We've never been to a resort in Mexico before and are considering going in Sept. From reading posts it sounds like Tulum is a pretty nice place; my MIL has been there & loved it. Can anyone tell me how these two differ? which one is more preferable? also any recs on where to stay - preferably adults only.

Also - we've heard it can rain a lot in Mexico from Aug-Sept - is it like an entire day wash out, or just occasional showers at that time of the year? TIA!

September is statistically the rainiest month of the year on both coasts, I'm pretty sure (it is in Zijuat/Ixtapa for sure). VERY HOT too. It depends. Sometimes storms are only at night. Sometimes if some kind of system is passing thru could conceivably rain all day.

I believe that Ixtapa and Tulum are very, very different from each other. You need to do some research and/or be more specific about what you are looking for. Either location, it is the rainy/hurricane season. That does not mean that it will be bad weather, but it could be. Trip insurance is suggested.

I do agree about being completely different places & atmosphere. (Just that the weather will not be ideal either place those months.)

Tulum is more rustic. Ixtapa is the newish tourist beach strip that's been built-up outside the town of Zijuatanejo (similar to Nuevo Vallarta to PV).

September is peak hurricaine season for Tulum

but beaches are nicer mayan ruins...

Ixtapa more touristy if you like that

would probably wait till December and go to Tulum.

www.xel-ha.com pretty cool close to there albeit touristy

Uxmal neat Mayan Ruins close also

I personally would only go to Mountain Mexico in September never the beach BUT many Many do & enjoy it. Statistically less chance of Hurricanes in Ixtapa/Zihua & a bit less humid. It's the lowest of the low season & many restaurants (Certainly not all by any means)their are closed for their vacation & repair in September.

thanks for all the tips - it sounds like Sept would not be a good time to go due to the rain.. =( I think Tulum would be more of what we're looking for - we really don't care for super touristy places. too bad about the rain - we were getting excited about it; but I guess that's why the prices are so low for that time of the year...

I would really encourage you to wait for a different time to go, for a better impression of a first trip to coastal Mexico.

If you want something not as "touristy" on the west coast, you could simply stay in the town of Zijuatanejo instead of the resort zone of Ixtapa (serviced by the same airport, connected by local bus).

Zihutanejo is not touristy at all. actually Ixtapa is but is very small with only about 12 or so beach front hotels. Nothing like PV, Cabo or Cancun. Lots of great day trips & over night ones.