We are visiting the Playa Del Carmen or Cozumel area for the first time in early March. We are traveling with friends who want to stay at an all-inclusive resort. After reading Trip Advisor and some guide books, we are looking at:

Iberostar Tucan ((Playa del Carmen)
Intercontinental Presidente (Cozumel)
or perhaps the Adventura Spa Resort (also in Playa del Carmen)

Any thoughts on which you might recommend? Or is there another All-inclusive that you would recommend in this area? Good beach and pool, good food, and comfortable beds would be great.

Thank you for any help you can give us.

www.secretsresorts.com are great Maroma is my fav.

PDC generally better more activity ruins etc than Cozumel

www.cancun.bookit.com great packages deals.

Careful with TripAdvisor lots of fake reviews

false rankings that make no sense because

they are at heart a for profit owner controlled forum...

Happy Hunting,

Do you want an adults only resort? What is important to you in a resort? What is your price range?
There are SO MANY AI resorts in that area that we need more info in order to help you.

@ schmerl - This trip was suggested by friends who stayed at the Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret last year. They loved the area and hoped we would join them this year. They used Apple Vacations last year and the options their travel agent suggested seemed very affordable - 6 nights for two with airfare for around $2,200-$3,500 depending on the resort. (We will be flying from Philly and our friends will be traveling there from San Diego).

We are in our 50s and are looking for snorkeling, swimming, relaxation, etc. Good snorkeling near the resort would be a plus. One of the four will go scuba diving once while we are there. I think we would take one or two of the kind of trips that people have recommended that facilitate exploring the area (cenotes, Akumal, Tulum, etc.) - without renting a car or taking a tour organized by the hotel. Two of us are into landscape photography. (In other words, I wouldn't mind if an opportunity to photograph a sunrise or sunset presented itself.)

I know there are pros and cons with most options, and I noticed that negative comments are often about food quality, hardness of beds, etc. Having some variety available for food would be great. Free wifi access would be a plus but not essential.

Not sure that we need or prefer an adults only resort, but we've never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before tending to rent condos or book in smaller hotels most of the time.

@ qwovadis - Thank you for the warning regarding Trip Advisor. I have started exploring the links you sent, starting with the Secret resorts. I think we were hoping for something south of Cancun, like the Playa del Carmen area but are open to other suggestions.

(Btw, I wrote a very positive review on Trip Advisor for an Embassy Suites hotel in Anchorage a couple of years ago and Trip Advisor contacted me to make sure that I wrote it. I was impressed that they were trying check that kind of thing.)

It would be difficult to find an adults only AI within your price range. The Catalonia Royal Tulum is an smaller adults only on a gorgeous beach which might meet your budget.
The Adventura Spa resort has a manmade lagoon. No real beach or ocean access.
As far as the other two resorts you mentioned I would choose the IB Tucan/Quetzal. There is more to do in the area. It is about a 15 or 20 minute walk to the town of Playa del Carmen or a $5 taxi ride.The IB Tucan/Quetzal is also smaller than some of the other AI resorts in the area.
If you want great snorkeling and exploring, you may want to contact Edventure Tours http://www.edventuretours.com.mx/
Just tell them what you want to do and they will provide transportation and a guide and a wonderful day. You would not be on a schedule with a bus full of people on a tour.