I've decided on the Playa del Carmen area for a spring 03 vacation (2 adults, 15 and 17 yr. old boys). It will be our first time to this area, and I'm looking for recommendations on the best AIs in the area. So far my research turns up Iberostar Paraiso del Mar or Paraiso Beach, Gala Beach Resort, Allegro Resort, or Bahia Principe Akumel. It's all new to me, so I'd love some advice. Thanks!

You'll get a LOT more help if you post your question in the 'Latin America' section.<BR>I've seen the Gala and it's nice, also, it's within walking distance to town with many choices of restaurants, shopping, etc.<BR>Good luck!

Stay away from the Allegros if you can. I haven't been to all of them but the few that I have were enough to persuade me to go to elsewhere for future vacations. They're not the worst but you can definitely do better.

We stayed at the Gala last November, and have also stayed at the Allegro. The Gala is by far your best choice of the two. We would go back there anytime. Rooms are nice and the food was good.

My husband and I just returned from Iberostar Paraiso Beach and we absolutely loved it! PROS: beautiful resort with water fountains and lots of tropical animals like parrots and flamingo;marble floors; HUGE pool that runs throughout the entire resort; mini-bar in room thats re-stocked daily;our best AI yet (this was our third) they have a restaurant that is open throughout the night into the early morning hours, there is room service until 11pm, the housekeeping was wonderful with a different towel animal on our bed every day with chocolates, nightly entertainment, many activities<BR>CONS: soooo big there was too much walking- they have a cart/shuttle that runs up and down the walkway on either side every 10 minutes or so, but it seemed that by the time we got to where we were walking that was when the shuttle decided to run by. I have two ruptured discs in my back so this resort was just too big for me because of all the walking; the food was so-so at the buffets, but at the restaurants it was much better and the desserts were unbelievably delicious! <BR>The atmosphere was a little dressy and the men cannot go into any food area without a shirt (even at 3 in the morning), and must wear pants at dinner (we didnt like that since it was very humid-we thought they should let you in with dressy shorts) I have lots of pictures so if you want me to send you any, just let me know...hope this helps!

Is this the newest resort on PDC? I have not seen many reviews on this place. Thanks for the trip report. I am also thinking of this place for next spring. How was the beach? Many people, far walk to the beach?

PLAYA WAS A GREAT RESORT AREA. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, FRIENDLY PEOPLE,ALL DAY WOULD SIT ON BEACH STARING AT WATER. WENT IN JANUARY 2002, STAYED AT RIU PLAYCAR, ALL INCLUSIVE, FOR 7 NIGHTS, FROM APPLE VACATIONS. IT WAS AN EXCELLENT VACATION, EXCEPT NO ROOM SERVICE OR COFFEE POTS IN ROOM. THE MAIN RESTURANT AT NIGHT WAS A HUGE BUFFET, SOME GOOD DISHES, SOME NOT SO GOOD. I MYSELF LOVED THE PIZZA AT LUNCH AND DINNER. IT WAS A LOVELY RESORT WITH A LITTLE SHOPPING MALL ACROSS THE ROAD. I LIKED THE FACT THAT TULUM WASN'T FAR AWAY, ABSOLUTLY AMAZING. THE IBEROSTAR RESORTS ARE RATED THE BEST BY APPLE. I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK! BUT THIS WINTER WE ARE GOING TO SANDEL GOLF RESORT IN ST. LUCIA, AS IT WAS CHILLY AT NIGHT IN JANUARY IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN. THANK GOODNESS WE TOOK JACKETS. BUT I THINK WHERE WE STAYED WOULD BE BORING FOR TEENAGERS AT NIGHT, LOTS OF WATERSPORTS DURING THE DAY, THE WATER WAS ABOUT 80 DEGREES. THE TOWN WAS ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY,WE WENT ONE LATE AFTERNOON BY TAXI AND THE SHOPPING WAS VERY GOOD AND INEXPENSIVE, MY BOYFRIEND LOVES TH HAGGLE. NO ONE WAS PUSHY JUST VERY FRIENDLY. GREAT PEOPLE, LOVELY VACATION.