Help with Riviera Maya trip
 

Hi -
In a hurry to book Dec. 26-31. Want to visit ruins, on or very close to nice beach, turtles. Family of 5 adults - want some adventure, beauty, no need for bars or nightlife beyond fun restaurants. Not too remote.

Looking at Akumal, PDC, Tulum, need suggestions! All inclusive or rental condo. Would love a pool and beach - not too rocky beach.

Thanks for any advice! Holding airfare so need to decide quickly.

First of all, you do know they are having a problem with seaweed this season all along the coast and Carribbean islands. seems to be improving a bit on Maya coast.
AIs are all up and down the coast from Cancun to Tulum. Not my thing, so can't help.
Rental condos in Akumal and Puerto Morelos (quiet).
Playa del Carmen very touristy, lots of shopping, central beach has coral
Tulem: More expensive hotels/posadas/palapas along the beach road in Tulum. Few pools. Some have no ac, generator power, etc. Nightlife of its own. Less expensive posadas in the pueblo, many with pools. Local nightlife.
Tulum has been the nicest beach IMO. We also like the cove at Akumal for snorkeling with turtles and rays.

Ruins:
Tulum with beach beow
Coba with pyramid to climb, bicycle taxis
Ek Balam with pyramid to climb
CHichen Itza with lots of tourists, arrive early

For the latter two, maybe overnight in charming Valladolid.
With 5, I'd rent a car.

I am in Playa del Carmen now, have been here two weeks. i was here 8 weeks this summer also, I have a condo here. the seaweed has disappered, there is absolutely none here now. Lots of seaweed was here from February through August, but in Mid-Sept. it started to dissipate and now it is completely gone. All the way from Playacar down to Cocobeach, which is essentially all of the Playa del Carmen beach.

i have no first-hand info about Akumal or Tulum, though. I have heard that Tulum still has seaweed.

Playa Caribe on Half Moon Bay in North Akumal is nice, 2br, pool and AC. Many similar in that area.
PDC is too built up for me, many like it though.
Check out the webcam for Akumal and Tulum on locogringo.com
They are also a well regarded booking agency if you have problems finding last minute places to stay. I have used them.

the locogringo website is the best source of info on this area. All the towns mentioned above are good choices, depends on what you want. Half moon bay at Akumal is beautiful and quiet, but the bay is not user friendly - lots of rocks, sea urchins, etc. Good for snorkelling however.

Thank you to everyone - I am considering a condo on Half Moon Bay in Akumal or the Villas Maya at Hotel Akumal Caribe. Also thinking about condo at Puerto Aventuras. Worried about swimming in half moon bay - is Akumal bay that much better?

We've stayed at both Half Moon bay, and the Villas mayas on Akumal Bay. The bays are vastly different, even though they are less than a mile apart. Half Moon Bay is very quiet, lots of room on the beach, but getting into the water can be an ordeal with the rocks and such. It's a good spot for snorkelling however. Akumal Bay is all sand, with just a few rocks. However, Akumal Bay is 'snorkelling central', so there are snorkelling tour groups arriving every few minutes to see the turtles. Villas mayas bungalows are a bit old, but very roomy and comfortable.

We own a condo in Puerto Aventuras and if you seek accommodation there you should contact MC Brockers and Associates. Her name is Mari Carmen and she has got to be the best for renting or purchasing a condo. I would suggest a condo in the CHA HAL AL complex which is right on the Fatima bay, just the best especially if you are there for such a short period of time.
PA is just 15 minutes south of Playa by car or collectivo.

Thank you everyone, for your help! I think my teenagers would like the convenience and ease of Puerto Aventuras combined with spending the days exploring the area.

Anyone weigh in on Quinta Luna vs Condo Delfin at PA? Also - rent a car vs arranging transportation for everyday trips.

I've also stayed on Half Moon Bay, condo and the old Vista del Mar hotel and the Villas Maya (prefer the adjacent Hotel Akumal Caribe but it costs more). They are both good, it is just harder to get into the water in HMB due to rocks and coral, you need water shoes. It is fine if it is not too windy. Akumal is much easier to swim and snorkel in, but you do have to go early or after 2pm to avoid the hordes of tourons.
I don't care for Puerto Aventuras as much, due to extremely depressing captive dolphin pen. Sorry Rohelio.

No need to apologize jamie99, as many people around the world would like to see these dolphinariums disappear, myself included . The reality is that they are a magnet for hoards of tourists which consequently brings in huge sums of dollars. There are approximately 20 of these in the Riviera Maya and about the same amount in the USA... go figure! The organisation called PETA is working hard to abolish such practises but are up against difficult odds when it comes to peoples livelihood. This said, I most certainly do not feel at all depressed about such goings on and do not feel the need to limit myself to a beautiful winter getaway in such a beautiful country, simply to avoid seeing a dozen dolphins swimming about in an enclosure !