say....ahhhh.

You can see that this beautiful area of Mexico has everything a vacationer would want.  I have seldom seen an area that can appeal to literally everyone; the adventurer, the spa-goer, the bar-hopper, the history buff, the work-escaper, the golfer, the nature-watcher and so on.  You can see a part of history that shaped the western part of Mexico's culture by visiting the Mission de San Jose del Cabo.  You can book a room that overlooks the Sea of Cortez in January and watch grey whales breach the water.  You can take a camel ride along the shore of the Pacific Ocean and and have an authentic meal of chicken mole, rice and hand-made tortillas through Cabo Adventures.  You can try your hand at sword fishing from one of the many talented guides that base themselves out of the scenic Cabo San Lucas marina. You want championship golf courses?  Cabo has those too.

Are you getting the picture?  I hope so because this part of Mexico deserves your consideration the next time you are planning a vacation.  Like I said at the beginning...I love this part of Mexico.  You can see pictures of the resorts I mentioned as well as the other wonderful resorts we visited during this trip by clicking on this link to my page on Facebook.

Please let me know if you have any questions related to this review or my trip to Cabo.  Have you been before?  How would you describe the area to someone who has never been?

Upcoming Adventures

Just want to update you all on the trips that I have coming up which means trip reviews will also follow.

1)  Cabo San Lucas.  I will have the pleasure of visiting Secrets Marquis Los Cabos for a 4 night stay starting July 24th.  One of the things travelers should be aware of when visiting the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico is that the water and beaches are NOT like those on the Caribbean side of Mexico.  Currents are much stronger in the Pacific and swimming can be tricky and is, in some cases, not recommended.  But one of the advantages that Cabo offers is some of the most amazing scenery and sunsets.  Unlike the Cancun area, the terrain around Cabo offers mountains and hills, large swaying palms and a drier climate.  I will be taking LOTS of pictures so stay tuned.


2) Eastern Caribbean Cruise.  Looking forward to our 7 night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.  This will be our second sailing aboard the Freedom and our 3rd to the Eastern Caribbean with stops at Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay, St Thomas and St Maarten. Our cruise departs Port Canaveral on September 23rd.  We have chosen to stay in a PR category stateroom which is an inside stateroom overlooking the Royal Promenade (i.e. mall-type area down the center of the ship).  So far...no specific excursions planned.  A first though for this trip will be our visit to Royal Caribbean's private island.  I look forward to comparing it to NCL's, Princess Cruise Line's and also Disney's.


3) Walt Disney World.  This will be our second visit within this calendar year.  We arrive on December  8th and will be staying 7 nights at Disney's Boardwalk Inn.  Resorts previously stayed at include Disney's Polynesian Resort, The Swan (of the Swan and Dolphin), Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney's Pop Century Resort.  The only advance dining reservation that we have planned is breakfast at Akershus in Epcot's World Showcase (Norway).  Looking forward again to being able to see Disney during the holidays.  Again...LOTS of pictures will be taken.


This is going to make for an exciting second half of 2012.  If you have questions related to a cruise, or traveling to Mexico, or Walt Disney World, please post them here and I will glad to offer advice, opinion or tips etc.  Interested in my reviews?  Follow (like) my page on Facebook where all of my articles are posted.  Thanks!