Mayan Riviera or Cancun?
 

First time to Mexico, my sister and I want to get away for a week and can't decide where? Please advise.

It depends on what you're looking for. Both have beautiful white sand beaches and that wonderful bright blue water.

Most of the resort properties along the Mayan Riviera are all-inclusive. Cancun has lovely properties that are all-inclusive, but many that aren't.

Cancun has extensive shopping. It also has lots of concrete and, in all honesty, it's far too built up for my taste.

The town of Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of the Cancun airport, is a great town. Lots of small hotels, some right on the beach. Great restaurants and bars. Immediately south of there is the resort area of Playacar. If you want an all-inclusive, but want to be close to a town, this area is an option.

For a more laid back (and cheaper) experience, you can also stay on Isla Mujeres. Short ferry ride from Cancun, but a completely different experience.

Jean put it well...
I like them both, in this area it depends as much as the place you stay (hotel/resort) as the town.
For example, a lot of people don't like Cancun, because they say it's too "wild and crazy", but if you stay in a good hotel in a good location, it's not like that at all.

In addition to what the previous posters have said, do you want to feel at all like you are in a different country? If so, Mayan Riviera. Cancun has all the same fast food places and stores as any city.

Thanks guys for your speedy response. Yes I do want to feel like I am in a different country. We also need some quiet time so I'm not wild about staying in a family resort either. Need some pampering, beach service would be nice however at night or during the day when we are not sunning it might be nice to be near a town to walk around. Shopping is not a priority as we are going to Europe this summer. rest,relaxation, rejuvination is most important. Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen looks divine. Jean, can you reccomend any of these small hotels you are talking about? 4-5***** would be preferable.

I don't think any of the hotels in Playa del Carmen itself are 4-5 star properties. We stayed at La Tortuga last year, nice room with a balcony overlooking the pool, good breakfast, a couple blocks from the beach (with beach club privilages at Mamitas). But, it's not a full service hotel, and not on the beach. The one that gets consistently good reviews is Playa Maya, but once again, it's not fancy. It is clean, on the beach, good bar and restaurant.

If you can afford Royal Hideaway, and don't mind all-inclusive, I'm sure it's great. And a short cab ride to downtown Playa del Carmen if you do want to wander.

Jean