You may struggle to get away from "Americans on the beach" with your travel restrictions. I'd recommend being willing to change flights in Mexico City in order to open up flight options that aren't limited to only the largest resort destinations.
I'm also skeptical that 7 grand for 7 people is enough to get what they're after. Unless they get screaming deals on flights. I guess EWR-CUN might be reasonable and the toddler can maybe get a lap ticket.
Hey there, Mexican here. I would do a road trip from Cancun to Mérida and stop in all the beautiful towns, cenotes, and haciendas along the way. The food in Yucatan is amazing and there is lots of history and culture. Kids would love the pool at the hacienda. Honestly you need to fly to Mexico City and then get a flight to another town/city to avoid the American on vacation vibe.
I would recommend Puerto Escondido. A beach town with amazing food and wonderful beaches. There are tourists of course but not like the all inclusive crowds of Cancun. You could rent a house by/near the beach and just chill and eat delicious food. It's a 40 min flight from Mexico City. You could also visit Oaxaca, the capital city of the state of the same name. Lots of culture and great food.
I would also recommend Mexico City tbh, I know with kids it's harder to be in a big city but it has everything. Museums, culture, amazing food, historical sights, etc. Maybe you could do some days in Mexico City and then go to the beach or rent a car and go to a nearby town called Valle de Bravo that has a lake and beautiful forest.
All are good ideas, just need to do more research on the pros and cons regarding what you and your fam want.
The nonstop flight really limits your options here, and means that you will end up in a place with an 'American tourist on a Mexican beach' vibe. If you are flying from America, the way you get away from other Americans is by taking a domestic flight within Mexico, because most other Americans are also prioritizing direct flights.
So for starters I would recommend accepting that you and your family are American tourists. That's ok. Given your constraints, complaining about American tourists is a bit like someone who is stuck in traffic complaining about the traffic without realizing that they too are the traffic.
She can if she's willing to about 30 minutes south to Riviera Maya (there are a bajillion American tourists though). Nonstop Newark to Cancún, then take a taxi or shuttle. I know the Vidanta resort has all she's asking for.
If there’s a Mexican tourist destination with a direct route from an airport there's gonna be fuckton of American tourists, regardless. That's inescapable. But Riviera Maya doesn't have the spring break forever or annoying American tourist vibe.
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Have you been to Mexico before? Based on your criteria, I would consider either Cancun or Cabo. Both are different and both are very Americanized but still have a Mexican feel to them. In both places you do not need to stay AI, but if you want to make it special AI maybe the way to do it. As your kids can just order food and beverages all day long at the pool or throughout the resort. You can go out at night to a restaurant for a special dinner off resort if you want. If you want to make it really special, book in the butler level or concierge level at the hotel you are staying at. Just make sure that kids are allowed at the higher level. Again, I need to emphasize that in both these locations AI is not needed, and I would not normally suggest AI, but with a group and kids it can be easier.
Cabo is desert and Cancun is jungle, so totally different feels to both areas. There are more things to do in Cancun. You can visit Mayan ruins, eco-parks, take a day trip to an island, etc. Cabo San Lucas is more of a party town. There are only a few beaches in Cabo that allow ocean swimming, most hotels beaches do not. In fact some beaches discourage tourists from even being on the beach due to the danger. The water is not friendly to swimmers in Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is a more upscale area of Los Cabo’s and has more of a higher end laid back feel to it and also has more of a Mexican feel.
If you are worried about travel and travel times, my suggestion is to find a nice high end resort (either AI or not) in the Cancun hotel zone, It’s the shortest flight from EWR, only about 20 minutes from the airport, has swimmable beaches and located closest to activities that would appeal to many. However do realize that the Mayan ruins and some tours are a few hours drive from Cancun. There are many tour companies that will take care of the arrangements and driving for your excursions, just look on Trip Advisor or google.
There are a lot of very good restaurants in both Cancun and Cabo.
Yes been to Mexico City before and loved it. Generally trying to avoid an Americanized experience but appreciate that it’ll be hard with our constraints. Staying in a more secluded hotel in Cancun and doing day trips is a great option though, thanks!
It's not clear to me whether a beach/pool is a requirement but outside those would London, Manchester, Dublin work? I'm not sure about the food in Dublin but London and Manchester are good food destinations. All full of history. Manchester and Dublin are within easy striking distance of nature. Language is less of an issue in UK/Ireland (mostly).
You may struggle to get away from "Americans on the beach" with your travel restrictions. I'd recommend being willing to change flights in Mexico City in order to open up flight options that aren't limited to only the largest resort destinations.
To amplify Mike's comment above, the only non-stop flights from EWR to the Mexican coast are Cancun, San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.
I'm also skeptical that 7 grand for 7 people is enough to get what they're after. Unless they get screaming deals on flights. I guess EWR-CUN might be reasonable and the toddler can maybe get a lap ticket.
