Hi all, first visit to Mexico planned for September, we’re mid 40s active couple living in London. We love food and art/culture, but also nature/water/hiking. We’ll probably fly in to Mexico City (from ORD, for a family visit) and end in Oaxaca for a work obligation and plan to spend time in both cities. We haven’t ever done an all-inclusive beach resort type trip before, and are tempted on this trip as there seem to be so many choices. But where to go for a few days between Mexico City and Oaxaca?

I’m aware that this will probably involve separate travel, potentially a flight to wherever the beach area is. Huatulco looks like an obvious choice from the maps, but the reviews of the properties there don’t sound fantastic, so was wondering about the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the properties there. But since we’re flying anyway, is there a better area?

We aren’t looking to party, are much more introverted and happy to keep to ourselves. Will have a drink or two but don’t need to optimise all inclusive for booze, good food is more important. Would definitely like to have some gorgeous natural scenery. Would love it if we could manage this from within the Hyatt portfolio as we have points/suite upgrades available.

Initially assumed one of the all inclusive resorts was the way to go (Secrets Maroma a possibility?), but also wondered if we would enjoy something like the Andaz Mayakoba if I can find it on points, and just pay for food ourselves?

Completely overwhelmed by the choices so all advice most welcome!

Some thoughts. Be aware that September is still hurricane season and it will also be rainy, hot & humid on either coast. Huatulco doesn't get many hurricanes. Mexico's independence day is September 16th, so there will be events & parades pretty much everywhere to some degree. Mexico city especially. I believe Secrets in Huatulco is a Hyatt property? It's on Playa Conjeo which is calm & quite secluded and access by the general public is by a trail that runs down the hill from the road. When we were there the resort didn't exist. We were the only ones there except for fishermen and their grill & palapa & cold beer. Aerotucan flies between Huatulco & Oaxaca in about 40 minutes in their Cessna Caravan.

I have no idea why one would need an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. If one's objective is to completely isolate and miss out on authentic cultural engagement, then perhaps an all-inclusive would fit the bill.

it's definitely not set in stone that we'll do an all-inclusive, to be honest it seems like the vast majority of advice is for people that want exactly this, so trying to find alternatives is more challenging than doing it on our own, which would be our normal MO.

I've been to Huatulco a few times (the first time we stayed on the beach with a family who were later displaced by FONATUR; there was no development then)
But I have returned and it's really beautiful, even with all the big hotels; scenery is more varied, I think, than on the Yucatan coast. You could also look at Puerto Escondido and the other towns near there, but I have not been in so long, I have no info on what they are like now.

I think the weather is a big deciding factor, with the possibility of hurricanes.

All inclusive=NO. Or at least I have no idea although come to think of it, I did stay at the ClubMed once in Huatulco on a comp trip....