It’s not an island, but Mexico is a great place to go for a warm weather, beach, ocean vacation. While many of Mexico’s destinations have gotten very touristy (Is that a word?) like Cabo and Cancun, I have had some great experiences in Mexico, especially in Puerto Vallarta.

I spent the week of my 40th birthday in Puerto Vallarta with some friends. We actually stayed a little north in Nuevo Vallarta, in a great all-inclusive resort right on Banderas Bay.

Because Puerto Vallarta lies on Bahia Banderas, the second largest natural bay in North America and has over 100 miles of coast line, it is a haven for anyone who enjoys any type of beach activity, from whale watching to parasailing. Bungee jumping over the Pacific, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing or fishing are yours for the asking. The surf, at most beaches is normally very calm and safe for swimming year around

Plus, for me, it is a great place to enjoy the warm Gulf of Mexico waters without hearing the Jaws theme every time you go in the ocean (I’ve talked about that in prior blogs), why no Jaws theme you ask?

Banderas Bay is a horseshoe shaped bay that is occupied by hundreds of bottle nosed dolphins. Because it’s a breeding ground, the dolphins patrol the mouth of the bay, driving away any sharks that try to enter! Safe swimming!

It was a great vacation, alternating between great activities like horseback riding through the mountains, sailing and snorkeling across the bay, to days of lying in the shade on the beach, reading, sleeping, eating and swimming in the warm tropical waters. Ahhhh, it was great.

I’m looking to take a break from my UFirst business for our annual February trip. In the last vote by my travel group, taking a cruise was still in the lead, but we’ve been finding some great deals to Mexico, so it’s making a run as our destination. I would go back there anytime.

Well, the economy is on everyone’s mind, hundreds of thousands of people losing their jobs. So I feel kind of bad griping about my choices for my February vacation. It’s a dirty job, someone has to do it, so here goes.

At tonight’s Christmas party one of my fellow vacationers brought out printouts from a cruise site. In my last post I said price might be the determining factor in our choice, and in this tough economy the travel industry has some real bargains.

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival all have very enticing packages. 7 day Bahama’s cruises, interior rooms, for under $400 bucks, tack on a $200 airfare to get to Miami, less than $100 day for vacation. Not bad. Still 4 days “at sea”, 3 days off.

“All inclusive” resorts have become very popular over the years and I have had good experiences in several of them.

Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas, to name a few. Same amenities as a cruise ship. Room, food, entertainment are covered in price, as usually is the flight to get there. But now I would have a beach to lay on and a ocean to play in…(DundeDundeDundeDunde…Damn you Speilberg! Previous readers will understand, lol) …everday plus as many excursions as we can muster.

Problem…Most of the “All Inclusive” destinations are running about 40-50% higher than a cruise. These resorts are actually posting good value pricing, it’s just the cruises are being given away dirt cheap!

Over the next few weeks I will continue to watch the prices of my choices and try and swing the group my way, but it may be hard to overcome the cheap cruise mentality.

I’ve heard from some of you, saying “Oh, what a tough choice..cruise or vacation spot”, I wish I had to make such a tough choice”. And I said it before, you are all right. When February rolls around and it’s -6 wind chill, ANYWHERE but here will be a relief, it just would be nice if it was somewhere other than a cramped boat. So what do you think? To much of a whiner? lol

It gets a little nippy here in the Midwest. 22 degrees this morning. Come February, 22 degrees might be a warm front, as it is not unusual for subzero weather here in the heartland.

So while most people are planning their holidays, what to serve for Thanksgiving, which sweater to get Uncle Fred, we’re planning our annual February “I can’t take this weather anymore” pilgrimage.

For many years it was a trip to the laid back Florida Keys. “Wasting away again in….”, ok we all know the song and the words, but the Keys has much more to offer.

Excellent diving and snorkeling, and fishing. Excellent food (you haven’t lived until you’ve had a conch fritter), and a great laid back atmosphere.

We broke that pattern a few years ago with a trip to Maui. I can write for days about Maui, and I probably will, but I won’t bore you now.

Then it was Mexico. Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco

What to do this year? Expense is always a factor, as we have a friends 50th birthday trip to Australia to budget for, so where should we go?

Your suggestions will be appreciated and I’ll keep you up do date on our research and decision!