Isla Mujeres or Akumal
 

We're thinking of a December trip to either Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya... taking along sons 15 and 19. We can get in a week when school is out that would get us back on Christmas Eve, and air fare to Cancun is surprisingly reasonable.

We're looking for a mellow place right on a nice beach; kitchen facilities a big plus; decent proximity to Mayan ruins (Chichen Itza, Coba) for a day trip; good snorkeling is important; good cheap restaurants and beach bars; and no mob scenes. (Since this would be prime season, we have no expectation of having the beach to ourselves... just don't want to share it with zillions, a la Coney Island.)

Based on some quick research, a condo on Isla's Playa Norte looks good, as does Akumal Caribe Hotel or one of its villas or condos.

Price not a big issue, but cheaper is preferable to luxe.

Any thoughts?

We were considering both for our trip in August and decided to give Akumal a try. We are renting a condo on Half Moon Bay for a week. I will report back at the end of August :-)

We stayed at Bahia Principe in Akumal and my 14 and 16 y.o. daughters loved it. So much to do, safe, excellent drinks and snacks and ice cream whenever they wanted it. Food was varied and excellent and we snorkeled right off the beach. Xel ha and Tulum were 5 minutes away by colectivo van on the main road. It's all-inclusive but reasonable by those standards and great quality. Tons to do, inc. sports like basketball or biking, even, for teens. Great nature preserve across the main road. We went to Coba, most excellent, by going to Tulum and taking a bus, then taxi back to Bahia Principe for $27! Everything was convenient and good.

Any feedback on how Bahia Principe Akumal or any other recommended places would be for younger kids: aged 4, 8, 9?
THANKS.

Have you considered Playa del Carmen? Lots of (safe) nightlife, but very tame compared to Cancun. Cheap hotels as well as more luxurious options. Local restaurants as well as "touristy" eateries. Nice beach. Easy to get to Chichen Itza, Coba, Tulum. And a beautiful beach. I have info on lots of hotels in Playa, and I'd be happy to share with you. Let me know if you want more info.

Actually, as I reread your post, you say you want something "mellow." While Playa is not a wild scene, it isn't exactly mellow. Isla Mujeres would fit this description better, but it is not convenient to the Mayan ruins. I like Isla, but Akumal might fit your needs better.

With teens, I would defintely say Isla.

Not as much trouble to get into as PDC or Cancun, but plenty to keep them from hitting you with the teen anthem, "I'm B-O-R-E-D."

Akumal is pretty quiet, and I know that's what you want, but imho, it's a bit too quiet for kids that age unless you are going to be on the go the entire time and want a good central location to base from. (If that's the case, sightseeing would be much more convenient from Akumal.)

My vote is for Akumal, but it is one of my favorite all time destinations. We just stayed at the Hotel AKumal Caribe a few weeks ago and loved it! The only downside is no kitchen. But the hotel was nice (nothing fancy, no tv) with a fabulous location.

I took my 13 year old daughter and she loved it also. But I had warned her about the lack of activities. That is a consideration for your kids. She loves to snorkel, and the snorkeling right in front of the hotel is top notch - swam with turtles every day. We took a DVD player for the quiet nights, and she spent some time emailing friends back home in the internet cafe steps from the beach.

I think you would love it - but that depends on what your kids need for entertainment. During this time of year, there should be friends also to meet and "hang with"!

Thanks, everybody, for the excellent input. Let me throw another option into the mix.

Anyone been to the Ana y Jose Hotel in Tulum? No kitchen facilities (apparently), but reported to have a great beach and laid-back atmosphere. What's the snorkeling like in that area?

a vote for Akumal. For me, Isla's great for a daytrip, but that's it.

Haven't been to Ana Y Jose's, but would say the Tulum atmosphere is slightly more bohemian than a more family atmosphere in Akumal.

I have been to Ana y Jose. (Did not stay there, had drinks at the bar over a few days and had lunch.)

We stayed at Los Lirios and really enjoyed it.

At the risk of being blunt and possibly offending you, your posts are all over the place.

Do you want totally laid back and must have good snorkeling and don't care if your teens are bored? Akumal or Puerto Morelos.

