Would you Recommend Traveling With Sons to the Pacific Coast of Mexico?

[hilary1016]

I am contemplating a trip to the Pacific Coast of Mexico with my husband and our sons, ages 11 and 12. We live on the East Coast have regularly traveled to St. Barts for 20 years. I am trying to determine if this area of Mexico would give us the opportunity to experience a different culture as well as offer water sports, natural activites, and clean beaches.

I would consider an all inclusive resort in order to ensure a variety of activiteis for the boys but I do not want to sacrifice that for food quality, crowds andoverall quality.

Comments and suggestions would be appreciated regarding the area and resorts.

Thanks!

[missycycles]

I think traveling anywhere with children is going to be educational. Of course, Mexico will be a different experience, but will share many similarities with other "beach and water" destinations you have taken. While all-inclusives are low stress and relaxing, we tried to balance these with trips where our children learned to be more resourceful and increase their decision making skills. Maybe it would be interesting to stay in a villa type situation with local persons working as the chef and/or housekeeper. It gives children an up close and personal view of other cultures, but also imbues a sense of "home." Although I have notstayed there, I have heard a lot of good things about the villas complete with cook and houseperson at "Casa Tres Vidas" which I believe is in Puerta Vallerta, my favorite Mexican resort town out of the five or six I have visited. It is a true city with history and cobblestone streets running through the old town, not just a squeeky clean modern hotel. Happy choosing!

Missycycles

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi Hilary,
Yes, definitely take your sons to the West Coast of Mexico... I've done it several times with my children and they've had a blast. I'd recommend going further south like to Zihuatanejo rather than just to Cabo. There's a ton to do in and around "Zihua" and I'm talking about wandering around a wonderful real Mexican town and swimming in a wonderful beach on Playa Del Ropa. Rent a car and travel north and south to some wonderful small villages on the coast and inland and enjoy the real Mexico. Also, Puerto Vallarta is great for families without being a total high-rise, made for tourists community. If you end up selecting Zihua, I know a lot of hotels there, so I'd be happy to make some suggestions.
cmdavilacli

[hilary1016]

I'd love to hear more about Zihua, please share your thoughts on hotels, activites, beaches, restaurants. Are the beaches crowded? public/private -soft or coarse sand? How are the waves? My sons are 11 and 12 yrs old so any information would be great! Thanks!

[funtimes]

Hello This trip will be GREAT!!! My parents took me to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara and Aculpoco when I was youg - great fun! I've heard good things about Rocky point and San Carlos not certain which coast Rocky Point is more touristy supposedly with nots of new resorts San Carlos is "the real Mexico" according to friends Happy Travels...Funtimes

[CMDAVILACLI]

hi hilary1016,

I've been away from my computer for the past week, hence the delay in responding to you.

Zihua is fantastic. There are several really great hotels along Playa La Ropa (the main and best swimming beach). Some are really pricey, and some very casual and affordable. Over the past 5 years we find ourselves returning to Villa Del Sol (now called The Tides). The cool thing about this resort is that it is small, has SUPERB service, has wonderful beach facilities... and for families, they have condominiums in the "back" of the property. We have ended up staying in the condos for the past three years... the price on the condos is about half of the cost of the hotel rooms and you get all the benefits of the resort.



Refer to: [url="http://www.TidesZihuatanejo.com"]www.TidesZihuatanejo.com[/email] for photos and pricing on the hotel. FYI, the photos are absolutely accurate, and the opening photo shows the resort tucked away on Playa La Ropa. The beach looks just like this, particularly during the non holiday weeks.



If you are interested in booking a condo, you have to do it through: [email protected]

The contact person is Isabel Pais. She's extremely helpful... you have to pay 50% down by sending a cashiers check (again we have been doing this for years with no problem) and the balance is due in cash (traveller's checks or US$ when you arrive). The condos have daily maid service, all the bottled water you want, are really nicely furnished, and many of them have lovely views of the bay. The condos are still on the property of "The Tides" so you walk through the hotel grounds to the beach (less than a two minute walk from your front door through the property to the beach chaises!). They provide all the towels etc... so you only need to bring your personal stuff.



Another great website is [url="http://www.zihuatanejo.net"]www.zihuatanejo.net[/email] This website connects you with all things about Zihua and Zihua Rob's board which isfull of great info.



As for the beach, Zihua is in a bay, so the ways are really gentle. The sand is very soft and clean... The beaches are NEVER crowded except on the weekends they get a bit busy or during Easter week. The nice thing about Villa Del Sol (The Tides) is that they have their own "private" beach lounging area", so you are not bothered by vendors at all. There are plenty of boats to hire for fishing, snorkling, sailing etc. And they have the typical parasailing stuff. boogie board rentals, etc. down at one end of the beach. There are enough places to eat along the beach as well as many, many fine and fun places to eat in town. Town from La Ropa beach is less that a 10 minute cab ride and costs about $3.00.



I also recommend taking a day trip to one of the many fine beaches north or south of Zihua. You can rent a car (the car rental places will drop it off at your hotel/condo) and pick it back up. Big, easy grocery stores are also in town, and cabs to and from are really easy.



Hope this info helps...

cmdavilacli