Better 4 day vacation: Vancouver or Mexico City?

[senryu]

Which city would you choose for a husband and wife 4 day vacation?

- We speak enough Spanish to get by, but not fluently. Same for speaking Canadian.
- Never been to Canada or Mexico.
- Our usual itinerary is to hit a couple of big tourist spots, but otherwise just wander around a city and get the feel of it.
- If it was Mexico City, we'd go in Spring and for Vancouver, we'd go in Summer.

[Dennis]

I voted Van city but I've never been to Mexico, I'm not the going south type. Vancouver was a great city to visit when I was 20 and on a budget. I don't think I was ever bored, did quite a bit of walking around taking everything in. I'm looking forward to going back one day with my wife when the kids are older.

[Godin]

Vancouver, just because you would be supporting corruption in Mexico.

[forumname]

Mexico!! Vancouver is fine, but it's not unlike many american cities. Go see something different!

[MZac]

Vancouver is a more beautiful city than Mexico. Mexico is a bit more exotic but I personally find Mexico Meh at best. Kind of depends what you're looking for. You can easily work Whistler into a Vancouver vacation which is also great in the summer.

I live just outside of Vancouver and have lived in other Canadian cities and travelled most of the entire country. For what it's worth Vancouver is an amazingly beautiful place. You can ski and swim in the same day, it has a clean and fresh feel that few north American cities have. But at the same time you could definitely argue that it lacks culture and history. So again, depends what you're looking for.

[lucafen4]

I'd pick something on the ocean if i'm going to to Mexico. MC is massive and very congested.

[2014olympicgold]

If I'm going to Mexico, I'm going for the warmth but I'd be looking at other southern destinations. Mexico is just too uneasy right now. Resorts aren't even safe.

I vote Vancouver, just based on safety.

[doulos]

No money in the world would be enough for me to live in Vancouver, but there's no denying it's a nice place for a visit. Can't speak for Mexico City, as I have never been there before.

[lucafen4]

You should try Vancouver Island instead - where else can you surf from 7am - noon - drive three hours and ski from 4-10pm?

(Tofino - surfing; 3 hour drive to Mt Washington - skiing)

[Godin]

You should try Vancouver Island instead - where else can you surf from 7am - noon - drive three hours and ski from 4-10pm?

(Tofino - surfing; 3 hour drive to Mt Washington - skiing)

That's pretty amazing.

Never been to BC but almost wish I grew up there. The climate is more to my liking.

[PenguinHunter]

The only time I have ever visited Vancouver was during the Olympics and that was an amazing experience. Probably won't get the same experience if you go now... but I would still recommend it over Mexico City. As mentioned above, Mexico city is not the safest place to visit right now.

However, if you were wanting to go to Mexico, I think the southern part is safer and a good experience.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Just curious - why Mexico over, say, Puerto Rico or the Caribbean? The Caribbean is great.

[2014olympicgold]

Just curious - why Mexico over, say, Puerto Rico or the Caribbean? The Caribbean is great.

Jamaica!!!

Loved it there. But....Rape on resorts when it's a wondering woman (woman alone, reports/charges of resort workers taking advantage of drinking, alone women are out there) seems to be a big issue now. But my parents and their friends have been to Jamaica (a small place called Country Country) and they love it and have never felt unsafe.

[Canucks_fan18]

You should try Vancouver Island instead - where else can you surf from 7am - noon - drive three hours and ski from 4-10pm?

(Tofino - surfing; 3 hour drive to Mt Washington - skiing)

This! I grew up on Vancouver Island and it's one of the most beautiful and diverse places on earth (a little bias eh) but there is so much to do and see. As for Mexico, I am with the others I have been twice but both off the coast. One time Puerto Vallarta the other time Playa Del Carmen. If I am going to Mexico I am going for the beaches and the sun. Mexico City is huge and I wouldn't want to travel there at the moment.

[ultrawhiteness]

depends what you like but Mexico City would be an awesome 4-day visit. a lot of these answers seem to be assuming you want a beach resort vacation, which obviously doesn't seem to be what you're going for. MC is massive, tons to do, history, food, culture. I love Vancouver but really it's just another big CanAm city.