Climbing/beach vacation recommendations?

Wife and I are looking to head south and get out of the cold for a week or so in early March. Looking at Mexico or Central America. Any recommendations on chill beach towns with some climbing nearby? 

John Byrnes incoming to suggest Cayman Brac in 3...2...1...

Puerto Rico. Pick a crag, find the nearest beach town, and enjoy! I'm partial to Ciales and Mar Chiquita. Bayamon and Ocean Park is a good combo for the urban version. The latter is fully Uber-able.

More for the surfing and beaching but has climbing - Punta de Mita (Corral de Risco) in Nayarit, México. Higuera Crag can be seen from Playa Lobo and is accessed off of a hiking trail. Fly into PV, rent a car from Gecko, spend your time surfing and beaching, do some sport climbing.

Cory N wrote:

More for the surfing and beaching but has climbing - Punta de Mita (Corral de Risco) in Nayarit, México. Higuera Crag can be seen from Playa Lobo and is accessed off of a hiking trail. Fly into PV, rent a car from Gecko, spend your time surfing and beaching, do some sport climbing.

My wife has some friends that recommended Sayulitas which is nearby. Looks like there is a guide service there but couldn’t find info on the crags. Are they open to the public? 

Chris Nunley wrote:

My wife has some friends that recommended Sayulitas which is nearby. Looks like there is a guide service there but couldn’t find info on the crags. Are they open to the public? 

https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/mexico/area/4289236401

I have spent about 2 hours in Sayulita and that was more than enough for me. The surrounding towns are much more chill. Corral de Risco or San Poncho would be my preference. If you like crowds, parties, and overwhelming amounts of beach vendors Sayulita could be for you.

if staying in Corral de Risco I recommend La Quinta del Sol. Nice rooms with little kitchenettes, walk to everything, drive to the crag. Same with San Poncho, I haven’t stayed there but I have spent a few days there and really enjoyed it. The surfing there is not beginner friendly. The surfing in Corral de Risco is beginner friendly. If you are renting boards, go to stinky’s surf, cheaper and a nice selection.

Cory N wrote:

https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/mexico/area/4289236401

I have spent about 2 hours in Sayulita and that was more than enough for me. The surrounding towns are much more chill. Corral de Risco or San Poncho would be my preference. If you like crowds, parties, and overwhelming amounts of beach vendors Sayulita could be for you.

if staying in Corral de Risco I recommend La Quinta del Sol. Nice rooms with little kitchenettes, walk to everything, drive to the crag. Same with San Poncho, I haven’t stayed there but I have spent a few days there and really enjoyed it. The surfing there is not beginner friendly. The surfing in Corral de Risco is beginner friendly. If you are renting boards, go to stinky’s surf, cheaper and a nice selection.

I was afraid of that with Sayulitas… we are definitely looking to stay away from crowds/party scene so this is great information and sounds like a much better option.  Thank you!! 

dominican republic looks pretty sweet.

JCM wrote:

John Byrnes incoming to suggest Cayman Brac in 3...2...1...

Now that I have got you all trained, I don't need to.   

John Byrnes wrote:

Now that I have got you all trained, I don't need to.   

In all fairness, seems like a reasonable option for OP to consider. 

Never been but Puerto Rico looks nice.  Great beaches, culture and lots of limestone.  Lots of local carriers have direct flights as well.  

Fat Dad wrote:

Never been but Puerto Rico looks nice.  Great beaches, culture and lots of limestone.  Lots of local carriers have direct flights as well.  

Can confirm that PR is a great destination for sport climbing, beaches, good food and friendly locals. Pretty affordable to get to, as well as accommodations once you venture further from San Juan 

It doesn't get much more pleasant than the Flying Coconut Crag in Puerto Rico.  10/10 would return.

JCM wrote:

In all fairness, seems like a reasonable option for OP to consider. 

I agree.  It sounds perfect for the OP.  It completely lacks a "party scene", has zero crime, world-class climbing, diving, snorkeling...    And all the routes are bolted with titanium.

If you do Puerto Rico in March, hit me up. I'll be down there 16-22 looking to get some climbing in. 

Bermuda has some high quality DWS along with some sport climbing and bouldering. There is a guidebook and a small but active local climbing community. An active WhatsApp group helps integrate visiting climbers quickly. Bermuda is a pretty chill destination. The public bus system gets you around the island reliably and economically. 

Mike Grainger wrote:

Bermuda has some high quality DWS along with some sport climbing and bouldering. There is a guidebook and a small but active local climbing community. An active WhatsApp group helps integrate visiting climbers quickly. Bermuda is a pretty chill destination. The public bus system gets you around the island reliably and economically. 

I'm curious. I had a friend who did a bit of bouldering and DWS in Bermuda years ago and reported that the rock was extremely sharp and abrasive. Is that true everywhere on the island, or are there more 'comfortable' areas, or, at least, routes that have been 'comfortized'.

I can add another vote for Puerto Rico. Great place. Minimal hassle to get there. Good climbing. Plenty of accessible beaches.

John Byrnes wrote:

I agree.  It sounds perfect for the OP.  It completely lacks a "party scene", has zero crime, world-class climbing, diving, snorkeling... 

Agreed. Cayman is where the Brits have taken all the fun out of a Caribbean island. Beer is so expensive you'll be drinking tea instead.

The only legal crimes in the Caymans are child prostitution and tax evasion, so Republicans will feel right at home.

There is definitely some sharp rock in Bermuda (John Smith Bay comes to mind) but much of it is reasonably friendly.  Tape is your friend for the overhanging coral based limestone!

Eli Helmuth wrote:

Agreed. Cayman is where the Brits have taken all the fun out of a Caribbean island. Beer is so expensive you'll be drinking tea instead.

I suppose that depends on how you define "fun".  If you think fun is crowds, clubs, traffic, cruise ships, crime and drinking cheap beer, then the Brac isn't for you.  

John Byrnes wrote:

I suppose that depends on how you define "fun".  If you think fun is crowds, clubs, traffic, cruise ships, crime and drinking cheap beer, then the Brac isn't for you.  

If you don't cruise, you lose.

Tell me where else can you get new climbing walls with auto-belays, combined with all you can eat buffets, unlimited booze, and enough milfs to fill a swimming pool or two?

Certainly not in Cayman Brac. Mostly just Jamaican hookers and dealers working there, but only in the bars and clubs.  If you drink at home you'll be safe enough.