Cancun/Playa del Carmen suggestions

[Anonymous]

Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

Well I personally would not be going off property in Mexico, especially with kids, so for me the appeal is that the all inclusive is easy. We would park ourselves at the resort except for a couple day trips to Xcaret or something. I find them less appealing when traveling as a couple because we’re not huge drinkers and eaters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Travel Zoo just posted one for Rosewood Mayakoba. It's lovely. It's in Playacar I believe - a ways from Cancun which is not my scene.

Rosewood is not AI, is it?

OP why Cancun? I just can’t bring myself to go there.

The deal is all-inclusive.
Not OP, but since she mentions price, I would guess that she is choosing Cancun because of the price. Sorry you can't bring yourself to go there.

The Travel Zoo deal is for the Fairmont Mayakoba which is different then the Rosewood Mayakoba.
Fairmont does offer an all-inclusive option.

Whoops! I confused them. Thanks for correcting that.

[Anonymous]

Any feedback on Barcelo or Paradisus in that area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

Well I personally would not be going off property in Mexico, especially with kids, so for me the appeal is that the all inclusive is easy. We would park ourselves at the resort except for a couple day trips to Xcaret or something. I find them less appealing when traveling as a couple because we’re not huge drinkers and eaters.

Are you OP? What confused me was that your first message asked about "places to visit" -- hence not clear on why you wanted AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

Well I personally would not be going off property in Mexico, especially with kids, so for me the appeal is that the all inclusive is easy. We would park ourselves at the resort except for a couple day trips to Xcaret or something. I find them less appealing when traveling as a couple because we’re not huge drinkers and eaters.

Are you OP? What confused me was that your first message asked about "places to visit" -- hence not clear on why you wanted AI.

Not OP, but I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. We still do day trips to the touristy places from the all inclusives and it’s easy because they set it all up. That was my perspective when I read it because that’s most people I know do.
But you’re right if they want to do more stuff off the beaten path an AI isn’t necessary. I (not wanting to start a debate here) would be uncomfortable doing the less touristy stuff in Mexico because I’m not familiar with the language, country etc and I just don’t feel the safest doing it.

[Anonymous]

Grand Velas is by far the nicest AI we have ever stayed at. Iberostar r is a more moderately priced alternative that is great for kids (lots of activities, nightly shows, kids’ club, etc.). Both Riviera Maya, so close to airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

Well I personally would not be going off property in Mexico, especially with kids, so for me the appeal is that the all inclusive is easy. We would park ourselves at the resort except for a couple day trips to Xcaret or something. I find them less appealing when traveling as a couple because we’re not huge drinkers and eaters.

Are you OP? What confused me was that your first message asked about "places to visit" -- hence not clear on why you wanted AI.

Not OP, but I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. We still do day trips to the touristy places from the all inclusives and it’s easy because they set it all up. That was my perspective when I read it because that’s most people I know do.
But you’re right if they want to do more stuff off the beaten path an AI isn’t necessary. I (not wanting to start a debate here) would be uncomfortable doing the less touristy stuff in Mexico because I’m not familiar with the language, country etc and I just don’t feel the safest doing it.

Ah, okay. And yes, agree -- I'm not going to tell people they are doing vacation wrong! Everyone has their own comfort level and should enjoy themselves as they see fit! Just wondered how the all-inclusive fit with the ability to see places. (Also -- I usually end up grabbing supermarket food for breakfast for both health/cost reasons, so I personally never want to pay the extra charge that you pay for the AI.)

[Anonymous]

We are going to Hotel Xcaret in April. All the parks and exclusions (X-named parks entrance fees) are included and am reading how fabulous the new all inclusive e is (about 1 year old). I’m on their closed member Facebook page and reading how amazing this resort is. Looking forward to finding out for myself in a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what the appeal of an all inclusive is? Doesn't that basically mean you'll eat all your meals there, rather than exploring nearby?

We spent last year's spring break in Cancun and had a lovely time. Stayed in the Zona Hoteleria, but took the public bus into town, and rented a car one day to drive out to Chichen Itza. The food in the zona hoteleria was so-so, but we had some lovely meals venturing out into town and around the place.

Well I personally would not be going off property in Mexico, especially with kids, so for me the appeal is that the all inclusive is easy. We would park ourselves at the resort except for a couple day trips to Xcaret or something. I find them less appealing when traveling as a couple because we’re not huge drinkers and eaters.

Are you OP? What confused me was that your first message asked about "places to visit" -- hence not clear on why you wanted AI.

Not OP, but I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. We still do day trips to the touristy places from the all inclusives and it’s easy because they set it all up. That was my perspective when I read it because that’s most people I know do.
But you’re right if they want to do more stuff off the beaten path an AI isn’t necessary. I (not wanting to start a debate here) would be uncomfortable doing the less touristy stuff in Mexico because I’m not familiar with the language, country etc and I just don’t feel the safest doing it.

I don’t think that is an unusual feeling. We’re going to Cancun this summer. AirBnb in the city, rental car but we all speak fluent Spanish. I completely understand why that would not be comfort for you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grand Velas is by far the nicest AI we have ever stayed at. Iberostar r is a more moderately priced alternative that is great for kids (lots of activities, nightly shows, kids’ club, etc.). Both Riviera Maya, so close to airport.

The beach at Grand Velas is terrible but then again most of the beaches in Mexico are not very good right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Velas is by far the nicest AI we have ever stayed at. Iberostar r is a more moderately priced alternative that is great for kids (lots of activities, nightly shows, kids’ club, etc.). Both Riviera Maya, so close to airport.

The beach at Grand Velas is terrible but then again most of the beaches in Mexico are not very good right now.

What do you mean by the beaches are not very good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Velas is by far the nicest AI we have ever stayed at. Iberostar r is a more moderately priced alternative that is great for kids (lots of activities, nightly shows, kids’ club, etc.). Both Riviera Maya, so close to airport.

The beach at Grand Velas is terrible but then again most of the beaches in Mexico are not very good right now.

What do you mean by the beaches are not very good?

Seaweed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Velas is by far the nicest AI we have ever stayed at. Iberostar r is a more moderately priced alternative that is great for kids (lots of activities, nightly shows, kids’ club, etc.). Both Riviera Maya, so close to airport.

The beach at Grand Velas is terrible but then again most of the beaches in Mexico are not very good right now.

What do you mean by the beaches are not very good?

Sargassum.
https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/experts-predicting-sargassum-influx-on-mexican-caribbean-beaches-in-2019.html

[Anonymous]

Look at Finest. Beach was lovely last year.