mexico or cuba | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

taking the husband south. leaning to Mexico, we like to explore. He is a non-drinker. is the water in Mexico still a concern?
rip

What is it you are looking for in your vacation? Comparing Mexico to Cuba is like comparing apples to oranges.

Jake, eh

I’m going to Cuba for the 4th time in March and was in Mexico for the 1st time 2 years back. I think I like Cuba better b/c of the value for the $$. Cuba was cleaner, better service and seemed more remote. Mind you when we were in Mexico we did more off the resort as there seemed to be more people off the resorts, although I think Cuba is safer. Mexico seemed to offer more off the resorts then Cuba, although I always went to more remote areas in Cuba such as Holguin and Santa Maria. We are going to Varadero in March and I think if offers more things off the resort such as easy to get taxis and public transit.
What I found about Cuba is it’s still different then how we do things in Canada while Mexico had a little of the Canada and USA feel to it. I guess it really depends what you are looking for.

Jake, eh

Yes, toilet seats can be few and far between and you will have attendants handing out toilet paper (for a tip) but listen. You have a "snap-on liver" Maybe you should come up with a "snap-on "something else" for those other "inconvenient" times.

And you also went to the wrong resort when it comes to the food. I know cuz I’ve been to the resort you went to.

Yes, everyone knows you don’t go to Cuba for the food, but there is decent food at some of the other resorts. We actually lose weight when we go to Cuba but it’s not a bad thing but we always manage to find something to eat – and we also got real top-shelf liquors, unlike what we got in the DR or the MR.

In Cuba we didn’t see any more guards with machine guns than what we have seen in Mexico and the Dominican Republic (where they are quite prolific).

Suntan said it best, though. Cuba is Cuba. Mexico has a lot of North American influence to it.

Either way, rip, let us know what you are looking for in a vacation and there’s plenty of us who would be happy to help you out!

Jake, eh

Jake, eh

Good boy, Jake, good boy!

I think you will find all you are looking for in April at the SHINEY NEW RESORT.

Fingers and toes crossed shirleyujest, fingers and toes crossed ;). I just hope we too don’t end up in an "older group" atmosphere…like "someone" else did ::).

Note for Jake: have you ever been to a public washroom in Europe? You have to pay for those services too most of the time and really, they don’t need the money there!

I’m going back to Mexico this year, and I think we’ll go back to Jamaica next time, so I don’t get caught up in the middle again…

Jake, eh

Helloooo, Jake…that’s so 1970’s and "take me to Cuba" hijackings ;D ;D. Yes, we saw these guards you refer to way back in ’78 and our first visit to Cuba when you flew into Havana. Trust me, things have come a long way from those days, baby. Mind you, they still have attendants in the washrooms, but they do in some European countries, also so that’s not a Cuba exclusive

As for food, again much maligned and really based on the resorts you choose to stay at. I’m betting lower stars in Mexico aren’t offering haute cuisine

In Playa del Carmen, Mexico you will find Mexican soldiers/guards carrying machine guns while patrolling down 5th Avenue.

I agree totally. I have seen the soldiers on 5th Ave myself. I just found it strange after going to Jamaica, and being greeted by smiling faces and being offered rum-punch ;D, then to step off a plane in Cuba and be greeted by guards with machine guns (in the late 80’s :P)……I guess it’s just me ::).

As far as the food item goes, we stayed at a Super-Club each time, I don’t think they are rated below 4 stars, but "for me" the food certainly was, and yes you can find poor food in Mexico, but you can also find it right here at home. I just choose not to frequent those spots :).

Jake, eh

On a more serious note, travelling outside this country is a major eye opener as to how other people have to live. We, on this forum, have the luxury of being able to travel to Cuba and/or Mexico when most of the citizens of those countries are unable go beyond their own borders. I say, which ever the OP decides on, they can’t go wrong

Jake, eh

Jake, eh

Well, if you are going to be so magnanimous, I’ll follow your lead and agree with you ;D ;D Here’s to taking today as it comes which, for me, means sorting and organizing my stuff for our upcoming Cuba trip

Thank you everyone for your comments. I think the food comments tipped the balance. We are off to Cancun, got a deal at an adults only. Our first time without kids so why holiday with everyone elses’. rip

Jake, eh

Thanks for getting back to us, rip. Congrats on booking! Hope you’ll come back with a trip review of the resort you chose. BTW – which resort DID you choose?

Jake, eh

Jake, eh

Jake, eh

So, is this Nova Scotia spelling. I know it can be spelled this way but have never seen it done before.

Jake, my friend, you should always start looking over your shoulder when a woman concedes to you. My hubby learned that many years ago ;D ;D

RIP, I’m glad you’ve come to a decision and I hope you have a great time. Everyone has their own mind set when it comes to vacations. The negative comments about food, that continue to plague Cuba, should be taken in the same context as "I won’t go to Mexico because it isn’t safe". You chose Mexico over Cuba because of the food and I fall in the latter category and choose Cuba over Mexico for my impression that Mexico isn’t safe. Mind you, I had friends (couple leaving a nice restaurant) held up at gun point whilst vacationing in Mexico so this tends to skew my perspective

As long as the destination we choose makes us happy and relaxed, that’s all that matters in the end.
p.s. good choice on adults only

Jake, eh

I heard that!