low key laid back mexican beach...???playa del carmen , cozumel or other???
 

We are looking for a low key,laid back Mexican beach vacation....we went to Isla Mujeres 2 years ago and that fit the bill....but now want to see a different area. We like to stay in small hotels, B&B , cottages etc. to absorb local color. Will either Playa del Carmen or Cozumel fit the bill ....or can you suggest something else??

Akumal sounds like what you are looking for. Do a search or go to <BR>www.locogringo.com or www.billintulsa.com <BR>there are many beach front condos, casitas and villas to rent.

PDC & Cozumel will be much more touristy than IM. Akumal is a good choice if you can afford it. Else Puerto <BR>Morelos or if you want to see IM 30 years ago try Isla Holbox. Look on the map -- it is just north and West of Contoy Island. Contoy is No of IM

Hi Karen, <BR> <BR>You will want to go further south than Playa. Tankah/Tulum area seem like it would be what you are looking for. There are lots of beautiful cenotes in the area to visit also, besides Tulum, Muyil and Coba archaeological sites and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve that begins just south of Tulum. <BR> <BR>http://CasaTropical.com <BR>Casa Tropical Tankah... Romantic, beachfront villa, located on privately owned,1/2 acre, Tankah, Mexico, a 1 hour drive south of Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the Tulum ruins, with other major archaeological sites within driving distance. Great views with barrier reef just offshore, and a cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. Two separate guests quarters with kitchenette, private patios, maid,gardener,manager. <BR> <BR>Weather http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76590.html <BR> <BR>Weather Base <BR>http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...=509567&refer= <BR> <BR>Bookstore & recommended reading about Maya culture and archaeological sites <BR>http://sites.netscape.net/tankah3g/almalibrelibros <BR> <BR>Hidden Worlds snorkel & dive tours of cenotes <BR>http://hiddenworlds.com.mx/ <BR> <BR>Xel-Ha <BR>http://www.xelha.com.mx/ <BR> <BR>Aktun Chen <BR>www.aktunchen.com <BR> <BR>Maps of Riviera Maya Can-do Maps <BR>http://WWW.cancunmap.com/ <BR> <BR> Check out this web site for tours lead by the Friends of Sian Ka'an group. It is a non-profit organization and tour guides are usually biologists. Very informative tours lead by a very worthwhile organization. <BR>Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve <BR>http://www.cancun.com/siankaan/ <BR>

Has anyone else been there ??

been Where??

Casa Tropicale Tankah as mentioned in the long post above?

Hi Karen, I have not been to the inn advertised here by the previous poster, but I have been to Tankah, and like it very much. The beach is beautiful, very uncrowded (very easy to get your own stretch of it) and there is snorkeling right off the beach (you can swim out or get a little kayak.) Now that Playa del Carmen is getting so developed, Tankah is my favorite spot in the Yucatan _ you're five minutes or so from Tulum but can also be in Playa in 45minutes. A car is definitely useful. <BR> <BR>You don't have to stay at that particular inn, there are several options there; the one we have stayed at (twice now) is the Tankah Dive Inn, owned by a couple of Texans. it's a little motel-style b&b with five rooms, very laid back. There are also some rooms attached to the restaurant Casa Cenote. I think you can find more information about Tankah at locogringo.com

Thanks for all of the ideas.....We will NOT be renting a car...so, any ideas if we fly into Cozumel...can we get to Puerto Morelos or Playa Tankah easily,find a place and be able to get around by bus?

I've enjoyed Cozumel for several years worth of trips - you might look into staying at the Villas el Caracol (rental condos in the center of town). All the good beaches are public, cheap cab fares to get there and all the services ou might want. The Villas are within walking distance of the better local restaurants, taquerias, etc.

Karen, if you are staying in Cozumel and then further south, you probably should think about renting a car. However, once you get to Playa from Cozumel, buses run all day from Playa to Tulum and can drop you off anywhere along the coast. Only problem some places are not close to road and walking might cause a problem. however taxis are always available and that should not cost much. I would suggest looking into staying in Playa.

West coast Mexico on the Bay of Tenacatita, just north of Manzanillo. Web at: www.lamanzanillamexico.bizland.com/lamrentals <BR> <BR>adios! <BR>[email protected] <BR>www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm

You should take a look at Troncones near Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa in Guerrero, Mexico on the Pacific Ocean. The area is not developed at all in comparison with anyplace anyone as mentioned here yet. And there are many low-key lodgings from native to luxury interspersed among the palms and other trees in this eco-community. <BR> <BR>www.troncones.com.mx <BR> <BR>And if THAT is too built up for you check out the listings on my website for accommodations at La Barra de Potosí, a small fishing village about 30 minutes south of Zihuatanejo at the end of a 15-mile long beach where it ends at a large lagoon and estuary. Look on my RENTALS page or my HOTELS page for lodging in that area. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! <BR> <BR>www.barra-de-potosi.com/hotels.html <BR>www.barra-de-potosi.com/rentals <BR> <BR>Warm saludos from Zihuatanejo! <BR> <BR>Rob <BR> <BR>www.zihuatanejo.net

Sorry, the RENTALS web address should be: <BR> <BR>www.barra-de-potosi.com/rentals.html

Karen, <BR>Both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen fit the bill. I'd love to be in either locale right now! Check out a new auction site: www.travelgavel.com. Great deals right now because it's just starting - there's both Cozumel and Playacar properties listed - WAY low prices.

My husband and I visited Tulum (2 hrs south of Cancun) just after Easter this year, and found THE Beach experience that we had been yearning for. Pristine beaches, quaint hotels and cottages, outrageous archeological sites, and the food at ZAMA's was first rate. We stayed at La Perla, but we also recommend ZAMA's for accommodations. Enjoy...

Hey Karen, <BR> <BR>Been to a lot of places in the world, I think there are NO beaches laid back and low key in Mexico, anymore. Too crowded and the locals are always selling their junk. This happens even at the most remote places, such as Akumal and Tulum. Try St. John or Barbados. <BR>Dan

I beg to differ with Dan's assessment of Mexican beaches. Akumal & Tulum are NOT representative of Mexico as they are both highly publicized tourist destinations. <BR> <BR>Take a look at my LOCAL BEACHES page for a glimpse at some of our remote beaches as well as the more popular ones. <BR> <BR>www.zihuatanejo.net/beaches.html <BR> <BR>If you can't find a quiet place along the 15 mile-long undeveloped beach called by 3 different names due to its length (Playa Larga, Playa Blanca, & Barra de Potosí) then there is the 50-mile long beach called Playa Valentín just south of that. <BR> <BR>To the north of us there are a series of beaches at Troncones, only one of which is developed. You sure won't find anyone hawking anything on the outlying beaches there! <BR> <BR>Please don't hesitate to e-mail me or visit my web site if you'd like more information. <BR> <BR>Warm saludos from Zihuatanejo! <BR> <BR>Roberto <BR>www.zihuatanejo.net <BR>Don't be fooled by imitations!

I'm interested too <BR> <BR> <BR>topping

looking for suggestion for low key laid back small hotel near the beach in Playa del Carmen????