I'm planning a last minute trip this summer to Playa Del Carmen for me and my family (wife and 12 and 14 year old kids). Is it best to go the All-Inclusive way? ...or not?..either way, which resort / hotel would you recommend considering my kids ages. Are the beaches their topless/clothing optional? If so, my wife would "flip" (negative flip). Cost is a consideration as well...moderate to slightly above moderate cost is my range. Should I rent a car for the week or would we be wasting our money for a little more convenience? Thanks for your help!

We've stayed in 2 AIs in that area with our kids. Several years ago we stayed at what is now called the Gala Resort in PLayacar. Last year we satyed at Barcelo Maya (about another 14 minute drive south of PDC) with our kids, which were the same age as yours. We find the AI very easy to deal with. Our kids and come and go as they please, eat where and when they want and never need to carry money around. We always had dinner and breakfast toegther, but lunch time we went our own ways. This recent trip my kids being older (than on the 1st trip), did more things on their own (on the resort) and we felt perfectly comfortable with that. My daughter mostly enjoyed lounging by the pool and beach and my son liked the sports contests, and the readily avilable tennis and basketball courts. There are many decent resorts in the area. The Iberostar and Riu are frequently mentioned here as well. We were pleased with both resorts but would probably try another if ever we were to return.

As far as renting a car, if you're staying at an AI, you would definitely not need one unless you want to go on an excursion. Our first trip, we rented a car for a day and went to Xel-Ha (years before that we were i Cancun and did a day trip to Tulum & Akumal). We also took the ferry to cozumel on rented a car once we got there for the day. Last years trip was shorter and my family didn't want to go on any excursions (we did take a cab to Puerta Adventuras but PDC is a much better town to visit and very close ot the playacar resorts).

PDC is topless-optional, so mark it off your list.

Suggest Cancun or Cozumel for you.
(Been to both many times - 20+ - and have seen topless never on Coz (except Naked Beach) and only once in Cancun - (German lady by the pool.)

I've seen topless in PDC area and Cancun (Sun Palace). There were only a handful in each place and rarely, if ever, at the pool. I had told my children in advance that they may see some topless sun-bathers and explained that the europeans find this more acceptable than most Americans do.

PDC is as described although I think you'd see very few if any topless on the AI beaches. Perhaps someone else can verify if this is true. Certainly not worth making a fuss over IMO.

Stayed two places in PDC -- at the Shangri-La Caribe there were more European guests and there was a fair amount of topless sunbathing. Stayed at Royal Hideaway, one of the AI's in the "AI strip", mostly Americans and did not see anyone going topless.

I would also agree with the others that you will not be nearly as likely to see toplessness at the AI's since Americans tend to favor them.

I did see one woman walking up and down the entire length of the beach in Playa del Carmen topless the whole week we were there. (Most of the big AI's are further down the coast 15 min or more from PDC.)

It's REALLY not that big of a deal. It's not like it's Playboy bunnies cavorting around in thongs and playing volleyball topless.

It's usually women in their 20's to 40's, who lie on their towels topless but put on the top to go in the water or walk on the beach. Most of the time, you don't even notice unless you are LOOKING for it.

In fact, we stayed one week on Isla Mujeres, where I did go topless on my chair at the hotel beach, and one week at Playa del Carmen, where I did not, as it is not nearly as prevalent and there are many more Mexican families (whom I did not want to offend).

As an American, I used to be a bit "surprised" to see toplessness myself when we first started going to places where it is commonplace, but am now used to it - and in fact enjoy it myself. There's really not anything sexual about it.

We stayed at the Hotel Vista Caribe in Feb. The hotel has two very nice two bedroom one bath apartments that you could probably rent for around $85/ night. Great location and nice facility. www.hotelvitacaribe.com
else just google.
Do not rent a car. The Riviera bus is dirt cheap and very nice and departs up and down the coast about every 15 minutes.
Meals are inexpensive but in the evening you may have to get off 5th and onto 10th to find a bargain.