Mexican beach resorts
- Thread starter Digging dog
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We just went to Paradisus La Perla at Playa Del Carmen. It was very nice - adult only but a family side as well (you can go to there side but they can't come to your side - best of both.....). I don't know how they do this for the cost - all inclusive (alcohol) including flights for like $1,600 each person. Wife and I went with our 2 boys (both State students) - we had a blast. The food was good.....I would do it again. But not in August - it was hot as hell......day and night. Africa hot........and there was seaweed on the beach - which we later found out - happens each August or so. It was worth the money to see my boys faces when the college girls down the beach were topless.......funny as hell - they almost fell out of there beach chairs.
We drank $1600 worth of XX beer!
I look at it like a cruise - it was fun but I am not sure I'd go back tomorrow.
We drank $1600 worth of XX beer!
I look at it like a cruise - it was fun but I am not sure I'd go back tomorrow.
I'll also say that the accommodations were absolutely top notch. I have never had a nicer, more spacious sleeping arrangements anywhere.......and we have pissed away a lot of money on trips.
I'd look into this...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/island-resort-offers-guests-copious-11297526
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/island-resort-offers-guests-copious-11297526
Me and the wife honeymooned at a place called Excellence in Playa Mujeres, MX (About 15 miles north of Cancun). Easy cab ride from the airport and great resort. There is a small island that you can see from the resort that you can take a ferry over. The island has a lot of little shops, restaurants and bars. Rent a golf cart and make a day of it. Pretty awesome.
https://www.excellenceresorts.com/resorts/excellence-playa-mujeres/
https://www.excellenceresorts.com/resorts/excellence-playa-mujeres/
There is some good info here. 25 yr anniversary so we will probably be staying on the family side****
You can go that route. We've been there a ton and stayed at a bunch of different ones. If that's what you want just choose Exellence Secrets Azul Maroma Paradiso Whatever... they're all the same good and the same bad.
But... We'd recommend considering a VRBO in somewhere like Akumal. Yeah, you shop for groceries in the little village store and nobody comes in to make up your bed every day but damn it's relaxing. You're steps from the beach or (small) pool, you aren't paying $500/day and you can snorkel right out on the reef and swim with turtles every day. You have to be up for a little more of an adventure than an 800 room mega resort with 5 pools (4 of which you'll never see) and a dinner buffet. You can find out a lot about yourself staying in a foreign country on your own schedule and going with the flow a little.
But... We'd recommend considering a VRBO in somewhere like Akumal. Yeah, you shop for groceries in the little village store and nobody comes in to make up your bed every day but damn it's relaxing. You're steps from the beach or (small) pool, you aren't paying $500/day and you can snorkel right out on the reef and swim with turtles every day. You have to be up for a little more of an adventure than an 800 room mega resort with 5 pools (4 of which you'll never see) and a dinner buffet. You can find out a lot about yourself staying in a foreign country on your own schedule and going with the flow a little.
We stayed at the Valentin Riviera Maya. It was very nice.
The one recommendation I do have is to be 100% sure about how you are getting from the airport to your resort. Work it out with the resort or a travel agent. There are a lot of con artists running shuttles from the airport that will trick you into getting in their van and then charge you a boatload and say the resort will reimburse you. Happened to 3 different friends of mine. Luckily they warned me before we went.
The one recommendation I do have is to be 100% sure about how you are getting from the airport to your resort. Work it out with the resort or a travel agent. There are a lot of con artists running shuttles from the airport that will trick you into getting in their van and then charge you a boatload and say the resort will reimburse you. Happened to 3 different friends of mine. Luckily they warned me before we went.
If you aren't comfortable driving a car just book with somebody like USA Transfers prior to your trip. And keep your head down, don't talk to a soul trying to hornswaggle you in the airport. Get through the glass doors to the OUTSIDE (the timeshare people can't operate past the glass doors)... buy a beer at the stand on the right and then look for your shuttle.
Just beware.. if you book round trip you might get picked up REALLY early on your return leg. If you're scared then book the round trip, but we just take a cab back to CUN whenever we feel like it if we haven't rented a car.
