TopDawg Travel

Our perception in the United State of our southern neighbor, Mexico, is that it is a land of sunshine, beaches and all-inclusive resorts.  Say “Mexico ” and ‘food’, one thinks of spicy foods, chili peppers, tequila and margaritas by the sea.  Say “Mexico ” and ‘shopping’ and we think of open markets, pottery and festive blankets.  Say “Mexico ” and ‘fiestas’ and we think of brightly clothed dancers and piñatas. 

But today’s Mexico is far more than those cliché perceptions.    Recent travel surveys indicate that Mexico is the number one vacation destination for travelers from the United States.  In 2005 Mexico welcomed 22.2 million visitors, with approximately 83% visiting from the USA.  From lavish haciendas and rich cultural attractions to stunning beaches and leisure facilities, Mexico has numerous attractions for the US tourist. 

I have reached a point where I have to make a decision.  Do I take my short vacation and visit Mexico and if I do, where in Mexico do I go?  Do we visit the Mexican Riviera or the eastern side of Mexico for the Yucatan, Cozumel, Cancun and the Riviera Maya?  Or do I choose an entirely different country?   Deciding how to maximize the 5 tp 7 days I have for a vacation is probably the biggest part of the planning of this trip.  So, how do I cram everything I want and need in my vacation into the actual trip and still get some desperately needed rest and relaxation? These are the issues I intend to address over the next four weeks as I plan my vacation. 

You can come along with me on this planning excursion and hopefully I will address some of the very same concerns you have as I work through this process.  Now you may think that I, as a professional travel consultant, do not have the same issues and concerns that the average person heading out on a vacation to Mexico may have.  But nothing is further from the truth.  I have only been to Mexico twice.  Those visits were over 20 years ago.  Things have changed and so have I.  So instead of pretending to know what I am doing with this vacation, I thought to take you along, albeit vicariously, as I plan the trip and embark upon my vacation.   My decision making process, my arm-chair explorations of the different locales, my packing and planning, my decisions on where to stay and what to see are all going to be documented here in this travelogue.  When I take my trip, I will not be taking you with me, however.  I intend to take a “real” vacation.  I am going to take my camera, a book, and a journal and pen with me though.  And when I get back from my real “vacation”, I will tell you all about it and post pictures as well.  And if you have any suggestions, comments, considerations or recommendations based on your experiences of the places I am investigating, I would really like to read them.  Post a comment for me so I can explore your observations.  So, for now, my first fact-finding process is to decide where I will go with this precious time off.