<p>The Northwest gray is getting to me, and my family wants some solar heat. Though I’m feeling tremendous guilt about going on a tropical type vacation without son #1 (away at his first year of college), life goes on, right? Since we haven’t done much of this kind of travel, anyone have any great suggestions? I know I’m late to the party, but I’m willing to try to pull a rabbit out of this rain hat I’m wearing. </p>
<p>Anybody have any Mexican, near the ocean, resort type places they would recommend? 2 parents and 2 teens (son #2 and DD), so extra elbow room would be greatly appreciated. Drinks with umbrellas or fruit would be mandatory. This mom naively thinks DD could practice a little Spanish before the May AP.</p>
<p>Cozumel might be worth considering - clobbered by a hurricane but much of it is open for business but nobody is coming, apparently. Scuba and snorkeling continue to be a mainstay but beaches on the ocean (east side) are apparently better than ever. Much more sedate than Cancun and doesn’t have the crowding, other issues Cancun is getting a bad rep for. Tours to Mayan mainland sites are available; some modest ruins on the island.</p>
<p>Kids who don’t dive might be bored, though. There is some night life in town, a Carlos and Charlies, and some discos I think.</p>
<p>East coast of Mexico for Carribean water. West coast for perfect weather, no humidity, maybe a little more authentic Mexico. Some who go a lot like Puerto Vallarta.</p>
<p>We are two weeks later, the week of April 10. Currently looking hard at Puerto Vallarta if I can find lodging that seems “acceptable”. I’m not familiar with that area, so trying to confirm what is acceptable (ie clean and safe) is my challenge. The Carribean side sounds wonderful, but I do worry about lingering hurricane issues, so the west side seems a safer bet for a more novice tropical traveller. We have done Hawaii before, but available air travel for our time frame is pretty wacky with multiple stops, lay overs and changes.</p>
<p>Just guessing, but it should be easy to find clean and safe and very nice and touristy and relative expensive. If you want cheap and local color, more caution or good advice may be called for.</p>