Hi everyone ! I am turning the big 40 and have been given the green light by my dad, who has kindly agreed to babysit for a week, to go away! Hubby and I are thinking all inclusive maybe ixtapa. Unfortunately the big day is in mid August ! Any suggestions on places or resorts, we are hoping to keep it 1000 or less per person ! Thanks in advance

Hawaii...beautiful weather anytime of year! Way better than Mexico. ..and turning 40 you deserve it!

Hawaii way more expensive than Mexico and no all inclusives that I know of.

Keep in mind that it will be HOT and HUMID in August. I live in Mexico. Not sure that I would suggest Ixtapa. I would suggest Riviera Nayarit (Puerto Vallarta), Riviera Maya, or even Cabo before Ixtapa. Just my personal opinion of course.

Thanks! We have been to ixtapa and lived the quietness but we are a little afraid it will get boring ! Plus the undercurrent is strong with large waves

Stay near Playa del Carmen. It's just south of Cancun, lots of good all inclusive resorts in that area too, and it should be reasonably priced considering it is summer.

Contact
Sahar Meshkintoreh she is a wealth of travel info. ,and can get you a good package.

All I can say is cozumel. Place to stay, secrets

Thanks we will check it out!

It was the best vacation we have ever been on. They upgraded us to adults only cuz I told the it was our anniversary

WAY more than $1000 per person

I love cozumel!

tripcentral.ca

If you like quiet, Cozumel. If you'd like something happening, stay on the mainland, across from Cozumel, at Playa del Carmen.

Cozumel is more geared to diving and just doing nothing.

and going to Mexico mid summer is just nuts..super hot and humid..Yuck.

We realize that but when we were looking at New York or New Orleans they are also very humid and it's the same cost for 4-5 days as it is for 7 in Mexico ... We also only have up to seven days as we are leaving two kids with their grandpa so a bigger trip would be out of the question. Any recommendations for other places gladly taken!

Grand Palladium Resorts.... 5 sections, lots of things to do, great food, lots of pools and wonderful beach. Heading there for the 7th time .... Just love the resort!

In my opinion, for a few bucks more I would go to Hawaii. Super cheap flights in August and accommodations are cheap as its not their busy season. Weather is always consistently perfect! You can't even compare the two.....You will be wasting money going to Mexico in August. Even check cheap flights from Allegiant Air.

A budget is a budget Peggy.

Hawaii is expensive for food though and US dollar.

Mexico will be entering into hurricane season.

Lol...you only live once Brent . And you're only 40 once

Elan Ambrose We haven't had a hurricane 'hit' Puerto Vallarta for many, many years. Other places....yes.

I realize that. What I really meant was that it's also the beginning of rainy season. The last thing a person from BC wants is more rain! I was actually thinking about The Dominican Republic (more annual rain than Vancouver!) and other areas of Mexico, Caribbean side. Turks and Caicos. I wasn't even thinking about Puerto Vallarta. It would probably be one of less expensive places to go though.

Might seem like a weird suggestion, but August is the nicest time in Canada (IMO) why don't you take hop around the BC gulf islands. Take a sea plane instead of the ferry, eat oysters, swim in the ocean without the expensive flight to another country you could have such a great trip for $1000.

We've done Mexico in August... It's always nice and affordable, smaller crowds and lots of room in the pool to cool off! The BC trip is a great idea too, my bf flies for Harbor Air so I might be biased, but so much to see here and use Canadian currency. I was just in Ecuador for my 40th. Congratulations!!

Loved Cuba and love Portland and Canon Beach area

Yes, a Canon beach would be great.

Michelle Donders

I've been to Ixtapa a couple times, Zihuatanejo is near by and 15 minutes from there is Playa Larga beach (gorgeous), not sure if it's been developed though. It was in 1999 I was there twice.

Hi I got August pricing around the 1000 PP 3.5 stars and up has lots of places in Cuba and 1 in Cabo moving up to 1100 range gets you to PV and Dominican also

Because its outside of the season Air to Cuba is thru Toronto and has a layover both ways

I have stayed 3 to 5 and its all what you expect also go to TripAdvisorand see what other say

Thanks! The reviews in Cuba mostly say amazing beaches ... Food is ok not good , service can be hit or miss, generally Canadians seem happier than Americans and seem to get better service. There seems to be an ongoing issue with bathrooms at most of the resorts. It's hard to pick ... Go for the beaches and culture and be aware that the food and hotels are a step down or go to Mexico ... We can't decide ! We have never done an all inclusive holiday and want to relax without kids and enjoy good food and beaches and pools and quiet a few drinks ! We have done a few cruises so we are use to great food and amazing service ! I am worried about Cuba !

