We've been to Cancun, planning a visit to Playa del Carmen. We've been encouraged to try Grand Velas. Never done "all inclusive", curious if anyone has an opinion either on this product or the Puerta Vallarta property. Thanks.

I can't imagine doing all-inclusive any where, but especially in Playa. Too many wonderful restaurants, small hotels on the beach, great beach clubs.

Grand Velas is not in the town proper but outside.

If you've always been an independent traveler I.E. no AI's, Playa Del Carmen is not the place to break your routine. As Jean said there are just too many much better options for small hotels and restaurants to stay isolated in an AI outside town. Just my .02 cents.

First, thank you all for your kind advice. This is the first time I have EVER posted anything on a website. I am amazed by the response. So, back to ground zero. We went to the Meridien in Cancun two years ago and loved it. We did a Crystal Cruise that stopped along the Yucatan the year before. We want to stay in Playa del Carmen (although are toying with Puerta Vallarta). Any recommendations? Mayakoba? Grand Mayan? Other ideas? We're two families, totaling ten people (kids, 10, 13, 13 and 17). Some of us dive, some golf, all love good food... Thanks!

Grand Mayan is not in PDC, it is halfway between Puerto Morelos and Playa. A coworker went there two years ago and hated every minute he and his family did not have a car to get out and about. Also it is not AI and the food is expensive, or so he told me.

I agree about Jamie99 and the Grand Mayan. I stayed there myself a couple of years ago and hated it. Lots of concrete, huge pools, beach but not swimmable due to rocks. How about partial AI? Shangri La Caribe and Las Palmas in PDC both have partial. They are both right on the beach and are beautiful but low key. But, they are not splashy beautiful...more comfortable with hammocks on the front patios and laid back. For info from people who travel to PDC all the time check out the website www.playa.info. There's lots of info for travelers and locals alike. Mayakoba is very beautiful and high class. It is not in PDC and like Grand Mayan would need transportation if you wanted to get into town. So, you might need to decide - in town/out of town, AI/partial AI/small hotel/condo. There are a ton of restaurants in Playa with great food and they don't all exist on 5th Avenue. Golf in Playacar is great...I played there a couple of weeks ago and had enjoyed it. There are a lot of dive shops in town also and many are listed on playa.info.

My two cents: Having visited both Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta (regularly), PDC is definitely my favorite because of the beaches. As for staying outside of PDC at an all-inclusive, I have done this and it is a very simple matter to take a taxi into town from your hotel or some hotels even offer shuttles. I did this from my all-inclusive hotel several days during my 10-day stay and it gave me a change of scene whenever I wanted. A high end resort outside the town will probably be nicer and offer more than staying in PDC, not to mention quieter. Check tripadvisor for specific properties. Also, in my experience, the cost of an all-inclusive is not usually significantly higher than non a-i so a few meals in town have not been a budget breaker.