rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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For those of you who have been to both areas, could you share the differences, likes and dislikes of the two areas. This is totally subjective and I greatly value the differences in opinions. This not a bash of another person's opinion. We are talking the Gulf of Mexico and the West Coast South of PV.
Just excited about going to both coast this winter and interested in opinions of the areas. Not everyone likes AZ, but we do. I expect the same of the two areas. Greatest value is in those campers that have been to both areas. We could not compare AZ to No. Dakota as we have never been to No. Dakota.
Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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arizonadesertbrat
Mt Pleasant, TX
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Joined: 08/20/2008
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First off, Roc, let me say that you have been very helpful to me planning future trips to Rocky Point/Kino/El Golfo. Thank you....
I have been coast to coast and much prefer the west. The Pacific/Sea of Cortez beaches, waters, sky's, sunsets are much prettier (to me) than the east coast. Again, like you, I am not bashing, just stating my opinion.
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geewiz
Canada & Mexico
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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We have been up and down both coasts and the Baja.
The swimming in Sonora, Kino and the Baja was a a little cold for us.
Didn't get past Melaque on the Pacific, and I hear there are some nice spots further down. We spent two winters in Lo de Marcos, a small town north of Puerto Vallarta, close to R. de Guyabitos and La Penita. Nice mix of small town Mexico with RVers. We almost settled there, but were lured to check out the other side.
We visited several popular places on the Gulf - Emerald Coast, Vera Cruz, Catemaco, and Isla Aguada and all had some appeal but we found the Gulf water and beaches to be murky. Then we got to Paa Mul on the Caribbean and spent most of the winter.
The biggest contrast east, west, Gulf, and Baja are the beaches. We both prefer the open water to pools. The Pacific had some nice beaches, but the ocean was aggressive and sometimes violent. The Caribbean, short of hurricanes, is very inviting.
So that is where we are returning. We will continue to visit interior colonial cities on the way down and up. Much more to see.
It is all good.
Glen & Susan
and our mascot, Pippin
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keelhauler1
Cleveland, OH
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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By East Coast, if you mean the Emerald Coast there is no comparison to the West coast.
We travel both coasts because the East coast is on our way to the West coast. We start the West coast near Huatulco, then work North until we run out of time.
This year, because of all I've read about the Mayan Riviera we are going to head to the Yucatan.
I'll write a blog with photos, but it looks like it might be similar to my love of Roatan and the cayes off of Belize.
I am a scuba diver and kayaker so the coral reefs appeal to me. No coral or good diving on the West coast. Just beautiful beach camping.
John
My 2008 Mexico Blog
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derbycitygrays
Louisville
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Joined: 03/16/2008
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We covered parts of both Coasts last year and had a great time. First, we went down the east side with stops in La Pesca, Nautla, Catemaco (which isn't on the beach but is close) Coatzacoalos. La Pesca had a very nice beach with very blue waters and a nice beach break but the rest of the Gulf had sort of murky water and the further south we went, the calmer the water... sort of what we expected. Catemaco was one of the highlights of our trip with lots of side trips. Nautla had lots of Restaraunts and was sort of Touristy aimed at Mexicans - not Americans like in Cancun so it was still interesting. Coatzacoalos was a port town and other than a main drag down the malecon there wasn't a lot to get excited about.
On the Pacific side, we stopped in Huatulco, Zipolite, Puerto Escondido and Acapulco. Of these, we found Huatulco to be a developing version of Cancun full of all-inclusive resorts catering to people that flew in on charter jets and never left the resort unless they were on a guided tour... not our kind of people. Zipolite had a lot of hippie types and drop outs from the world lured by easy access to pot, mushrooms and coke plus it is legal to walk completely nude on the beach there... That sounds harsh but our children were with us and those factors were so subtle (we only saw one nude guy and he was so pathetically fat that he was more of a joke) that they were oblivious... Despite what I said, the laid back attitude was contagious and overall it was our favorite place. Next was Puerto Escondido which had some of the same problems without the nudity - maybe little more petty crime and more of a surfer vibe. Acupulco was a big, big city stuck on the ocean and we thought the beach was a little dirty (trash and cigarette butts)...
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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derbycitygrays,
Excellent details! MORE, MORE, MORE! I want more including subjective opinions. Again this is not a bash and I recognize people have different opinions about a location.
Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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Ed White
Kelowna, BC, Canada
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Joined: 01/30/2001
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If you like spending time in the ocean, there's simply no contest. The Mayan Riviera (Paa Mul) provides lovely clear, warm, tropical waters. A unique environment.
That having been said, after 2 years at Paa Mul, we are going to Lo de Marcos this winter, mainly because 2 sets of friends who join us find the long drive to the Yucatan to be too stressful. As beach people we know we will miss the Caribbean, but we're going to give it our best shot on the West Coast.
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derbycitygrays
Louisville
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The whole trip is on a blog our 11 yr (10 then) old put together...
www.ourtriptomexico.blog.com
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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Hey Rocmoc,
The east coast roads are not nearly as good as the highways on the Pacific side at least until you get to near Veracruz. The weather can be schizophrenic blasting hot and humid one day and then chilly and raining the next. The coastline is a lot different too; More swamps in the north, mud instead of sand in others, and on the whole it can be more frustrating to find a really nice place. Veracruz is OK if you like the congestion, but the nearby beaches there are in my opinion fine.
Catemaco lake is very nice, I enjoyed it and the town very much. But when I neared Villahermosa I was disappointed in the dirty beaches, nearby oilfield structures and generally trashy conditions.
From Campeche onward the whole flavor drifts more upscale. Although I much prefer the sand on the caribbean side on Yucatan peninsula (I cannot imagine finding better beach conditions anywhere), the Gulf of Mexico side is just fine. The sand is yellow, the water is green, and the prices are about one-fourth of what they will be on caribbean beaches.
But here and there further north you will find nice places to camp but they won't be as plentiful as they seem to be on the Pacific side.
Hope This Helps
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SIX PENCE
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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Joined: 09/29/2002
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Last winter we circumnavigated MX, crossing at Brownsville, TX, down the Emerald or Gulf coast, to Cancun to Paa Mul, up to San Cristobal, over the mountains to the Pacific coast at Port Angel, then on north to Acapulco, PV, Mazatlan, San Carlos and re=entered at Nogales.
Biggest difference between east and west coast is price. Everything was more costly on the west coast. With the high cost of diesel last winter 95% of the CG's and RV Parks had plenty of spaces availaable with the exception of Paa Mul and La Penita. With the current exchange rate, 13.5 pesos to the dollar, Mexico will be packed. Many seasonal places already sold out. Many Canadians do the 6 month thing and are already there. Check out the website ontheroadin. We had perfect weather the whole 3 months. Electricity never totally reliable but better on the west coast. Our Data Storm Moto Sat gave us internet everywhere we were. From PV north on the Pacific coast it seems there are more gringoes than Mexicans. We like it all, also the interior historic citiies like San Migel Allende, El Fuerte take the Copper Canyon train trip and leave the rig with Bill in El Fueert, his significant other will care for your animals you can leave in the rig. More flat water on the east, more waves on the west.
Capt. Bob & Pat (Alaska,Mexico, lower 48 & all of Canada)
Guard Dog, Curly the Cairn & Toby the Lahsa
Dutch Star DP 4097 2003
2005 Sport Trac
Datastorm Motosat (Locator #1974)(Internet & TV
"A moving target is harder to hit."
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