Help choose vacation destination between North or South Padre Island (Corpus Christi: condos, hotels)

[unseengundam]

I have decided to take a drive down for 3-4 days to a nice beach area around Christmas. My initial though was to check out South Padre Island or North Padre Island/Corpus Christi. I have actually, already been to North Padre Island/Corpus Christi, so I know what to expect more or less there.

However, I have heard South Padre Island is better and best spot in Texas. Corpus Christi would be about a 7 hours drive and South Padre a whole 10 hrs drive. Is it worth taking an additional 3 hours to drive down there from DFW?

How is the hotel prices in those to area compared to each other?

Finally, would there be more things to do in Corpus Christi area than South Padre Island?

[hellpaso]

I would recommend Corpus over SPI. SPI gets very crowded on holidays, particularly Xmas/easter weeks when families travel from Mexico to spend their vacations in the US.

[texan55]

South Padre crowded around Christmas...? I don't know about that...


What kind of activities are you interested in?

[ChristieP]

Between North Padre Island and South Padre Island is the King Ranch. It's one of the largest cattle ranches in the world, and it takes up almost all of Kenedy County. So, sadly, there isn't much at all between the two beaches.

[gabetx]

SPI has less to do and see. It just exists for the beach and tourism solely. SPI is pretty yes, but not much more so than NPI. There is less to do, and if you did want to visit a city, Brownsville is not very nice and it's over an hour to get to McAllen. Its definitely not worth the extra three hours of driving.

Plus with NPI, you have all of the beach towns near by such as Port Aransas and Rockport. You also have the city of Corpus Christi at your disposal with downtown, events at the American Bank Center, museums, shopping, arts, great dining, tourist activities, and clubbing, if that is your thing.

On top of all of that, everybody speaks English in Corpus Christi, (unless you are in the ghetto's on the west side). You cant say that about SPI and the surrounding areas.

But, if you would like visiting somewhere you haven't been, (SPI), that is understandable.

As far as hotel prices, they have everything form Days Inn to the Hilton and Omni in CC. So you can surely find something in your price range. However, most hotels are more expensive and inflated on SPI. I am sure you could find something cheaper further from the island and closer to Brownsville.

[hellpaso]

Originally Posted by gabetx

On top of all of that, everybody speaks English in Corpus Christi, (unless you are in the ghetto's on the west side). You cant say that about SPI and the surrounding areas. .

Thanks, gabetx for expressing what I was implying, but uncomfortable saying (don't think texan55 "got it"). You described the two areas perfectly. About the only thing worth seeing in Brownsville is the zoo, but, hey, it's a zoo. They have those in other places.

Basically, half of Mexico is in SPI during the holidays. That's fine if you speak Spanish, appear upper class Mexican, & don't mind rubbing elbows with all the Mexican Nationals, who own most of the condos. Please don't take this as a prejudiced comment, but unless the OP is a Mexican National, it probably won't make for an enjoyable experience.

LOL--the Anglos that are there are predominantly the "Winter Texans", who tend to be just as rude as the Mexican Nationals. So there. JMHO, but I've been there and done that. We avoid the island like the plague during the holidays.

[unseengundam]

Originally Posted by texan55

South Padre crowded around Christmas...? I don't know about that...


What kind of activities are you interested in?

Just normal stuff like seeing beach, museums, and restaurants. Which of areas have better restaurants (FYI I prefer Asian food)?

[unseengundam]

Originally Posted by hellpaso

Thanks, gabetx for expressing what I was implying, but uncomfortable saying (don't think texan55 "got it"). You described the two areas perfectly. About the only thing worth seeing in Brownsville is the zoo, but, hey, it's a zoo. They have those in other places.

Basically, half of Mexico is in SPI during the holidays. That's fine if you speak Spanish, appear upper class Mexican, & don't mind rubbing elbows with all the Mexican Nationals, who own most of the condos. Please don't take this as a prejudiced comment, but unless the OP is a Mexican National, it probably won't make for an enjoyable experience.

LOL--the Anglos that are there are predominantly the "Winter Texans", who tend to be just as rude as the Mexican Nationals. So there. JMHO, but I've been there and done that. We avoid the island like the plague during the holidays.

Never realized the Mexican nationals go SPI just for the holidays. I though they had better beaches in Mexico like Cancun or Acapulco?

Honestly, I expected the beaches to fairly empty since its winter and holiday season.

[hellpaso]

It's basically from xmas to New Year's--most of the condos are owned by Mexicans. I would imagine that they avoid tourist places like Cancun & Acapulco so they can avoid Americans!