It can be interesting and all depends on your tipping - went to a 3 star went up to the bartender and ordered a drink - asked him if he was working their all week (yes) gave him a soft 6 pack Smirnoff ice cooler bag with a BC local beer shirt and for the rest of week I didn't have to stand in line. as far as food goes its ok at the lower hotels just bland so on great advise I took a shaker of my favorite spice and had a great time. Room cleaning we gave her a gift every day (if you give money they have to share but gifts are theirs to keep and sell or trade.)

Thanks for the tips ! I can't help but feel we would get more bang for our buck in Mexico ... We have done a lot of travelling and aren't super picky but this is my trip and I can't help but feel I would like to be spoiled a little bit . Not sure if I would get that in Cuba

I am a agent and was just going by your price request for 1000 or less.- 1100 to 1200 PP gets you too PV and 1 cancun area 3.5 to 4 star anything 4 to 5 is between 1200 and up

What were the dates you were looking at - maybe there are better deals for that week

In Cuba you need to go up a star from what you normally prefer in Mexico

Hi Tiffany,
I just went down that way I January and stayed in Zihuatanejo.
Zihuantenejo is just next door to ixtapa and is much more relaxing and simply beautiful. We stayed on playa del ropa at club intrawest (as non-members). And it as fabulous ... Just had to sit in on a presentation.
From what I understand people are often trying to sell their points (club intrawest goes on points when you're a member). I've been told you can search for that online on various sites.
But ixtapa just looked like hotel road, while Zihuantenejo has much more culture

We have been to zhihuantengo and loved it also !! We were looking at it but for some reason stopped .. We are feeling super overwhelmed with options right now and are having a hard time making a decision !

I've been there. Its tough. What about going somewhere similar to Zihuatanejo ... Something like sayulita?

I would stay away from Sayulita at the moment. There is problems with the sewage system...many tourists getting sick because of it. It grew too big, too fast. There is Bucerias (where I live) that is good. AI is Royal Decameron Resort.

Oh my god!! We were seriously looking at the iberostar just outside sayulita !! Maybe that is not the place to go !

Iberostar is in Punta de Mita. Different town with much better infrastructure. It would be like driving from New West to Langley. Far enough away AND a different town.

That's good to know because it said it was about 10-15 min away from sayulita ! It's so hard to tell what's going to be good and some of the reviews are just stupid !

Just stayed at Grand Palladium in Punta de Mita and had a fabulous time.

Super easy to take the local bus to Bucerias and Vallarta too

How was the beach in punta de Mita ?

Pretty good. A bit rocky right in front of the Palladium and can be strong current. We surfed, snorkel we and paddle boarded.

Quite a few stairs to climb to get to the beach from the Palladium resort no? Of course, they could have easily changed the lay out since I was there lol

It's so hard because We are going at a bad time ... Rainy season ! I am worried about how much it's going to rain and the beach and ocean isn't that nice ... We keep going back and forth with Cuba or Cancun or Puerto Vallarta areas .... Gah! It's so hard

Well, just my opinion, I would choose PV area. Cancun gets much more rain yearly than we do. Cuba, it just wasn't for me at all. In this area, unless there is a storm off-shore, it would 'normally' only rain in the evening / over night. Not all day, everyday. Still plenty of sunshine. Ocean,,.well, if there is a storm off shore, it can be wavy. Normally, not any difference.

Also, you may find that it doesn't rain at all while you are here. Nobody can predict mother nature lol.

One more thing....Cancun vs. PV. This area hasn't had a hurricane hit for many, many, many years. Cancun gets hurricanes way more than we do here. We are somewhat protected by the bay here. Not 'open water' so to speak.

there were some stairs but with all the drinks I welcomed a little exercise

Heather hahaha.

Sandi Nystrom, I think as you do...p.v.all the way...I usually stay in Bucerias & @ the Royal Decameron, later June & first 2 wks. July, never incountered a Hurrican in the summer, just rain in MAYBE late AFTERNOON & evening, MAYBE in the morning until 11, but after that, hot beach weather & BEAUTIFUL sunsets!! Love Bucerias!!

Riveria maya at the Gran Bahia Príncipe

Hi Tiffany I thought this may interest you, it's not ixtapa but it does fit your budget and travel dates. Good luck
https://www.facebook.com/events/1586474568341747/?ti=cl