It's that time of year again to plan our vacation for next year (late June of 2007). My husband and I are in our late 20's and we are looking for an AI in the Yucatan Peninsula Area. We could either fly out of BWI or PHL. We are looking at spending no more than $2500.00 total, is this even possible? Also, we don't want a "stuffy" AI - possibly an AI with other couples our age. Nightlife would be a plus [either at the resort or very close nearby]. We are not ruling out AI's that allow children, although we would prefer a couples only resort. Also, when would be the best time to book such a vacation in order to get the best price?

I appreciate any and all advice! This board previously helped us choose our last vacation to Provo in the Turks and Caicos.

Thank you once again!

You have late June working in your favor - it's low season.

Have you thought about contacting a travel agent? Usually when it comes to getting a good deal on an AI, it also includes the airfare - often they're listed in the Sunday travel section of newspapers.

AIs that are adult-only tend to be higher priced since they assume adults what more luxury when the kids aren't around.

You'll want to stay in Playa del Carmen or Playacar which is very close. Here's a list to get you started. I'd look for the AIs w/o timeshare sales...they can be so aggresive and really bum-out your vacation. The Iberostars aren't on this list, but are definately worth a look.

http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/all-inclusive.cfm

pepper131 -

thank you so very much for this very informative link! i was hoping to plan the vacation without assistance from an agent, but now i am thinking to reconsider that. are there any specific AIs that you reccommend?

thanks!

any other advice/suggestions from other posters?

I haven't stayed at an AI (I'm more of a small cabana in Tulum kinda girl), but from what I've read, the Riu's and the Iberostars get the highest marks. For a truly budget vacation (and...I hear a party), the Riu Tequilla has great pricing. It's off the beach, but you can use the beach at the other Riu's.
http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/140a-t.html

Right in PDC is the Gran Porto Real and the Royal Porto Real. Most like the RPR better. They are easy walk to nightlife in PDC - like at Blue Parrot.

The Reals are on either side of the pier - RPR was under construction when this was taken.
http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/147a-t.html

The RIU's usually have a sale at that time of year. This year the Yucatan was less expensive than the Tequila...go figure. The Tequila would have a younger crowd.
Couples only resorts are more expensive as they offer different services. The Royal Porto Real is going adults only (or is now after I looked at today's date lol) the beginning of November.

thanks again, pepper131 and to colokid! we are really interested in Royal Porto Real! however, it looks like their rates are going a bit more from this year! where could i get a good deal? also, if there is something comparable to Royal Porto Real, what would it be?

thanks again!

Maybe the rate hike is in response to the adults only change. I don't usually plan my vacation in June until April. I am a RIU class member so they send me the sales when they have them. I dont' use a travel agent and havent' in years but the first few times we went I did. I've also done the Apple thing and the Worryfree Vacations package. If you want to use either of these choices then I would definitely use a travel agent simply because if you buy the trip insurance and the price goes down they give you the lower price. You should also keep on top of it just incase your TA misses the sale. If you were thinking a week I see no problem finding something for that price in an AI at that time of year. Generally June is less expensive and the prices go up in July. If you don't want to go AI but want to stay in town and have access to the beach clubs do a search for Playa Maya, Shangri La Caribe, Riviera Del Sol, La Tortuga or Royal Palms Condos. The smaller, boutique hotels in town can be really nice and then allow you to explore all the great food in PDC. Many also offer free passes to Mamitas Beach Club which then gets you chairs, a palapa, music and food/drinks are available for cost.

thanks colokid for your advice and suggestions! which rui resort would you reccommend in the playa del carmen area?

for everyone: any other suggestions for our 2500.00 budget for 5 nights?

thanks again for any and all advice!

There are six in Playacar believe it or not. The furthest from the beach is the Lupita which I wouldn't go to just because it's so far. It's on the golf course in Playacar and they do have a beach club. I've stayed at the RIU Palace Mexico, the Yucatan and the Tequila. The newest one is the RIU Palace Riviera Maya. There is a lot of info at the unofficial riu site:
http://www.riubambu.com/RIU_WEB_PAGE...enu/mexico.htm It's funny I was talking about their sales yesterday and today I just got an email from RIU offering last minute sale prices through December. The Yucatan was $92/night/person which is a little more than I paid in June. There are also many RIU's in Cancun. A good board to check in that area for info on AI's is www.cancuncare.com It depends upon what you want in surroundings. Cancun is more high rises right on the water and PDC has a height limit of 3 floors. Good luck!

great colokid! thank you so very much for your reccommendations at the rui resorts! my husband and i are checking these various resorts out and are considering them as options! we definitely would like to stay out of the cancun area - so rui may be a possibility for us!

thanks do very much!

any other suggestions based on the places everyone has stayed at in this area?

There are five (soon to be six) Iberostar resorts in the Riviera Maya area. All of them are wonderful.

I agree the Iberstars are quite nice, but the down side is that they are so darn BIG! I mean big like HUGE. We prefer smaller resorts more like Secrets Capri.

thank you to all the posters! we are currently looking into the rui resorts and secrets capri [any preference?]. we still have our hearts set on rpr - but it is just out of our budget, unless we can get a killer deal somewhere! anyway, what is similiar to royal porto real but at a lower cost?

thank you for any and all suggestions!