Cabo vs. Maui

[leakypipeDCI]

I have a companion ticket voucher anywhere Alaska flies and am torn between Maui and Cabo. We've been to Maui and love it, and we know what to expect. Never been to Cabo but I hear the all-inclusives there are great. Opinions?

[Phatbastard]

I've been to Maui and, while we liked it I don't have a burning desire to go back. I have a time share ( yea, I know) just outside Cabo and we go almost every year. We like the area so much we bought some land and are building a house - near La Ribera on the East Cape.

You don't say when but I'd hit Cabo November through May. The summer's down there get pretty brutal temp wise. The trade off is that's when the fishing and surfing are at their best. If you are into the party animal scene downtown Cabo is lots of fun but I've outgrown that a bit. We really like the San Jose Del Cabo area- just east of Cabo San Lucas, actually where the airport is. A bit more laid back, great restaurants and the "classic" old mexican town feel.

We've done the all inclusives in Cancun and we used them for breakfast, lunch and drinks. AI dinners are about as skip-tastic as they come. In an area like Cabo and San Jose with so many great restaurants from world class eateries to best ever taco stands there is no way I'd eat dinner at an AI even with it being included.

[leakypipeDCI]

Thanks. Puerto Vallarta is another option but I know as little about that location as I do Cabo. It would be in December.

A little worried about the violence in Baja but from what I can read it's more in the border towns.

[Phatbastard]

We've gone to PV once but we stayed north of town in Punta de Mita. We loved it and would go back in a heartbeat but know nothing about being in PV proper.

There is crime in Cabo as there is everywhere else in the world. Pretending it's not there is just not smart but the type of crime is not the cartel violence that makes all the news. We've walked through all of downtown Cabo and some of the outlying areas at all hours and never felt unsafe.

[salsanacho]

I've been to Cabo, Maui, and PV. If my goal was to relax on the beach, I would not go back to Cabo or PV. I can't stand the numerous folks walking along the beach selling crap, it absolutely ruins what could be a relaxing beach. If you want to do a lot of partying and random activities (like parasailing or ATVing), then PV and Cabo has a lot of options for those. that said, if you've never been to Cabo, i'd go there before going to PV. I liked the town better and I enjoyed my time there.

[Phatbastard]

I would not go back to Cabo or PV. I can't stand the numerous folks walking along the beach selling crap, it absolutely ruins what could be a relaxing beach.

So much of that depends on where you stay. If you are on the town beaches - Medano in Cabo for ex - that can be an issue. Out where we are, Hacienda Encantada just east of town, there are never any hawkers. But I'd have to say that walking anywhere in town you spend a lot of time saying "no, gracias". Don't get me started on the timeshare salesmen at the airport. I've almost got into fights with them everytime I go. Problem is, it's an issue at any Mexican resort town you go to.

[Ryan D]

A friend of mine has been going to the all inclusive places in Cancun the past few summers and absolutely loves it.

[leakypipeDCI]

I have heard a lot about Cancun, but unfortunately it isn't an option as Alaska doesn't fly direct there.

Leaning against Mexico in general know due to not having phone access with our two kids staying with the grandparents.

Big Island, Maui, or Oahu?

We both went to Maui for ten days a couple years ago and loved it, but I'm intrigued by the volcanoes on TBI. I went to Oahu for my senior trip but didn't see much while I was there, wife wants to avoid tourists as much as possible.

So, probably going to end up going to Maui again but will need to find new activities besides laying on the beach and drinking.

[salsanacho]

If you haven't seen the volcano park on TBI, go there... I found it ridiculously neat, it's like a different world walking around all the old lava flows and craters and stuff. Reminded me of the grand canyon, where it looks so different that it almost looks fake, but obviously it's not.

[Ryan D]

I have heard a lot about Cancun, but unfortunately it isn't an option as Alaska doesn't fly direct there.

Leaning against Mexico in general know due to not having phone access with our two kids staying with the grandparents.

I mentioned his Cancun experience because I'm sure that the all inclusive places in Cabo are going to yield a similar experience.

[Mariella79]

Hmmm... tough call... I'm going to Maui later this year, and counting down the days. Maui appeals to me because it's as safe as the mainland U.S. and I don't need any special vaccines if I go there.

Plus, I get restless and love to get out and explore without worrying too much about whether or not an area is safe to drive or hike in etc.

I've been trying to plan my trip and am looking at these things to do in Maui

Obviously I can't afford to do them all, but it's a good starting point.

Anyhow, if you've already been to Maui and love it, why not go back? You know you'll have a great time there.

On the other hand, if buying the airline ticket on your own would cost a lot more for the trip to Cabo compared to a ticket to Maui, then maybe it's worth being adventurous and trying something new...

[leakypipeDCI]

Ended up booking Mauithis weekend. Staying at a condo I found on Napili Bay through VRBO.com which is a little north of Ka'anapali where we stayed before and looks amazing. Can't wait!

[landon]

The wife and I went to Maui on our honeymoon two years ago, we had a blast. Last summer we went to Playa del Carmen (we stayed at an all inclusive in Playacar) and we will not be going back. Cancun/Playa del Carmen is beautiful, but it is PACKED with tourists. I didn't care for the all inclusive resort idea at all. The beaches in Playa were super packed as was the pool, ALL the time.

We are going to go back to Maui early next year (whale season). We stayed in a condo in Maui, right on the ocean, had a car, and had a blast. If you are looking to "party" I don't think Maui is the greatest destination, but that is not our thing, and that is probably why we love Maui so much.