Hi Fodorites. My husand and I are heading to Mexico for three nights in early June. This will be a brief getaway (child-free) to celebrate our 9th anniversary. Oh yes, and I'm will be around 22 week prego at the time.
We DO NOT want a large resort, so AI is pretty much out. I am trying to decide between La Reve in PDC, The Tides, or someplace in Tulum or Akumal. We love to snorkel, and want a place that is quiet, has good beds and has a moderate amount of luxury. We don't need crazy-fawn-all-over-you service, just friendly and clean. Oh, and access to some decent restaurants. So far, I'm leaning towards La Reve and a half-day trip to Tulum. Thoughts?
Any other recommendations? How does one get to Tulum - is a car rental the quickest and most cost-effective way for a prego woman? I've seen bus service, but since I"m pregnant, I prefer to spend a bit more to be comfortable and not have hassles.
Help a Prego Woman with Tulum/Akumal/PDC Decision
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The two places you mentioned seem to be just outside of PDC, and should be very nice. The beaches in this area are relatively calm, and beautiful. You are a short drive to downtown PDC with all it's excitement, restaurants and shopping.
Tulum has a different vibe. The beaches are very wide and quite uncrowded. The surf in Tulum is rougher, and could be tricky. There are lots of small, funky eco-friendly hotels and cabanas lining the beach. Downtown Tulum (about 2 miles inland) is much smaller than PDC and has a more local flavor - a fun little town. A nice beachfront hotel is Las Ranitas, but there are many others.
Akumal is different again. It's a quiet little stretch of small hotels, condos,restaurants and small markets. The water is very calm and clear, and great for snorkeling and swimming. The tricky part is that many accomodations are on rocky stretches, and you have to walk, bike, or drive to get to the sandy beach at Akumal Bay. The Akumal Caribe hotel and bungalows is a small complex right on the best beach.
Have you checked out locogringo.com?
I love Akumal and am headed back for at least my tenth trip next month staying at Hotel Akumal Caribe. Good snorkeling and some nice restaurants, not a lot of nightlife though as most folks are here for the snorkeling, diving and relaxing.
You might also want to take a look at Xpu-Ha Beach a few miles north, CRT (Catalonia Royal Tulum) get generally good reviews and is Adults Only or take a look at the small, non-AI four room hotel there Al Cielo. Since you will soon be having your first child, either an Adults Only AI would be nice or a non-AI with a nice location.
Sorry - not familiar with the PDC area - have only heard of The Tides.
Tides and Le Reve are in the same area. I'm not sure how important water entry is for you, but that section of beach has a very rocky water entry - like huge slabs of rock (called ironshore, I believe).
We stayed at Ikal del Mar which is now Tides - I was disappointed in the beach because I love to get into the sea and swim A LOT and it was nearly impossible in this location.
If you look at Tulum, I think you'd like Ana y Jose.
Xpu Ha is a great suggestion - Al Cielo is small and intimate. Next door is Esencia. Great beach in Xpu Ha!
Look at the Makehal Beach Resort. It's about a 15 minute walk to the start of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Much closer than The Tides or Le Reve. The hotel includes breakfast and dinner, but by no means do you have to eat there is you don't want to.
We went snorkeling at the Akumal Beach Hotel in December. It looked very nice, but too far from 5th Avenue for us.
www.locogringo.com/tulum/azulik.html?ID=847
beutiful easy exotic my fav...
www.hotellaspalapas.com
nice not qute as exotic as Tulum
closer to CUN cheaper and very nice.