pat

Just come back from our second wonderful visit to the Iberostar Tucan and now can't decide if it's to be a third visit next year or to do the Barcelo Maya. Any views on which one is the best to do? I can't fault the IB but don't want it to get monotonous.

Jenn

I am in the same dilemna, but opposite. I have gone to Barcelo Maya and loved it. It's a very large resort but we always got a chair on the beach, had a towel and did not wait to eat. <BR>We did not have any problems with the water sports either. <BR><BR>We really enjoyed ourselves there.

pat

Thanks Jenn.It's such a big world and we keep going back to the same place. Crazy isn't it.

cathy

We will be traveling to Iberostar Queztal is this the same as tucan ? I have reserved a junior suite do you have any info on these rooms Thanks for the help

pat

Cathy. The Quetzal is the same resort as the Tucan They mirror one another with the pool ,bars, and a beautiful natural jungle in the middle and you use the facilities of both. I can't help you with info about the suites over the Quetzal side but I can assure you that you won't be dissapointed. It is fabulous.We have decided on a 3rd visit next year.

cathy

thanks for your help cant wait to go...

becky

We're also considering the Barcelo Maya, but are concerned about some of the negative comments about the food---could anyone out there plse provide details: i.e. how much seafood is there; variety; line-ups; wine quality; is Mexican food available? Also, how long by cab into Play del Carmen. Thanks in advance. Plse e-mail me directly.

Caribbean Specialist

Barcelo Mayan and Iberostar are similar in appearance (except for the jungle), I mean buildings, theater area and etc.<BR><BR>The beach at Barcelo is much better than Iberostar Tucan. Sadly, they do not included premium brand drinks like the Tucan. I understand the food at the Barcelo has improved and most people now say it is good.

Diane

I have stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso and the Barcelo Maya and I'll take the Barcelo Maya any day over the Iberostar!! No great faults to the Iberostar but the Barcelo was just better in the ways that count to me. If you want a spectacular beach....best in the area....go to the Barcelo. The ocean there is great for both snorkelling and swimming. You can just walk into the water from the beach to do either. Plus the Barcelo has a wonderful pier and a small island that you can swim or snorkel to....just TOO interesting. I even had a nurse shark swim right past me (scared the beejeesus out of me but they are harmless), others saw huge turtles, etc. The theatre at the Barcelo was just plain opulent with wonderful tiered seating around a semi-circle stage with absolutely great bars/lounges at either side. Food was great, wine was good, and the cab only took 15 to 20 minutes to get into Playa Del Carmen!! At the Barcelo, they had at least twice as many lounge chairs as guests at both the pools and the beach. You absolutely NEVER had to save chairs because of not enough of them. Oh, yes, the disco is the most romantic and fun I've ever seen anywhere....it's one of the beach restaurants that becomes the disco at night....picture waving palm trees, cool ocean breeze, glittering pool, etc. Go the Barcelo and you probably won't bother with the Iberostar ever again!!

jake

I am trying to decide which AI to go to. We have gone to the Iberostar Paraiso and loved it. We are taking 7 -18year olds, 2-13 year olds and 4 adults. We need a great disco for them and alot of acitivities, volleyball,basketball etc. A large pool like the IB Paraiso. We cannot go back there because some of the boys they can't afford it. Would the Barcelo be a place for us? We also were checking out the Riu's and Bahia. Please help!! When you say they don't have premium liquor what do you mean by that. No kahlua or Crown Royal.

Diane

My teenagers preferred the Barcelo so I'd say yours will too. Go to this website and maybe they can answer your questions:<BR>www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com

Jenn

Diane:<BR>Thanks for your comments. They are invaluable!! As I said previously we already went to the Barcelo and loved it, but we wanted to try something different. <BR><BR>Jenn

jake

I am still not sure what to do with this group of teens. I know we enjoyed IB Paraiso. We went in the summer and there was alot of teens and acitivites going on. Should we try and go back or try the Barcelo. I don't want anyone to be disappointed. Is there alot of activities, beach volleyball, basketball, etc. Is the disco great for 14 and 18 yr olds. Can both groups get in at stay lot. 14 yr olds not kicked out at 10:00. Are the pools and facilities just as nice as Ib Paraiso? Please help with my decision.

jake

<BR>diane, <BR>Could you tell me what you liked better about the Barcelo over the Ib Paraiso and why the teens would like this resort better. I am still trying to decide. Are acitivities plentiful and disco great with all their age groups. Can my 13 year olds go into the disco? Please give me details. You can e-mail me if you prefer. Thank you

Diane

Jake, I just spent about a half hour writing you a reply and it doesn't appear to have been posted so I'm not wasting more time. I hope this reply gets posted.<BR><BR>Go to the Barcelo and I'm sure your teenagers will RAVE ABOUT IT. Trust me!

Diane

Jake, I don't think anyone has told you about this website yet so go to it and browse:<BR>www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com<BR>It's a great website and you will see for yourself why it's such a great resort. I'm sorry my &quot;long winded&quot; reply didn't post. I posted a question to Fedors and some very helpful people gave suggestions about why and how to avoid it in the future. Next time, I won't lose my &quot;long&quot; replies. Sorry.