How do you decide on Mexico vs. Hawaii: budget, access, ease of travel, personal preferences, or is it something else?
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How do you decide on Mexico vs. Hawaii: budget, access, ease of travel, personal preferences, or is it something else?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
I am concerned with safety in Mexico and the cost of Hawaii has become too high. My family is looking for other lower cost options in the Caribbean. We will miss the Big Island!
I went to Cancun in December because I wanted to completely relax and not worry about overpriced car rentals, ridiculously long lines to get into restaurants. I chose an all-inclusive resort so that I could snorkel right from the beach, eat, drink, and be entertained at night, all without additional hassle. Our expensive vacation in Waikiki in June was too stressful. All kinds of reservations way ahead of time required, and also driving time/traffic/parking situation was additional stress.
My favorite location is Hawaii. I have no plans for Hawaii in the near future with the vaccine quarantine rules. I feel as safe in Mexico as I do in California. I have no problem traveling to Mexico by myself and plan to travel this weekend to Puerto Vallarta. I was in Mexico in November and yes the grocery store was still checking temps and masks required. Not all eateries check temps. Staff is masked.
Tourists- not so much.
Well I live here in Hawaii and I’m briefly visiting Los Cabos Mexico for my brother’s destination wedding in May! They apparently go there often and I think her mom has a place out there or something. Looking forward to experiencing a new place but love that I get to come back home. It’s the best of both worlds.
Love Hawaii and we have been going annually for about a dozen years. We have a trip scheduled later this month. But it was so hard to find convenient flights from the mid-west now that we almost cancelled. If the airlines don’t ramp back up next year we’ll be heading for somewhere in the Caribbean. We won’t do Mexico anymore unless they get their crime wave under control. It was bad before C19 came around, military patrols through the center of Tulum spoil the atmosphere.
Thanks for the tips!
As Canadians, we used to go to The Mayan or PV every year.. due to safety concerns and the corrupt nature of Mexico’s police force, we have changed to Waikiki for the last few years as our favorite winter vacation spot. (Except during Covid) We appreciate the policing, the English speaking, and of course the climate is perfect. We hope to go back to Mexico at least once more before we are too old to travel, but we are very content to make Hawaii our go-to place for the next 10-15 years..
My wife refuses to try Mexico due to safety concerns. Sad to say, aside from a overnight trip to San Felipe years ago with a couple of friends, I may never visit again
As s prior resident of HI, it is unfortunate but very true, Mexico is a much better deal all around! Hawai’i has lost its luster. Much prefer the lower costs, beautiful unspoiled beaches, and ease of visits.
Would have liked to go to Hawaii again but it is currently very expensive currently and testing requirements are somewhat deterrent
Just got back from San Jose Del Cabo and it was so easy and relaxing! We scheduled a covid test 24 hours before coming home. It took 5 min and got our result back in 1 hour. A temp ck arriving at hotel. Otherwise normal!!
The food scene is amazing also! We had great dinners out and all farm to table! The best service everywhere we went including our hotel. I spent two days last year trying to do the safe traveller for Kauai and the desk clerk at Hawaiian air still screwed it up! Mexico Ole
After two cancelled trips to Maui we will not be planning any more until these restrictions are gone. Mexico has been our choice for ease of travel. It is a much shorter flight from Dallas and the people are so welcoming. They are happy to have the visitors and very thankful for their jobs in the tourism industry. We have been to Maui 20+ times but will not be back under the current environment.
I hope they never raise the restrictions then. Mexico is a better place for you anyway
Both my wife and I have had the two Pfizer shots and the booster. We’re concerned but feel that the immunity booster will likely protect us from dying from it. We already take all the precautions and wear masks too. We are healthy so far. We will be Hawaii in March.
We are frequent travelers to Hawaii . Our trip last year was canceled twice but finally got to spend a month on Kauai and the Big Island. It cost us $300 for a test just to go from Big Island to Kauai. Won’t do that again! We are scheduled again for 5 weeks on three islands this May. We are fully vaccinated. If restrictions change back to like it was last year, we will not be back. We also booked a cruise to Mexico. I will be comparing prices for future trips to Mexico instead.