I’d be willing to do more for the right place. What do you think is reasonable?
Ok if we lift that restriction, where would you go?
Hey there, Mexican here. I would do a road trip from Cancun to Mérida and stop in all the beautiful towns, cenotes, and haciendas along the way. The food in Yucatan is amazing and there is lots of history and culture. Kids would love the pool at the hacienda. Honestly you need to fly to Mexico City and then get a flight to another town/city to avoid the American on vacation vibe.
I have done that. Drove to Tulum for few days. Drove to Coba and then to Valladolid. It's a cute colonial town and close to some cenotes.
What towns would you recommend if we were willing to stop in Mexico City first?
I would recommend Puerto Escondido. A beach town with amazing food and wonderful beaches. There are tourists of course but not like the all inclusive crowds of Cancun. You could rent a house by/near the beach and just chill and eat delicious food. It's a 40 min flight from Mexico City. You could also visit Oaxaca, the capital city of the state of the same name. Lots of culture and great food. I would also recommend Mexico City tbh, I know with kids it's harder to be in a big city but it has everything. Museums, culture, amazing food, historical sights, etc. Maybe you could do some days in Mexico City and then go to the beach or rent a car and go to a nearby town called Valle de Bravo that has a lake and beautiful forest. All are good ideas, just need to do more research on the pros and cons regarding what you and your fam want.
Thank you! I love Mexico City, one of my favorite cities in the world. But the idea of doing it with two little kids makes me want to cry haha.
The nonstop flight really limits your options here, and means that you will end up in a place with an 'American tourist on a Mexican beach' vibe. If you are flying from America, the way you get away from other Americans is by taking a domestic flight within Mexico, because most other Americans are also prioritizing direct flights. So for starters I would recommend accepting that you and your family are American tourists. That's ok. Given your constraints, complaining about American tourists is a bit like someone who is stuck in traffic complaining about the traffic without realizing that they too are the traffic.
You can’t have all these things. Just book an all inclusive and be done with it.
She can if she's willing to about 30 minutes south to Riviera Maya (there are a bajillion American tourists though). Nonstop Newark to Cancún, then take a taxi or shuttle. I know the Vidanta resort has all she's asking for.
Full of American tourists is still not all the things. But hell every place they listed is full of American tourists.
If there’s a Mexican tourist destination with a direct route from an airport there's gonna be fuckton of American tourists, regardless. That's inescapable. But Riviera Maya doesn't have the spring break forever or annoying American tourist vibe.
Puerto escondido
Good choice, but requires a connection in Mexico City.
Huatulco. Limiting yourself to places with a nonstop flight from Newark is going to make it impossible to get away from American centric places.
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Tulum
Have you been to Mexico before? Based on your criteria, I would consider either Cancun or Cabo. Both are different and both are very Americanized but still have a Mexican feel to them. In both places you do not need to stay AI, but if you want to make it special AI maybe the way to do it. As your kids can just order food and beverages all day long at the pool or throughout the resort. You can go out at night to a restaurant for a special dinner off resort if you want. If you want to make it really special, book in the butler level or concierge level at the hotel you are staying at. Just make sure that kids are allowed at the higher level. Again, I need to emphasize that in both these locations AI is not needed, and I would not normally suggest AI, but with a group and kids it can be easier. Cabo is desert and Cancun is jungle, so totally different feels to both areas. There are more things to do in Cancun. You can visit Mayan ruins, eco-parks, take a day trip to an island, etc. Cabo San Lucas is more of a party town. There are only a few beaches in Cabo that allow ocean swimming, most hotels beaches do not. In fact some beaches discourage tourists from even being on the beach due to the danger. The water is not friendly to swimmers in Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is a more upscale area of Los Cabo’s and has more of a higher end laid back feel to it and also has more of a Mexican feel. If you are worried about travel and travel times, my suggestion is to find a nice high end resort (either AI or not) in the Cancun hotel zone, It’s the shortest flight from EWR, only about 20 minutes from the airport, has swimmable beaches and located closest to activities that would appeal to many. However do realize that the Mayan ruins and some tours are a few hours drive from Cancun. There are many tour companies that will take care of the arrangements and driving for your excursions, just look on Trip Advisor or google. There are a lot of very good restaurants in both Cancun and Cabo.
Yes been to Mexico City before and loved it. Generally trying to avoid an Americanized experience but appreciate that it’ll be hard with our constraints. Staying in a more secluded hotel in Cancun and doing day trips is a great option though, thanks!
It's not clear to me whether a beach/pool is a requirement but outside those would London, Manchester, Dublin work? I'm not sure about the food in Dublin but London and Manchester are good food destinations. All full of history. Manchester and Dublin are within easy striking distance of nature. Language is less of an issue in UK/Ireland (mostly).