Jeter2Kris

Hi all!

I am a first timer to the board and I have loved reading all of your helpful posts! I am attempting to plan a summer vacation for my mom and I. I'm 20 and she's in her 40's and we are debating between a couple of places. We have narrowed it down to Barbados and the Mayan Riviera. This is what we are looking for: Top of our list is gorgeous beaches! A few days we are just looking to find some great beaches and hang and other days we would like to do some fun day trips, snorkeling, sightseeing, shopping etc. Pretty much we want to be able to be lazy some days but also have things to do when we choose. We are going in July since it's both of our Summer breaks...though we know it's going to be hot wherever we choose...we really don't want it to be unbearable. If either are please say so!! Also we would probably rent a car if we went to Mexico, but driving on the left side makes my Mom nervous so I think we'd do the buses you all are mentioning for Barbados...is that OK? Or is a car doable? Finally is the shopping only ritzyish in Barbados (think St. Barts) or are there normal priced places as well? All in all we just want some fun somedays and some relaxing beaches other days. If anyone can help us out who has been to either place or if you have any other suggestions...I would be so grateful Thanks everyone!!!

-Kristin

Elizabeth27

I have been to both destinations..and loved them both for different reasons. With that being said, I think I would suggest the Mayan Riviera for you and your mom.

Playa del Carmen is a lovely beach town about an hour from Cancun, but the atmosphere is totally different. The beaches are beautiful(my favorites in the world!), and there are tons of moderately priced places to shop and eat. In addition, Fifth Avenue (the main drage in Playa) and it's offshoots are very safe areas to be. I went once with a friend and once with my mom, and felt safe at all times, using normal precautions, of course.

In Playa, you can choose to stay in any of a number of smaller hotels in town or right on the beach, or you can choose to stay in an AI resort. I have never stayed in an AI in Playa, but have chosen to stay in a smaller hotel. With the amazing restuarants and nightlife that Playa has to offer, I didn't want to feel like I had to eat all of my meals in one place. Hotel wise, I would recommend Shangri La Caribe, for your lazy beach days. Beautiful location, and great service. If price is a factor, try La Tortuga in town.

As for sightseeing, I would highly recommend a day trip to the Mayan ruins..you can choose from Tulum, Coba and the infamous Chichen Itza. They are all fabulous in their own way.

Also, from Playa, it is a short ferry ride to Cozumel, where we spent a day on the beach and touring the island in a rental car. Nice beach bars, and tons of shopping in Cozumel.

We did not rent a car in Mexico, transportation was very easy (cabs and ferries) and we did an organized tour to Chichen Itza. I will tell you that I did rent a car in Barbados, and found it pretty difficult once you are off the beaten path. No troubles with the roads in town and main tourist areas, and not even any trouble with the roundabouts..but once you got more into the interior of the island, street signs were hard to come by and we got plenty lost!!! Also, Barbados was much more expensive of a trip than that to Mexico.

Barbados had nice shopping and lovely beaches too, don't get me wrong. You really can't make a bad choice. If I can help any other way, let me know.

Jeter2Kris

Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. It was a big help to me!! I had one question about Mexico...do you know how hot it is in the Mayan Riviera in the summer time? I mean we can take 80's and some 90's but my mom was nervous I know when we were reading a travel book and it said it can be in the 100's!!! So I think that makes her a little worried...Is humid hot hot or just hot? And what is Barbados like? I know weather is very unpredictable but I thought maybe from your experiences you would know!

I am sure I will have more questions to come to post about the two because my mom and I are making the decision either today or tomorrow, so I appreciate all your help! It's very nice of you!

Thanks again

Kristin

Blossom1022

Kristin, my husband and I went to Mexico last May and I think it would be a great choice for you and your mother.
I think that area has a wide variety of things to see and do as the other poster mentioned.

