best of both worlds
Mar 12th, 2005, 05:28 AM
#1
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best of both worlds
Hi all. Lil' help needed here please. We are planning a trip to Cozumel/Cancun/Isla Mujeres in June. It's a family vacation with a 10 yr old. I've driven myself crazy looking at every hotel in the area! There are so many to choose from. I think we'd prefer Cozumel, but away from the cruise ship docks, for the relaxed atmosphere and I think we're considering an AI cuz one of our daily activities is to lie on the beach with a bottomless cocktail. However the 10 yr old will prefer food, hehe, so not looking for 5star but don't want yucky food. Good snorkeling is important, and deep-sea fishing access. We'd also like to go see Tulum or ChickenItza (sorry, prly spelled that wrong) OK so other than that...am I missing any necessary details? Beachfront is necessary and a jacuzzi would be a nice bonus but not required. Thanks! 
Mar 12th, 2005, 06:59 AM
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Hi abizzygirl!
We're going to Mexico also this summer and I faced a similar situation. After I began researching, since we haven't been to Mex. in several years, I found some great new places and AI's on the Mayan Riviera. We ended up going to Cancun, Playacar (right next to Playa del Carmen), and Akumal.
CANCUN-Staying at Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancun (not AI), Riu Palace in Playacar (AI), and Akumal Beach Resort (AI) in Akumal.
AKUMAL-We were originally going to Coz for diving and snorkeling, but found out about Akumal and dropped Coz. Akumal is a small town between Playa del Carmen and Tulum that has fantastic snorkeling in 5 areas-Yal ku laggoon, Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, Jade Bay, and South Akumal. These "bays" are not like US bays, but are right on the ocean. It is a clean, safe area with lots of local charm. You would be close to Tulum for ruins and Xel Ha for snorkeling. They also have cenotes in the area which are said to be fantastic snorkeling experiences. Look for Grand Cenoate, Hidden Worlds, and Casa Cenote. Atkun Chen is an animal attraction where your 10 year old can hold tiny monkeys. Akumal Beach Resort is a nice AI with good food and excellent reviews right on Akumal Bay where some of the best snorkeling is. You can snorkel right off shore in Akumal which will save $ from taking tours.
PLAYACAR-This a nice area adjacent to Playa del Carmen (nice town with good shopping and beach). Playacar has several AI's along the beach. Riu Palace is more for adults, but the Gala, Iberostar Tucan and Quetzal, and Riu Yucatan are more for families and all get great reviews. There is some beach erosion north of the Palace, but all of the resorts I listed have great beaches and are south of the Palace.
We decided to stay on the mainland so travelling from place to place was easier and we have much better access to visiting attractions.
Please check www.locogringo.com. This is a fantastic website for the area. I learned 90% of my info from there. The website's owners are Kay and Gary and they are very helpful. It has great forums, too.
Hope this helps!
We're going to Mexico also this summer and I faced a similar situation. After I began researching, since we haven't been to Mex. in several years, I found some great new places and AI's on the Mayan Riviera. We ended up going to Cancun, Playacar (right next to Playa del Carmen), and Akumal.
CANCUN-Staying at Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancun (not AI), Riu Palace in Playacar (AI), and Akumal Beach Resort (AI) in Akumal.
AKUMAL-We were originally going to Coz for diving and snorkeling, but found out about Akumal and dropped Coz. Akumal is a small town between Playa del Carmen and Tulum that has fantastic snorkeling in 5 areas-Yal ku laggoon, Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, Jade Bay, and South Akumal. These "bays" are not like US bays, but are right on the ocean. It is a clean, safe area with lots of local charm. You would be close to Tulum for ruins and Xel Ha for snorkeling. They also have cenotes in the area which are said to be fantastic snorkeling experiences. Look for Grand Cenoate, Hidden Worlds, and Casa Cenote. Atkun Chen is an animal attraction where your 10 year old can hold tiny monkeys. Akumal Beach Resort is a nice AI with good food and excellent reviews right on Akumal Bay where some of the best snorkeling is. You can snorkel right off shore in Akumal which will save $ from taking tours.
PLAYACAR-This a nice area adjacent to Playa del Carmen (nice town with good shopping and beach). Playacar has several AI's along the beach. Riu Palace is more for adults, but the Gala, Iberostar Tucan and Quetzal, and Riu Yucatan are more for families and all get great reviews. There is some beach erosion north of the Palace, but all of the resorts I listed have great beaches and are south of the Palace.
We decided to stay on the mainland so travelling from place to place was easier and we have much better access to visiting attractions.
Please check www.locogringo.com. This is a fantastic website for the area. I learned 90% of my info from there. The website's owners are Kay and Gary and they are very helpful. It has great forums, too.
Hope this helps!
Mar 17th, 2005, 10:42 AM
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If you have decided on Cozumel, I would recommend either the Occidental Allegra hotel at the south end of the island or the Melia Mayan http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Peninsula.html (see photos) at the north end of the island.
Mar 17th, 2005, 12:02 PM
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If you go to Cozumel, I agree with TC, stay at the 4 star Allegro Occidental Hotel - It's all inclusive on the beach (south side of the island). That part of the island is the best. Melia Cozumel I've heard bad things about though.....Allegro is Great if you have a child with you. Snorkeling/Scuba diving & Fishing can be done from here. Tours to Chichinitza & Tulum can be done from here. Or maybe you should spend 1/2 your trip in Cancun & the other 1/2 in Cozumel. The ferry ride in between is like 25 minutes. I got married in Cozumel & can only say I love it - it's different than the other caribbean islands, since you can go out into town everyday/night if you wish to the main plaza. Good luck!
Mar 18th, 2005, 06:40 AM
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Depending on what you want to do, I might recommend Mayan Riviera over Cozumel. Cozumel is an island. You can easily get there on foot from Playa Del Carmen on the ferry. Getting around to Tulum, the ceynotes and other rainforest type activities, etc. would be easier from the mainland side. With a kid you would probably like Shangri-La Caribe (www.shangrilacaribe.net), which includes breakfast and dinner for a triple at barely over $200 a night in the low season in a smaller, laid back kind of resort. We had a "ocean front" room and you just stepped off the porch onto the beach, with the ocean only about 10 yards away! It's not exactly in town to PDC but you can have a nice walk there along the beach in the daytime and a $2 cab ride at night if you want to go out. They can also arrange there for a rental car for a day which is a good way to see Tulum or other nearby sites. Have fun planning your trip!
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Mar 18th, 2005, 07:17 AM
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Thanks for all your great suggestions! I had kind of narrowed it down to akumal/tulum area. oasis or akumal beach resort. avoiding cancun area if at all possible. now u've all got me looking at cozumel again. the allegra was one of my initial choices. i may be playing eenie-meenie-miney-mo at the last minute! hehe. what about renting a car? is it necessary? thanks again! =)