We have been to Los Cabos 6 times in the last two years!! It is very Safe, food is less expensive than Any island in Hawaii! We had been going to Maui & Kauai every year for sixteen years. Loved it!! Until Hawaii quits the Covid crap which is totally media driven, we will not be back!!
I needed info on coming to Hawaii without shots (one of my team). Called Safe Travels, put me on hold (no real issue with that), but after 18 minutes, a recording said there is no one available to help you and the call was ended – I have a problem with that.
So, who do I call for the best info on what that team member has to do to go to Oahu?
Thanks,
Rod
Hi Rod.
If Safe Travels isn’t answering, the information is all on their website (https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/). They need to create a Safe Travels account, upload the correct test from one of Hawaii’s trusted partners taken within 72 hours of the flight to Hawaii, and then should be good to go. Alternatively, they can quarantine for five days in Hawaii.
Aloha.
Thank you BoH.
Their website scare the … out of me.
Thanks again,
Rod
Hi Rod.
I don’t think we can help with that, but if you have any questions, please just ask. Lots of experienced travelers read and leave comments. Happy travels.
Aloha.
Get them vaccinated then your trip will be easy. Simple. Just do it
Well now. My first visit to Hawaii was in 1965. For the last 20 or more years we’ve come to Hawaii every year except 2020.
Except for a business trip later this month, we are probably done traveling to Hawaii.
I really like Cancun. The hospitality people really know how to make you feel welcome. But safety is an issue and my wife won’t travel to any country outside the USA.
So, especially given the number of times we’ve visited Hawaii, if it was just up to my, I would go to Cancun next vaca.
Mexico is an absolute no go. I have had a number of friends robbed accosted and one attempted kidnapping right on a public street during the middle of the day. No I will always feel much safer in Hawaii. Cost is not an issue to me. And to the guy who said no bs to mexico. Bet he was surprised to have to take a covid test to come home! Yes that is a thing and has been since the beginning of the pandemic.
I must have missed something when reading the article…..all the comments are a year old?? I was looking for comparisons currently. But like BOH. 😊
Hi Cindy M.
Yes, you missed something. Read at the bottom of the post, where it says that it was updated today from prior post with many comments).
Aloha.
US Consulate advisory that in the greater Los Cabos area, anyone who went to the hospital endured a shake-down for large sums of money for treatment, withholding passports, etc + threatened with never seeing their relative again. traveloffpath.com/u-s-issues-warning-for-tourists-regarding-los-cabos-hospital/
Apparently ambulance drivers get kickbacks for taking people to certain hospitals.
Such corruption – when health + life is at stake.
Won’t be seeing me in Mexico!
Exactly,and well stated. There has been extensive reporting locally on this since several people from my state either died there or were extorted at hospitals. Let alone the unknown/questionable quality of medical care if you need it and are able to get it. It’s not a good safety bet on many levels.
I have never been to Mexico and certainly would like to… Some day. I hear it is beautiful and much cheaper to vacation there vs Hawaii. But I am concerned about all the violence. So it is HI for me. A beautiful, cheaper locale is not worth any additional stresses.
It’s Hawaii for us. We love Waikiki as it offers convenient shopping, and beaches, beaches, beaches! It feels like home (we’re from the Okanagan valley, in BC Canada) where culture meets recreation. We also appreciate that English is the language. One trip to Mexico was enough for us, and we’re making it back to Oahu this fall.
Thank you for the information, Aloha y Hola 🌈
Hawaii is our choice! I want a place where the safety of tourists AND residents is a priority. Job one, keep Hawaii safe.
Pleas be careful out there when traveling. We went to Hawaii for Christmas and new year and after coming back one of us tested positive within a week, we took all the precautions and were wearing masks but you never know where you can pick it up.
Sorry to hear you got the virus. Did you follow the Lt Gov’s advice and dump the cloth mask for (K)N95 masks? For Omicron cloth masks are not effective. Hope you are OK now.
We used our points from our property on the Big Island and traveled to the California desert near Palm Springs….where we could drive to and at least use our week. Not interested in Mexico…will probably just travel locally…just to get away. Sad we cannot use our places on Kauai and the Big Island.
