Cozumel or GC
 

Hi there, not much on the board about Mexico.....we were thinking about Cozumel or Belize and got some good feedback, but now I hear that Belize does not have sandy white beaches and there are lots of sand fleas....
We are looking for more high end and beautiful beaches, thinking more now about Cozumel or Grand Cayman.....please HELP........

Grand Cayman is waaay more expensive than Coz or Belize. Great snorkeling, but you're gonna pay for it.

Cozumel doesnt have the greatest beaches. They have good snorkeling though.

I would check out Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Akumal. Very nice beaches.

Akumal has good snorkeling along with a very nice beach.

Peace, Greenie

Been to all 3. The beaches in GC (especially 7-mile) will beat anything you are going to find in Coz or Belize. GC is more expensive than the others two, though. They all have good/comparable diving (I like diving in Coz a bit better than GC and Belize but it's not a big difference and I'm sure others could say differently). GC and Coz will have more larger resorts and nightlife and are more commercial compared to Belize which has more intimate accommodations and is far less commercial (especially on the atolls).

In short, I would choose GC if I want nice beaches and upscale resorts but don't mind spending a little extra.

I would choose Coz if I want a casual, less-expensive but fun environment with great diving.

I would choose Belize (the atolls) if I want more of an escape from commercialized resorts and islands and don't mind doing much more than diving, fishing, drinking and relaxing.

I agree with the above poster. GC is the choice to make. I've been to Coz too, and I would agree the beaches are nothing as striking as Cayman. If I'm not mistaken you have to pay to get into the beaches on Coz. We took a daytrip there from Playa. The island is very casual with not a lot of upscale resorts or restaurants.

Stayed in Belize last year and visited there about 8 years prior. We stayed on Ambergris Caye both times (only place I have been to more than once). I never got a sand flea bite...and usually biting bugs love me. You are right, the beaches aren't great in Belize..but really no different than Cozumel. We were bored stiff in Cozumel and we scuba and snorkel. We loved Belize not only for the reef and especially the Blue Hole, but because you can take a golf cart to town and hang with the locals and feel safe. We are more adventurous and the mega resorts turn us off. I hear the Placencia in Belize has nicer beaches but I have never been (and it is cheaper yet!). If you stay on Ambergris Caye, look at Banyan Bay or Grand Colony for the best beach there. Or some of the smaller resorts might too, but we had young kids and needed a little bigger resort (if that is what you call a place in Belize with about 30 rooms) They have a great pool and the resort is really nice...all with full kitchens and 2 br probably for the same price you would pay for a small hotel room at a mega resort in GC. You also can go to the ruins, cave tubing, or zip lining in Belize. So...apples and oranges if you comparing to GC.

The beaches in the Caymans are far superior to those on Cozumel. It is pricier, yes, but there are reasonable accomodations to be had as well as decent dining in most price ranges.

I prefer the beaches and ambiance of Jamaica to any other personally but that is not on your list.

Only have one day in Belize, what would you suggest? Don't care to snorkel, like to experience different things. What's the Blue Hole?

GC over Coz any day!!!!

Well if you don't like to snorkel...don't worry about the Blue Hole, it is only the most astounding dive sites on earth. http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/greatbluehole.html

If you only have a day..maybe cave tubing or zip lining would be your thing?