Hi - my husband and I are going to the Mayan Riviera just before christmas - we'll be there for eight days and want to split our time between Playa del Carmen and Tulum with road trips from each, perhaps. We're looking for places that are quaint, fairly inexpensive, not run over by tourism. Any suggestions? Also, is Playa del Carmen like Cancun in terms of being a tourist trap or is it more relaxing and quiet? Thanks!

PDC is not at all like Cancun. I had a great time there and am planning on going back in March with my family. The beaches are great, but things are less expensive and not as touristy. GO! Be sure to check out the snorkel lagoon at Xel-Ha park. Did a short trip to Tulum just to see the ruins, so don't know anything about hotels, there didn't seem alot of them there.

I would not bother with Xel-Ha as it is a joke. You have to snorkel with life jackets on! I guess an American drowned or something and they got sued. Such a shame - these lawsuits just mean things become no fun.<BR><BR>PDC is much more relaxed than Cancun although it is still very touristy. Tulum is less touristy although it is still geared up for it and there are a lot of coaches full of day trippers from Cancun.<BR><BR>You can just get a beach hut on the beach in Tulum. I would just have a look when you get there. PDC has more choice so you may want to research that a bit more in advance.

I disagree about Xel-Ha. I was just there last month and they didn't make me wear a life-jacket. It is a perfectly safe lagoon, very sheltered, great fish, perfect for somebody who hasn't done much snorkeling. I also enjoyed the scenery there. I say go for it.

You should look into staying in Playa del Carmen and then plan tours from there. The bus system is great and cheap. I think you have more choices and options staying in Playa. We have been going to that area for 14 years and would be more than happy to answer any questions on where to stay in Playa. What price range are you interested in? When you say right before Christmas, what dates? You can find good deals if traveling before the 15th. E-mail me please

Check out Cabanas Copal on beach at Tulum. I've spent a week there each of the last two summers and will be going back again in June. It's Paradise!<BR>Website is CabanasCopal.com<BR>Please tell them Ken sent you.

This place looks fabulous. I took a look at there web site. Where do you eat every p.m.? How far is it from PDC? It seems those cabanas are only available up to April? That is what I read? How did you stay in the summer? Not in the cabanas I guess. Why are they not available after April?

Look up &quot;Zamas&quot; right there by Tulum- great simple place, wonderful beach and food! (www.zamas.com)

Do either of these places have electric? They both say bring flashlights? I suppose that would be a different experience.

Hi Keri,<BR><BR>Definitely go to Tulum! You'll find prices good up until about Dec 19/20 then they go up for the holidays.<BR><BR>The reason they say to bring a flashlight is that most of the places of the Tulum beach don't have electricity after dark. They provide lanterns, etc, and it's all very romantic. I can recommend Zamas -- nice, excellent restaurant, but a bit overpriced for what you get now, due to all the positive publicity they receive. This place just quoted us $330 US for six nights in January. They are one of the few with 24 hr electricity (be sure and ask if they have a noisy generator). They also have private bath. http://www.zebratulum.net/<BR><BR>We've also stayed at Tita Tulum (a little more expensive but VERY nice). If you're going prior to DEC 22 you should have no problem booking a room when you get there. My husband and I were there Dec 10-24 a year ago, and only booked for the first night. Then we took a drive along the beach strip to check rates and see what looked nice. <BR><BR>Cabanas Copal which Ken is always online recommending to all and sundry is not the nicest place along this strip. YOu can find other reasonably priced places that are not so close together and have more trees surrounding them. YOu could also easily drive down one day while you're staying in Playa to find a nice spot a couple days in advance. There are many, many places and new ones spring up all the time. <BR><BR>It's an easy drive from Playa - about 30-40 minutes, and then have a nice swim before you head back. <BR><BR>You'll find way more tourists in Playa. We did the same as you -- stayed there three days and then headed to Tulum. I wish we'd stayed longer in Tulum and just made Playa a day trip destination.<BR><BR>There's more restaurants and night life in Playa, but if you're mainly into private time and relaxing on the beach, Tulum is your best bet.<BR><BR>

Sherry are you saying that you like the one zebratulum the best? Or is this the one you are going to in Jan? I really like these and never knew they existed. I would just need the electricity business. I am not even a &quot;camper&quot; and it would be a bit primitive without the electric.

Hi Keri,<BR><BR>I have personally stayed at Zamas (www.zamas.com), and at Tita Tulum. I can't personally recommend Zebra Tulum but it looks okay. <BR><BR>I have just booked myself and my husband into Dos Ceibas (www.dosceibas.com) for January, which is an excellent deal ($60 US per night -- high season!). <BR><BR>Zamas is nice, but the beach there is a bit rocky. Good restaurant. Tita Tulum has a much nicer beach, but is more pricey than Zamas. Dos Ceibas is on a great beach, and has reasonable rates.<BR><BR>I don't consider any of these places roughing it. They're all comfortable with private bath. The lack of electricity is not the problem you might imagine. Often they have some electricity during the day (generator or solar). At night, everything is lit up with lanterns and it's very romantic and pretty. I'm not a camper either, and am not really into rustic. But these places are very comfortable. Not like camping at all. <BR><BR>All have good restaurants on site and there are more in the area. <BR><BR>If you have more questions, let me know. You'll save a lot of money staying in these places versus an all inclusive.<BR><BR>If you really want 24 hour electricity, try Zebra Tulum -- they quoted me a rate of $330 US for 6 nights. But I couldn't get the interior photos on their web page to load, and I like to see what I'm getting. They're in a good location though. As they have 24 hour electricity - be sure to ask if they have a noisy generator.<BR>