Amanda

Any help is greatly appreciated! My husband and I are looking forward to a romantic getaway this summer. We would like beach side accomodations in a rich cultural environment. We would like to sit poolside and beachside, eat good sea food, enjoy a day or two of sightseeing, and get away from it all. We would like to be able to party and yet get away from the hoopla if desired. My husband hates crowds but will tolerate them if there is an escape. We are looking at going sometime in early summer. Please help!

kara

I would suggest going to Villa Del Sol In Zihuatanejo ,Mexico. It is a beautiful relaxing beachfront hotel on Playa la Ropa. Great food,a couple of pools, but very low key. Your husband might enjoy the massages he can get right on his beach longer. Zihuatanejo is a relatively small fishing village but 20 minutes away is Ixtapa that has all the party places, fancy and wild restaurants and excitement. There is also a good golf course in Ixtapa that everyone has access to! <BR>Good luck!

dan

Villa Montontana at www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm

laurie

You will love Zihuatenejo if you choose to go there. But our favorite place for what you described is Akumal. It is about one hour south of Cancun (where you fly into). Akumal is like a small village with 6 resturaunts, 2 small grocery stores, a dive shop and more culture and personality than anywhere else. We love it! The beaches are beautiful and the snorkeling at the main beach is great. There is also a lagoon at the other end of "town" with the best snorkeling and most beautiful fish anywhere except for Cozumel. This is a very laid back place with no schedules, no hurries. The fresh food is wonderful. Playa del Carmen is 20 minutes away if you want some city excitement and great shopping. Tulum ruins are 30 minutes in the other direction. Also nearby is Xel-ha - a great place to snorkel and hang out for a day. Email for more info if you are interested in more details. [email protected]. We love to talk about our favorite place!

elena Garza

Hola Amanda! <BR>I am surprised that more people have not answered your call. <BR>If you do want to come to Mexico on your haliday, maybe I can help. I now live in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, but I have lived in most resorts in Mexico. I have chosen PV for my permanent home. <BR>If you have not been to the west coast of Mexico, please consider visiting. <BR>Vallarta has so much personality as a quaint town, very Mexican and very international.Please check our website at: www.royale-tours.com <BR>I hope you have a wonderful vacation! <BR>Elena

jane

Hi <BR>I would recommend Playa Del Carmen. It's 40 mi. south of Cancun and not so American/commerical. It's a great little town- very good restaurants and lots of nice little shops. We stayed at the Contiental Plaza Playacar and were very pleased. It's located on the edge of town within walking distace of all the shops and restaurants. <BR>Playa Del Carmen is only a 30 min. ferry ride from Cozumel (great snorkeling). The Mayan ruins at Tulum are really dramatic poised on cliffs over looking the sea and are only about 45 mi. away. Xel-Ha (near Tulum) is a large natural lagoon, very pretty area, with great snorkeing. Somewhat touristy but worth it. <BR>We found some fun little bars and heard some really good live music. All things considered we enjoyed Playa Del Carmen very much. <BR>Hope this helps! <BR> <BR>

Peggy

There is a small fishing village on the gulf coast called Celestun. You can rent a house there, and it is beautiful. Go to: <BR>http://www.oceanfrontproperties.com/...inderrent.html <BR>and contact Mr. Linder who has a lovely home for rent or can find another beachfront home or apartment to rent if his is not available. We stayed there last year and it is great. Fly into Merida and rent a car and drive to Celestun or you can fly into Cancun, rent a car and drive across the peninsula on the turnpike. Celestun is the home of a flamingo preserve. There are a few restaurants, but it is quiet and unspoiled by tourists.

Jim

Suggest a really nice spot we stayed at this year with all the things you are looking for. <BR> <BR>It's Banana Beach resort on Ambergris caye, Belize. Party or solitude if you want it. Good beach and pool. Easy to get to from Houston, Dallas or Miami hubs. 2 hours flying time to Belize City and a short 20 minute hop on a local airline to Ambergris Caye. <BR> <BR>Take a peek at their web site at: www.bananabeach.com <BR> <BR>Enjoy, <BR> <BR>**Jim