Mayan Riviera--can someone answer a few questions please?

[crazee4mickey]

Has anyone been to the Mayan Riviera who could offer advice? DH wants to go their for our 10th anniversary but we know nothing about the area.
The travel agent said the beaches in Cancun are not in very good shape yet after the hurricane so we would like to be as close to the general area but not staying in Cancun. The travel brochures don't really show you too much of what to expect, so I'm unsure of what the area is like
Where is the best place to stay?
Does anyone ever get any good deals over the internet?
Is it a fairly safe place to travel to, can you travel in a group into Playa del Carmen without too many safety concerns?
Is it really worth the money to go and are there lots of things to see and do? The only reason I am even contemplating--as I'm terrified to fly---is I want to see the ruins so badly!
Any info on the area would be greatly appreciated--thanks in advance

 

[ahutton]

Tulum is one of the most beautiful places in the world, we went there on our honeymoon cruise, it was about 9 years ago. We docked in Playa del Carmen, it was very pretty there then, I can't imagine it not being nice now. If you look at resort reviews on Yahoo I'm sure you can find some recent comments on resorts to make sure they've recovered. I'm certain the higher end ones have, as they would not survive if they didn't get the beaches cleaned up and repairs completed so folks can come back. I could have spent days wandering Tulum and the beaches right around it, truly paradise!

 

[Beth76]

I wouldn't stay in Cancun. It's supposed to be all party, all the time and very Americanized. But, maybe that's what you want. When are you planning on going? (Please don't say Hurricane Season, please don't say Hurricane Season) We just went in October and were there for Wilma. Horrible experience and I will never make that mistake again. So, I'm urging you not to go during hurricane season (May through Nov) epecially with the way hurricanes have been lately.

We stayed at Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar which was fantastic! It's a big complex of 4 hotels, Del Mar being the cheapest. I wouldn't recommend the Del Mar unless it fits your budget better. It was very nice, but I preferred the more upscale side--Lindo or Maya). This was between Cancun and Playa and they have a shuttle that takes you into Playa.

If you want something really upscale and adults only, try Secrets. That's supposed to be really nice, but I haven't stayed there.

There were no safety concerns in Playa. Just a bunch of people harrassing you to buy their stuff. We didn't get a chance to see any of the ruins but you can easily book tours with groups which I'm sure are very safe. We also had wanted to go to Xel-Ha which is a huge ecological park, great for snorkeling, but Wilma ruined those plans for us too. But, it's supposed to be fantastic!!

Here are some links. If you have anymore questions let me know.
Iberostar
Secrets
Xel-Ha

 

[Jessd]

Hi!

We went to Playa in 2003. It was beautiful. We were at the Riu Tequila. We were able to go and eat at 2 other hotels since they were owned the same company.

We never made it to see the ruins. We went to Xcaret, which I guess you can call it sort of a zoo, but you can snorkel with the fish there. It was pretty cool. I don't know how much it cost, we went with another couple and they did a time share thing to get the tickets.

It was a little scary for me getting off the plane, seeing soldiers and seeing them in the town. But we didn't have any problems with anyone. The vendors hound you. When you ask them how much something is, by the time you get to the door or 10 feet away, they have already lowered the price by more than 1/2. I never felt unsafe when we were there. Everyone speaks English, they take American money. We aren't big drinkers, but with the all inclusive hotel, we took advantage of it. There was food everywhere constantly. It was so nice not to have to tip anyone and everyone was super friendly.

Our hotel was about 5 minutes from the main town area. We took the ferry to Cozumel went shopping every day, hung out on the beach, went parasailing, rented a jet ski, it was a blast. We would grab dinner rolls from the buffets and take them to the beach. There was huge angel fish, probably as big as plates and they would eat the bread from your hands.

I would highly recommend it. We were thinking of going back in 2007 with the kids.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. We was one of the first vacations that we truly enjoyed. My husband still raves about it.

Jess

 

[crazee4mickey]

We kind of wondered if Cancun was a big party spot and since the time we are thinking of going might coincide with either university spring break.
We are thinking of going at the end of February, beginning of March---does anyone know when spring break is in the US? Our school spring break in Canada is at the end of March.
I'm getting very excited just reading what you have put down--sounds like it could be perfect!
Beth76---the Iberostar line of hotels is one of the possible hotels we have been talking about--if you don't mind me asking, what was it exactly that you didn't like about Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar ?
Thanks again to all who have answered thus far!

