snorkelfamily

Can anyone recommend a resort (AI or not, ok) that they have stayed in that is in the Tulum, Akumal area? and welcomes kids...
can anyone tell me what a "cenote" is??????
Val

sceneisle

We stayed at the Akumal Beach Resort; a family friendly, all-inclusive property. The resort was O.K., although the rooms were on the small side. Food was about average but the beach was awesome. Saw plenty of turtles while snorkeling at the north end of the beach, where the pangas are moored. The resort is also an inexpensive taxi ride to Yal-Ku Lagoon, a must snorkeling site if you choose Akumal. A cenote is a partially submerged, freshwater cave. We snorkeled Dos Ojos cenote, the most remarkable snorkeling experience I've ever had.

pepper131

Tulum is all small cabana style hotels - is that what you are looking for?
Most do accept kids; some have age restrictions - what are the ages of your kids?
Or are you looking more for a resort kind of resort.

pepper131

Here's some cenote info:
http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/dec2003.cfm

snorkelfamily

thanks,all, for your info. Is there a specific cenote that you recommend we do not miss.
Our kids are 5 and 8.
pepper 131: are far as where to stay, we are still choosing between PDC and Akumal. We prefer a resort (AI or not)..
Where do you prefer to stay? PDC or Akumal?

pepper131

Actually I prefer to stay in Tulum...but...I'm am not a fan of resorts or lots of people. I can deal with no more than 10 people on the beach with me. I go to get away.

The most basic difference is that PDC has great sandy beaches and Akumal is known for snorkling which means not sandy beaches (water has rocks, coral, sea grass, etc). Some areas in Akumal are free of this - at Akumal Beach Resort.

I'll post more later...

pepper131

The best Cenote that you can visit on your own is Gran Cenote along the Coba Rd near Tulum. It's a cave-style cenote, rather than a sinkhole cenote - so you'll see cave formations...all underwater.

Keep in mind that cenotes are very deep and the clarity of the water is deceiving. It may look like 10 feet deep, but is really 30 feet deep.

If I were to stay near PDC, it'd be at Shangri-La which is just north of the town.

BeachGirl247

Here is a good website for information:

www.locogringo.com

You can check out all inclusives, aerial views, cenote info, etc.

I agree with Pepper on Tulum -- not a resort or AI destination at all. Very remote and quiet.

Pepper: where do you like to stay? We like Las Ranitas for its peace and quiet. Just read about Posada Lamar and is intriguing.

BeachGirl247

Sorry. Just read that pepper gave you that website as well. Oh, well! Great minds think alike!

pepper131

We haven't stayed at Las Ranitas yet...probably never will. I hear they don't really like kids and we always travel with our kids (3 and 13).

We've stayed at Los Lirios, Ana y Jose, La Conchita and one night in Rancho San Eric.

Posada Lamar looks good to me. There are so many "better" places to stay these days...it's hard to choose. My fave was La Conchita - but they don't accept kids under 6 now...bummer.

BeachGirl247

Pepper, I've heard that, too, about LR and kids.

We've considered Ana y Jose but seems too "busy" and young (20 somethings) compared to the beach at Las Ranitas. We love the peace and quiet at LR and just wondered what it was like at A & J.

pepper131

The cliental seems varied to me. We usually go August - the height of European vacation, so a large mix of people...families, couples of all shapes and sizes.

It's more busy up at the restaurant, but down on the beach, it's mostly guests.