Victoria619

We're planning a trip to Mexico just before Christmas and are have never been to this part of Mexico before. We would like suggestions for condos/ hotels. We'll definitely want to be on the beach and want to have a mix of relaxation and seeing the sights, etc. Also interested in how the area survived Emily.
Oh, and Grandma will be coming too.

pepper131

We stopped in PDC briefly for dinner at our fave place - Babe's - a few weeks ago. All is well in PDC - no worries of hurricane damage.

Playa Maya hotel gets the best ratings of all the hotels.

Victoria619

Thanks! Also interested in any villas or condos right on the water. Has anyone stayed at Playa Maya or at Shangri La Caribe?

ONZGO

With teenagers and the way they love to eat a lot and drink (even sodas) and if you want a relaxing vacation you may want to consider a all inclusive resort where they can eat and drink to their hearts delight. I can personally recommend the Barcelo Maya all inclusive south of Cancun. It is on one of the best beaches in the area, has one of the best discos in the area and has so much included including a great outside disco, mini golf, sailing, kayaking, tennis, archery, etc. There is good on site snorkeling as well and no fighting for lounge chairs or shade at either the pools or beach. Here is a private non-profit website to get more information if you want. Don't forget to check out the sticky post at the top of the discussion forum for links to people's pictures of the resort and area.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/

We have had 3 family reunions at this resort (ages 7 - 70s) and everyone loved it and it was so easy to budget for because everyone basically knew what the vacation would cost even before they left home and no big surprises on the hotel tab at the end of the vacation.

Have a great family vacation.

Ryberg

Well, fancy meeting you here, ONZGO!

Also appreciate the nice remarks, Pepper, for which I go Not sure if they're entirely accurate, but you know...

Just want to say watch out for that old conventional wisdom about AIs being cheaper with kids (or just in general). If you look deep enough and search long enough, you'll see there are a number of people who believe the reverse is true. The most detailed assessment I've ever seen online is from a moderator over at the Playa.Info forum on this link

http://playa.info/playa-forum/showpo...;postcount=131

In her case, the AI came out to be the MOST expensive of 6 trips, I believe. But there are certainly other factors involved, as well, in this choice, which are also important to consider so that you enjoy your vacation.

Steve

ONZGO

No doubt sometimes going pay as you go works out cheaper, but with a couple of teenagers who love to eat and drink (even sodas) all inclusive can be more reasonable in cost than going pay as you go. The teenagers can have a hot dog, pizza, hamburger, tacos and salsa, steak, fish, chicken, shrimps guacamole and whatever else their hearts desire along with all the soda or beer/cocktails (if allowed)they can drink without having to think about the tab at the end of your vacation or taking money down to beach or pool every day. All inclusives include lots of water/land sports and equipment, entertainment, activies to go in their package price and when planing a family vacation where even Grandma will be coming along, we found all inclusives easier to arrange and budget and nobody has to grocery shop or cook while on vacation and makes for a much more relaxing vacation for everyone involved. We have tried both types of family vacations (a la carte and all inclusive) and the all inclusive won hands down for ease of family vacation planning and pleasing everyone.

Emily was in early July and things are very quickly getting back to normal in this area. Mexicans are very hard working people and some of the most hospitable we have found in our travels.

Have a great family vacation no matter how you do it. Enjoy!

ONZGO

The Barcelo Maya is not the only great all inclusive on the Mayan Riviera area there are many others such as Iberostars, Palladium, etc.

Have fun in your search for the perfect family vacation and I suggest you don't leave your planning too long for Christmas time as that is very high season and sells out very fast.