Maya Riviera

[woody5]

I hope someone here can help. My husband feels that we should vacation somewhere else but Disney this year. I know how awful, especially with the buy 4 get 3 deal going on. So we would like a beach vacation. Has anyone done the Maya Riviera in Mexico? I have found a what looks to be a wonderful resort, Barcelo Maya Palace. It is an all inclusive that gets great reviews. They are running half off right now so six nights all inclusive for four of us would be $1320. So why am I dragging my feet? I always get to the final submit for reservations and just can't do it. I guess I probably want to do WDW but think the kids should see other parts of the world. Has anyone been? My kids are 13 and 16. Thinking of snorkeling, ziplines, viewing the ruins and just R and R. Has anyone been to this area? Will the kids be board? TIA.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

We LOVE our Mexico vacations!!! We always stay with the Iberostar chain, but the Barcelo is also wonderful.

We really like knowing how much our vacation is going to cost up front, all inclusive. Our DD loves the kids club (and we love the pool bars ), the water sports, the night time entertainment, great food, etc.

There is so much to do right in Playa del Carmen, or you can take a day trip over to Cozumel on the ferry.

I say at least give it a try. Worst case, you go back to Disney next trip.

 

[LurkerLisa]

GO Go go - I don't know about the resort, but the area is great! So much fun. check out locogringo.com for even more information. PM if you have questions.

 

[pink_fins]

We have been to that area 2 times now.

The latest at Catalonia Riviera Maya. Just loved the place. Also AI
You can eat anytime with 8 places to choose. And an ingredable Ice cream bar.

Lots to do.You can paint something and they will fire it and bring it back the next day. You can walk to see Dolphins, take trips to Tulum, Playa del Carmen for the day.

Check out the PLaya del carmen forum and trip adviser
pm me if you have any questions

gail

 

[JMD]

Definitely go! I love Mexico. I've been to Cancun 3 times, and to Cozumel and Costa Maya once. Its a great vacation. Beautiful beaches, great weather and the Mexican people are wonderful.

 

[Chris2597]

I hope someone here can help. My husband feels that we should vacation somewhere else but Disney this year. I know how awful, especially with the buy 4 get 3 deal going on. So we would like a beach vacation. Has anyone done the Maya Riviera in Mexico? I have found a what looks to be a wonderful resort, Barcelo Maya Palace. It is an all inclusive that gets great reviews. They are running half off right now so six nights all inclusive for four of us would be $1320. So why am I dragging my feet? I always get to the final submit for reservations and just can't do it. I guess I probably want to do WDW but think the kids should see other parts of the world. Has anyone been? My kids are 13 and 16. Thinking of snorkeling, ziplines, viewing the ruins and just R and R. Has anyone been to this area? Will the kids be board? TIA.

Wow, that is a great price. What site did you find that on? does that include airfare?

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We won a free trip to the Occidental Grand Xcaret in Riveria Maya, Mexico. It was an all-inclusive resort with free passes to the "theme park" next door. Everything about this place was beautiful and breathtaking. The park next door had snorkling, swim with dolphins program, and plenty more. If you google this place, you will see what I mean.
There were several restaurants, pools, and beach. The weather is perfect.
Have fun.......you will like trying something different!

 

[Iluvthemouse]

We love the Mayan Riviera. We have been going for the last 6 years every summer. We have stayed at the Rius, Iberostars and the last 2 years at Barcelo Tropical/Colonial.

Beaches are beautiful, people are so very kind. All inclusive is a wonderful way to go with children.

 

[Colleen27]

We went once, stayed at the Occidental Xcaret. It really was a blast - my kids were 5 and 8 and not bored at all! We're sticking to domestic travel now until the baby is a bit older (there aren't many places as easy as Disney for travel with an infant!), but I'm really looking forward to going back to Mexico once she's 4 or 5. It is such a different type of trip when compared to Disney, much more relaxed and peaceful. I probably wouldn't do it every year the way we do Disney, but it is wonderful for a change of pace every now and again.

 

[EMom]

A friend has gone a few times and loves it. I've been to Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and she says it's like Playa del Carmen was when I went years ago. Back then, PdC had maybe 2 hotels and there was no town to speak of. It was a trek to go anywhere, but the beaches were very private and secluded.....Not one hotel after another after another after another. Now she says RM has only a few hotels and is really laid back and PdC is the closest town you can go to. Hey, it's a TOWN now! (Actually, it boomed just after we visited.)

There are so many nearby things to visit. Tulum, Chichen Itza...but I'd never take kids there since it can be grueling, Xel-Ha, Xcaret, etc. All inclusives are great for kids.

 

[TnTWalter]

Yes!!!

We've been to PDC 2 times and Tulum this past time. It's beautiful. People are wonderful. Water is stunning. Food excellent...etc. etc.


www.playa.info

there's a whole section about all-inclusives.
The barcelo looks great and $1270 for FOUR is a good deal!

