Snowbirds deserve a mini-vacation too!
All the holiday festivities are done, you’ve put the final decorations away in the spare bedroom and miraculously all the kids and grandkids got along. Whew!
Now winter starts settling into Arizona and Florida and you may be wondering “what should we do now”? Plan a winter holiday during your winter down south.
One of the incredible advantages to living in Arizona and Florida, especially for Snowbirds spending their winters there, is it’s accessibility to so many great adventures a short flight away! 3 favorite Phoenix (PHX) and Orlando (MCO) airport departures are to Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.
Although Arizona and Florida have incredibly mild winters compared to where most snowbirds come from (you know you Minnesotan’s and Canadian’s out there are ready to ditch that -40 degrees and 5 feet of snow), you may still want to spend some time enjoying other destinations during your time there.
We want to be able to hop in a rideshare to the airport, fly non-stop to our destination, and spend two weeks at a place that offers a few other things to do. All of this at low cost. We’ve found that the key to this is choosing commonly available spots in 3.5-4 star hotels and watch online for sales daily as prices fluctuate. If you’re looking for your next winter getaway, here are some proven and inexpensive suggestions for a couple weeks in Mexico favorites departing either Phoenix and Orlando airports direct to:
1. Cancun / Cozumel / Maya Riviera, Mexico
- Year-round sunshine makes it the perfect sunbathing spot and the temperatures stay pretty mild in the winter getting between 70 and 80 degrees.
- Cancun offers a plethora of shopping opportunities from local artisans to more mainstream shopping.
- If you like to snorkel, Cancun has some great spots to see reefs and fish and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Enjoy a mix of history and exploration on the Yucatan peninsula and the ancient ruins of past civilizations.
2. Cabo, Mexico
- It’s sunny but mild and averages 250 days of sunshine.
- Daytime temps stay in the mid-70◦s in the winter and the evenings cool down a touch in the 60◦s – perfect for a light jacket but not oppressively hot.
- Located on the southern end of the Baja peninsula means wonderful scenery – the incredible rock formation known as Poseidon’s arch and breathtaking views are yours to enjoy.
- Great fishing – if you’re a big game fisherman, the coast off of Cabo has some of the best fishing spots for sailfish, mahi mahi, tuna and marlin.
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- If you’re looking for some nightlife, dancing, live music and great late night bites then Puerto Vallarta is your spot.
- Mild weather all year long makes it a great destination even in winter although New Year’s Eve is very lively so if you’re looking for a quieter getaway then avoid this time of year.
- Local villages offer authentic food and shopping but you can also find very accessible public beaches as well as beaches situated at resorts.
TIP: Leave your AZ or FL Snowbird home for two weeks in Mexico then leave Mexico for a visit with family for the next two weeks. Fly one-way segments each way and save. While away from your Snowbird home rent it out for the month – it will pay for your vacation and trip up north and back. See Renting Out Your Park Model Snowbird Home here for all the details of how to do it.
CONCLUSION
A midwinter Mexican holiday can be inexpensive from the major Snowbird centers in Arizona and Florida. Clearly Mexico has many great options for your winter getaway, each offering a mix of fun and play and tranquility. Whatever your style, add Mexico to your next winter holiday list!