Never been to Mexico. Husband and I considering a 4 night trip to either PDC or Isla in June. We probably won't do an AI (unless its low key, or unique) and prefer quiet, relaxing, romantic, snorkling, hiking, shopping, swimming, exploring. We prefer sitting at a bar on the beach or a neigborhood type bar meeting new people, rather than a disco. Any ideas which place, and maybe hotel ideas? Definitely want something on the beach, but if you know of a super cool place just off the beach, I'm all ears. <BR><BR>Thanks in advance!

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I've been to both. I think Isla Mujeres is more your type of place. It's much more quiet and low key than PDC. Everything you are looking for is there, with the exception of hiking. It's a very small Island. There is only one AI on the island, with all the other hotel options being mid size to very small. Playa Del Carmen has dozens of hugh AI hotels and therefore can be quite crowded.Isla has great beach bars as well, that won't be overrun with the cruise ship visitors.<BR>As for hotels, lot's of options. I like Hotel Secreto and Media Luna.Both are on a beach, 2-10 minute walk to many restaurants, and can be found by a quick web search. Check out <BR>www.isla-mujeres.net

We recently spent five nights in a small hotel on the beach in Playa Del Carmen. It was great. Only a block from the 'main street'. We walked quite a ways north on the beach, could have gone further, but it was hot. Also very easy to get to the ruins at Tulum or Coba. Only a ferry ride away from Cozumel. Some off beach snorkeling, and lots of options for guided trips. We've never stayed on Isla Mujeres, but have enjoyed day trips from there in the past. Not being lie on the beach types, I think we'd be bored there after a couple of days. Of course, the concrete jungle of Cancun is a short boat ride away.<BR><BR>I would certainly look into the small hotels in Playa itself, rather than the many all-inclusives that line the beach outside of town.

Thanks Ally and Jean. I've been to the media luna website and it looks lovely. Same for Secreto, but seems there is a bug in their website, only shows me a pic...<BR><BR>By the way Jean, where did you stay in PDC? The one place that appeals to me is El Faro, but a bit more than we may want to pay...

We stayed at Hotel Colibir, which was fine, but pretty darn basic. El Faro was practically next door, it looks lovely. Playa Maya has been getting good reviews, it's on the beach as well. If I wasn't wanting to stay on the beach, I'd look at Mosquito Blue. Lovely, at least from the outside. Good reviews too. There are also some nice properties a little further north of downtown, a couple on the beach, but I think they're more expensive than El Faro. Plus you lose the easy access to downtown.<BR><BR>We enjoy hanging in small bars as well, during the day the Colibri and the hotel next door, both have chairs and will bring you quite reasonably priced drinks.

For Playa Media luna phone 800-833-5971.<BR>Dan