I would recommend snorkeling in the cenotes around there [say-no-tays]. It's an underground river system and only two places in the world have them. It's basically snorkeling in fresh water caves some open and some cavernous.
with kids, hiddenworlds would be the place to go!

also you should do a day trip to Tulum. see the ruins [go early] and then spend a day at the beach. it's BEAUTIFUL and less crowded. You could do tour or just hop on the ADO bus for CHEAP in PDC [$2 per person to Tulum]. It's about 1 hour south....
or if you don't want to go that far, hit Akumal it's in between PDC and Tulum. They have a lagoon yal-ku that is cool and you can hang out and snorkel right at Akumal bay and look for turtles. Water is very pretty here too.

Another good family place is Xel-ha which is an all-inclusive snorkel park.

We did Selvatica ziplining and it was 'ok' but it was just adults. hiddenworlds has a zip line there so you could do cenotes and zip line in same trip.

Enjoy!

 

[woody5]

Thank you so much for your replies. I took the leap and booked. The price of $1320 is for two adults and two teens at the all inclusive Barcelo Maya Palace. It does not include airfare but it is a great deal because food and drinks are included as well as activities at the resort and nonmotorized water sports. The rate can be found at www.barcelo.com. You have to register with their site to get the 50%. It is under mibarcelo. Even travel agents can't get this rate. I am writing down all the suggestions to start planning. Can anyone recommend a private transfer service?

 

[nunzia]

We LOVE our Mexico vacations!!! We always stay with the Iberostar chain, but the Barcelo is also wonderful.

We really like knowing how much our vacation is going to cost up front, all inclusive. Our DD loves the kids club (and we love the pool bars ), the water sports, the night time entertainment, great food, etc.

There is so much to do right in Playa del Carmen, or you can take a day trip over to Cozumel on the ferry.

I say at least give it a try. Worst case, you go back to Disney next trip.

I've also stayed at Iberostar (Quextal). Very nice! Great beach, pretty surroundings (jungle-y..monkeys and everything). Nice excursions also (additional cost) Ours was all inclusive and that's the way to go. I avoid the towns..I don't like the vendors or the dickering of prices that's so popular in Mexico..plus some vendors can get aggressive and sucker in naive people. ( I live close to Mexico already, so that kind of thing is just not for me)
I say GO!

 

[Vexorg]

My parents have been to Barcelo Maya several times, and quite enjoy it there. I haven't been able to join them on any of them, but they're already talking about trying to get everyone there at some point.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

You will love the Palace. It is a great resort.

There is an unofficial barcelo maya message board also that will answer any question you might have along the way.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Well, I've been to this area several times. I am not much of a beach person, but there is much to do for those who are not sun worshippers. The ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza are both worth a look. I've never seen Coba, but I hear that's interesting. Xcaret and Xel-ha are great for snorkelers. A day trip to Cozumel is not out of the question.

That all being said, the Mayan Riviera is not what it once was. My parents visited Playa del Carmen when the feral dogs still slept in the middle of the dirt main street. I went there first when there were only 3 hotels and a quaint little town. The last time I went (2006) I couldn't even recognize the place it was so touristy. Cruise ships have made this area a hot spot for decades now, and there's no more of the quiet escape from reality that you get in other tropical areas. If you're looking for someplace relaxing and tropical, I would perhaps suggest the other side of the country. I visited Cabo San Lucas once, and it was beautiful.

 

[cndij]

I think you made a good decision. We have been to the area about 6 times now, once was with my nephew and the son of my best friend. The boys were 13 and 14 at the time. The loved the water, the town, haggling with the silver shops etc. My nephew who is a clean freak, had a few "moments" with things he didn't think were completely sanitary, but he also freaked out at New Orleans when my sister took him there. Can't help on the transportation, we usually book with Apple or Funjet and our package always included tranportation to the hotel. Only once we flew into Cozumel, and took the ferry across, and were within walking distance of the place we stayed.

 

[wdwmom2]

We have been to that area 2 times now.

The latest at Catalonia Riviera Maya. Just loved the place. Also AI
You can eat anytime with 8 places to choose. And an ingredable Ice cream bar.

Lots to do.You can paint something and they will fire it and bring it back the next day. You can walk to see Dolphins, take trips to Tulum, Playa del Carmen for the day.

Check out the PLaya del carmen forum and trip adviser
pm me if you have any questions

gail

We are staying here in September. This is good to hear !!!!!!

 

[Ohiodislover]

We have been to that area 2 times now.

The latest at Catalonia Riviera Maya. Just loved the place. Also AI
You can eat anytime with 8 places to choose. And an ingredable Ice cream bar.

Lots to do.You can paint something and they will fire it and bring it back the next day. You can walk to see Dolphins, take trips to Tulum, Playa del Carmen for the day.

Check out the PLaya del carmen forum and trip adviser
pm me if you have any questions

gail

We stayed at the Catalonia also. It is the bomb. Not the fanciest, but still really fun. And the crepe place is to die for

We booked thru Apple, and I think it was only $700/pp all inclusive incl air.

 

[wilderness01]

We like Mexico, but did not like Xel ha at all. The concept is nice, but for the price, no way. The food was terrible and the people putting the pancakes out were grabbing them with their bare hands and throwing them on the pile. It was .