martyjohnson

Hi All,
I've been researching airfare and destinations for a one week trip for our family of five (22,25,27 year olds) to Mexico over Christmas. Thinking about Playa del Carmen, and wondering if there is a regular ferry and reasonably priced, if we opted to fly into Cozumel because of better flights than to Cancun. Also trying to decide between AI and a condo or villa rental. (we've had good luck with VRBO and AirBNB in Europe and domestically) We would like a nice beach, with water activities, maybe golf for the guys, and some nature & hiking. Staying in Cozumel didn't seem as nice with regards to beaches etc, unless maybe you are a diver. We've never vacationed in Mexico, other than a couple cruise ship port stops (Cozumel), which don't count. Thanks.

cybor

Sorry, I can't tell you what the ferry fare is but it is somewhat reasonable.
The beaches on the main land are nicer IMHO than Cozumel and you will find more to do on the mainland.
It's all nice, though.

jamie99

https://www.ultramarferry.com/en/rou...Carmen-Cozumel
There are 3 ferry companies, the other two are Mexico Water Jets and Barcos Caribe. Prices are in pesos and they run roughly hourly.
I've used www.locogringo.com in the past to book hotels and condos but not in Playa del Carmen which is too big for my taste.

tom42

I haven't been to the Playa Del Carmen area (I've been to Cancun, Maroma Beach, and Isla Mujeres). But I did quite a bit of research when we were considering it. Traveling with five people, I think a condo might be a good bet. I looked at quite a few of them - there are lots and they were reasonably priced and looked quite nice and many are on the oceanfront. When I looked into it, I googled condos in Playa Del Carmen and numerous sites came up. I don't think I'd do an AI in Playa Del Carmen because of the number of restaurants and the nightlife in that area.

martyjohnson

Thank you all for the information; as it turns out we got a great deal on flights to Nassau, Bahamas and jumped on them, so our Riviera Maya vacation will have to wait. If anyone has recommendations on places to stay for our family of 5, restaurants or excursions in Nassau, I'd appreciate it. Thanks Again.

gmoney

Just my opinion, but having been to both places we love Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya have been there several times and will definitely go back.

You couldn't pay me to go back to Nassau. It's just a tourist trap overrun by cruise ship passengers.

schmerl

You won't get the same warm weather in Nassau at that time of year that you would get in Mexico.

maried11

Nassau will be colder and a cruise ship trap. I would try and change it back to the Mayan. Nothing exciting in Nassau

tom42

Some people must like Nassau - it gets millions of visitors a year.

maried11

Probably lots on cruise ships stops though as it's a huge one.

gmoney

"Some people must like Nassau - it gets millions of visitors a year."

Like many others have said, it is probably 90% cruise ship passengers. Even Paradise Island has pretty much been taken over by the gargantuan Atlantis resort. First time there was by air staying on Paradise Island at what is now the Riu. It was nice, but nothing special and there were a couple of interesting places on the island which have been replaced by Atlantis. Second time was a cruise port of call. Got off the boat and couldn't wait to get back on. Was constantly harassed to buy (taxis, drugs, excursions, drugs, hair braids, drugs, straw bags, Oh did I mention drugs). You get the picture.