I will be traveling to Cozumel/Cancun in the next couple of months (have not decided which yet) and have heard that the beaches may be in really bad shape. Does anyone have any idea if this is true and which destination would provide a better beach-based vacation? In either case, we will be staying in the main hotel zones. Please help!

What would you like to know? I spent a month in Cozumel this past February. The beaches are fine there. What exactly have you heard? Maybe I can give you more information if I know what your fear is.

I am here in Playa del carmen now and was on the beach this morning. The info you are seeing may be old as the beaches have been fine for some time. You can look at the webcame at www.playa.info under multimedia or talk to folks at www.cancuncare.com There is also a cozumel forum which I think is called cozumelmycozumel.com

I just left Cancun May 29 2009; who ever is saying the beaches are bad does not know what they are talking about. Everything is in perfect shape in Cancun. Maybe they meant that lots of collage kids hang out in Cancun and than I would say I agree. I personally like to go south of Cancun to relax and escape to paradise and I do mean Paradise. I would suggest that you do not stay in Cancun if you are looking to relax and escape to paradise like myself, because it is to Americanized and too many parties happening. Fly in to Cancun and go south about 2 hours the Beaches in Soliman Bay (next to Oscar y Lalos), Tulum (next to Tulum ruins) are much nicer and deserted. We rented a car and went south. We discovered that the beaches are white sandy, clean; the sea is warm and full of life. We went to the Beach were they filmed the Corona commercials. We stopped at Oscar y Lalos to eat and the host recommended an excellent tour guide that took us to the most beautiful Beaches, Caves and Ruins. Oscar y Lalo’s is 1 ½ hour drive south on HWY 307 from Cancun at kilometer 240 something. The Beaches in that area are pristine. We decided to visit Oscar y Lalos on our trip to Mexico this May because of the Fodor’s Review we read. It was for sure the best meal we had in Mexico. We ordered the Lalo's Special per Fodor’s review and it is defiantly a standout as they stated. It was the most delicious Seafood I have ever tasted. The Lobster and shrimp was succulent the conch tasted like Abalone and the plate was very big, the Ceviche made of fresh Caracol was to die for. I will diffidently return their. They also have Huge Fresh Fruit (Mango, Strawberry and Cha) Margaritas. All three are very good my husband and I had them all. I love the Cha it is exceptional. Apparently they are very healthy for you, all ingredients are fresh and natural the host told me. My mouth is watering as I type. I am dreaming of the Lalo Special. We had all of that for only $52 US two people and they took our credit card.

I than went with a tour guide from Oscar y Lalos diving at Dos Ojo’s, a White Powder Beach where the Turtles migrate, A beautiful Lagoon, It was the Best dive experience I have ever had. I saw Camel bones, human bones and ruins 180 feet below the ground in a Cenote. By the time I was done I was refreshed and distressed. I felt as if I had a cleansing. Mind Body and Soul. I highly recommend the Tour Guide from the Oscar y Lalos Restaurant apparently they have been in the area for 27 years and know all the best places. We went on an all day tour for only $75.00 per person. The other tour companies in Cancun and on the internet charge $180.00 plus per person for the same type of Tour. I can not wait to return until than I will only be dreaming of Paradise.

A good friend recently traveled to Cancun in April, and stayed at the JW Marriott. He said they had to walk down about three resorts in order to enjoy any beach at all.

We are leaning towards Cozumel, as I have been there several times and loved it; however, have not been there recently. Have always stayed at Playa Azul, and enjoyed it tremendously, but was informed their beach was completely wiped out in the past year - but realze that the beaches get destroyed but then rebuilt in equally as short of time.
We are booked at the Aura for the time being, any other suggestions/recommendations?

Playa Azul was completely rebuilt after Hurricane Wilma. That was years ago. Its fine now.