We are planning a trip to Mexico in mid April and are trying to decide between the two. We love snorkeling, beaches and exploring the region. We went to Cancun 12 years ago and enjoyed it. We know Cancun and think it would be good but I don't want to miss out on a new experience (although Cancun might be new with 12 years since we went!) Nice dining would be good - night life is secondary. Children on this trip are not a consideration. Can anyone help us??

Marci....I highly recommend that you go to Playa De Carmen it is one hour 1/2 <BR>south of cancun....bus first class <BR>downtown $4.00...go to the ruins too <BR>on the same day Tulum...in Playa de Carmen you can eat of the streets lovely board walk with fab out door cafes and dining! The ferry to The womans Island is also only $3.50 and <BR>it is a must do sure you can snorkle there when you get there its small and easy to walk around or you can drive a little golf cart around! Lots to do in Cancun! You will love it! Do not go to the bull fight! Canadians are trying to boycott the animal cruelty! Enjoy! <BR>Cheers Debra

I Also highly recommend Playa del Carmen. I just got back from Cancun, Mexico today. I don't think i will ever go back to Cancun again. I was very disappointed. It was a strip of beach with nothing but one big hotel after another. It is very commercialized. We went to the bullfight also- which was the most horrible thing i think i have ever seen. I've been to Cozumel- it was about 15 years ago though- I'm sure it has changed. I've heard that it has one of the greatest reefs to go snorkeling at.

I would also recommend Playa. It will be less Americanized than Cancun, but will be much more convenient for exploring the Yucatan than Cozumel. The beaches are superb too - better than on Cozumel and as good as in Cancun.

Thanks for the suggestions. Play sounds like what we are looking for. Any suggestions on hotels?

I just returned from Playa Del Carmen and my wife & I had a wonderfull time. Check out Porto Real Hotel (AirTransat all inclusive book)

Hi, my name is Julie...We went to Cozumel in April of 1998 and fell in love with that tropical destination. Not only does your money go farther in Mexico but it only gets a little busy in town when the cruise ships arrive. We took the ferry over to Playa Del Carmen and found that the water is a lot wavier. We had no desire to snorkel from the beach there. Cozumel has reefs out front of every hotel and if you rent a car for a day you can get away from it all! My husband and I thought we were the only two people on the Island! We are waiting for prices to go down again and hoping to go back at the end of April. We will take the ferry over to the mainland and see the ruins this time. Even though the Fiesta Americana Cozumel Reef hotel is beautiful, we have decided to stay in a hotel near the main pier. That way we can walk to shopping and dining and take the ferry when we want to. I also do not recommend an all inclusive resort in this area. The food is extremely cheap and the service is excellent! Always change your money over to pesos because if you pay in American dollars they will not make change! And keep a couple pesos handy at dinner for when an acoustic trio plays for you! Fantastic! I could go on and on (and this comes from only 7 days there 2 years ago!) but I must say to try the Key Lime Pie at El Capi Navigante (It's worth the plane ticket alone!) Happy vactioning!

Marci, When we were in Playa last week my husband,friends and I stopped in a bunch of hotels and asked (Puedo ver un cuarto?-if i could see a room). There are 5 I thought were nice (they all seemed clean,on or just off the main strip and about a block away from the beach). <BR> <BR>1.Hotel Jungla Caribe <BR>Sorry i didn't get prices <BR>2.Hotel Delfin-I didn't get prices but remember that it was inexpensive and the rooms are Plain- although, the room we saw had a brand new bathroom- all marble-very nice. They have a website www.hoteldelfin.com <BR>3. Pension San Juan- Didn't get prices but the room we saw was very cute. <BR>4. Pancho's Hotel- nice,has a courtyard and cafe. Rooms are decorated nicely-huge showers Prices run about $55-$85 USD. <BR>5. Copa Cabana-$45/2 people <BR> <BR>If you need any other information. feel free to email me. Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>As far as all inclusives-I personally wouldn't do it. I don't like to have to eat at the same place for every meal. Playa has many great little cafes and restaurants to choose from.

<BR>We also like cozumel over cancun although cozumel is no bargain place and has gotten more touristy since about 4 to 8 ships stop each day. you might also want to check into akumal which is very nice and not more expensive. also isla mujeres has really <BR>cleaned up since you were last in cancun.We like I. Mujeres because it is so quiet and inexpensive. if you would like we can e-mail our brouchure we have written over the years dan and ginny

My family stayed at the Diamond Allegro All-Inclusive in Playa del Carmen over New Year's just two years ago! The resort has TONS of activities every day including windsurfing lessons, kayaking, pickup volleyball and basketball games, tennis, and even beach activities. The beach was pristine and the swim-up bar was a resort favorite. 35 of us stayed and they kept us all entertained and well-fed! I would recommend Playa to anyone!!