Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Kuwait City, Kuwait on March 31st.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Where will we go next? We are going to let YOU decide!

We are quite happy relaxing for the month of October (and possibly a few days more!) and exploring the area around Hacienda Contreras. However we’ve been thinking about where we want to go when we’re ready to move on and we’re going to let you make the choice for us!

Below are three different possible routes. We’ve pretty much decided that we would like to return to Hacienda Contreras for Christmas so all of these three choices include a return to our starting point. We would leave the first week of November, and return mid December. Read over the choices, and leave a comment below (or send us an email) stating which route you would like us to follow! At the end of October, we’ll add up the votes, and we’ll be off on the most popular route!

(I) is our current location, and our return point.

Your first choice is a trip to Mazatlan. We have been to Mazatlan before, for a short visit in February of 2008. However, we have never done the coast south of Mazatlan so we would like to see that. Apparently there are quite a few RV’ing spots on that section of coast. Also, we would again like to visit our friend Lee who lives in Mazatlan. This trip would start out with a visit to Villa Corona Hot Springs which is a good spot for a couple of days, and then visit the city of Tepic. From there, we would take the toll road all the way to Mazatlan. Then, on the return we would go down all the little coastal roads to the coastal villages before heading back to the Hot Springs and then Hacienda Contreras.

Positives: Villa Corona is a fun Hot Springs Water park. And, we would like to see Lee in Mazatlan again. And, the area south of Mazatlan would be new for us.

Negatives: At 1,486 kms (921 miles) this is the longest of the three choices, and probably the most expensive. Also, it’s not a circular route. And, heading to Mazatlan feels like we’re going North!

(H) is our current location, and our return point.

Your second choice is a trip to Puerto Vallarta. We’ve never been to Puerto Vallarta, or the coast south of there to Manzanillo. I have been to Manzanillo before, but Ruth has never been. This trip starts off the same as the first one with a visit to the Villa Corona Hot Springs. From there it continues to Tepic, but then it cuts towards the coast where it heads south to Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. Then just north of Colima, we want to hike up the Colima volcano. We have been to Colima before, but don’t mind visiting again. This route is 1,087 kms (674 miles).

Positives: Villa Corona is a fun Hot Springs Water park. We think this route gives us the most new experiences. We know we would enjoy the climb up the Colima volcano.

Negatives: This route also may be more expensive due to costly RV parking in the Puerto Vallarta area. Puerto Vallarta is more of a resort area, which is not normally our thing.

(H) is our current location, and our return point.

Your third choice includes both beach time and visits to the cities of Uruapan and Patzcuaro. We would head south to Colima, and do the hike up the Colima volcano. Then a side trip to Manzanillo since Ruth has never been there. Then head to the beach community of Maruata, where we would spend at least a week. We’ve been there before, and we love it. Then a toll highway takes us north through the mountains to Uruapan. Near there is a volcano that erupted in the 1940’s and buried several towns. You can still hike to where there is a church buried in lava with only the steeple showing. Both Uruapan and Patzcuaro have a lot to see.

Positives: Maruata is a beautiful beach. And, this is probably the cheapest route, although the distance is the same as choice number two. And, we would probably experience the most Mexican culture on this route.

Negatives: We’ve done most of this route before, the only new experience would be Uruapan and Patzcuaro. We could technically visit these two cities when we leave Hacienda Contreras after Christmas. 

So leave a comment below and tell us which route we should take!

43 comments:

  1. I'm always looking to go to places we haven't seen yet, since there are so many new adventures out there. So, choice 2 sounds the best to me for new experiences. Maybe your friend, Lee, can meet you along the way. They all sound great, so choose what appeals most to you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. stay longer and do all three routes :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I vote for #2..don't know why..just do!..whatever you decide we will be reading along!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We vote #2.

    going where you have not gone before always is my pick. Unless I really really love the place I am considering a return visit.

    #2

    Mark and Lauree
    http://markandlauree.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am going to vote for # 3 only because I love the seashore and it is the cheapest. #2 would be okay but as you said it is a tourist area with cruise ships coming and going and I just would rather a little less crowded conditions, we were in Cancun during the winter so we know what crowds are like. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, you two, I didn't think Mazatlan was that great, but it was from a cruise ship. Puerto Vallarta is my favorite, but the southern route looks most interesting to me, so I vote #3. I still think I would avoid Acapulco, it wasn't fun at all in 2010, everything was closed up and we couldn't even find a good restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I like pretty clear water, so whatever trip will give the most of that is my vote!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd choose #2. It is a circular route and has new places to see. I know for us too the cost vs new sites is a balancing act but I love to see new places. If you asked my hubby he'd probably pick 3, cheaper and time on a good beach fit him perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd have to go with #2 because of wanting to see new areas. But have fun no matter where you end up.

