Mexico - Puerto Vallerta or Cancun?

[lilacben]

We are considering going on holiday next year to Mexico and cannot decide which part Cancun or Puerto Vallerta. We like going to historic places to visit and have seen a lot of places in Mexico. We also like beaches.Any help would be grateful.

[Clanad]

I'm always surprised that the west coast of Mexico is usally overlooked by Brits and Europeans. I suppose it has a lot to do with the airfares and connections. However, the Pacific Ocean beaches are far superior to those found on the east coast, in my opinion. For one, many of the smaller cities on the west coast are still fairly uncluttered. Manzanillo, for one has beautiful beaches that are bound on the coastal side by spectacular cliffs and coves. The Manzanillo area is on the same latitude as Hawaii and the ocean is a brillant blue. The "destinations" such as Vallarta and Acapulco are often crowded just as is Cancun. However, even those beach cities don't suffer the influx of college students on spring break around the end of March and into April.
One of the most active volcanos in Mexico is near Manzanillo in the colonial State of Colima. There are numerous ancient Missions nearby from the earliest days of the Spanish conquest. Take a look here: http://www.gomanzanillo.com/beaches/index.htm ...
At any rate, we've enjoyed it numerous times. (The seafood is unmatched, by the way).

[jno]

from Cancun you can get to the ancient Mayan sites of Tulum (close), Chichen Itza (a couple of hours away) and even Uxmal, which I think is quite a long day; if that's the sort of thing you'd like to see. (They are very impressive.) I'm not sure that anything similar is within reach of the west coast but Clanad may advise!

[rcl1]

I have been to Cancun a few times, and a bit of advice on the beach there: - water is crystal blue but quite rough (and prone to little jelly fish), and although the sand is lovely and white, the tide doesnt go in or come out (its a man made beach) and there isnt much room from the hotels to the waters edge.

The sand also tends to get zapped away during hurrican season which can leave the beach with little sand ond lots of rocks.

Also depending on what time of yerar you go, word of warning, Cancun is a hotspot for young Americans on their Sprin/Summer break so it can get a bit wild.

Saying that, I love the place. I always go end of March time (USA Spring Break) as I love the young party atmosphere, and the beach has always been lovely (but sea quite rough).

[buildersmate]

Whilst what Clanad says I would agree with, do not underestimate the time it takes to get the Mexican Pacific coast. One has to go either via Mexico City then internal flight, or to one of the southern USA hubs and out again.
Puerto Vallerta is a massive modern resort - primarily targetted at Americans. Nothing wrong with that, but you are going to have to go a fair way out of town to find more traditional mexican life. There is little in the way of ancient civilisation - the Aztecs started out to the north of here before moving to close of mexico city as their base, the mayan culture was based around the Yucatan and south into Belize and Guatamana, as JNO has already mentioned.
To me, its no contest - the area to the south of Cancun every time (not in Cancun itself).

[sam100]

I've been to Cancun and i would go back tomorrow it was really lovely and lots to see and do!!!

[rauls]

puerto vallarta is beautiful town like was mexico many years ago if you want information visit this web. www.puertovallartatoursguide.com you find here information about puerto vallarta

[ferpuerto]

I would say cancun only because there are more archaeology sites around there. I would probably fly into Cancun, but stay either in Tulum, Playa del carmen or Isla Holbox because I love that they are not as busy.
http://mexicobeaches.net