So much info! <BR> <BR>We are trying to plan a trip to Mexico for November. Have never been and are overwhelmed by the info available. We are considering Cancun, Cozumel, Manzanillo, and Zihuatinejo. <BR> <BR>My husband is opting for Cancun because of the water. We would ideally like to find a place where we can make our own meal if we choose, and have access to restaurants and the beach. <BR> <BR>We are water lovers and I have snorkeled in Thailand (which Maui did not hold a candle to!) So we are looking forward to day after day in or on the water. Safe beaches, and great snorkeling are what we're after. <BR> <BR>-My hubby would also love to see some Mayan cities- <BR> <BR>Any info (pro's/con's) would be GREATLY appreciated! <BR> <BR>Thank you in advance! <BR>Mr & Mrs Sun-lover

If water is your focus, the carribean side is far superior in the quaility of the ocean and beaches. There are many choices other than Cancun and Cozumel but of those two, Cancun is the "made for America" party town and Cozumel is a little more remote and laid back. Bothe have turned into ultra-resorts however so don't expect to see the way the people really live at either stop. The good news is you should have easy access to all of the things that you mention in you're post no matter which place of the two you choose. Have fun!

Akumal is 65 miles south of Cancun and sounds like the place you are looking for. You can find out all kinds of info on this area by going to http://www.locogringo.com <BR>There is a message board where you can ask your questions. We have been going to this area for over ten years now and it is wonderful! We even bought a place down there a little over a year ago... You can see it at; <BR>http://akumal-sevenseas.com <BR>Fantastic snorkeling right outside your door....

Thank you Jesse! <BR>Any suggestions on how we can truly experience mexico? <BR>We decided last night that Cancun is definately out. The kind of night life we're looking for is local music at a beach bar! <BR> <BR>The sun-lovers. <BR> <BR>

Sharon, thank you! Great Link! The message board has great info. I am looking into Playa Del Carmen. Any input on the types of tourists there? More local flavor in Playa Del Carmen and Veracruz than Cozumel? <BR> <BR>thanks. <BR>The Sun-lovers

I've been to both Playa del Carmen and Cozumel several times. While it's true that Cozumel does get a lot of American tourists, many of them are on cruise ships so they are there just for the day. San Miguel (the town on Cozumel) actually does have a lot of Mexicans living there! Playa del Carmen was originally a smaller town than San Miguel, but it's really grown over the last few years. There are lots of big hotels and all inclusive type properties, but also many small hotels which can be quite charming. Restaurants are good in both places. Playa del Carmen seems more European - lots of Italians visit there, many seem to own businesses there. More toplessness on the beach, that sort of thing. We like both. For snorkeling, Cozumel is better, but it doesn't have the long expansive beach that Playa has. You can take excursions more easily from Playa - either the local buses or rent a car, and go to Akumal (great snorkeling) and some of the archeological sites. From Cozumel, that's more of an effort. <BR> <BR>Personally I like both areas and we usually try to go to both when we go to the Yucatan. We had limited kitchen facilities last winter in Cozumel (microwave, small fridge, coffee maker) - that was ideal for breakfasts and we were in town so close to restaurants, etc. <BR> <BR>If you weren't looking for snorkeling, I'd be inclined to recommend Zihuatanejo. The town is quite charming and swimming is great. However, the snorkeling is limited. It's also not easy to visit any of the archeological sites from there. <BR> <BR>You're right - there's is so much info on Mexico and it is hard to choose a place to visit. That's why we keep going back! It's a huge country with so much to see and do.

