Mexico's PR woes mean great vacation deals
HOUSTON
A seven-day cruise for $78 per day? What about an upscale hotel room for $89 a night? Those are just some of the deals you can find if you are traveling to Mexico.
White sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean water are why many travelers in the past have headed to Mexico for a getaway.
"The sand is like powdered sugar and the water is like looking into a swimming pool," said travel agent Cassandra Brunson.
Brunson books Mexican vacations for the agency Travel Leaders. Because of the recent violence in Mexico and a travel warning from the state department, Brunson has seen a 40-percent drop in her bookings from last year.
"It's really dropped off because people are afraid to go because of the news stories," Brunson said.
That means hotels, even luxury all inclusive rooms, are more than 50 percent off.
"You can travel right now, which is considered high season until May, but you pay low-season, summer prices," she said.
For example, Los Cabos is on sale for up to 60 percent off. Four nights with airfare starts at $549 a person -- that's $400 off.
A seven-day trip to the Mayan Riveria is normally $1,769.99 is on sale for $799.99.That's almost $1,000 off.
An all inclusive luxury five-night vacation to Cancun, where kids stay free, is $699.
"That's a summer rate but they are offering it during the winter," Brunson said.
Brunson did a quick check on Continental vacations and found a four-day Cancun vacation with airfare at an all-inclusive hotel for $625 a person.
But it's not just hotels; some cruise lines are deeply discounting trips.
A seven-day Carnival Cruise departing from Galveston is less than $550 a person, which is less than $80 a day. Brunson says the prices can't be beat especially for this time of year.
"I would not give a second thought about going; my family goes. I have not advised anyone not to go there," Brunson said.
Even though these deals sound really good, you still need to read the fine print. For all inclusive trips, alcohol may not be included. Dates and times also may not be flexible as well as other restrictions, like tipping.