Help - we're middle-aged first timers!
 

My husband and I are in our mid 40s, and have never been to Mexico. We like to snorkle, hike, and sightsee. We don't stay up all night partying. We're not grumpy old geezers, we just like a peaceful vacation with amenities. We're not looking for the cheapest vacation, but we're not millionairs either (I wish!). Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!!

We took our three kids to Playa Del Carmen this summer and enjoyed it much more than other places we have been in Mexico. We plan to go back in December without kids. The ocean and beach is absolutely beautiful and the people are incredibly warm and friendly. There are several nice All Inclusive resorts in Playacar or smaller more intimate hotels in town. Both are very good value for the money - just depends on what you prefer. Cozumel is 45 minutes by ferry and has excellent snorkeling and diving. PDC is a good central location for other day trips such as Tulum and Coba (Mayan ruins); Akumal (wonderful skorkeling at YalKu Lagoon and Akumal Bay); jungle tours; cenotes; eco parks; etc. Cancun is about 45 minutes north. If you are interested in this area I highly recommend ordering a map from cancunmaps.com. Very detailed with hotel/resort locations, restaurants, areas of interest, etc (there are actually 3 different maps depending on what area you are interested in). Playa Del Carmen has a large percentage of European and Canadian tourists as well.

Try www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm <BR> <BR>adios!

We loved Playa del Carmen. Next time we head that way, I think we'll try Cozumel. Lots to see and do, great people, beautiful water. Akumal has nice snokeling and lovely beaches. You can fly in to Cancun and easily drive down the coast to these choices.

HI JANE, <BR> <BR>MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN OUR 40,S ALSO. WE ALSO HAVE BEEN TO PLAYER DEL CARMEN,COSAMEL AND PUETRO ADVENTURAS. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AREA. ALL WITHIN 45 MIN. FROM CANCUN. <BR> <BR>WE STAYED AT AN A/I OASIS ON A GWV TOUR. THE PRICE WAS GREAT AND THE MEMORIES AR E WONDERFUL. WE LIVE IN THE BOSTON AREA AND FLY INTO CANCUN AND THE TOUR BUS TAKES YOU THERE. IF YOU DO ANY A/I MAKE SURE THEY ALSO HAVE AN ALACART RES. IN ADDITION TO THE BUFFETS. GOOD LUCK!!!! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Message: Hi Jane. - My wife and I are also in our 40's. We also, like you, want peaceful and relaxing vacations. And- you'll like this place. It's the Adventuras Palace in the Mayan Riviera. This resort is clean, the staff is very courteous, the rooms are nicely equipped with a safe, coffee pot, a stocked fridge, double hot tub,all the bottled water you can drink(more at all the bars if you wish), patio with hammock, LARGE shower stall, soaps,shampoos, body lotions, etc., cable TV, phone, alarm radio. The food is pretty decent for an all-inclusive. There is an Ala-Carte restaurant too. There is a HUGE pool w/bar. The beach isn't anything to write home about though. There are free shuttles to Tulum, Playa de Car, and Cancun. You can also play at four other Palace resorts free. We have been to other resorts and kinda like this one the best so far. And it's adults only. Well, I hope this review helps.

We took a trip to mexico last year and loved it. Very reasonable in $$. <BR>Spent a few days on Isla Muhjules (spl?) <BR>off of Cancun then took a bus to Merida (capital of Yucatan). Make sure to spend the extra $5 for a first class bus- very well worth it. In Merida, can take a day trip to the mayan ruins and climb the prymids. Merida is a great city- home of a university as well as the capital. So many restaurants/hotels to choose from. There were all sorts of European tourists and not many Americans. EU tend to find the better locales/deals, so this was a great thing. But is inland, in the jungle, so no beaches to keep you busy. Hope this helps.....

My wife and I are 50. We had a great time in Cancun. We just returned from 7 days. Among our events: We took a day trip to Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins)..we went on a jungle tour which included snorkeling out along a reef..we spent an evening at a Mexican folklore performance which included dinner. We enjoyed wonderful seafood at several restaurants and great times along the beach and at the pool. We chose a first rate hotel which made our stay even more pleasant. There are a lot of great hotel choices which are probably better values. Shopping is plentiful and varied. Cancun is a fine place for middle agers as long as you don't try to keep up with the kids doing tequila shots at Senor Frogs or Coco Bongo.

Hi Jane, <BR>Please visit the website for Casa Tropical Tankah. Looks like just the place you are looking for a peaceful, affordable vacation. Our romantic, beachfront villa, is located on privately owned,1/2 acre, Tankah, Mexico, a 1 hour drive south of Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the Tulum ruins, with other major archeological sites within driving distance. Great views with barrier reef just offshore, and a cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. <BR> <BR>Casa Tropical now has both a 1st and 2nd floor rental unit, designed with privacy in mind. They are tiled throughout with fully equipped kitchenettes, tiled baths, ceiling fans and Haitian artwork throughout. Hammocks, lounge chairs, books, radio/cassette player provided. Property manager, twice-weekly maid service, gardener. Each unit sleeps 2. <BR>http://CasaTropical.com <BR> <BR>

The first time we ever went to Mexico, other than border towns, we went to Oaxaca. We have now traveled extensiveley in Mexico and still like Oaxaca best. It is not on the beach, but rather a colonial city. There is incredible cultural diversity, crafts, ruins etc. For a first time you might want to try hotel Mission de los Angeles. Not super expensive, but a nice place. if you want to go to the beach for a few days you can fly to Huatulco in just a few minutes. You will definateley find this a different experience. Although there are a lot of european tourists it does not feel like a tourist place. This is a place where you can have a little bit of luxuary, but experience unique culture. if you decide to go i would take tours to the various places, i.e. Mitla, Monte Alban, Ocotlan, etc., or a taxi the first time. Now we just jump on the local buses, but we would not have been able to do that the first trip. Good luck!

Hi Jane. <BR> <BR>It sounds like us (meaning my wife and I) we like to enjoy the day activities and have a restful night to be ready for the next day. We go to Playa del Carmen about every two months, we love it there. There are many places to snorkel and is always fun to explore new beaches or small towns, you can find any kind of food at reasonable prices in Playa there are many restaurants to plese any taste. Let me know if you need specific information, will be glad to help if I can.