I so love getting your responses! It's a wonderful help. <BR> <BR>We have narrowed our choices to Cozumel Playa Del Carmen and Akumal. As snorkeling and diving(never been) are our focus. <BR> <BR>My husband is going to get certified to dive before we go, I'm considering it. <BR> <BR>We were sold on Akumal until we started reading that there is abslolutely nowhere to go for drinks and/or music after 9pm. Is this true? We're only 28 and 31 so we will be looking to go out some nights, not looking for big dance clubs, just a place to watch people and sip cocktails! <BR> <BR>As far as Playa Del Carmen, we are reading a lot about construction, and overwhelming European influence. Does this detract from the overall experience? <BR> <BR>On Cozumel... I have read polar opposite oppinions on Cozumel: <BR> 1.it is too difficult to take excursions most sights are on mainland / excursions are readily available and easy, <BR> 2.severly developed and Americanized with minimal if any local flavor / some Large hotels but still a lot of local flavor, <BR> 3.Too busy and commercial / Laid back paradise.... <BR>aaaaah! What are we to think of Cozumel?!

The west coast is the best coast for Real Mexican adventure. Its still in its developing stages north of Manzanillo. Check out Villa Montana at: www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm <BR>

We are Sun-Lovers of similar age and I would recommend staying near Palya del carmen or akumal. Cozumel is easy to get to both where you will definitely want to scuba/snorkel but the better beaches and sites will be easier to get to if you are on the main land. There are lots of new hotels there, but none are high rises like cancun, which gives it a much more laid back, caribbean feel. You will find Europeans at the European based hotel chains, so if your concerned, try to find a hotel were there will be americans. ALthough, you can meet a lot of interesting people from everywhere at these hotels. <BR> <BR>Do try and make it to Zihuatanjego sometime, it is very charming and has a wonderful swimming beach (but the above message is correct about snorkeling). <BR> <BR>As far as nightlife, We had the most fun moving from restaurant bar to restaruant bar in Playa del Carmen..You have to go to the Parrots Bar or Blue Parrot Bar (i don't remember for sure) in Playa...at the bar itself , you sit on giant swings while sipping pina coladas! Its Fun but relaxed fun...not disco night-clubby fun! <BR>

Hi! Staying in PDC would be your best. We've done ai (there are plenty of non ai choices as well in the area) twice over on Coz and just two years ago at the RIU Yucatan in PDC. My husband is a scuba diver and the dive shop/watersports shop at the RIU offered many excursions for both snorkelling and diving in the surrounding area. There was also a videographer that went on some of the dive trips so my husband brought home an excellent memory of that trip! Staying in PDC would be better because you can then just: <BR>- cab down to Akumal for the day (about $15. U.S.) where there is excellent snorkelling and you can scuba right off the beach. <BR>- for the Mayan ruin fix, Tulum is just a little further than Akumal and most of the resorts offer tours to do Tulum and Xel-ha. The amount of time that the tours give you at Tulum is plenty (trust me!). If you do Xel-ha on your own go towards the back of the park (from the entrance area) where the water is that kind your hubby is looking for! The last issue of Caribbean magazine has the absolutely most spectacular picture of Xel-ha as part of their feature article on the Mayan Riveria. <BR>- just take the ferry over to Coz ($12 U.S. and 45 minute ride) where you can then check out their dive shops. Excellent snorkelling at Playa Corona which is about a $5 (??) cab ride away from the ferry dock in San Miguel. <BR>So if you stay in PDC you can have the nightlife, the access to these two different areas, ruins and all the sun you will need. <BR>Email me direct if you have any other questions.

Hi, me again. At the risk of starting a huge slanging match (and which is not my intent) but it's not fair to try and compare which of these areas has more 'local flavour'. Firstly, as soon as you communicate with the Mexican people in Spanish they will warm up to you immensely and you'll get more local flavour than you can imagine. <BR>Secondly, Mexico, just like anywhere else is doing it's best to please those Americans (okay and some Canadians) who want to vacation in a place that is just like back home - which is why you'll see a Domino's Pizza and a Hard Rock Cafe on the main drag in San Miguell in Coz. Arguably Cancun is definitely your teeny bopper party hardy Americanized place to be if that's what you want but Coz and PDC aren't anywhere near that extent of steriliazation. <BR>Now, on Cozumel however, if you were to drive around the one road to the opposite side of the island and stop at the one bar on the Atlantic side (with the palapas at the waters' edge) if this isn't 'local flavour' then I don't know what is! <BR> <BR>