RIU YUCATAN - PLAYA DEL CARMEN
 

Hi!
Just wondering if anyone has visited this new hotel-opened up in September 1997. My husband and I are looking at going there in January 1998, and would like to hear from anyone who can tell us what the hotel, beach, food, activities (do they have volleyball?) service and available day-trips are like. Thanks!!

No hotel info but do not under any circumstances miss Xcaret (spelling?). In order to swim with the dolphins (easy as floating) you have to be there at 9AM (not 9:15) when the park opens. They give out times then and all are gone immediately.

I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM MY SECOND TRIP TO THE YUCATAN (AND PLAYA DEL CARMEN) IN A YEAR. AS A FULL-TIME TRAVEL AGENT I HAVE SEEN ALMOST ALL THE HOTELS THERE AND IT DOESN'T SOUND FAMILIAR TO ME...

DO YOU KNOW IF IT'S ACTUALLY IN TOWN OR OUTSIDE???

Dear EBH,
I read your message on the Fodors Board and I would appreciate it if you could give us some advice on Playa del Carmen vs. Akumal. We can't decide. We have investigated the new Royal Maeva Playacar which is all inclusive and the Club Oasis Akumal, all inclusive as well. We are taking my 78 year old mother who is vey active but requires a certain degree of luxury. I am NOT enthralled by the idea of an all inclusive resort and would like smaller as opposed to larger but so far nothing has seemed particularly appealing. Is it a mistake to stay in an all inclusive. If it isn't, which resort is nicer?
We have two older teenage children. Honestly, I would love to find a condo attached to a resort. Do you book that kind of thing?
Thanks for taking the time, LJR

Might try Xaman-Ha condos that are attached to the continental plaza hotel in playa del carmen. You can find info about them by searching on xaman ha w/ Yahoo, altavista etc. They look very nice 1,2,3 bedrooms. We didnt stay there but looked at them for our next time in pdc. We just returned 1/31 and had a great time.