Cancun/Riviera Maya -- besides being cheap, is there a reason to go?

[Anonymous]

My ILs are pressuring us to do a joint trip to a resort there. I've never been interested because my understanding is compared to other places, the beaches aren't that great, it's overfilled with resorts and tourists, etc. We scuba dive and I've been diving in the area (Cozumel) and it's mediocre at best. I know this sounds terribly snobby, but I'm just not interest and have proposed other places in the Caribbean. Am I missing out, though? Is it nicer than I think? I'm sure there are some very nice resorts and luxury places, but I'm not talking about that--I'm more interested in the beaches, etc.

[Anonymous]

Tulip and Sian Kaan are beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Is it dangerous there? And are you serious re Cozumel? I heard it was one of the most beautiful places to go diving and highly rated among experienced divers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it dangerous there? And are you serious re Cozumel? I heard it was one of the most beautiful places to go diving and highly rated among experienced divers.

Yes, I'm serious. I guess it's all relative. I'm a pretty experienced diver and have dove all over. I dove Cozumel recently on two separate trips and I heard that it was much, much better 10 years ago and more but there was hurricane damage (permanent). But I have a hard time imagining that even then it was one of the best--diveable, close to the US and thus convenient, but nothing very special. Oh man, I sound really snooty, sorry. In that region, the diving around Belize is much better, truly special.

[Anonymous]

I'm a travel snob and what I like about this area is a) the easy proximity - you can easily go for a long weekend b) the service is FAR, FAR better than any other Caribbean destination - trust me. Of course, it's relative to the quality of place where you stay - but with all else being equal, Mexican hospitality far surpasses Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Barths, T & C etc. c) Beautiful, natural beaches- but you have to know where to go.

What are you into? Luxury, eco, natural? Cozumel, unfortunately, is overrun with tourists and cruise ships. I don't recommend Cancun either. Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya area has some fantastic choices - and the beaches of Tulum are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Cenote Taj Maja south of Playa del Carmen instead? If you're stuck on staying in that general vicinity?

One of the world's top dive spots.

[Anonymous]

And NO, it is far from dangerous - we got 5x/year and never have any problems whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Cenote Taj Maja south of Playa del Carmen instead? If you're stuck on staying in that general vicinity?

One of the world's top dive spots.

According to whom?

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for those who have shared their opinions. FWIW, my concerns about the resorts especially is that they'll be large, generic, and so filled with tourists I'll feel as though I haven't left the US. I don't want to fight for space on a beach or stand in line for food, or otherwise feel as though I'm on a cruise (that kind of trip has its place, but not what I'm looking for). Also it comes down to my ILs having different tastes. I'd prefer a more private, secluded experience and a good beach, I don't care if there aren't 7 restaurants on site to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Cancun is close to Chitchen Itza, which is amazing. But it probably doesn't offer the level of service and pretty fishes you require...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for those who have shared their opinions. FWIW, my concerns about the resorts especially is that they'll be large, generic, and so filled with tourists I'll feel as though I haven't left the US. I don't want to fight for space on a beach or stand in line for food, or otherwise feel as though I'm on a cruise (that kind of trip has its place, but not what I'm looking for). Also it comes down to my ILs having different tastes. I'd prefer a more private, secluded experience and a good beach, I don't care if there aren't 7 restaurants on site to choose from.

19:54 again, PP I think we have similar taste - I also don't like the all-inclusive massive places where you feel like you haven't left the U.S. There really are some amazing spots in Riviera Maya - but if your IL's like this type of place, I'm sure they can find it there as well and then you won't enjoy the experience. I went to the DR a couple of years ago and couldn't stand it for the same reason - overcrowded, 8 restaurants on-site etc.

Riviera Maya really has some lovely places. Check out the Fairmont Mayakoba - maybe a compromise between your IL's taste and yours? It's a bigger resort but retains a lot of charm and doesn't get crowded. The nice things about this area is that you don't have to stay on the resort grounds - downtown Playa has it's own charm and a few nice restaurants to choose from. I also highly recommend Tulum - it's "eco chic" but has a gorgeous, wide beach that goes on and on, and oozes in charm with it's cafes. It's also a great day trip if staying in Riviera Maya.

[Anonymous]

Tulum -http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fathom/tulum-with-the-kids_b_1385738.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for those who have shared their opinions. FWIW, my concerns about the resorts especially is that they'll be large, generic, and so filled with tourists I'll feel as though I haven't left the US. I don't want to fight for space on a beach or stand in line for food, or otherwise feel as though I'm on a cruise (that kind of trip has its place, but not what I'm looking for). Also it comes down to my ILs having different tastes. I'd prefer a more private, secluded experience and a good beach, I don't care if there aren't 7 restaurants on site to choose from.

19:54 again, PP I think we have similar taste - I also don't like the all-inclusive massive places where you feel like you haven't left the U.S. There really are some amazing spots in Riviera Maya - but if your IL's like this type of place, I'm sure they can find it there as well and then you won't enjoy the experience. I went to the DR a couple of years ago and couldn't stand it for the same reason - overcrowded, 8 restaurants on-site etc.

Riviera Maya really has some lovely places. Check out the Fairmont Mayakoba - maybe a compromise between your IL's taste and yours? It's a bigger resort but retains a lot of charm and doesn't get crowded. The nice things about this area is that you don't have to stay on the resort grounds - downtown Playa has it's own charm and a few nice restaurants to choose from. I also highly recommend Tulum - it's "eco chic" but has a gorgeous, wide beach that goes on and on, and oozes in charm with it's cafes. It's also a great day trip if staying in Riviera Maya.

We stayed at the Fairmont Mayakoba when it first opened. It was really lovely. Doesn't feel like a huge boxy resort. The rooms are in little houses of sort with 4 units (2 up, 2 down) in each, that run along a "river." To get to the main resort, you can ride in a water taxi (non-motored) or walk or take bikes that are around the resort. When we went it was almost empty, but that may be because it had first opened. I don't dive, so I can't comment on that. The beach was gorgeous, but it's a hike from the rooms (you can walk, but it's a long walk. It's more common to bike or take a golf cart). The food was good, as I remember. Spa was very nice. The rooms were beautiful; definitely did not feel like a cookie cutter room. IIRC, a wall in the bathroom could be lowered by the bath so that it could be open to the fresh air (although not sure how that would work if you were on the first floor).

FWIW, it's the nicest place I've stayed at in the Caribbean, although I haven't been to the really high end places like Maroma or some of the places in St. Lucia. DH and I are fairly picky about hotels and stay primarily at 5-star hotels. There was a Mandarin being built in the same area when we were there, but it wasn't open yet. I think a Rosewood or something like that too. Both of those seemed like they would be closer to the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Cenote Taj Maja south of Playa del Carmen instead? If you're stuck on staying in that general vicinity?

One of the world's top dive spots.

If you want to go for diving, you should try going to Belize instead of Mexico. Belize has the worlds second largest barrier reef system.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but the Fairmont Mayakoba looks amazing. Would it be appropriate for young kids under 5?