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Go West: Mucho Mexico Savings in Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Mas

One of the great things about Mexico is its size. Occupying a wide swath of land below the United States, it's accessible to most parts of North America in a few short hours by plane, and closer if you live within driving distance.

One of the great things about Mexico is its size. Occupying a wide swath of land below the United States, it's accessible to most parts of North America in a few short hours by plane, and closer if you live within driving distance. West Coast Mexico, facing the Pacific Ocean, offers plenty of opportunities for sunning, swimming, snorkeling and the like, whether it's in the chi-chi Cabo San Lucas, the older resort and port city Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan.

Cheap Carribbean (tel. 800/915-2322; www.cheapcarribbean.com) has a few inclusive offers for Mexico, including a five night/six day stay in Cabo San Lucas at the InterContinental Presidente, priced from $649 for a San Diego departure. The stay includes round-trip airfare and transfers to and from the airport, five nights in a garden view room, all meals and beverages and use of nonmotorized water sports. There's also a free bicycle tour to San Jose Del Cabo. The price does not include taxes or service charges. The deal is valid for travel April 28-December 16, but you must book by April 30.

Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) is offering a few trips to Puerto Vallarta with a wide range of possible dates. Their Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive special is priced from $629 for travel May 1-June 30, based on Los Angeles and San Francisco departures (others are available for additional fees.) Most of the accommodations are rated superior, as well. Included are round-trip airfare, transfers, all meals, five nights accommodations, entertainment, taxes and gratuities, and unlimited nonmotorized water sports. This trip is also available starting from same price for travel July 1-August 31, and starting from $639 for travel September 10-December 10.

Go-Today is also running a three-day "Puerto Vallarta Getaway" from a mere $399 for travel May 1-November 30, and the price, again, is based on San Francisco or Los Angeles departures. This package is minimal in comparison: it includes airfare, three nights' hotel, hotel taxes, and airline fuel surcharges.

If you can find an airfare deal to Acapulco on your own, Go-Today has two land-only specials good for three and five night stays in Acapulco, priced from $179 and $339, respectively. Prices stay mostly in that area for trips between now and mid-December. The booking deadline for all the aforementioned Go-Today packages is April 27.

For a girls-only vacation, the Marquis (tel. 877/238-9399; www.marquisloscabos.com) in Los Cabos is offering an "It Girl" four day, three night trip, good for travel June 15-December 15, 2006. It's priced at $1,365 per person for a junior suite, based on double occupancy. The trip includes an exploration of Mexico's Baja Outback in a Hummer, dinner for two at one of the resort's restaurants, a $100 spa credit per room, VIP transportation to and from the airport, a chilled bottle of champagne and signature welcome drink, daily breakfast delivered to your suite. They're also offering a "Slumber Spa Package", good for three nights/four days, valid June 1-December 15, priced at $1,455 per person for a private pool casita. The room has an oceanfront view, balcony, hydro massage bathtub and separate shower. The trip includes welcome drink, daily breakfast buffet, margaritas, chips and guacamole upon arrival, a welcome basket with camera, towels and sarongs, and one dinner with full open bar at any of the resort's restaurants. But the deal is named for a slumber spa party you can schedule on one of the nights of your stay, and it includes one manicure and pedicure person, movies, popcorn and snacks, and access to a variety of board games. The resort features 237 suites with a Michelin-rated chef, a 36-foot waterfall in the lobby, and is located on a beachfront in the Cabo Real section of Los Cabos. Granted, it's not a budget-minded trip, but might be perfect for a special occasion.

Mexico Boutique Hotels (tel. 800/728-9098; www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com), which the 56-room Casa del Mar beach, Golf and Spa Resort in Cabo San Lucas is a member of, has a deal for guests who arrive on Monday: stay for two nights and save up to 35 percent off regular rates. This "Breakaway Special" is available until May 31 and includes ocean-view accommodations, airport transfers, shuttle service to Cabo San Lucas every morning, 25 percent off green fees at the Cabo Real Golf Championship Golf Course and complimentary use of the fitness center, sauna, steam room and spa Jacuzzi. The rate for an ocean-view room is as low as $265 per night during this promotion. Note: the hotel prefers you book through the Mexico Boutique Hotels website, listed here.

Orbitz (tel. 888/656-4546; www.orbitz.com) is offering a bunch of air-and hotel deals to Mexico, including a few to Acapulco, known for its legendary nightlife options and cliff divers. Acapulco is available from $68 a night or from $561 for round-trip airfare plus four nights of accommodations. Prices were accurate as of April 20 for travel in the next nine weeks from Los Angeles to Acapulco. The lowest price advertised is for the Avalon Excalibur, located along Hornos Beach but others are available, too.

Additionally, Orbitz has at least a dozen special offers for hotels here, including the Las Brisas, which overlooks Acapulco Bay, priced from $155, with a special offer of a free Jeep rental for one day. Or the Camino Real Acapulco Diamante, priced from $125 per night, which we've rated as a four-star property. The rates found are for May 19-22.

Pleasant Holidays (tel. 800/742-9244; www.pleasantholidays.com) is running a special to Mazatlan, north of Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, priced from $341 for travel from Los Angeles. The five day/four night special has an added value, offering the fourth night for free, and kids 14 and younger stay and eat for free. It's valid on travel through June 29 and Wednesday and Thursday departures for the El Cid Country Club and Golf Course, across from the El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel. Speaking of which, there's also a special, from $359, for that property, too, good for the same dates, the same Los Angeles departure city, and four nights' stay.

The company also is running Los Cabos from $499, for travel May 1-27. Hotel Finisterra gives you the fourth night free, and kids 11 and younger stay for free, valid for travel May 1-27. The price is based on Los Angeles departures.

Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) is offering "Fly First Class and Save" with AeroMexico from $447, valid for round-trip tickets purchased by December 2 for travel through December 10. A mere three day advance purchase is required and destinations throughout Mexico are included. Sample round-trip airfares include Atlanta-Mexico City $550, Las Vegas-Monterrey $447, San Diego-Los Cabos ($447), Phoenix-Hermosillo $447. There is no minimum or maxim stay; tickets are nonrefundable and changes may be made for a $200 fee -- so think carefully!

For room-only deals, you might also want to consider Riu Hotels (tel. 888/666-8816; www.riu.com), which are scattered throughout Mexico. The company is offering "Spring All-Inclusive Getaways" at thirteen of their locations, including Riu Jalisco in Puerto Vallarta. Their special rate of $72 per person, per night, is valid from April 21-30; reservations must be made by April 30. The property faces the Pacific and all meals and beverages are included, along with entertainment programs for adults and children, and complimentary admission to Pacha nightclub. The Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, which opened in 2004, is also available from $116 for stays May 1-3 and from $140 per person per night, all inclusive, from May 4-June 10. Reservations must be made before May 7. Meals and entertainment are included.

Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Mexico Message Boards today.


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