Mark

<BR>My wife and I are planning a December trip to this region of Mexico and need some advice on which is better. We have been to Cancun several times and love the beaches but don't like the "Americanization" of its culture. We have also been to Cozumel and love just about everything about it, but would like to try something new. We love to just lay around on hammocks and drink the local beers and enjoy the Mexican culture and we also enjoy snorkeling and catamaran cruises. If you have stayed at either of these resort towns and have any recommendations on the best places to stay (all inclusive or not), restaurants to eat at, places to see, things to do, etc, please don't hesitate to reply! All input will be greatly appreciated!! <BR> <BR>Mucho Gracias.... <BR>

Diane

Xcaret is the park in that region - not a town. Have not been to Playa Del Carmen, but from everything you have said - I think that you should definitely go there!! My husband and I have been to Cozumel 8 times, and we plan on Playa del Carrmen next!! Have heard that Continental Plaza is very nice. Diane

RODRIGO

Of course, Playa del Carmen is a more european village and it is very nice. You can stay at Playacar resort (hotels and houses). But for typical mexican culture you have to take some tours to the interior. <BR>Do not miss to visit Xcaret, excellent. <BR>

amanda

hey! i am reading about playa del carmen right now also...i have never been there...but i have been to cozumel...cozumel was ok for me...but i read the playa del carmen has beaches better than cozumel and nightlife better than cozumel. also it is supposed to be developing very fast, so now would be the time to go...and there are boats that run to cozumel if you want to visit again! <BR> <BR>i don't know if you speak spanish or not...but if you want latino culture and hammocks...on the northern shore of venezuela there are tons of towns where you can take a boat to an island-tiny islands-where i went and was able to walk around the island in 40 minutes...beautiful calm water and venezuelans in hammocks everywhere! it was gorgeous...i can't remember the specific place we went, but if you were interested i would dig out some information for you... <BR> <BR>i have been to ixtapa--and it's awful--apparently designed by the same people who built cancun--there is nothing there except and old coconut plantation and hotels--i couldn't stand it! many people like it b/c it's clean--but it was so boring--nothing there...so my boyfriend and i took a bus everyday almost to zihuatanejo--which was very close...zihuatanejo felt like mexico...and there are friendly people and good restaurants...and cute little islands all over...we took boats to different islands every day. i would go back to zihuatanejo but never to ixtapa. the beaches were not the most beautiful--but when you live in MInnesota--any beach is a good beach! anyway, let me know if you find any more good info! or if you want any about venezuela? thanks, amanda.

Fred

Xcaret is only a few minutes from Playa. It is a park and is very touristy. The beaches in Playa are fantastic, MUCH nicer than Cozumel, and it has a European flair to it. You can take a snorkeling tour from Playa. We did not stay there but the El Faro looked great and was on a fantastic stretch of beach. If you want a Mexican experience stay away from these tourist areas. Merida is suppossed to be nice.

Andrea

I have been to xcaret and we hated it! It was full of people and kids and just too touristy. We are going to Playa Del Carmen in December as well! We are staying at the Riu Yukatan All Inclusive. My mom's a travel agent and she stayed there last winter and is still ranting and raving about it!

Sharon

My husband and I have been visiting the Yucatan for the last ten years and just purchased a condo at South Beach, Akumal. This is the best area anywhere along the Cancun-Tulum corridor. Close to everything and yet far away. If you'd like to see more go to: <BR>http://www.webzone.net/bill.in.tulsa <BR>scroll down to "Discover Seven Seas" and click on. If your interested at all in availability or rates, just email me! <BR>Sharon...gt;

Sharon

My husband and I have been visiting the Yucatan for the last ten years and just purchased a condo at South Beach, Akumal. This is the best area anywhere along the Cancun-Tulum corridor. Close to everything and yet far away. If you'd like to see more go to: <BR>http://www.webzone.net/bill.in.tulsa <BR>scroll down to "Discover Seven Seas" and click on. If your interested at all in availability or rates, just email me! <BR>Sharon...gt;

Sharon

My husband and I have been visiting the Yucatan for the last ten years and just purchased a condo at South Beach, Akumal. This is the best area anywhere along the Cancun-Tulum corridor. Close to everything and yet far away. If you'd like to see more go to: <BR>http://www.webzone.net/bill.in.tulsa <BR>scroll down to "Discover Seven Seas" and click on. If your interested at all in availability or rates, just email me! <BR>Sharon...gt;

debbie

Hi, <BR> <BR>My husband and I just returned from Playacar and the Iberostar all-inclusive there. It was paradise! The beaches, water, resort, and people were the best we've ever experienced. This resort is designed to retain a jungle feeling complete with native wildlife (iguanas, monkeys, flamingos, etc...). <BR> <BR>We also enjoyed a day snorkeling at Xel-ha a nearby park, less touristy then Xcaret.

marguerite

We went to Cancun last January and did a lot. We stayed 2 nights in the heart of Cancun at the Hyatt Regency. Then took a cab to Playa del Carmen and stayed 2 nights (cab ride $40 for 4). We liked the small town atmosphere here. We spent a morning at touring Tulum. We also spent a day at Xcaret and did enjoy it with the kids. Since you aren't taking any kids you might want to check out the other park with I can't seem to remember the name. It is more nature driven for snorkeling, not commercialized from what I here. It is probably 20-30 minutes south of Play del Carmen. (lots of bus or taxi service). <BR> We then took a taxi from Playa back to Cancun ($30 this way) and had them drop us off at Punta Juarez (dock) and took a 20 minutes boat ride to Paradise. Stay at the NaBalam (recommended by Fodors). Only about 40 rooms, stay on the beach side. Playa Norte beach is wonderful, not crowded. Check out their website: www.nabalam.com <BR>Let me know if you have any questions. I could tell you more, but don't want to bore you.

debbie

RUN, DOIN'T WALK, TO YOUR NEAREST TRAVEL AGENCY AND BOOK ANY RESORT IN THE PLAYACAR OR PLAYA DEL CARMEN AREA <BR> - yes we loved Cozumel and wouldn't bother with Cancun but PDC and surrounding is what you are looking for! <BR> <BR>Okay, after you have checked in and dropped your bags, then grab a cab and head to either of these depending on whether you feel like lazing in a hammock or snorkeling or both: <BR> <BR>XCARET - both and then some <BR> <BR>XEL-HA - both and then some <BR> <BR>AKUMAL - superb snorkelling right off the beach <BR> <BR>Write if you have any other questions! We spent two weeks at the RIU Yucatan last February and are having such a hard time picking a spot for our next vacation as everything else pales in comparision (service, room quality, things to do, things to see, etc, etc) <BR>

pkochamba

I am going to PDC the end of May. We are deciding which hotel to chose. The Iberostar vs Riu Yukatan. Any response would be appreciated.

elvisisdead

There actually is a hotel attached to Xcaret, so it is possible to stay there, if that's what you want to do. Tons of kids there.

I'd stay in Playacar or PDC proper; if you want to go to Xcaret, it's a five to ten minute cab ride south of PDC.

Personally, I like PDC; while it is no longer a sleepy town, it's still not your prototypical big resort town, and has a fun vibe.