BTW…love getting your newsletter and the updates you provide!
Hi Dave.
Thanks. We hope you can return to Kauai and the Big Island again soon.
Aloha.
It’s stupid to travel right now. Stay home. No one wants your Cooties
We have owned a condo on Maui for 7 years. We have also been to Mexico several times but enjoy Maui so much more. In March 2020 we returned home from Maui not knowing when we would return. We cancelled our October/November 2020 trip and our March 2021 trip as we will be responsible travellers and wait for the vaccine. I miss our second home terribly and can’t wait to return when safe to do so.
aloha shelley !
wow !!
we’ve had almost identical experiences.
saw ohana in oahu in march 2020 and then went to our timeshare in maui right as everything was shutting down due to the pandemic.
like you we canceled trips “home” in november 2020 and now march 2021.
we are waiting for our vaccinations and hopefully in november 2021 we can come home.
we know how much canceling is heartbreaking and frustrating.
we more than anything want the people of hawaii to be safe and healthy. their safety is what is most important.
stay strong and positive, we will be able to go back to our hawaii soon.
I appreciate everyone’s input and especially those who have hit this on the head. Surely there is no definitive answer to which is best. To each it is different.
I am part of an exact case in point on the matter. My wife and I are friends with six other families, all of which considered travel to Hawaii in February (there was a huge sale on airfare a couple months back). Of the six, four actually booked flights. We are now one month away from travel, and this is where each family is at:
Family 1: Still going to Hawaii (Oahu). Plan to spend $520 and take a 2-hr drive to Vegas for testing three days before the trip. Had to book cancellable flight, lodging, car, etc.
Family 2: Also still going to Hawaii (Oahu). Plan to spend $780 and take a 2-hr drive to Vegas for testing three days before the trip. Mail-in option is not recommended because of flight day of the week. Had to book cancellable flight, lodging, car, etc.
Family 3: Cancelled flights and are going to Florida beaches/Disney World.
Family 4: Still have flights to Hawaii but are undecided. Are leaning towards either Florida or Cancun.
Family 5: Chose not to go to Hawaii and chose an beaches/all-inclusive resort in Cancun.
Family 6: Chose not to go on any vacation at all.
My point is. Of the six families, all were potential Hawaii-goers in February. For sure at least four of the families would have gone. In the end, though, and 100% due to COVID restrictions (and the restricted list of approved testing facilities), only two of us are going. Two families of the six families. 33%.
One or two families feel the less restrictions/beaches/Disney World of Florida are what is best for them. One or two families feel the less restrictions/beaches/all-inclusive resorts of Cancun are better for them.
Perhaps two of the families would never have gone to Hawaii either way. But, for sure, the original four families would have gone to Hawaii were it not for the COVID restrictions.
Just returned from Cancun spending Christmas and New Year’s holidays there. Amazing beaches, inexpensive, open and welcoming. Contrast that to Hawaii where we’ve spent 3 weeks in March before the pandemic: so-so beaches (compared to Mexico), a lot more expensive, and hostile locals: even before the current Covid craziness!
Aloha Yury G! I’m so sorry you feel that way! I have been coming to Hawaii since 1975 and I have always been treated with love and Aloha! I feel safer in Hawaii and until last Wednesday(DC) would always rather be in America. Perhaps you could give it another chance in 2022!
Hawaii wins for us. On November 1, 2020 we were tested before flying to Kona. Surprising to us, the test came back positive. We were asymptomatic. (We confirmed the positive result with a second test) After a 14 day quarantine at home and then a re-test, we were negative and flew to the beautiful Big Island where there were no crowds and welcoming businesses. Knowing that everyone on the airplane also tested negative seems to me a very responsible way of protecting other travelers and those who live in Hawaii where medical resources can be in short supply. Getting tested is an example of Aloha!
Or we could all go to Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee, Florida…and all the other happy open states and vacation or move there!! Our gov Newsom has built Plumpjack properties in Napa (never closed!!) and expanding in Idaho, business friendly and open GOP state…near skiing and other open resorts! So before the judging and finger pointing starts, a tidal wave of democrats/entertainers/sports figures have moved to free states, and vacation in Mexico, etc…
I prefer Hawaii to Mexico always and would never make the exchange.