Just beware.. if you book round trip you might get picked up REALLY early on your return leg. If you're scared then book the round trip, but we just take a cab back to CUN whenever we feel like it if we haven't rented a car.
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Tip: the Taxi Drivers HATE HATE HATE UBER in Cancun. There are plenty of Uber drivers around and the service works fine, but the taxi guys with the walkie talkies will absolutely harass the **** out of you if they see you waiting on an Uber. I'm pretty sure I almost murdered a little Mexican man who tried to tell me Uber is illegal and reached for my phone.
We saw an Uber car hit with eggs by cab drivers. The Policia don't give a **** because the cab companies take care of the cops.
It's ridiculous.
Not sure what kind of shape they're in but I'd rather spend my $$ on the USVI's, and St John in particular. Stunningly beautiful place with plenty to do. 3/4 of the island is a national park so it's in pristine condition.
We saw an Uber car hit with eggs by cab drivers. The Policia don't give a **** because the cab companies take care of the cops.
It's ridiculous.
Not sure what kind of shape they're in but I'd rather spend my $$ on the USVI's, and St John in particular. Stunningly beautiful place with plenty to do. 3/4 of the island is a national park so it's in pristine condition.
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We stayed here last December. Did the Royal Service with butler. Never used butler but package got you access to spa and upgraded room. They even have rooms with their own pools on lanai. Food was pretty good for AI and booze was top shelf. Have stayed at many Mexican AI resorts but this one was my favorite. Hoping to go again in the spring. Great bang for the buck for sure.
Unfortunately, USVIs and BVIs are wrecked for the foreseeable future. Two Cat 5s in 2 weeks is unbelievable. The Westin on St John is not even taking reservations until Dec 2018. Bad situation considering how much of the economy is tied to tourism. National parks are still not open and the majority of beaches are national parks on USVI. They will bounce back but will just take time.
It all depends on the coin you want to drop, the privacy you want, and what you are into. Our best vacation ever was at the Mayakoba resort, about 30 minutes south of Cancun. There are 3 properties and we stayed at the Rosewood. There are only about 120 villas, with plunge pools, butler, outside shower and rooftop sun deck for nakedness!
If if you want cheaper with average food and booze then try the Palace or Riu properties. There are also semi nude and nude places like Dreams and Temptations.
If if you want cheaper with average food and booze then try the Palace or Riu properties. There are also semi nude and nude places like Dreams and Temptations.
One thing to watch out for is bad alcohol even at big resorts. Have heard of guests being drugged and even dying as a result. Not common place I am sure but be careful what you drink, how it is prepared etc!
I've stayed at 4 different ones. The Moon Palace was the best one. If you get bored there, they'll shuttle you to other palace resorts nearby for free. Since they are part of palace resorts, you can use their facilities
When were you there?
We went spring of 2012 and hated it. Most drinks were cheap well liquor. Jack Daniels was considered top shelf and difficult to get. Food was terrible as well. But a coworker of mine had a completely opposite experience there the year before. I think we may have just gone during a terrible time where they were trying to cut all costs.
We went spring of 2012 and hated it. Most drinks were cheap well liquor. Jack Daniels was considered top shelf and difficult to get. Food was terrible as well. But a coworker of mine had a completely opposite experience there the year before. I think we may have just gone during a terrible time where they were trying to cut all costs.
I've stayed at a few All Inclusives in the Cancun / Playa Del Carmen area and the Grand Velas in Playa Del Carmen is hands down the best one in that area of Mexico. I stayed at the Secrets Playa Mujures two years ago and it was very nice, but the Grand Velas is much nicer than any of the Secrets resorts.
Not AI, but we much prefer Zihuatanejo to Cancun. Fly through Houston to ZIH. Great restaurants, fishing, ambience. $10 for an hour massage in a beachside cabana. Friendly. Safe. $2 cab rides. Check out Aura Del Mar. short of going to Italy or France, our favorite vacation spot. This is Morgan Freeman's beach in Shawshank Redemption.