I've never been to Mexico. I'm over whelmed with the choices. I'd like to go to the Riviera Maya location. I'd also like an all inclusive. Any suggestions on how to narrow it down. I'd like to go in the next three months.

Do you want a BIG resort? What is important to you...food quality, beach, activities, night life, adults only, etc.? Let us know and we will be better able to help you.

Yes let us know what is important to you.
The Beach
Food
Entertainment
Snorkeling
Ammenities
Activities
Location

if you ar looking for an all inclusive a recommend the barcelo maya colonial is just south of playa del carmen is an all inclusive i was there for a week in 2007 the food is great the beach is outstanding the rooms are good and so is the pool area and service any questions please ask my e-mail is [email protected]

First, thanks to all for the prompt responses. I had responded earlier but I started a new thread each time I responded. It was nicely pointed out to me that wasn't the way to do it.

So, I did want to thank you for your help.

I am most interested in quiet beaches. Food and drink, however, are right up there.

I was also wonder how best to make arrangements if you don't know any more than I seem to know.

For example, should I check with Apple, or something like it, or contact a local agent.

I can't help with how to make arrangements - since I am in Canada and things are probably not the same as in the U.S. I usually book a package that includes airfare etc with a T.A.

I have been to two resorts in the Mayan Riviera and enjoyed both although they are very different.

Went to the Akumal Beach Resort a few years ago. It is a smallish 3* resort on a great section of beach near the little town of Akumal - quiet, pleasant but not a lot of ammenities. The older rooms were adequate but a bit worn. The food was actually pretty good but choices were limited. I would recommend it to someone who wants a quiet, simple vacation without all the bells and whistles but with a great beach and very good snorkeling and near a town.

Recently I have been to the Palladium Riviera Maya - a huge mega resort with many ammenities etc. Definitely nicer rooms and more food choices. The beach is quite good but not as good as at Akumal Beach. Because it is so big and is on a very long section of beach, it actually has more quiet beach areas than Akumal Beach. The beach is VERY varied - some rocky areas, some nice and sandy, some with coral and good snorkeling and next door some wild undeveloped beach. Food - a couple of buffets and several restaurants. Food is good but not gourmet. Akumal Beach had better fish and good tacos but overall a lot less variety.

Hope this helps a little

take a look at www.locogringo.com they show a large selection of all-inclusives with lengthy description of each. at the bottom of each resort page there is a tiny airplane to click on - it shows you an aerial view of the resort.

You said you want quiet...does that mean adults only? If so, look into the Iberostar Paraiso Grand, Royal Playa del Carmen and Secrets Maroma. They are all adults only all inclusives with great beach, wonderful service and are all inclusive.
If you are bringing children, look into the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo which is part of the same complex as the IB Grand.
The Royal Playa del Carmen is right in Playa and just a short walk from town if that is important to you.

Chimp, I second the Barcelo, have been there twice.

Here are some good websites:

www.playa.info
www.locogringo.com
www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/site/

I used a TA that was highly recommended on the above 2 web sites. Her site is.

http://lonepalmtravel.com/

She is very knowledgable about the RM and did a great job for us.

Wherever you choose to go, look into buying a very reasonably priced map from Loco Gringo of the area before you go. It has alot of detail about local places to see that you will not otherwise hear of in guidebooks. For instance, we visited YAL KU lagoon, a very rustic place, but with amazing the fish that we saw. For first time travelers, it was neat to know a little bit bit about the surrounding area. I guess this will only help if you want to leave the resort briefly to see a bit of the area.

I am also looking for Riviera Maya advice and feeling overwhelmed. I'd like to go in February, and I'm looking for a big hotel, with good food and nice pools on the beach. Close to town too. Any suggestions for me?

w351,
If you are not taking children, try the Royal Playa del Carmen. It's an adults only all inclusive resort right on the beach and right into Playa del Carmen.

We were in the area a couple of years ago and stayed next door to the Royal Hideaway Playa Del Carmen. What a beautiful resort! I walked next door and toured the resort. I'm trying to figure a way to get back and stay there. Playa del Carmen is a great area, and this resort if within walking distance. Have fun.

The Royal Hideaway has suffered som severe beach erosion.

Thanks for the help! I'll look into that. No kids, schmerl.

w351,
There are several great adults only allinslive resorts in the Riviera Maya. The Iberostar Paraiso Grand is one fo the most luxurious. It has great pools, wonderful food, fantastic service, nice big beach. There are some rocks at the ocean entrance, but no big deal. It is however about a $20 taxi ride to Playa del Carmen.
Secrets Maroma recently opened in the same area.
Again, the Royal Playa del Carmen is right in the town of Playa and is also wonderful.

I had started my own post for assistance on where to go. I think I have it narrowed down to the Riviera Maya specifically the Ceiba del Mar in June. Has anyone stayed here?

Good luck with your trip. We have always had good luck with Palace resorts. If you are looking for adult only try Adventura Spa Palace - if not, the Moon Palace. There also other Palace resorts. For what it is worth we enjoyed the town of Playa del Carmen more than Cancun.

The Palace resorts are all inclusive, including many excursions worth seeing such as Chichen Itza, etc.

We paid to go to Xcaret and while expensive, we felt it was worth the $. Enjoy!!!!

Author: w351
Date: 10/30/2008, 04:57 pm

I am also looking for Riviera Maya advice and feeling overwhelmed. I'd like to go in February, and I'm looking for a big hotel, with good food and nice pools on the beach. Close to town too. Any suggestions for me?


w351,

I was in your same boat a few years ago. The best advice I could give is to list what is most important to you and go from there. For us the most important amenities were:

1) A/C in restaurants.
2) quality beaches.
3) great pool w/swim up bar.

Number 1 really narrowed it down. After researching all the ones that met this requirement it got a lot easier. Barcelo and Palladium kind of fell out and then it was just a choice between the two (Barcelo won). Check all the resource I listed above (and there are others) and once you get started it can then be kind of fun. Ask questions on boards like this as well. If I can answer any other questions I would be glad to.

I love the Barcelo & have been there twice. We would love to go again to Mexico & try someplace new but my family just wants Barcelo. It was perfect as far as we were concerned!! the unofficial barcelo site is a great wealth of info!!