I've been reading various message boards and get so much conflicting information about specific hotels--everytime I think I found the perfect one for me, my husband, and 3 children--someone writes and trashes it! Help me please, I want it to be beautiful, lots of activity, not looking to go out late with three children to discos, etc., but not looking for a quiet vacation either. Should I go all inclusive or not?? I think I would like to, but then other people have tried to talk me out of this. I guess I need a good travel agent as well to get me a great deal. Somebody help!!! You can e-mail me directly if you'd like.

Kathy, <BR>I hate when people do this to me (offer me advice I didn't ask for) but, have you considered Playa del Carmen of the Mayan Riviera area? It's roughly an hour south of Cancun. The resorts are almost all outstanding and Playa del Carmen is a happening spot but no where near as busy as Cancun. From there you can take tours to the ruins (closer than Cancun to Tulum) and there are amazing eco-parks where the kids can snorkel in a controlled (but not boring)environment and swim with Dolphins. Great restaurants, great shopping, and in Playa del Carmen you can get a ferry to Cozumel to spend the day. With 3 kids, I would definitely go all-inclusive! They are generally reasonably priced so the occassional meal off the resort is not a problem. Also, the prices are generally cheaper in PdC. Let me know if you have specific questions about the area. Another plus is that the beaches are not nearly as crowded as Cancun but are equally as beautiful!

Kathy...I went to Cancun in September for my honeymoon and did all-inclusive. It has its pros and cons. The thing I liked the most is that you can eat and drink anytime you want to. You don't have to worry about searching for a restaurant...wondering about whether or not the food might make you sick, etc. I liked being able to eat and drink whenever I wanted and didn't have to worry about carrying a wallet. The food was ok...it is hit or miss...there was a lot to choose from, so if you didn't like one thing, you could just choose something else. At all-inclusives, you can't be a food critic. <BR>If you do all-inclusive, see what kind of activities there are for your kids. We stayed at the Moon Palace Sunrise...I don't think it catered for families with children, but I think one of the other Palace resorts does. The Palace resorts get a lot of bad press, but we had a good time. There was so much to do there, we really didn't need to leave the property...there was mini-golfing, a basketball court, watersports, etc. <BR> <BR>Good luck on making a decision. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me...hope this helped.

Tammy you've really got me thinking of trying your 2 suggestions over Cancun. Quick question, have you ever stayed in Cancun or did you just drive through it. Thanks.

I did stay in Cancun once but it was as a teenager and all the reasons that I thought it was wonderful then are the reasons I don't go back now. That said, I am definitely not the one to give advice on Cancun because that was years ago and through the eyes of a teen, not an adult. If you gave me a beach, an ocean, and boys to watch, I was pretty much happy with the destination!!