Suggestions needed- Girls trip to Mexico

[Small Town Princess]

Looking for some suggestions for a budget girls trip to Mexico in Feb or March. We are looking for an all-inclusive but really confused about which area to book in: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Punta? Mainly looking for basic water activities: snorkeling & para-sailing, maybe zipline, fun bars (in our late 40s so not into clubbing) and would like to take a ruins tour (which is best?). Flying from Iowa. Hoping not to rent a car. We would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[bcwife76]

Looking for some suggestions for a budget girls trip to Mexico in Feb or March. We are looking for an all-inclusive but really confused about which area to book in: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Punta? Mainly looking for basic water activities: snorkeling & para-sailing, maybe zipline, fun bars (in our late 40s so not into clubbing) and would like to take a ruins tour (which is best?). Flying from Iowa. Hoping not to rent a car. We would appreciate any suggestions.

We love Mexico! We've been at least 6 times in the past 10 years (went twice last year!)
But you need to narrow it down a bit.

Cozumel is an island, you need to take a ferry there once you land in Cancun (and take a bus or taxi from the airport) so that might be a bit ambitious. The ruins are Chitchen Itza and Tulum and they are a good 2+ hours outside of Cancun so maybe Playa Del Carmen will suit you, lots of funky restaurants, shopping, bars etc and half way (mostly) between Cancun and the ruins.

 

[kymom99]

How about a carribean cruise? You can hit lots of sites that way and they can be quite affordable.

 

[catgirl]

Riveria Maya is a great location - about an hour south of Cancun - in the middle of Tulum (ruins, recommended hiring guide when there, so interesting!) & Playa Del Carmen. Great bars, restuarants (Senior Frogs), you can parasail, take the ferry to Cozmel. Xel-Ha, eco-park is close & is great place to snorkel, swim with dolphin and relax in a beautiful setting. Food & drink there is great too! You will have an amazing time!

 

[Small Town Princess]

This is exactly the advice I was hoping for. We have been looking at maps but it is so hard to judge distance without any of us having been there. Thanks so much and keep those suggestions coming!

 

[bcwife76]

What's your budget pp? Are you looking for a 3 star resort, 4 star or higher?

 

[stsomewhere]

how about a carribean cruise? You can hit lots of sites that way and they can be quite affordable.

this!!!

 

[Small Town Princess]

Hoping to keep it around $1,000 pp or under. Is that doable? Open to a 3 or 4 star. Would like a little variety for all inclusive dining choices.

 

[JanaDee]

Looking for some suggestions for a budget girls trip to Mexico in Feb or March. We are looking for an all-inclusive but really confused about which area to book in: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Punta? Mainly looking for basic water activities: snorkeling & para-sailing, maybe zipline, fun bars (in our late 40s so not into clubbing) and would like to take a ruins tour (which is best?). Flying from Iowa. Hoping not to rent a car. We would appreciate any suggestions.

If you want to take a ruins tour, I would go with something on the mainland (ie, not Cozumel).

Cozumel has its own airport, but there are no ruins to speak of to visit.

 

[bcwife76]

Hoping to keep it around $1,000 pp or under. Is that doable? Open to a 3 or 4 star. Would like a little variety for all inclusive dining choices.

I would think so as long as you aren't super picky. Feb/Mar is also a very popular time to go to Mexico (esp that side) due to Spring Break, so you'd have to be open to staying somewhere that might only have a buffet option and maybe only 1 ala carte.

 

[aamob]

We stayed at the Iberostar Lindo Riviera Maya over Easter last year for I believe $2400 all inclusive for 2 adults and 1 child. Great pools and buffets! Beach was nice but a little rocky in the ocean. The price included non motorized water sports like kayaking and such.

 

[katie111]

We've been 5 times in the last 10 years to the Mayan Riviera and love it there. We've stayed at Marina El Cid (closer to the airport but further from ruins), Grand Palladium, Occidental Grand Xcaret, Sandos Carocal, and the Barcelo Mayan Palace. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them. We've always travelled with our kids but there are always a variety of people at the resorts. We've done ziplining with Selvatura which was fantastic, visited Tulum which was really hot but awesome to see, and gone to Xcaret and Xel-ha. Xcaret and Xel-ha both offer a variety of activities and they are both really great. The resorts are fairly quiet at night as most people get tired after a day in the sun lounging by the pool bar. The larger resorts, Grand Palladium and Barcelo probably have a little more nightlife just because there are more people there. Playa del Carmen is really fun for a night out as there seem to be some really cool restaurants and bars there. I think Cancun definitely attracts more of a younger party crowd.

 

[TXDisGurl]

We moved here to Cozumel this year and love it here. If you come in Early Feb it will be Carnival.

 

[shruley]

We've been looking at some all inclusives in Mexico. Based on a recommendation from a TA we've been focusing on the Riveria Maya area. Seems to be a little more affordable. Tons of resorts to choose from. Not too bad of a drive from the airport. The Tulum ruins should be doable from there. I wouldn't do Cozumel for some of the reasons above. Expedia and those type websites had some good deals for this area that would fit in the price you mentioned.