I just returned from Maui. The pre-testing was simple and stream lined. Alaska airlines cleared us for COVID testing in Seattle so upon arrived in OGG we walked straight through to baggage claim. My son flew with Hawaiian and although he was not cleared in Seattle the process at the OGG airport went quickly. Alamo upgraded our car at no additional expense. The beaches were the most empty we have seen since the 90’s. We wore our masks when out in public with the exception of being at the beach and in the water. If you have the opportunity to go and you use caution as to not to bring COVID to the islands, I would recommend traveling to Hawaii. You will not see it this calm for another 100 years! Great flight and condo deals too!
We’ve done both! Hawaii (Big Island) for 2 weeks in early Dec, and Mexico (Baja Sur) now, for a month+. You can’t really compare them apples to apples, and it’s funny to read Americans’ myths and stereotypes about Mexico – some people really like holding onto their fear of Mexico, which often isn’t founded in reality or having ever actually visited here.
That said Hawaii pros/cons were it felt covid safer because they’ve done a good job of making it a covid bubble to some extent (especially Big Island). It’s more work to get there and much more pre-flight anxiety with test timing, but once there we didn’t worry because covid rates are very very low.
Mexico is easier to get to, but feels a bit less covid safe – restaurant and tourism industry staff are good about masking, but we don’t know if published covid rates are accurate. (it’s tough to find good data – the published rates are 0.2 per 1000 for Baja Sur, which is about the same as where we came from – Washington – and 1/5’th California’s rate. But we don’t know to what extent that might be undercounting).
Another difference is Mexicans don’t seem as fearful and obsessed about covid, they’re trying to enjoy living life while being safe. Back in the states it feels like everyone is anxiety-ridden, while here it’s more relaxed.
By the way, hospitals are stretched in Mexico City but generalizing that to all of Mexico is like saying US hospitals are stretched to the max based on something you read about LA or NYC.
Wow! Can you REALLY compare Hawaii to Mexico? I went to Cancun once years ago and we really hated the trip. Yes, the beaches are beautiful, the day trip to Tulum was awesome, but the street peddlers, beach trolls, and the “you must drink Tequila line dancing” was a bit too much (we don’t drink alcohol). As a timeshare owner, I can book a week at a choice of many high-end all-inclusive Mexican resorts, but we would never ever vacation in Mexico again. Oh, and the crime rate at the “American Resorts” is growing and getting worse. No thank you. I just hope we can get to our Maui timeshare in April as planned, and not have to cancel another trip like we did with Disney World last April.
Thanks for your Hawaii vs. Mexico article.
I had to cancel Kauai (we own a timeshare there) twice last year. It was very frustrating as the rules kept changing at the very last minute. And testing, plus quarantine rules were unaffordable for us even if we were allowed.
We visited Cancun (in the hotel zone) the beginning of December and were amazed at the Covid safety practices. Temperature checks and hand sanitizer before entering every where you went (hotels, stores, restaurants). Everyone wore masks. We felt safer there than at home. And according to our hotel staff, Cancun shut down for 3 months starting in March.
Hi Diane.
Thanks for the feedback on your trip to Cancun.
Aloha.
Love this site!
Put me on the Hawaii side of this discussion. We’ve been to both a few times and the overall feeling to me has to do with safety. Being from Chicago, it takes a lot for me to NOT feel safe.
I feel safer anywhere in Hawaii. Never saw machine gun armed military personnel on the beach (or anywhere else in Hawaii) like in Cancun or Acapulco. Not that we let our guard down fully but it leads to a much more relaxed, fun and far better vacation.
Kelli V. I couldn’t agree more!
My wife and I love Hawaii, Maui in particular. A few months back I “found” Beat of Hawaii and get lost here, every so often, with the tips, info and especially the comments.
You hit the nail on the head regarding the blog — Transparency! At this time in the world, that’s very refreshing!!! Good, informative and mostly civil discussions, haha!
