Mucho Travel Deals to Sunny Mexico in Summer
 Carrie Havranek - Frommers
Time, in Mexico, seems to pass more slowly; locals hardly rush for anything. For travelers, fortunately there are unspoiled beaches with crystalline blue waters to help indulge in the leisurely pace, but there are also ruins from ancient civilizations, mountains, jungles and one hundred million people, most of whom live in the capital, Mexico City.
Most people favor coastal Mexico, whether it's Acapulco, the favored hotspot for old-time Hollywood jetsetters, or Cancun, with its white beaches and proximity to Mayan archeological sites, or lately, Puerto Vallarta, a fishing village-cum-resort. However, there are still quiet spots, such as Riviera Maya and plenty of opportunities for investment, such as the exclusive Punta Mita. Historically, Mexico is known for margaritas, tequila, Corona and but there's actually wine country now, in Guadalupe Valley, just south of Tijuana. Who knew?
Eleisurelink (tel. 888/801-8808; www.eleisurelink.com) is advertising a deal through December 15 at the Melia Puerto Vallarta. Starting from $755 per person (if you fly out of Houston), seven nights, airfare, transfers and meals are included. The five-star hotel is located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, on the Bay of Banderas. However you must act quickly: the booking deadline is May 15. Additional departure cities, such as New York ($849), Chicago ($759), Los Angeles ($655) and Baltimore ($1,039) are available. The prices reflect June travel dates and are based on double-occupancy.
Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com) just announced deals to various popular Mexican destinations, with extra incentives. The Mexican Extravaganza Sale includes four-star Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun, which is being offered as part of a seven-night, all-inclusive package from eleven departure cities, including New York/JFK from $769, Los Angeles from $815, Kansas City from $799 and Miami from $655. As with the previous deal, the booking deadline is May 15, but your speed will be rewarded with an exclusive $100 spa credit at the hotel, or a golf credit redeemable at the Hilton Golf Course in Cancun. Plus, kids stay free if traveling with two adults. There's even a land-only deal from $451 if you find better airfare elsewhere.
For a truly luxurious getaway, the Ceiba Del Mar Hotel & Spa's offerings in Riviera Maya include a rooftop Jacuzzi solarium, a private concierge, private terraces with sea views; the hotel is close to Mayan ruins. Airfare from New York/JFK is advertised from $1,115 per person; Boston from $1,239, Los Angeles $1,199; and Miami $1,039. Land only deal costs $836. Of course, the deals do not include taxes, fees and other miscellaneous charges, the rates reflect June travel prices but the deal is good through December 15. Airfare is calculated as a Monday through Thursday departure, with a few exceptions. There are other deals for five-night stays throughout the country, including Cozumel.
A unique aspect of Pleasant Holidays (tel. 800/742-9244; www.pleasantholidays.com) is that its deals are searchable by departure city to various resorts in Mexico. There are almost two-dozen deals, and cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Portland, Seattle and Boston are represented. Additionally, you can sort them according to price. Five days in Mazatlan, departing from Los Angeles, starts from $395 for round-trip airfare and accommodations, plus government taxes and fees. The least expensive Chicago departing trip, five days in Puerto Vallarta at the Hacienda Hotel and Spa, which is near the beach, is located just minutes from downtown and starts from $586. Some of the deals are good for travel between May 5 and December 15; others are available for a smaller window of time, from July 7 through August 11. One useful tip though: the offers seem to be more plentiful from Midwest and West Coast cities; there are fewer choices from Newark or Boston, for example. Closer searching reveals some air-only deals, but only from select departure cities such as Miami.
Orbitz (tel. 866/540-7058; www.orbitz.com) advertises over a dozen hotel specials to Mexico -- in and around both Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta in particular. The highly advertised deal of the moment is Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa, from $606 per person, based on double occupancy and a flight from Miami for three nights, two days. It's an all-inclusive deal at the four-star destination near everything on Punta Cancun. All rooms have a private balcony with views of the ocean. The great thing about Orbitz is the ability to pick particular days and comparison-shop fares, from the cheapest to the priciest. For example, a flight from Newark on a Monday in late May to Cancun will run $780 on United and $784 on Continental. A flight from Chicago O'Hare to Cancun on American is $821 nonstop; Los Angeles will set you back $859 for a round-trip on Mexicana Airlines.
Vacation Travel Mart (tel. 800-288-1435; www.vacmart.com) offers some last minute specials to Cancun, with accommodations at the condominium Carisa & Palma, from three nights at $306, five nights from $381 and seven nights from $456, including airfare, from Miami. The most expensive trip, from Detroit to Cancun, for three nights and airfare, is still an affordable $558. Taxes and fees are not included, and there are some blackout dates -- read the fine print. The Flamingo Cancun, situated in the heart of the hotel zone, is also available for a $301 package from Miami, for three nights; New York is $420, Dallas $416 and Detroit is $552. Travel is good from June 1 through December 15, and must be booked by June 30. On its website, the company claims, "if you don't buy from us you'll probably pay too much," and says they do not charge any hidden fees. |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | May 2005 
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