PUERTO VALLARTA
The romance of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor launched Puerto Vallarta into international fame when Tennessee Williams "Night of the Iguana" was filmed here. Today's romantics like the laid back pace, the glittering hotels and the exotic South Pacific look and feel. Cliffs lead down to beautiful beaches that surround Banderas, Mexico's largest Bay. The downtown area, divided by the Cuale River, is long on charm with winding cobblestone streets and art galleries, boutiques and shops.
- HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
Average year round temperature: 80 degrees F
Distance from the airport: 5 miles
City code: 322
- HELPFUL HINTS:
Two Hotel Zones flank the town which is divided by the Cuale River. The Northern Zone nearest the airport (You can get to the beach in minutes if you stay on this end) is modern and higher density. The Southern Zone is more tropical, more tranquil, and more exotic. Both are a 10-15 minute ride to the city center.
Ride the public buses. All go to town and they are easy to flag down.
Shopping is especially good. Many artists and designers reside here. Many hotels have shops with fine selections.
- DON'T MISS:
Have lunch in a JUNGLE RESTAURANT. These exotic places are unique among Mexica resorts. Chino's Paradise, Eden (Take the path through the boutique to explore the surrounding jungle); or Chico's Paradise. Cool off in a rushing river or sun on giant boulders between courses!
CUALE RIVER STROLL. A cool stroll along the river walkway under the bridges that separate the downtown area . See the statue of film director John Huston, a mini archaeological museum and a host of other shops and restaurants.
EL DORADO RESTAURANT. Lunch at El Dorado Restaurant on the town beach. A Vallarta tradition where locals hang out. The beach outside Playa de los Muertos, is action packed.
GALERIA UNO: A downtown art gallery where visiting elite meet and chat.
COLLAGE: The most outrageous disco on this planet. It sports virtual motorcycle rides; bowling alleys; electronic golf, dining and dancing.
- ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
LE BISTRO: Dine to soft jazz music beside the Cuale River. International cuisine with flair. You'll want to linger in the bar after diner.
CHEF ROGER"S: Dine in a small patio under the stars. The cuisine prepared by a Swiss chef is star of the show.
EL PALOMAR DE LOS GONZALEZ: High on a hill in a former private home overlooking the Bay.
CAFE DES ARTISTES: On a hill in the center of town. Contemporary French cuisine in a modern setting. Works of art highlight the decor. A favorite local "in" spot.
- WHERE TO STAY:
A LUCKY HONEYMOON.COM WINNER WILL HONEYMOON HERE!
YOU CAN TOO!
 PRESIDENTE INTERCONTINENTAL: 120 rooms; $210-$270. High on a hill with a panoramic view of the Bay, this beautiful resort offers multi-level fun and romance. You will feel far away from the crowds but you are really only a few minutes from downtown excitement.
Your room will be suite sized with an ocean view. A meandering pool shaded by towering palms and the golden beach are on the lower levels. On the upper level, the super-romantic air conditioned dining room overlooking Mexico's largest bay invites you to share dreams as you linger over dinner. Everything you need, plus a spa, is at your fingertips. The atmosphere is friendly and the staff will help plan every honeymoon day if you ask. Opt for a honeymoon suite and you mgith get a jacuzzi with an ocean view!
If you want to get married here too, the experienced Wedding Coordinator can arrange all details while you relax at the pool or on the beach.
Address: Km. 8.5 Carretera Barra de Navidad CP48300. Tel: (USA) 800 327 0200.