We really want to get back to Hawaii but…. As an old guy told me, when I was in sales – “A good deal, is just a state of mind.” Some really nice prices and good deals are out there, to go to Mexico and others. However, besides the Covid threat, that military presence affects the state of our minds, so we won’t be traveling until Covid is under far better control.
Now that I found BOH I think I’ll always be able to save some $$ whenever we can put that next trip together. Thanks Beat of Hawaii!
Hi Jerry.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for contrasting Mexico and Hawaii.
Aloha.
We’re vacationing to Kaui in July and Cabo in October. We fell safe at both locations. Been going to Cabo since 2002 with multiple friend. Never had any experience with crime there. The only difference for us is it cost at least three times more to go to the Islands.
If we did not have family in Hawaii who we want to visit, we would go to Mexico or Costa Rica.
Fear surrounding the Covid19 virus has caused restrictions greater than necessary. People who are at risk because of existing health conditions should be cautious. For healthy and younger people, symptoms can be no worse than a bad cold. Some have no adverse symptoms at all. Once infected a person will then have developed antibodies. The “herd” immunity is a good thing. Most humans have antibodies for hundreds of viruses. That is normal.
We just came back from 2 weeks holiday in Oahu. Took advantage of pretravel Covid test and got our negative result within 24 hours.
People in Hawaii were very responsible and the majority of locals and tourists were wearing masks. The tracing program instituted by all the restaurants also shows the level of commitment that local government has to limiting the spread of Covid. Overall we felt very safe in Oahu and did not encounter any negative pushback from locals.
We had to visit Kaiser medical center due to ear infection and received great care from the doctors and pharmacists. The level of safety measures at Kaiser facility was phenomenal and again demonstrated how seriously the islands of Hawaii are approaching this pandemic. Kudos to the state government for putting the travel safety program in place and implementing the technology to mange the travelers information.
Also great job by Alaska Airlines in Seattle airport to check all of the documents during the checkin process. It made the arrival process really seamless and avoided long queues at Honolulu airport upon arrival.
We were considering cancelling the trip last minute and switching our travel plans to Mexico and are very glad that we stuck to the original plan to go to Oahu. I hope that the economy of Hawaii will recover soon and that they are able to reduce the unemployment while continuing their efforts to keep the crowd controls in place.
Being able to visit Hawaii without all the traffic issues and overcrowded beaches is a silver lining in this whole situation. Too bad we got shamed by few people on social media for visiting Hawaii. I don’t believe we put anyone at risk since we had negative tests and were very disciplined about wearing masks everywhere and maintaining social distancing.
Southeast United States here –
IDK about Mexico, but we have abandoned a trip to Hawaii in favor of one to the US Virgin Islands.
I had booked Southwest flights from Atlanta to Kona via Oakland for less than $225 each way. After realizing what a hassle the COVID requirements were going to be, I rebooked to St. Croix where the COVID requirements are much more reasonable.
Now that we are flying with Delta, we will no longer have the benefit of Companion Pass. But for just about the same airfare (per ticket), we will be in the air a MUCH shorter period of time and we won’t have to spend the night in California on the way home, both of which I am going to consider a win.
If the experience is similar to Hawaii, we might have just found a new tropical home. Which would be too bad, because we have really enjoyed our previous trips to Hawaii.
I’ve traveled to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta during the pandemic. I find both cities taking extra precautions that I don’t see in my locked down California. No test upon arriving but every store, restaurant etc. takes your temperature, social distance tables and masks are required. I do see folks at the marina walking around without masks from time to time. People are welcoming and thankful for visitors. We were in puerto Vallarta during a time when restrictions increased, beaches closed at 3 pm, restaurants and bars at 8. Businesses followed the requirements.
I went to Mexico for two weeks last month (Rosarito) and people were social distancing and wearing masks. When I returned to San Ysidro and San Diego no social distancing was taking place and most of the young people were not wearing masks. I have no problem with Mexico and the prices were so much less than Hawaii. Until there’s a change in the restrictions, Mexico and the Caribbean will be my go to vacation destination. In Cancun and Plya de Carmen the water is warmer and clearer than Hawaii as well. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hawaii (I own a condo in Maui) it’s a great place, but I will not waste my time in a quarantine situation.