Also, if you're interested in staying at an all-inclusive, we stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo. The service & staff were excellent and the facilities were excellent for the price. They have a beautiful pool complex and easy access to the beach.
The resort is a mix of families, couples and groups.
When we went in May it wasn't unbearably hot, but I would definitely bring lots of sunscreen and protective gear.

If you go, plan a day trip to visit the ruins, either Chichen Itza or Tulum.

Elizabeth27

Kristin -

Glad I could be of some help..I know how hard it is to make a decision on a destination..there are so many wonderful places out there to see!

Now, on to your question...I went to Playa in May and in October..so I have never been there in the middle of summer. I am sure it routinely gets into the 90's during the summer, but I wouldn't think it'd hit 100 all that often.What I would plan on doing is hanging out at the beach during the hottest part of the day..that way you have your island breeze and the water to cool you off. Save any big walking treks for early morning or later after the sun goes down.

If you do decide to go to Mexico, and go to the ruins either on your own or with a tour...please pick one that leaves very early in the morning and gets you out of there by maybe 11 a.m. or so...especially at Chichen Itza..it gets pretty hot in the interior like that. Tulum is not so difficult of a trip, because it is only about an hour away, and the ruins are built over the ocean on a cliff, right over a beautiful beach where you can cool off. There are also many other beautiful and more secluded beaches in the Tulum area.

I meant to tell you in my other post, that you can snorkel in Cozumel, and there are also eco-parks like Xel-Ha and Xcaret where you can snorkel, swim with dolphins, and do other water activities.

As for Barbados, I was there in May also..and it seemed very much on par with the temperatures in Mexico to me. They have some lovely beaches there as well...mostly high-end on the Western Coast, but a lot of more reasonably priced hotels and inns on the Southern Beaches. Try Coral Sands Resort or Southern Palms Resort.. loved them both.

Barbados has a really fun cultural show that I went to..the name escapes me now, but it was great...lots of fun music and your meal is included.

Also, we went on a fantastic tour of the island in a big rugged safari-type vehicle, don't miss it if you go. I think it was just called Island Safari tours.......

I can't wait to hear what you decide!!

xkenx

The trade winds blow pretty strongly around Barbados, helping to keep the temperatures moderate and skin fanned if you're in the breeze. Summer ocean temps. are a little cooler in the eastern Caribbean, so overall Barbados should be a bit less hot. Average highs are upper 80s, unusual to get much over 90, with the wind always coming off 83-85 deg. water. Never been to the Mayan Riviera, but Barbados is wonderful. Lovely people, British-Caribbean culture, lots to see and do (or not). Wide variety of hotels, beaches, restaurants.

eileen

Hi, I have been to both. Barbados is pricier, but Playa will be hotter in the summer. We were in Playa in early April and went to Tulum and boy was it hot. I like the Shangri La Caribe but wouldn't recommend it in the summer as it does not have AC and public areas are completely open air so there will not be anyplace for you to go to cool off, in April it was fine for four days but after that we were anxious to get access to some A/C and we are not people who are bothered by the heat. YOu can get some good deals in Barbados in the summer, but food and drink will be expensive. If money isn't an issue, I would choose Barbados for that time of year.

Elizabeth27

Eileen,

Shangri La Caribe does now in fact have air conditioning in the rooms. When I was there last May they had just installed the unit in my penthouse on the Aventura (Playa) side...I believe they have completed the project now, but not sure about that. I don't believe all units have the A/C, but a lot do.

chasechow

Was going to post an answer to this, but Elizabeth covered it beautifully. I've been to both destinations as well and based on your criteria, I think you would really like the Mayan Riviera area and Playa Del Carmen.

pudgesmom

I have not been to Barbados, but I have been to Playa del Carmen in both winter and summer. It is EXTREMELY humid there in the summer. Although the July temperatures were in the mid to upper 90's, I'm guessing the humidity was approaching 100%, and it did not really change with sunset. We did not and would not have done any activities during that time other that sit under a palapa and swim.

Prices drop in both locations over the summer, so you could probably get a good deal at either location

Beth