Planning a trip this fall to Mayan Riviera and I need help deciding where to stay. We are not into nightlife. Would like to be able to walk to restaurants from our hotel. Are looking for a beachfront hotel mid priced possibly in Tulum or Playa DelCarmen, etc. Isla Majures also would be considered. Please help with what area to stay and hotel recommendations.

Thanks

I'm not as familiar with Tulum, but are there options there that meet both your requirements? i.e. beachfront and walkable? I was thinking the town was inland, and that there were some resorts on the ocean. I just don't know how accessible they are to restaurants. My ignorance.

In playa, that is doable. However, beware how rooms are described. An "ocean view" may require a mirror and a ladder to actually see the ocean. .

You might do a little research on PDC hotels and/or narrow down your question and share that, and you might get a little more help. Also "midpriced" may need to be defined.

Tulum is an option definitely especially in the area immediately north of Sian Kaan. Also look at renting a condo on Half Moon Bay in Akumal or staying on the main beach in Akumal.

I'd look at Isla Mujeres & Playa del Carmen.

Aren't Akumal & Tulum small for the "walking to restaurants" request?

Lots of choices in Tulum, Playa, Akumal and Puerto Morelos, but they all have different vibes. Go to locogringo.com for lots of info.

No, there are several restaurants in both locations--especially Tulum. Not so much the Pueblo, but definitely the playa south as you get near Sian Kaan--all along the beach/road.

Half Moon Bay in Akumal has several good restaurants--Que Onda, La Lunita, Buena Vida, in addition to restaurants about a kilometer away in Akumal proper.

Are there as many as in Playa del Carmen? Of course not. But there are also virtually no scam artists and timeshare hucksters working the crowds in those places, and it's a lot more quiet with fewer spring-break type of bars.

What is your budget per night and when are you going (time of year)?

I have stayed in Isla 7 times and there are tons of restaurants in all price ranges, most of them walking or short cab ride. For an island that is only 5 miles long, there are over 130 restaurants.

I have also stayed in Akumal and Half Moon Bay every year since 1999 so obviously I like it a lot. There are probably 10-12 restaurants counting a few in the pueblo across the highway (there is a pedestrian bridge to cross Hwy 307). Several new ones (at least 3) have been added last year and this year.

Don't care for PDC, too big for me but some people like it, since I'm not into shopping and clubbing it is not for me.

Tulum I like but have not stayed, friends have and have visited many times. Most of the hotels are along the beach road and many have restaurants or are within walking distance to others that have eating places. Prices are higher along the beach road, if you want to go into the pueblo for cheaper dining it means a rental car or taxi. Some folks bike.

Hope you find something you like, less than a month for my return to Half Moon Bay

Not sure about my budget. Would like input on all inclusive or not. I'm thinking not. It would be nice to get breakfast included. Definitely not more than 250-275/night.

If you decide you want a full All-Inclusive that will narrow down your choices (not saying that in a bad way, just that your list will be shorter).

I would say steer clear of all-inclusives especially if you like to get our and explore. All-inclusives tend to be gated cities or fortresses in that part of Mexico.

I haven't stayed at an all inclusive, but if I did I might then feel like I should go out to eat (because I've already paid for it at the hotel). In PDC, going out to eat is half the fun!

In Akumal, the only places I can think of that include breakfast are Hotel Akumal Caribe and Villas Maya Bungalows which offer continental breakfast (fruit plate, coffee, juice and toast or muffin) at Lol-Ha restaurant. This is non-AI and has a perfect location, stayed here so many times I have lost count. Some of the hotel rooms have been recently remodeled but not all, so if you like this, as for a room that has been remodeled.
The other place that offers breakfast is the Taj Kumal, which will become a B&B October 1, it offers a full breakfast for 2 at Lol-Ha. Can't think of anyplace else that does there.

In Tulum, some places offer breakfast, most of them are a continental breakfast but Cabanas Tulum (which friends have stayed in, lovely section of beach, have seen the room) offers a full breakfast of anything off the menu at theeir beach club, Ziggy's.

On Isla, some places offer it but usually it is a continental breakfast although Privileges Alux offers either an optional AI plan or a breakfast only plan (buffet). It is a nice place and they run special on their web site on Thursdays from Noon their time for a few hours so check it out next week if it sounds interesting.

I would not make breakfast a deal breaker, there are plenty of places to eat. My breakfast at Lol-Ha cost me 120 pesos and my breakfast at the little lunch counter, the Loncheria, cost me 55 pesos for scrambled eggs with Oaxaca cheese, beans and tortillas - prices did not include juice or tip.

Thanks everyone. Having breakfast is not a deal breaker, but a nice beachfront place near restaurants/shops is. Decided against Isla Majures, so am narrowing the area down. It is so confusing reading the reviews with 3 or 4 good and 1 or 2 bad.