CAMINO REAL: 337 rooms / $130-$210. Sophisticated Mexican flavor and architecture. Nestled in a private cove on a long stretch of beach. Quiet, leisurely, tropical atmosphere that gives you the feeling of being alone together in an intimate, elegant setting. Address: PO Box 95, Playa Las Estacas | Tel: 1-5000 | Fax: 1-6000 | USA: (800) 722-6466
MARRIOTT CASA MAGNA: 433 rooms / $129-$210 Big and beautiful. This sprawling modern hotel with all amenities makes you feel delightfully alone in a crowd. Seaside pool. Lush gardens. Plenty of everything. Near golf courses and deep sea fishing marina. Pick and choose from a myriad of activities to plan each day. Address: Paseo de la Marina #5 | Tel: 3-1100 | Fax: 1-0760 | USA: (800) 223-6388
- BEST BUDGET BET:
MOLINO DE AGUA: 65 rooms / $60-$69. Downtown oasis just off the town beach. Rustic private bungalows surround a shady garden. Address: Ignacio Vallarta 130 Tel: 2-1907 Fax: 2-6056
MAZATLAN
Mazatlan is closer to the USA than it is to Mexico City. Thanks to fabulous deep sea fishing, it was one of the country's first resorts to attract international visitors. It is a "working" resort that doubles as one of the country's busiest sea ports an doubles as home base for Mexico's largest shrimp fleet, so guess what heads most menus! Rough and ready, it attracts sports minded travellers who like a casual lifestyle.
- HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
Average annual temperature:
Distance from the airport: 1.5 miles
City code: 691
- HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS:
Most hotels, restaurants and discos can be found along or just off the coastal highway which changes names frequently.
Try a "Pulmonia" or "Pneumonia" (jaunty golf cart contraptions with a fringe on top) instead of a taxi.
One day, take a ride to see the old restored part of the downtown area and to the deep sea fishing port where Mazatlan began.
Mazatlan stages one of Mexico's most famous Carnival celebrations. If you marry at the end of February, book 3 months in advance.
- DON'T MISS:
THE AQUARIUM. A visit to the Aquarium and its tiny zoo and botanical garden.
SHRIMP BUCKET: Try lunch or dinner here. It's a Mazatlan institution near the old part of town where the fun began.
PACIFICO: The zesty local beer. Try it, you'll like it.
- ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
EL SHEIK: Mazatlan's most opulent restaurant, complete with glittering chandeliers, marble steps, large ultra comfortable booths and a super romantic outdoor "seaside walkway" along the cliff overlooking the water.
SR. PEPPER: Glittering crystal and candlelilght. Soft jazz. Victorian touches to a polished brass and wood decor. Everything but everything is romantic, even the juicy grilled steaks.
CHIQUITA BANANA: Informal seaside restaurant in Hotel Camino Real. Dine and sometimes dance to soft music and listen to the sound of the waves.
- WHERE TO STAY:
CAMINO REAL: 170 rooms / $110-$145. Away from the crowds on its own little beach, it has the look and feel of an exclusive private club. The hotel sits atop a low hill overlooking the ocean, and has an elegant air. You won't forget watching a sunset from the lobby bar. Address: PO Box 538, Punta del Sabalo | Tel: 1-3111 | Fax: 4-1311 | USA: (800) 7CAMINO
EL CID MEGA RESORT: 1320 rooms / $65-$90. As close as you can get to Las Vegas by the sea with every water sport imaginable. Rooms are averge size, but the place is larger than life and spreads out across the road to include a golf course, an off track betting parlor, tennis courts, and so many restaurants you can't count 'em. Our tip: Rent an "apartment" in the towers with its own kitchen and sitting room and use hotel facilities. Address: PO Box 813, Avenida Camaron Sabalo s/n | Tel: 3-3333 | Fax: 4-1311 | USA: (800) 525-1925
OCEANO PALACE: 200 rooms / $77-$118. A user friendly hotel with a young look and feel. The spirit of fun is in the air around the pools and on the beach. Surprisingly personalized service and a carefree attitude. You can make this place be as you want it. Plenty of action just outside. Address: Ave. Camaraon Sabalo s/n | Tel: 3-0666 | Fax: 3-9666
PUEBLO BONITO: 284 suites / $105-$150. A time share hotel whose decor, gardens and large rooms with patios or balconies are all easy on the eyes. Right on the beach, it has a beautiful pool, winding gardened pathways and two pretty restaurants. Comfort, beauty and convenience all in one. Address: PO Box 6 Avenida Camaraon Sabalo 2121 | Tel: 4-3700 | Fax: 4-1723 | USA: (800) 654-5543
LOS CABOS
Located at the tip of the Baja California peninsula where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean in dramatic scenic splendor, this destination is ideal for honeymooners who enjoy being surrounded by spectacular natural beauty in one of the few places in the world where the desert meets the sea. Two towns, San Jose del Cabo (picturesque and quiet) and Cabo San Lucas (relatively action packed with restaurants and nightlife) are linked by an exquisite 18 mile "corridor." World famous deep sea fishing and world class golf with two championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and one by Robert Trent Jones make it even more desirable. Los Cabos still has the look of a resort in the making, but all the comforts of home and more are here along with plenty of fresh air.
- HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
Average year round temperature: 75 degrees F
Distance from the airport: San Jose del Cabo: 8 miles; Cabo San Lucas: 28 miles.
City Code: 114
- HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS:
Distances are great here but exploring is wonderful. Taxis are expensive. If you plan to travel between the towns, go deep sea fishing or play golf
daily, rent a car. Round trip taxi fare between the two towns: $40.
Be sure to get a confirmation number for all car rentals.
Pack a shawl or sweater. Desert nights can get cool.
Beach are exquisite but not all are safe for swimming. Check with your hotel on the safest places to swim.
- DON'T MISS:
BOATRIDE: The boatride from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean includes sea lions, marine life, and spectacular rock formations.
SUNSET DRINKS: A sunset drink at D'Giorgio II. Enter from the highway at Las Misiones. Walk to the restaurant at the point. Walk through stepping stones in the pool, pull up a chair and table and prepare for romance plus as you watch the sun go down over 'The Arch', a natural Cabo landmark.
TODOS SANTOS: Daytrip to the mini sized artist's town of Todos Santos and linger over lunch (closed Tuesdays) for a long time at Cafe Santa Fe. A beautiful drive to a beautiful place.
PLAYA SANTA MARIA: This has to be one of the world's most beautiful moonshaped bays. Take a picnic and your own shade. Enter off the highway just before the Twin Dolphin. Perfect for sunning, swimming and snorkeling. Sunsets are a knockout.
- ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
DAMIANA: San Jose del Cabo. A small charming colonial style home houses this tiny place where even lunch is romantic. Dine in a patio under flowering trees. Nightime candlelight makes it even better.
CLUB CASCADAS: Cabo San Lucas. The beachside dining room will move your table to the ocean's edge upon request. Just the two of you can dine at a table under the stars to the sound of the waves. Reserve a table by the water's edge in advance.
EL GALEON: Cabo San Lucas. High on a hill overlooking the marina. Italian specialties, soft classical music, relaxed atmosphere and a view of the harbor.
ALFONSO'S: Cabo San Lucas. Small, refined place overlooking the yachts and the marina. The owner has been pleasing Cabo visitors with his restaurants for a quarter of a century.