 

[kbkids]

Cancun is very "Americanized," and I felt completely safe there. I've been twice - once with a friend of mine (two young girls in early 20's). We had a blast! And then went again for my honeymoon - honestly, had more fun with my friend. Not a slam to my DH, but Cancun is very much a party town! If you're looking for romance, not so much. Xel-ha and Tulum are awesome though!! We stayed at the Sheraton on our honeymoon (very pretty), and I can't remember the name of the place I stayed with my friend, but it was really nice too. If you're sticking with a larger hotel, you're more than likely going to be okay in Cancun. I wouldn't suggest doing an All-Inclusive Resort as you're going to want to get out and eat at restaurants instead of staying at the hotel the entire time.

Oh yeh, forgot about XCarat - that was BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[Beth76]

Beth76---the Iberostar line of hotels is one of the possible hotels we have been talking about--if you don't mind me asking, what was it exactly that you didn't like about Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar ?

I didn't exactly dislike it. I just thought that the Lindo and Maya were nicer. I liked their pool area better (which we weren't allowed to use, but they could use ours) and I thought the clientele was also nicer. If we ever go back, we'll stay at the Lindo. Here are some pics from my trip . They are not the greatest as they were taken with a disposable. Here's another set. These were not taken by me. I just found them online. I do know that Iberostar has a spring break policy which won't allow teenagers (even with their parents) during these times. In the second set of pics, there are some of Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal which is in Playacar, a gated community in PDC. I didn't go to those hotels, but we drove through there picking up people on the way to the airport and it looked cool. I might consider staying there too.

ETA: Check out trip advisor for recent reviews and pictures.

 

[crazee4mickey]

Beth76---just looked at your pictures they are gorgeous before the hurricane, am I seeing it right that you were there during Wilma?? The devestation is unreal! I can't believe how much sand moves inland!
Thanks for sharing and for taking the time to find other pics for me online

 

[MoniqueU]

The best place to stay without a doubt is the all inclusive ADULTS only Royal Hideaway Playa Del Carmen. You can get a good prive on it by bidding on it on Sky Auction. Thats how I did it and got a good room. I LOVED it. The beach was great. I am not sure the beaches condition now but I am sure you can look it up on some of the travel boards. The food and service were some of the best we have ever had. We went to Xcarett an outdoor water park with snorkelling and that sort of thing. I can't wait to go back. The booze was top notch too, none of this water down drinks stuff. The hotel has the distinction of being one of The Leading Hotels of the World. Quite a high ranking to achieve.

 

[QT Pooh]

We visited last year and stayed about 20 miles south of Cancun in a privately owned house in a little village called Puerto Morelos. We loved it as it was off the beaten path. My husband and I speak Spanish so we were comfortable there. We bought fresh seafood right from the dock. We also went to Playa del Carmen a few times - it was perfectly safe. Of course, both Playa del Carmen and Cancun are much more geared for tourists than other places - as such the exchange rate is not always as favorable because everything will be quoted in dollars. I second the visit to Tulum - it's gorgeous. I also loved visiting Chichen Itza and swimming in the cenotes (underground caverns). We swam with the dolphins and went snorkeling in Puerto Aventuras (a little south of Playa del Carmen) and we also took the ferry from PdC to Cozumel. We also bought the all-inclusive option to Xel-ha (a snorkeling park) which included all day snorkeling, rentals, food and drink (including alcohol!). It was so much fun! That was a great trip...I would recommend the Riviera Maya to anyone!

 

[crazee4mickey]

The booze was top notch too, none of this water down drinks stuff.

I'd heard this about the drinks--friends say they would drink and drink and nothing! Sounds like this place is worth checking in to! Thanks

 

[golfgal]

Is there less damage in Playa Del Carmen? It isn't that far away from Cancun. We were there a few years ago (Cancun) and I have no desire to go back, personally. The Eco parks and the ruins are cool but the rest of it is not that great. If you go bring some antibiotics because chances are one of you will get sick (I didn't but DH sure did). Dh is supposed to have a conference in Cancun in April and as of now the hotel isn't open I guess. Hopefully they will switch it to some place else and I will go with him.

 

[crazee4mickey]

Any travel agents we have spoken to said Cancun sustained lots of damage especially to the beach areas, as did Cozumel. They are saying areas such as Playa Del Carmen received minimal damage and are in far better shape than the other two areas.