advice for novice

I have been studying Spanish and would like to travel to a Spanish-
speaking caribbean destination. I'd like to combine some practice in
Spanish with a vaction, sit by a beach and also do shopping in a nice
city or town. I'm having a hard time finding a suitable place that is
not too far away. I'd like to stay under a 5 hour plane flight from
New York. Am I totally unrealistice? I was thinking maybe Old San
Juan, but I don't know anything about Puerto Rico. Basically, I'm
asking if there is a relatively safe, interesting coastal town or city
that is easy to get to and has decent hotels. I am a 59 year-old
woman travelling alone.
thank you.

"Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
news:Xns98D173D4BB6FAVeebleFetzer@127.0.0.1...
> niatum@ (susan) wrote in
> news:1170954528.792442.69520@p10g2000cwp. :
>
>> Basically, I'm asking if there is a relatively safe, interesting
>> coastal town or city that is easy to get to and has decent hotels.
>
> Don't forget the Caribbean coast of Mexico from Cancun south to
> Tulum.
>
> --
> Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | bert@iphouse.com

That would be Playa del Carmen, an incredibly lovely part of Mexico.

I would also suggest the Dominican Republic, Vieques, Culebra, and the
mainland countries of Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras; all within five
hours' flight time from Newark or JFK.

Cozumel sounds perfect !! Anyone have a recommendation for a nice
hotel that's equally close to a beach and the town?
I looked online and it seems that many of the hotels are about 10
miles from town, and that is too far.
I don't mind a long walk to a beach or the town, or taking a bus, but
I'd rather not rent a car.

>
> If I were a woman (well I am a woman of course), traveling alone
> (which I don't normally do) and wanted to go to a beach place with
> shops and restaurants where Spanish was spoken, I'd go to Cozumel.

On 9 Feb 2007 08:10:08 -0800, flash604@ wrote:


>> You might also try PlayadelCarmenwhere I haven't been either, but
>> I've heard good things about it.
>
>I'd agree with the last poster, Playa del Carmen (Playa to the locals)
>is probably perfect for you. You fly into Cancun airport, and then
>can catch a Greyhound style bus right from the airport front door that
>will get you into Playa in less than 45 mins (Don't believe the taxi
>drivers that will claim the bus doesn't run). The people are
>extremely friendly, and if you stay at one of the hotels in town
>rather than a resort, you will really get to experience the town. It
>has a small, quaint, friendly feel with a pedestrian shopping street
>running parallel to the beach one block away; but in reality it is
>quite large and so if you need it, there is a Super-Walmart, giant
>shopping mall, etc. We will be going at the end of October for our 5
>year anniversary. Lots of sites about the area, the best to find out
>more would be playa.info.

Sounds a nightmare to me. If I wanted to shop in a WalMart, I'd stay
in North America.