iberostar paraiso del mar snorkeling?
 

can I get some opinions of the beach and snorkeling at this resort compared to other caribbean islands?

The beach is very nice with the beach bar opening up around 11am and lots of loungers and palapas for shade. Also good walking beach as you can walk forever north and south of the resort.<BR>However the red flag (due to windy conditions) is usually up so you have to be very careful in the water. On the del Mar side of the resort there is a cordoned off swimming area with sandbars which makes for a nice shallow swimming area. But there would be no good snorkeling because the water is simply too rough.

However, and I forgot to mention this, the resort offers a snorkeling excursion to Puerto Morelos where there is supposed to be a phenominal reef. You'd probably pay a little less (than the excursion price) if you happen to be renting a car...then it's just a 5 minute drive north of the resort to the town of Puerto Morelos and then go to the pier in front of the main square.