My husband and I are looking to take a week-long vacation in August SOMEWHERE in the Caribbean Islands or the Yucatan Peninsula. We're looking for an all-inclusive resort with good food and service, and we REALLY want powder sand beaches and turquoise clear water. Any advice? Our budget is around $4000 USD but that can be a little flexible.

Thanks for your help!

Secrets Maroma or the Iberostar Paraiso Grand in the Riviera Maya.
The Grand is a bit more luxurious and has a much less crowded beach.
Both are adults only.

mexico.bookit.com

Seccrets Resort Maroma or Capri.

Schmerl, thanks for the info. We were actually debating between Secrets Maroma or Excellence playa mujeres (little cheaper). Can anyone give me a little info on that? I'll have to look into the paraiso grand--for some reason that hasn't come up on the radar.

qwovadis, I've heard good things about the Secrets resorts and these posts are really confirming them. Thanks!!

You do realize the weather in August for Mayan Riviera, right? It's rainy season, hot and humid. It wouldn't stop me from going(!) but it's too much for some people.

Just returned Sat. from our first trip to the Mayan Riviera and to an all-inclusive, stayed at Secrets Capri. We had a great time, but you should know that while the beach itself was fine (the resort rakes up seaweed daily), some days the water was dense with seaweed - not the turquoise clear water you describe. I've been told the amount of seaweed in the water varies, and we did see differences over the week we stayed. I understand Secrets Maroma has a much better beach - with the price reflecting this. As for the weather, suze's comment on the Mayan Riviera in August is true for the Caribbean, Florida, etc. If you're OK with that, you can get some great off-season rates. We enjoyed our trip to the Yucatan, best part was excursions to the Mayan archeological excavations at Chichen Itza & Tulum with small tour companies. Have a great trip!

I am booked for the Yucatan Peninsula in August! Hot yes, but if you're going for just relaxing and hanging by the beach it's fine. I've never gone all inclusive, but am thinking about the Fiesta Aqua Cancun, which went all inclusive in December...

ml4kat,
Here is a link to a discussion comparing Secrets Maroma and Excellence Playa Mujeres

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...Peninsula.html