When to go and where in Mexico - PLEASE!
 

Hi, this will be my first trip to Mexico - if I actually manage to decide between all the options in time - LOL!

I consider going either in November (for thanksgiving) or in second half of december either to Cancun or Mexico City... Do you know how is weather in November/December in Cancun? My concern is that it will be too cold for the beach and than I don't see the point in going to the beach destination aka Cancun... I might be wrong. I really need some advice.

Also, if anybody can share their experience with getting good deals in Nov/Dec for Mexico, that would be great! Essentially, I don't have a good sense of what a good price is...

Thanks!

We have been to Puerto Vallarta in October- hot- in 90's and above- some daily rains- one time a hurracane- - Two trips in November, one time late November (Thanksgiving time) and one early- both times weather was warm, sunny, great beach weather, temp in the 80's - We have been to Cabo San Lucas- early January and one time early Feb.- both times were in the low 70's but pleasant and sunny- a little cool and windy some days for beach- We have been to Cancun in February- nice- again- good beach time- rlb

Been to Cancun in Dec-- excellent weather...breezy...at night..bring a light jacket...ocean water is approx 80 degrees Farenheight...swam all day...walked around in shorts...

cancun vs mexico city---depends onpersonal preferance...I would choose Cancun...

Thanks for your replies. I am relieved. :)

We've been to a number of lovely places in Mexico over the years. We've had warm weather in Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel over Christmas. It will be cooler in the highlands -- we were in San Miguel de Allende last winter -- but even so, we swam in hot pools during the day. Mexico City is interesting for art, parks, architecture. Cancun is a little bit canned touristy, with gorgeous beaches. Other beaches can be nicer, but Cancun has a big tourist infrastructure.

I am really leaning toward Cancun after all these posts, since I am persuaded it will be warm enough for the beach. I have also heard that Cancun is a little canny, but since it will be (hopefullly) my first visit, I think it will be ok :)

My personal opinion is Cancun is best in "cold" months, because there is less sunlight and you don't have to protect as much agains sun rays. An ocassional breeze at night is all you have to pay, because weather and water temperature will be fine.

Mexico's rains season is May / June through October. In many areas of Mexico, the hottest months are April and May. (On the Yucatan peninsula, it is hot through summer; the hurricane season is usually over by late October / mid-November.) DO take a jumper or wrap - a "norte" (norther) can bring a couple of days of cooler - not cold - weather.

November is one of my favorite times for the Yucatan / Quintana Roo area - it is warm, the Caribbean is about 80F / 27C (nice for swimming or diving) and it is low season ("Novi-hambre") for tourism, meaning greater availability of accommodations and lower prices (through Dec 15, when it all skyrockets up.) Of course, Cancún is easily accessible by air, so Thanksgiving won't be devoid of people from the USA.

Don't expect much in the traditional architecture, etc. in Cancún; it was a small fishing camp until the Tourism Department's computers selected it for major development. There is a "D" shaped tourist / hotel area around Nichupté Lagoon, including coastal area of course, and a town in the NE quadrant that is basically a new town for people working in the hotels, etc. On a nearby island is Isla Mujeres, a much quainter, smaller and quieter resort town more settled by residents and B and B type lodging.

This map gives you an ida of the layout.

BTW, avoid a swim in Nichupté Lagoon - it can be polluted, and there are Casseiopeia ("upside down") jellyfish that can do a job on you. I still have a nice scar on my thigh from several years ago. (Any Morelet's crocodiles are small and strictly piscivorous - they are not a problem, and consider yourself lucky to sight htem.)