- WHERE TO STAY:
SAN JOSE DEL CABO:
PALMILLA: 72 rooms / $130-$450. The first hotel in Cabo is the perfect place for sybarites. Elegance far away from phones and tv. Exquisite seaside setting overlooking the ocean. Rooms with large balconies overloooking palm
gardens and/or the ocean are linked by shaded pathways. Excellent 18 hole
golf courses nearby. Posh and pretty. Privacy plus. Address: Carretera Cabo
San Lucas, Km. 27.5 | Tel: 4-5000 Fax: 4-51-00 | USA: (800)
WESTIN REGINA: 243 rooms / $150-$225. All the comforts of home and
more along with in-room phones and tv's!!! Striking modern decor. Camera
ready pool area by the sea. Championship golf nearby. Health club and other
deluxe amenities. Address: Carretera Cabo San Lucas, Km. 27.5 | Tel: 227-0505 | Fax: 227-0510 | USA: (800) 228-3000
TWIN DOLPHIN: Cabo San Lucas. 50 rooms / $l45 and up. A celebrity
haven with an oriental look, a great bar, and a knockout pool area. Rooms
are rustic with ocean views. Balconies but no tv or phones. Santa Maria Bay
flanks one side; Cabo Del Sol, a golf course that looks like Pebble Beach,
flanks the other. Address: Carretera Cabo San Lucas s/n | Tel:3-0256 | Fax:
3-0496 | USA: (800) 421-8925
HOTEL FINISTERRA: Cabo San Lucas. 200 rooms / $99-$148. High on a
steep cliff overlooking Land's End. Ocean views. Peaceful atmosphere. You
never notice that this is a large hotel. Within walking distance of downtown
clubs, restaurants and fishing fleets. Relaxing pool area and "far
away from it all" feel. Swim on the town beach across from the marina
or in the pretty pool. Address: PO Box 1, Cabo San Lucas | Tel: 3-3333 | Fax:
3-0590 | USA: (800) 347-2252
CASA DEL MAR: Cabo San Lucas. 31 rooms / $205. All rooms have jacuzzis,
color tv and direct dial to the USA! The decor is contemporary posh. The
pool area is striking. Everything makes you feel exclusive and top of the
line. Tranquility reigns. A golf course is adjacent to the hotel. Address
Carretera Cabo San Lucas Km. 19.5 | Tel: 4-0030 | Fax: 4-0034
MELIA SAN LUCAS: Cabo San Lucas. 250 rooms / $157-$222. All the conveniences
of a large hotel right on the town beach which is ideal for swimming and
water sports. Plenty of people and non-stop movement. Pretty pool area and
a romantic restaurant right by the beach. Easy walk to town. Address: Playa
Medano | Tel: 3-1000 | Fax: 3-4020 | USA: (800) 336-3542
SOLMAR: Cabo San Lucas. 124 suites / $125-$135 This fishermen's favorite
is right on a glittering expanse of pristine beach near Land's End. You
can watch whales in the distance as you lounge around the friendly pool
and bar. Comfortable, efficient suites have everything you need for romance.
You can walk to town. Address: Domicilio Conocido | Tel: 3-3535 | Fax: 3-0410 | USA: (800) 344-3349
- BEST BUDGET BET:
TROPICANA INN: San Jose del Cabo. Everything is mini-sized,
but all you need is there in a super friendly setting. Small palm lined
pool area. A big restaurant/ sports bar where everybody goes is your dining
room. Great people watching at the sidewalk cafe. 10 minute ride to the
beach. Seconds away from downtown restaurants and shops. Address: Boulevard
Mijares | Tel: 2-1580 | Fax: 2-1590
CANCUN
Miami in Mayaland with plenty of Mexican flavor. This mega resort only a
short flight from Miami has all the comforts of home in a paradisiacal seaside
setting. Turquoise waters border fine white sand beaches, the kind that
travel posters promise but seldom deliver. The sand is coral, so it never
burns your feet. Your choice of hotel is more critical here than elsewhere
as it will dictate your honeymoon lifestyle. There are hundreds of properties
to choose from. We've selected some of the best. Everything but everything
is at your fingertips everywhere. The main Hotel Zone boulevard is lined
on one side by the ocean; on the other by a lagoon. Famous archaeological
sites are a few hours away. One, Ruinas del Rey, an unexcavated site that
makes you feel as if the Mayans left a minute ago, is right in the Hotel
Zone near the newest golf course. This is a place where you pick and choose
from a myriad of options to make each day as you dreamed it.
- HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
Average year round temperature: 80 degrees F. Weather tends to follow that
of Miami.
Distance from the airport: 11 miles
City code: 988
- HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS:
RIDE THE BUS: Busses operate along the Hotel Zone Highway. Some continue
to Cancan City.
OTHER HOTELS: Try their restaurants and beaches.
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Reserve your restaurant. This resort can get crowded.
DAY TRIP to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel if you want a change of pace.
- DON'T MISS:
XCARET: Day trip to this "eco-archaeological" park where you can
swim with dolphins, snorkel to see marine life, visit a museum and enjoy
nature at its finest.
