Vacation Home Rentals Blog

Maybe you were just about to part with a deposit for that dream Mexico vacation home, or shoot, maybe you’re in the airport now, en route to your Playa del Carmen beach rental.

Whatever your situation, the media hysteria of late has fueled your fears about going to Mexico. Hey, it’s unavoidable.

A scan through the headlines and images reveals politicians declaring states of emergency, 10 countries seeking bans on pork imports and airline travelers sporting masks. Is it safe to go anywhere?

Well, according to the CDC, while it’s perfectly fine to consume bacon, pork belly and other related products, folks are being encouraged to hold off on non-essential travel to Mexico. No need to play Russian roulette with your health, even if that diving trip in Isla Mujeres does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not. You can go again.

In fact, play it right, and you might score a deal out of it.

When the US Airways plane went down in the Hudson River in January, it got my friend thinking, ‘What if I booked our vacation right now?’ And he did. He scored a Kauai vacation package for hundreds off the typical sticker price. Obviously he didn’t go right away, but I’d bet airlines that fly to Mexico will be hurting for a while longer while the fears settle down.

Keep your eyes and fare trackers on high alert, though, and surf through our Last-Minute Deals.

Because eventually, this pesky little threat of a pandemic will go away. And by then, you’ll need a vacation.

Salon.com writer Robert Lanham cracked me up today.

In “Giving the recession the finger,” he describes the f–k it mentality embraced by some Americans in the face of mounting job losses, 401k annihilation and the $800 billion recovery (or spending, depending on your political stance) program pushed through by legislators. Even with all that, it’s as though a few are saying, “They can take our jobs, they can take our retirement, but they can’t take our vacation.”

While I’m no proponent of the newly unemployed raiding their savings for that Tulum vacation rental, those who are relatively secure in their gigs should take that deserved time off. And let’s face it: Pending layoffs are no secret. Unless you’re Joe Friendless who eats lunches at his desk and logs in and logs off without so much as a hello, you have a pretty good idea if an apocalypse is near. You think those shady bankers and auto workers weren’t prepared for the collapse of their industries?

No, for you folks, now would not be the time for margaritas and four-star resorts.

If you’re planning an escape, whether it’s a Mexico vacation home or Hawaii vacation rental, I highly suggest that you check out our Last-Minute Deals page. Because when consumers are hurting, property owners are hurting, too, and that’s your chance to swoop in to find a price that’s within your means.

I repeat: within your means.

The new mantra for the American economy.

In honor of National Margarita Day (and where else, besides the aforementioned Keys, would you want to be sipping the cocktail anyway), let’s take a trip to this Tulum vacation rental.

Dubbed “Blue Sky,” this Mexican getaway is boutique chic with its cool palette of periwinkle, cornflower blue and white suites, plus ocean views to keep your camera’s memory card full. Rent a room for two to four people or the whole hotel for up to 20 guests.

Brides on a budget, consider having a beachfront ceremony here, then an intimate reception complete with mariachi singer. And talk about convenience: If you keep your affair small, all your guests can stay at the hotel.

While other Cancun vacation rentals boast all-inclusive packaging, where drinks, meals and accommodation are factored into the price, this hotel does not offer such pricing, but the rates are still affordable, averaging $140 a night for most of the year. Choose from a standard room for two with beach and pool access, a junior suite or a two-bedroom master suite on the second floor.

But don’t go stuffing that suitcase with Ramen noodles just yet. There’s on-site restaurant with a decent-sized menu of Italian and Mexican classics, from Huevos Rancheros to Pasta Carbonara.

A continental breakfast comes with the stay if you don’t mind just toast, fruit, granola and yogurt. That’s OK. A lighter meal means you’ll look trimmer in that bikini.

Friends who had originally planned for a romantic getaway to Buenos Aires are rethinking things, what, with all the anxiety at home and in the global market. My advice: Don’t sacrifice the time off you earned with 80-hour work weeks–just be more sensible about where you’re willing to travel.

Because who wants to give up their vacation?

While a five-star hotel in London may be out of fiscal reality, a vacation home within your budget is just a click or two away. Here are five “Plan B” options worth exploring that won’t break the bank.

1. Calgary vacation home instead of Quebec

2. Chicago vacation rental instead of Manhattan

3. Utah vacation cabin instead of Aspen

4. Tampa Bay vacation home instead of Miami Beach

5. Turks and Caicos vacation rental instead of Hawaii

What if you could buy a vacation home now, rent it out for most of the year, then have yourself a nice little, mortgage-free palace when you’re ready to retire?

That’s precisely what some folks are doing with Mexican vacation homes in fly-in destinations like Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, as reported by MarketWatch. Money is a motivator. (What isn’t, right?)

South of the border, Americans’ dollars go further, and homes tend to be more reasonable than in the United States, according to the report. Even so, people need to be mindful of choosing the right builder to assure that the quality of construction meets their standards.

Anyone own a vacation home in Mexico who plans to retire there someday? Have property values dipped, gone up or remained steady? Would love to hear from you.

In surfing for Cabo San Lucas vacation rentals, this 4,000-square-foot vacation villa reared her gorgeous head.

She teased me with her glistening pool and convinced me to stay a while for the dreamy views of the Sea of Cortez from the lounge chairs and hammock.

But inside is nice, too.

All five bedrooms have their own patio and bathroom, according to the owner, and there’s even a separate one-bedroom casita for extra privacy. Golfers, the estate nests right on the Cabo del Sol green with a Jack Nicklaus golf course just steps away. The beach and downtown Cabo are also nearby.

It’s fun to be back in love, isn’t it?

We’ve all heard of babymoons, the getaway couples take as expecting parents. What’s the name of the vacation for couples wanting to get pregnant?

For me, all it took was a little Don Julio and an all-inclusive Mexican resort called Moon Palace. I can definitely vouch for the pure bliss of this Cancun vacation spot because I stayed here for five nights.

What makes me miss this place:

The swim-up bars: There are two, with seats planted into lagoon-style pools for you to take shots directly from servers who pour the liquid into your mouths. (Suddenly, you feel like you’re on Spring Break again.)

The food: 10 on-site restaurants with yummy Mexican buffets, Italian, burgers and more.

The club: If you wanted to, you could drink here all night. The music is a groovable mix of familiar hip-hop, pop and Spanish dance. When we were there two years ago, the hot track was Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina.” Lemme tell you: Tequila and “Gasolina” go down well.

For this particular Mexican vacation, a VIP membership secures access to all the Palace Resorts’ Five-Star properties, including Aventura Spa Palace Resort, Cancun Palace Resort, Sun Palace Resort, Playacar Palace Resort, Cozumel Palace Resort and others. The studio sleeps four – complete with a hot tub in the room.

And for you golfers, check out the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course or try the 72 par Playacar Palace Resort Golf Club. I was too hungover to go myself, but adventurers would enjoy the scuba lessons arranged by the hotel staff.

Honestly, though, if you never left the property, you would still have an amazing trip, and perhaps even a token to remember it by.

Her name is Eliana, and I blame the Don Julio.