Do you want activities that will appeal to all and give you mellow and great beach with good snorkeling close by, but not in close proximity to ruins? Isla Mujeres.

Do you want fun for all and will sacrifice the snorkeling and the laid back ambience? Playa del Carmen.

Great beach. Laid back. Not much snorkeling close by? Nudity. Tulum.

My suggestion would be rank what is important to you, 1, 2, 3.

No one destination contains all that you are asking for, and it's impossible for those of us who know the region to help you.

Not angry with you, just trying to help you help us to help you. :)

Diane -

Gracious! You're in a harsh mood this evening! It's the weekend; be happy. *grin*

Actually, you had some very good advice packaged in that parochial-school-nun manner.

As for "not caring if the kids get bored"... well, frankly, my wife and I are paying, so we get dibs. The kids are old enough to stay home if they want. Finding a place for my sons to drink and score with topless chicks is not high on the list of priorities. And speaking of which, the priorities are: 1) good, friendly, non-mega-resort atmosphere; 2) great beach, with our lodging right on it; and 3) good/great snorkeling either a short swim away, a not-too-long drive, or a not-expensive small-boat trip. The Mayan ruins element will be a semi-obligatory side trip; half-day for Tulum or Coba; full day for Chichen Itza. We'll have a rental car the whole time unless we're on Isla... and if we're on Isla, we'd probably rent a car for a day and drive to Chichen.

Diana,

I'm just *reading* here...not much to contribute to travel in this region.

However, I am looking forward to your response to BaltoTraveler ;-)

Perhaps you could start with a definition of harsh and then address the "nun" comment.

Of all the folks on these boards, that would be the last image to come to my mind for you ;-)

Of course you know that is a compliment :-)

Marion

Marion -

I DID say "*grin*" at the end of the "harsh" comment. And I've never met a school-teaching nun I didn't like and admire... they're just a little, umm, blunt.

BaltoTraverler - There is no snorkeling at the Tulum beaches. They are quite beautiful, but too many waves. IMHO, your lastest description is Akumal to a "T". There are three perfect snorkeling options and all but a very few accommodations are right on the beach. The snorkeling spots are Akumal Bay (my favorite), Half Moon Bay, and Yal-Ku Lagoon. Let me know if you have more questions. Have fun!

Marion, I guess every once in awhile I can be a bit "direct" but try not to get snippy too often. As you know, I have my hot buttons though :D

I do have a tendency to get a bit impatient with posters who expect paradise neatly wrapped up in one location containing all it is they expect or are looking for. (Note eyebrow arched in a meaningful manner.)

Balto, your best bet is Isla Mujeres.
Why?

Best beach = Playa Norte, with several directly-on-beach accommodations to choose from (Tulum has a great beach, but is missing several factors)

Good snorkeling = Co-op includes 2 - 3 great reefs and a wonderful grilled fish lunch packaged in an all-day affordable trip (Akumal has great snorkeling but the beach is not nearly as nice)

Fun sightseeing and day trips (rent a golf cart and see the island or go over to the mainland for ruins, shopping, dining.)

Lots of dining choices, beach bars, and few crowds if you stay away from Sergio's and Na Balam when the day-trippers invade.

Now, back to practicing my knuckle-whacking techniques...

Thanks Diana. I appreciate the good advice.

(My avoidance mechanism for whacked nuckles was to be a perfect angel.)

Balto -
I love A y J. Stayed 10 days last Aug. Anything you want to know?...I'd be happy to answer. You can snorkle in the cenote across the street or drive a shortish distance to Caleta Tankah.

Diana -
It's great that you had a good Los Lirios experience; do you think their quality has improved? We stayed there 2 years ago and didn't care much for it. Tripadvisor reviews keep going back and forth and I'm not sure if we should try it again.

Ha ha Balto - you were one of the lucky ones! Have fun on your trip.

Pepper, I had read the so so reviews and was concerned about staying at LL, but A y J and Cabanas Conchita were full, so we chose it and were very pleased. The room (deluxe suite) was great with a stunning view and the food (had breakfast only) was quite good.

I would recommend it to others and I would go back as well.

Thanks Diana - good to know.