CHRISTINE'S: A Night-on-the-Town at Christine's disco is one to be remembered.
TULUM: Day trip to Tulum, the only walled seaside Mayan City. Stop at hidden
beaches off the main road on the way home.
- ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
BOGART'S: This is the original! The outrageous decor is a Hollywood
Art Director's idea of a Moroccan setting Sit in peacock chairs. Listen
to music played on a white piano Dine to the soft splash of a fountain,
and let nature take its course....
LORENZILLO'S: One of Cancun's first favorites. Reserve a table on
the outside balcony overlooking the water. If you want to add to the romance,
start with drinks around sunset.
CENACOLO: Cancan City. Candlelight, soft
music. Northern Italian specialties in a clean, simple, "hideaway"
setting.
- WHERE TO STAY:
MAROMA RESORT AND SPA
Maroma is a living love story. Make it yours!
Few resorts in the world are as romantic as this deluxe 57 room resort built on 25 acres of unparalleled scenic beauty on Mexico's enchanting "Riviera Maya." It is a perfect paradise for honeymoons and wedding which is easily reached by direct flights to Cancun.
Conceived by lovers, created with love, carved out of the jungle with loving hands and filled with romance, it offers an ideal setting to relax and begin your new life together. World class accommodations and facilities; impeccable personalized service and the utmost in privacy surround you at this idyllic honeymoon hideaway where everything you need to make every moment just as you dreamed it is at your fingertips. A sparkling white sand beach, clear turquoise waters and the world's second largest barrier reef are just outside your door. Maroma is living proof that great things come in small packages!
57 rooms; $225-$1,100 per night depending on the season and type of accommodations chosen. Address: Riviera Maya, 307 Kilometer 51, Quintana Mexico 77710. For brochures, packages and further information, call Toll Free USA
(866)454 9351; (52)998 872-8200; or e mail reservations@maromahotel.com.
Click here to get a first hand look at this perfect honeymoon paradise!
CASA TURQUESA: 31 suites / $275-$500. A strictly deluxe oasis with all the trimmings
including jacuzzis, gym, pool and more. Plush decor that is comfortable
as well as beautiful. A celebrity hideaway. Privacy plus. Boulevard Kukulkan,
Km. 13.5. | Tel: 5-29-24 | Fax: 5-2922 | USA: (800) 634-4644
FIESTA AMERICANA CORAL BEACH: 602 suites / $190-$295. Big but intimate.
Shopping and entertainment action right outside the front door, but you
feel world's apart. Everything is on a large scale that seems to make you
want to be close together. Elegance and privacy in spite of the number of guests.
Address: Boulevard Kukulcan, PO Box 5478 | Tel: 5-1000 | Fax: 5-1800 | USA: (800) Fiesta-1
RITZ CARLTON CANCUN: 369 rooms / $245-$515. This is like being in a
European castle by the sea. You definitely feel like royalty. Two pools,
a fitness center, and marble baths with ocean views are among the posh amenities.
24 hour room service and a 'Your wish is our command' ambience.
Address: Retorno del Rey, lote 36 | Tel: 5-0808 | Fax: 5-1015 | USA: (800) 241-1333
CESAR PARK CANCUN BEACH & GOLF RESORT: 427 rooms / $180-$280. A larger
than life property that makes you feel mite sized. Everything is on a grand
scale. A new championship golf course and a small archaeological site are
just across the street. The restaurant is romantic. You never have to leave
the premises. Tasteful decor makes you feel elegant. Address: Retorno Lacandones,
Km. 17 | Tel: 1-8000 | Fax: 1-8080 | USA: (800) 228-3000
CLUB LAGOON: 89 rooms / $120-$150. On the lagoon with a marina and
beach club. Some rooms have terraces. Get to the bar on stilts overlooking the water at sunset. Enjoy
the laid back, uncrowded atmosphere. Near action packed clubs and restaurants,
but tranquility and privacy plus reign supreme. Go across the street for
the ocean beach. Address: Boulevard Kukulkan Km. 20.5 | Tel: 3-1111 | Fax: 3-4959 | USA: (800) 221-5333
COZUMEL
Mexico's largest island, 28 mi. x 9 mi., is proof that great things can
come in small packages. It is cozy, lovely, laid back and easy easy on the eyes,
easy to get around, easy to love. There is a relaxed, barefoot informality
here that larger resorts lack. It also has many unique features that lovers
love. Reefs around the island have been ranked as one of the world's top
five scuba diving sites. The Mayan language and culture are on display as
the island was isolated from mainland Mexico until relatively recently.