    ReplyDelete
  10. We would choose #3. Leave here in early November while its not too cool at night in the highlands, and enjoy Patzcuaro. Then head south and stop in Uruapan to see the beautiful botanical park at the north edge of the city. Mountain scenery is still great in November. Then as December approaches and it gets cooler at night, head south towards the southern beaches. Sometimes the northern beaches like Mazatlan can be cool in December, but not too often. Then head back here for Christmas, where the nights are really cool and Christmasy, and the days are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a tough decision. I have read all the others and agree....ugh - ok - so I vote #2 also mainly because of the seeing new things - I just hope you can find a relatively cheap place to stay in PV. Can't wait for the pics!

    ReplyDelete
  12. There is a very small RV park in Bucerias north of Puerta Villarta that is very nice and use to be reasonable. I love that area most of all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ok, Sam and I are going to have a split vote....mine is for #2...personally could care less about beaches...but main reason is you would have new adventures. Would rather (to paraphrase) "take the path not traveld before" than a been there done that path.
    Donna W.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I vote for #3.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was relieved to see that you had at least given us the choices. And only three. At first I thought someone was going to have to pipe and and "tell you where to go".

    OK, I vote for the Puerto Vallarta junket. (#2)

    At first I thought you guys had been to PV, but then I realised I was confused with someone else. Who me? Confused?

    George was able to find free parking not too far from the city.
    I can't add the attribute to get that to open in a new window, just so you know.
    If you go to that site, and rummage around in the days before and after, you may get a pretty good idea about parking spots.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I agree stay longer and do all of them however if only one is to be chosen then I vote #2!!!
    Have fun whatever you choose!
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  17. No question, #3. We have been over all the routes and #3 offers more of the culture and less touristy areas. Patzcuaro and Uruipan are great for walking/hiking. Of course we love the interior. Oaxaca is our favourite spot and the drive there from the coast is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would go with #3 new places will allways have that "did you see that"
    feeling.stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. #2 all the way....PV is a fab place....:) enjoy and behave because we'll be following along with you...I look at where you are right now and I almost drool...your spot is lovely...expensive per night????
    hugs to you both

    ReplyDelete
  20. Go where you want to go....do what you want to do....sounds like a song I remember!
    I always want to see places I haven't been......as that is where the adventure starts!! You tend to feel to safe repeating the known.

    ReplyDelete
  21. HMMMMMMMMMM.

    NOT FAIR....you presented #1 with much lesser enthusiasm as the other two choices. Did you forget that we would also be in the Mazatlan area????

    This in not my official vote but a mere thought...if you have not ye been to Patzcuaro and area then what is the point of being in Mexico!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gosh, I have trouble enough making my own decisions...ha ha! OK..#3
    Have fun which ever you choose...I look forward to sharing your adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Have you considered going down into Belize and Mexico now that you don't have the problems of taking Whiskey over the borders ?

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would suggest number 1 if you threw in Lake El Salto. I would love to see Lake El Salto near Mazatlan. Huge bass fishing they seem to have there.

    http://www.basselsalto.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anyone would be a great adventure, we spent two months on Stone Island (peninsula actually) just south of Mazatlan and love the miles of beautiful unspoiled beaches and small village.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Option #2 try not to spend too much time in the tourist area, but sometimes they aren't that bad.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Maybe I am being selfish but I vote for Mazatlan! If all goes well, I will be visiting Mazatlan, San Blas and the coast all the way to Puerto Vallarta from November 1st on. I'd enjoy meeting you guys in person!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It looks like #2 would give you the most new sights for the time, so that's what I recommend for you. Personally, my wife and I tend to shun larger cities and prefer the beaches, scenery, and wildlife, so for me, I'd pick 3#. That campground sure looks nice and we may try to stop by after we leave Celestino.

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  29. Puerto Vallarta seems too commercial to me.
    I vote for #3 and I actually see where my husband left a message and also voted for #3. Amazing. He never even told me he left a msg.
    We have never been to any of them but I have been told that Maruata is awesome with the beaches! We love beaches.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Kevin & Ruth! Ok, ok I will share my choice and it is #2. Really enjoy your blog, check it every day! Alison

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think Choice #1, because you have a friend to visit, and I think you go through San Blas to get there. My husband lived in San Blas for six months in the '60's, and never stopped remembering how beautiful it was! I'd love to see pics of it! Thanks for taking us with you to Mexico, I look forward to seeing where you are every morning. Also, my condolences on the loss of your beautiful Whiskey.

    ReplyDelete
  32. #2 seems a good option.
    Keep up with the great blog.

    Rob

    ReplyDelete
  33. Of course it has to be #2...the route that gives you the most new experiences!

    ReplyDelete
  34. We vote for option 3, go to some of the lesser travelled routes and it heads you further south on the coast.
    Doug & Nancy B.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I vote for the second route as it has the most new experiences.

    ReplyDelete

There are more comments on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TravelwithKevinAndRuth

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.