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Pure Mexico
A two-week journey that spans Mexico's central and Pacific highlights, including Acapulco's beach coves, Puerto Vallarta's snorkeling sites, and Guadalajara's community markets.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007;
The Real Deal: Thirteen nights' accommodations and bus travel from $1,100 per person.
When: Depart June 17, July 8, 22, Aug. 12, 26, Sept. 16, Oct. 7, 21, Nov. 11, 25, Dec. 16, 30, 2007; additional dates available in 2008.
The Fine Print: The $1,100 price for this trip breaks down as follows: $850 paid in advance and a $250 local cash payment per person due on arrival, which covers local transportation by van. The price does not include airfare, airport taxes, or airport transfers. Add approximately $300 for meals--none are included. Single travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same sex; no single supplement. The group is limited to about 15 people. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Adventure Center, 800/228-8747, adventurecenter.com.
Why It's a Deal: Consider that the $1,100 rate (including the $250 local payment) breaks down to about $84 per person per night and covers accommodations and local transportation. Adventure Center supplies two weeks' accommodations, all the transportation, and an English-speaking guide, especially handy for learning about the best markets and restaurants on this itinerary.
Trip Details: The escorted trip begins in Mexico City with a one-night stay at the Hotel Capitol, located in the city's historical center. Optional activities include a free walk through some of the ruins of the great Tenochtitlán in the center of the city.
The group takes a bus to a one-night stay in Taxco, known for being one of Mexico's best-preserved colonial cities. Next is a two-night stay in the lively coastal town of Acapulco, home of fantastic beaches. Moving on, the group takes an overnight bus ride along a coastal route to Playa Azul for one night. This beach town shows a less-hectic side to Mexican coastal living.
Travel again by bus to Puerto Vallarta, famous for its mango, coconut, and papaya plantations set along the gorgeous Bay of Banderas. Step along a charming seaside promenade or enjoy an afternoon of snorkeling during your two-night stay.
The next two nights are spent in Mexico's second-largest city, Guadalajara, the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila, and sombreros. During a two-night stay in Guanajuato, a World Heritage site with well-preserved colonial buildings, head on a day trip to San Miguel de Allende, another laid-back colonial town with excellent handcraft markets. Then board the bus for the return to Mexico City for two final evenings.
Be ready to rough it. This journey calls for lots of walking and an openness to the stimulation of your five senses. No-frills accommodations are typically double rooms in modest, family-run properties. Visit adventurecenter.com for a detailed, day-by-day itinerary and tips on what to pack. Groups tend to dine together, but you are not obligated to join, and the cost of meals is not included.
While your group of travelers is escorted, no guided tours or excursions are included in the price of the trip. Optional activities include a glass-bottom boat tour in Acapulco for $6 per person, a guided hike in Playa Azul for $3 per person, and a bungee-jumping excursion in Puerto Vallarta for $55 per person.
For more highlights, visit the Mexico's official tourism website.
Before you go, visit BudgetTravel.com weather forecast, local time, and the exchange rate.
Getting There: Airfare is not included in Adventure Center's package. To get a sense of the cost, here are the lowest round-trip fares to Mexico City that we've recently found for a June 17, 2007, departure: $296 from Chicago (American), $304 from Houston (Aeromexico), $314 from New York City (Delta), $333 from Los Angeles (Aeromexico), and $536 from Atlanta (American).
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