winter vacation

[10tigers]

hello all

just wondering about the relative pricing difference between a vacaton to Cozunal/tulum during Christmas/new years and a less busy time of the year.
I live on the East Coast and tickets to Cancun are very high this time of year.

Is it worth it to hold out? THe price for flights are way cheaper in March.
How about diving and lodging costs? Are they higher during the winter holiday season?

thanks

 

[scubawife]

We've been going to Akumal in early December for 4 years. We go sometime after Thanksgiving and just before the Christmas high-season prices kick in. The prices do go way up from about Dec 18th-Jan 7th. As an example, the 3bdrm condo we stay is is $145/nt 5/1-12/18, then it jumps to $355 12/19-1/4, and down to $250 1/4-4/30. It's very quiet between Thanksgiving and Xmas, which we like.

I don't know about Coz at that time. This year we're spending 4 days in Coz and then 5 in Akumal, so we'll see. Since the cruise ships are there year around, I don't know that the crowd in town will be any different, but we're hoping that the number of people in the hotels and diving is a bit lighter.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Some of the hotels in Coz charge a bit more..not much. Boat diving prices do not change. Last year I was in Coz both at Christmas and then again the last week of Feb first week of March.Diving was great , as usual,both time and the weather was actually a bit better the last week of Feb.

If you are interested in Feb,let me know as I am trying to put together a group so as we have our own boat. If you are going in March PM me any way.

Ron

 

[loudives]

xmass new year and spring break which is march 1 untill after easter are the most expensive times of the year. Scubawife is right the weeks between Thanksgiving and xmass are more reasonable as are Jan 5 to the end of the month. Feb prices for air fare and hotels start to creep up and continue high untill after Easter. If you are flexable and can wait, and sometimes not go at all, all the charter operators reduce the price about 3-4 weeks before departure for unsold inventory. Problem is you must check the web site 3 times a day and be ready to buy "right now" when the price comes down. Everyone is waiting for the good price and there are only x seats. Fly into cancun is cheaper than coz "more competition" and better flight times, but reg airlines don't discount very much for last min. You can buy air only with the charters if you want a specific hotel or timeshare. Many smaller locally owned hotels do not raise prices at these times of year but you don't have the amenities of the resorts. Many small hotels around downtown San Miguel Cozumel you can get from 40-100 a night year round. They are clean and friendly and any good dive operator can suggest a couple. Staying downtown lets you sample all the great little cafe's and night life without taxi or car rental. No pools-bars-resturants on site but quant and everything walking distance. Xmass-Feb 1 there might be a cool front come thru and drop the temp down to 65 and create high seas for a day or 2. Average during that time is 80 with water temp 75-80. Starts to warm up in march mid to upper 80's with water temp 78-82. April-Nov. hot

 

[10tigers]

thanks guys

been checking around
flights to Cancun are 750-850 in late Dec. Way to high in my opinion

I can get a ticket to Bangkok for 1000 during the same time.

I can't justify Cozumel when I can get to Southern Thailand for 200 bucks more. And the cost is made up due to how cheap Thailand is.

May have to save Cozumel for next Sept or something. I'll try and catch a good deal down the road.

 

[Ron Brandt]

thanks guys

been checking around
flights to Cancun are 750-850 in late Dec. Way to high in my opinion

I can get a ticket to Bangkok for 1000 during the same time.

Where do you live? I thought prices were high where I am.

Ron

 

[diveborg]

Is it worth it to hold out? THe price for flights are way cheaper in March.
How about diving and lodging costs? Are they higher during the winter holiday season?

If you are going to book a trip, do it as soon as possible, air fares are only going to go up with the rising cost of jet fuel.

Costs for diving are the same throughout the year, it is just the availability of popular dive operators is limited during high season, so plan ahead.

Lodging rates are higher during high season, especially for condos/villas. As far as the big hotels/resorts, who can understand their formulas for maximizing revenue. I saw what I think is the Occidental Grand on Hotwire for a week in December for 2 adults at $151 a night which is a pretty good price.

 

[10tigers]

I live in Philly and was astonished that it was over 700 to Cancun. So I went to Chinatown and scored a 1000 ticket to Thailand!!! It's more money but I know I can get trips to Mexi cheaper some other time.
So now I have to rework my mind and think of Chang beer and curry instead of Cervezas and fish tacos.
I'm super excited. I love Thailand , it's where i got certified.
Time to switch to the Asia forum!
Cheers