Playa del Carmen or cabo?
 

We have not been to Mexico and are considering a trip this December after Christmas. We are a couple in our forties with a 13 year old and like water activites, nice beaches, good dining and sight seeing. We prefer low-key nature to over crowded shopping and commercialism! We spend a lot of time on St John in the usvi where the snorkeling/hiking is superb! What would you suggest for a location and/or resort in Mexico? Many Thanks!

for me, Playa, no question, and no comparison. I think it's lovely still, though the town's grown by leaps and bounds... & so many wonderful resorts.
Consider a condo in Akumal if you like snorkeling. Check out Loco-Gringo.com.

A beautiful new resort on a nice beach is the fairmont mayakoba.

Thanks! I will look into this!

definitely Caribbean side for what you are looking for. Wonderful snorkeling up and down the coast from PDC to Tulum, good beaches, pretty water.

Thanks,Arriba. Do you have a fave place to stay and why?