Most of the island is uninhabited. The resort area is on the West Coast
on both sides of the tiny town of San Miguel, pop. 30,000. Snorkeling and
other water sports are also fun due to the fact that water visibility is
amazing. You can stand in the water with a mask and see everything. Everything is easy to find, and there's lots to discover off the beaten path.
- HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
Average year round temperature: 77 degrees F
Distance from the airport: 5 miles
City code: 987
- HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS:
Bring your own snorkel mask so you won't have to wait in line getting fitted
for rentals and so you won't miss any underwater excitment.
Ride the bus to major hotels on both sides of town.
Test drive rental cars or mopeds before you take off. Be especially careful
with mopeds. Do not ride on loose roadside gravel.
Shorts and a tee shirt (not a tank top) will take you just about anywhere
by day; long pants and a shirt will do for the best restaurants and discos.
- DON'T MISS:
CHANKANAAB PARK: Make a day of it for snorkeling, sunning, and cooling off
in the botanical garden, seeing the mini museum and lunching by the sea.
DIVERS can see the sunken plane in front of La Ceiba Hotel. Snorkelers can
top the car almost anywhere, stand in the water, and see the wonder of marine
life.
SAN GERVASIO: See Mayan ruins without having to leave the island.
WALK along the downtown seaside promenade and side streets around sunset.
LAS PALMERAS: Have a meal or a snack here in front of the ferry terminal.
Everyone does.
ISLA DE COZUMEL MUSEUM: Combine seeing the island's history with lunch or
breakfast on the upstairs terrace overlooking the ocean.
- ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:
MORGAN'S: A wood panelled place that was once the old Customs House
and now serves up candlelit dinners in a romantic, nautical decor.
PEPE'S GRILL: A Cozumel institution overlooking the main street and
the Bay.
ACUARIO: Next to the aquarium Refined ambience, somewhat formal for
the island.
DONATELLO'S: Air conditioned, refined atmosphere. Italian cuisine
in a sophisticated setting.
PANCHO'S BACK YARD: A colonial style hideaway with a friendly atmosphere.
Mexican and international cuisine and light snacks.
- WHERE TO STAY:
Everything is right here, but downtown is only a 7 minute ride away.
Address: Carretera Chankanaab 65 | Tel: 2-0322 | Fax: 2-1360
SOL CARIBE: 321 rooms / $125-$140. Big and action packed but beautiful.
Beach is across the street. Shaded gardens link everything. Huge pool. Never
a dull moment unless you want one. This hotel is always on the move. Address:
Playa Paraiso Km. 3.5 | Tel: 2-0555 | Fax: 2-0110
FIESTA AMERICANA COZUMEL REEF: 162 rooms / $128-$154. On the southern
part of the island facing world famous Palancar Reef. Perfect for honeymooners
who like to scuba dive or want to learn. Address: Carretera a Chankanaab
Km. 4.5 | Tel: 2-2622 | Fax: 2-2666 | USA: (800) Fiesta-1
PRESIDENTE: $155-360. Tel: 987-20322 | Fax: 987-21360
- BEST BARGAIN BET
PLAYA AZUL: 65 rooms / $52-$59. Small, sweet and simple No frills on
the beach. No nonsense decor and all facilities. Address: PO Box 31 Playa San Juan | Tel: 2-0199 | Fax: 2-0110
**All hotel rates quoted are approximate. They are subject to taxes and seasonal changes.
They may be much lower if you purchase a package.**
|