northerngal

Hi, We are a family of 6 (kids 17,16,14,11) and we are looking to find a great place to spend our last spring break (april 1-11) together. We are half thinking south of Cancun and maybe an AI. We sould love to be on the ocean and have a pool. The kids are dying to try snorkeling! Any suggestions? Budget is limited as one is on her way to college and another one next year!

pepper131

If you're into AIs, look at Copacabana on Xpu-ha beach or Maeva Tulum in the same area. Both are reasonable. Also Akumal Beach Resort in Akumal which has the best snorkling.

dmotl

visit isla-mujeres.net
IM is 10 miles off shore from Cancun and is in our opinion the least expensive place in the Carribean.
Suggest Nauti beach condos, Posada Del Mar or Francis Arlene.
e-mail us at [email protected] and we will e-mail you our 30 page brochure designed to assist the first time visitor to the island. In it we also discuss the snorkeling options for the island.

northerngal

dmotl: Tell me about this place. How do you get there? What about feeding this crew of mine. Looks Fab! Pirces look great, I would have to get 2 rooms. Do they speak English there? Do I need a passport to get there?

JeanH

I'd second Isla Mujeres. Great little island. Beautiful beaches, lots of reasonably priced restaurants, and if you want to cook, a well stocked grocery store, right on the plaza.

To get there, you fly into Cancun, take a shuttle to the ferry terminal, then a 20 minute ferry ride. Easy. Right now, you don't need a passport to travel to Mexico, just an official copy of your birth certificate and a government issued photo ID. But, the rumor mill keeps saying Mexico is going to start requiring passports for entry in the near future. Passports for your family wouldn't be cheap, but I don't think you'd ever regret having them.

Most people on Isla speak a little English. It's not a problem.

Another option, although more expensive, is Belize. Wonderful snorkeling, beaches aren't as nice as Mexico though. Everyone speaks English there.

Jean

northerngal

Thanks Jean, My hubby is not tookeen about going to a third world country. I do have him looking into Mexico though. Do you have any great places to recommend there? I'm not sure about AI's what do you think?

JeanH

I'm personally not a fan of all-inclusives, however, with four kids, I'd sure be looking at them. For me, it would be a matter of cost. If you can find a good price at an all-inclusive, you could save money. Seems like when my kids were the ages that your kids are, they were always hungry. Having food available to them, and already paid for, would be an enticement. But, many of the smaller hotels in Mexico do include breakfast in their rates. So, if you spend way less on your hotels, get something with at least a fridge so you can keep snacks and maybe make some lunches, and eat at more local type restaurants, you could be money ahead of the all-inclusive experience.

If your husband isn't going to be comfortable in a third world country, he may be happier in an all-inclusive. I love Isla Mujeres, but there is some obvious poverty, and that does bother some folks.

Jean

northerngal

Jean, Okat give me some great suggestions on places to stay - PLEASE!
You have my exact thoughts on an A/I. If I.M. is wonderful, then that's probably where I want to go. It's our last spring break together and we want to do something special (that we can afford) Let me know what you think. THANKS!

Ally

Isla Mujeres only has one AI, but it's a nice place and great location on the island.
Avalon.

Ally

forgot to add, for lots of info on Isla, go to:
www.isla-mujeres.net

northerngal

When I go to that site, I'm totally confused. I don't know the areas of the island and can't figure out if it's a AI or not. HELP!

JeanH

If you're looking at Isla Mujeres seriously, I'd definitely stay on the north end of the island. Either on or close to Playa Norte.

Nautibeach Condos look awesome, but they're relatively expensive. Casa Maya Hotel, on the beach, has shared kitchens you can use if you want to do some cooking. Quite honestly, for the money, I'd look very seriously at Posada del Mar. You're going to have to get two rooms, but there's are reasonably priced. And there's a pool, and a restaurant on site. The rooms aren't fancy, think moderate US motel rooms. Only downside is I don't think any of their rooms have refrigerators. It's also right across the street from the beach. If you want to go even cheaper, Frances Arlene gets good reviews. I've only been in the lobby. Some people really like RocaMar, on the Caribbean side, so you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing surf. Still right downtown. They have a pool as well. Our last stay was at Media Luna, but I don't think they accept kids, and it would get pretty pricy for two rooms.

If I was going to stay at an all-inclusive, it would not be the Avalon on Isla Mujeres. If you decide you want to go that route, I'd be looking at Playacar, immediately south of Playa del Carmen.

Want to see our Isla pictures? E-mail me and I'll send you the link: [email protected]

Jean

northerngal

I would love to see your pictures. e-mail: [email protected]
THANKS!!!

Dee3

Rather than looking into all inclusives, look into renting a timeshare condo at the Royal Resorts in Cancun. They easily sleep 6 with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room with twin murphy beds, dining room, and full American kitchen. Huge balcony overlooking the Caribbean. With a grocery store on site and a Walmart/Sam's Club downtown, grocery shopping is quick and easy, meals therefore are very cheap. Cancun itself has many different restaurants, some expensive, many very reasonably priced. The Royal Resorts are 5 star, beautiful, family orientated with many activities for kids of all ages. The Cancun beach is the best and the pools, absolutely amazing!