I am looking for the inbetween. We want a beach hotel with little tourism but something nearby to get a feeling of local 'flavor' both culture and palate. Won't have a car so walking or biking distance is a plus. Then I think, should we do a low key bungalow and then go into Playa de Carmen for the shops and food? Of course...trying to stay under 100 per nite for husband and I. Augh! Help

What time of the year are you going? It sounds like a good plan, being somewhere close to Playa but rates greatly vary by time of year.

We were looking at 1st week in Dec (only have 4 nites)but see rates better in Oct (have at least 7 days)..but hurricane season.

Any suggestions? Is it hard or expensive to get to other towns?

I have narrowed it down to Isla Mujeres. Now to find a hotel!

For about $100.00 per night you can stay at Hotel Playa la Media Luna. It's a great small hotel, right on the beach. It's on the Caribbean side, so the waves are crashing on the rocks, but there is swimmable beach just a couple minutes walk away. Nice pool, nice rooms, great views. Ok breakfast. Only a few minutes walk to downtown.

Jean

Go to Tulum. Great beaches, close to Mayan ruins, near the Biosphere and good lodging (my favorite is Las Ranitias) and good restaurants (try Hechizo).

You can always go into Playa for shopping or nightlife