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 Travel & Outdoors | December 2006 
Christmas Wish: A Trip to Mexico
 Karla Barnes - The Times-News
| | Anyone who can locate the Google or MSN home page can book a trip to Mexico on the Internet. |
If the thought of getting away from it all entices you, why not make your Christmas wish become reality for you and someone you love? Booking a trip to Mexico is just a click away on your computer, or a phone call away if you're not wired to the Internet.
If you're uncertain about how to make your wish come true, let me guide you through the process of deciding where to go and how to get there.
The options for a trip to Mexico are endless. You need to make a geographical decision - which region of Mexico you would like to visit? You can appreciate some time on the beach in Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta, or party till the sun goes down in Cabo, the choice is up to you. Adventure travelers may delight in the beaches and Mayan Pyramids on the Yucatan Peninsula, or a trip to one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City. For the senior traveler who yearns to go south, a train ride through the breathtaking Copper Canyon would be enjoyable.
The choice is up to you. If I had my way, I would choose a trip to the Yucatan. The white sandy beaches and blue water will mesmerize your spirit and the Mayan culture will send your mind spinning with thoughts of the amazing people who flourished in this region hundreds of years ago.
Anyone who can locate the Google or MSN home page can book a trip to Mexico on the Internet. Hundreds, if not thousands of sites, attempt to lure you to their pages to check out what they have to offer. The deals I found today will probably not be available when you go to book, but they will help to lead you in the right direction.
Log on and check out www.sidestep.com. This is a fun site that moves quickly. You can choose your departure city and destination, plug in your dates and you are searching your options within minutes. Flights are fun and fast to check on this site and you can also find vacation packages that are sometimes unbelievable. I found a two-star Cancun hotel for seven nights with round trip air for $640 per person, and a three-star for $895. Taxes and airport fees are often additional, but sometimes are plugged into the prices listed.
Another fun site is www.pleasantholidays.com. This site has some great deals and options that you should spend a little time checking out. Those with the idea of going next week might consider visiting www.lastminutetravel.com for more great vacation bargains.
Visitors to Mexico should be savvy when deciding on any package deal. Check details to see if your trip price includes air. Also, gain an understanding for trip lingo. For example, all-inclusive means a room with food and drinks, European means your room only, no food. When my husband and I travel to Mexico, we are often gone from the hotel for the majority of time, so the European plan works best for us.
Before you book anything, check out the deals you find on trip advisor.com, see what other travelers have to say about the hotel you are considering. Don't accept their comments as gospel, but this site tends to be helpful when choosing a hotel.
Keep in mind that some deals are routed out of Los Angeles, Miami or Houston. Be sure you know what you are getting before booking on the Internet. I like to call the company and ask a few questions before giving out any billing information.
With these tips in mind, you and your loved one could be basking in the sun on Valentine's Day while your neighbors are freezing here in Idaho.
There is nothing like Mexico to soothe your spirit after enduring a long, cold Idaho winter. If this is your wish for Christmas, wait no longer. Surf the Web for some great vacation ideas, or call a local travel agent and get some help finding your way to paradise.
Karla Barnes of Burley and her husband are frequent visitors to Mexico. |
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