slightly off the beaten path, but near Cancun?

[Anonymous]

I know this is a stretch… I have to deliver my kids to Cancun to be with their dad. I’d like to stay in Mexico for a few days. I’ve been to Cancun and Riviera Maya, and they’re not what I’m looking for. I’d like something low key with good beaches and food (as opposed to big honking hotels and all-inclusives and drunk Americans). I’ve been to Cozumel and that’s a possibility, I love the vibe there, but the beaches aren’t great and my companion isn’t a diver. I’m also looking at Holbox. Thoughts on that, or anything else?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Isla Mujeres is a fun island with great snorkeling. Valladolid has the food, historical area, and cenotes around.

[Anonymous]

Holbox is nice but very expensive for what you get. Smaller, basic hotels, but very beautiful and good food can be had.

[Anonymous]

I’ve looked into Holbox, too, in the past. The price flights and of nice looking villas is really appealing, but if you read reviews of almost any hotel (even the cute little boutique ones) there are complaints about noise at night from nearby “venues”, which makes me think there’s a lot of partying going on and it’s maybe not the quiet non-Cancun place I’m looking for. I wonder about staying in Merida, which looks so interesting and lovely, and doing an excursion to Cancunito beach one day and ruins another day.