so I am planning a 20 year anniversary trip for my wife and I. I am looking for advice from people who have done both. Is the beauty/attractions of Hawaii worth paying double vs going to Mexico or the Caribbean for about 1/2 the cost?
Hawaii vs. Mexico/Caribbean
- Thread starter VilleCat_rivals377292
- Start date
Juarez.
I'd fly down to El Paso, then rent a car and go to Juarez. You can't get more of a Mexican experience than Juarez. Trust me.
Hawaii was the prolly the worst trip of my life. Hated it. Take your family to Juarez.
I'd fly down to El Paso, then rent a car and go to Juarez. You can't get more of a Mexican experience than Juarez. Trust me.
Hawaii was the prolly the worst trip of my life. Hated it. Take your family to Juarez.
So unlimited Sunscreen and crack on the beach? Sweet
if Mexico has the whole Caribbean on it's side then no way Hawaii stands a chance. that's a mismatch from hell. Hawaiians are like a bunch of peace loving somoan eskimos. Mexicans know how to get down and dirty. plus Obama. so Hawaii would get smoked.
There are no beaches in Juarez. There's enough to do in Old Boys Town and New Boys Town to exhaust that need.
And you can get crack anywhere.
If you are worried about the cost of Hawaii, then scrap it and go elsewhere. Maui was the best trip of my life 3 yrs ago...expensive but who cares...it is Maui. Can't wait to go back in 2 yrs.
Was stationed at ft. Bliss years ago and absolutely loved Juarez. I second vacationing there and it's super cheap!
I am sure you are right, just wanted to make sure it's worth the $7000, I have never been to either. Maui is where I was planning on.
Thanks!
We topped out at $6500 or so 3 yrs ago, and that was with free flights. But we were there 10 days and pretty much did all we intended to do.
Maui is a great time. Plenty to do while also relaxing. Never been to Mexico beaches but I can't imagine it comparing to Maui.
Things you have to do:
Road to Hana - Google it. Takes most of the day.
7 Pools - again, google it.
Bamboo Forest - Pathway through it that leads to a waterfall you can sit under if it is dry season.
Snorkel Molokini.
Great info, will definitely try those activities. I appreciate it!
I remember spending $15K on a full cultural submersion. I went into aborigine plateau in Australia in 2002. It was pretty cool. They gave me a name. Which was was 3 clicks upper lip. Pretty cool
You forgot biking down Haleakalā. It's the volcano. You bike down hill, it's awesome. The fresh pineapple is something you can kill over. It's like crack.
Vote here for Maui. Land of the Gods. Snorkeling with dolphins, amazing. Stayed in Lahina.
If you are going on this trip to party, then Mexico it is. I have been to Hawaii 5 times and Mexico numerous times, but for many, Hawaii is a once in a lifetime experience. It's hard to beat Hawaii for the beauty and serenity.
Aruba
Not Hawaii expensive...but close (if you like to eat & drink well...and gambol) -- but much easier to get to.
Amazing island.
Not Hawaii expensive...but close (if you like to eat & drink well...and gambol) -- but much easier to get to.
Amazing island.
I haven't been to either yet, but if I were I would have to consider travel time as well. I did a search and it looks like it takes between 13 and 20 hours to get to Maui depending on stops and layovers. It was around 4 1/2 hours to about 9 to get to the Bahamas (just an example). So on average it is probably 10 hours more travel time to get to Maui. You basically lose 2 days in travel time. Depending on how long you are staying that is quite a bit of lost time. I think I would choose the closer trip that costs half as much, but that is just how I am.
Coming back is worse because you lose 6-8 hours. But going down you can leave early in the morning and get there in the early afternoon.
been to cayman islands, turks and caicos, aruba, riviera maya.
IMO:
cayman islands (ritz carlton): best water and hotel
turks (the somerset): best beach, most chill
riviera maya (zoetry): great value
aruba - hated it. infested with iguana's and really really windy
IMO:
cayman islands (ritz carlton): best water and hotel
turks (the somerset): best beach, most chill
riviera maya (zoetry): great value
aruba - hated it. infested with iguana's and really really windy
Go through Airbnb. Much cheaper. I spent about 16 days there back in the spring. Flight for two and beach front condo was under $5,000. If you're taking kids then nevermind.
Resort >>> beach front condo in Maui if you want to be pampered. Prefer the Wailea-Makena area for more consistent weather and easy access to anywhere on the island.
If no kids, then that helps w/ your choices for accomodations...lean towards a more adult theme vs. one w/ a ton of activities such as Grand Wailea.
We stayed here...http://www.fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui/
If you golf, then golf in Wailea is superb and even though Kapalua gets the ratings, there are better courses.
As mentioned before, 1001 things to do...Hana, Mt. Haleakula, snorkeling galore, Lahaina (historic shopping/art)
Food snobbery is a must...and this place is one of the best anywhere...http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/restaurant/
And the best Mai-Tai on the island...http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/restaurant/
Snorkeling...use Trilogy...https://www.sailtrilogy.com/
If no kids, then that helps w/ your choices for accomodations...lean towards a more adult theme vs. one w/ a ton of activities such as Grand Wailea.
We stayed here...http://www.fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui/
If you golf, then golf in Wailea is superb and even though Kapalua gets the ratings, there are better courses.
As mentioned before, 1001 things to do...Hana, Mt. Haleakula, snorkeling galore, Lahaina (historic shopping/art)
Food snobbery is a must...and this place is one of the best anywhere...http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/restaurant/
And the best Mai-Tai on the island...http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/restaurant/
Snorkeling...use Trilogy...https://www.sailtrilogy.com/
Been to the caribbean and the beaches of Mexico probably 10 times, been to Hawaii twice. But the nicest place i have been to is Turks and Caicos. Hawaii was lovely, Aruba was great, But if given a free vacation to any of those three, it would be Turks and Caicos hands down!
Have been to the Riviera Maya several times and done the all-inclusive deal. I have stayed at several highly regarded resorts with ridiculous rooms and have never spent more than 5k. I haven't shopped Hawaii as my wife hates to fly and that's a trip we'll do later on in life. Only real downfall that I see to Hawaii is the travel time.
And a fair warning about the Rivera Maya. The ENTIRE Yucatan Peninsula has been affected by a seaweed problem. It's pretty well documented and biologists are actually blaming the cleaning solution used in the BP oil spill for the issue. But it affects certain parts worse than others and I'd do some research on that.
And a fair warning about the Rivera Maya. The ENTIRE Yucatan Peninsula has been affected by a seaweed problem. It's pretty well documented and biologists are actually blaming the cleaning solution used in the BP oil spill for the issue. But it affects certain parts worse than others and I'd do some research on that.