Need All-Inclusive in Playa Del Carmen area...

[medcop]

My wife and I are heading to Mexico in October. The fist half of the trip is non-diving, hence the All-Inclusive Resort needed. The second half I am cave diving and this is already arranged.

What I need is a nice all-inclusive in the Playa Del Carmen or surrounding area. It must be on the beach...

Thanks!

 

[chrisc]

If you want to do alot of cave diving then I would look south. Akumal & Tulum. Most of the resorts that way are AI, are on the beach and are nice. We've personally stayed at the Akumal Beach Club (stayed 2 times)- nice resort on the beach but has a lot of foot traffic as it is the entrance for the public for the beach. Grand Oasis Akumal- (stayed here 6 times) excellent snorkeling, beautiful beach, quite and close to caves. Tulum, Freedom Paradise (stayed 3 times): small resort, nice beach, don't expect 5*'s it's a 1-2 at most. Dreams (stayed 2 times) 4* nice beachs right in cave country and excellent food and service.

If you're looking for night life then stay in PDC, as the resorts south have little to none...

 

[islanddream]

We stayed at The Royal in PDC in April and it was fabulous! 5* resort with all the amenities. The staff was attentive and very friendly. The rooms are gorgeous...there are several great restaurants to choose from...the beach is lovely. When we were there the red flags were out so we didn't swim off the beach. My husband and I are divers so we went to the ferry and went diving in Coz. One reason we liked The Royal is it's a short walk into town. Also, The Royal is an "adults only" all-inclusive. We are looking at a return visit next year!

 

[medcop]

The first half of the vacation is NO diving, the second half is Cave Diving. The hotel and Cave Diving is already set up (for second half.) I just need a nice resort on the beach and possibly a nice place to snorkel with the wife for the first half.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[driftwood]

It really depends on how much time you and your wife wants to spend in the tourist zone of PDC. A lot of resorts say that they are in PDC and you can end up 10 miles away. On Can-Do Travel Guides there is a "hotel locator" page.

My first thought would be the Grand Porto Real. Literally located dead center in PDC, but not the best beach. Most of the AI's that are in PDC are just to the south in Playacar. There are quite a few there and the beaches are better south of PDC. For snorkeling, I would talk to the LDS's and book a trip through on of them.

 

[Byte Me]

medcop,

We've stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya three times and are going again in December. They have some VERY good deals right now and even with slightly more expensive airfare than "normal" we're coming in at under $1300 for two including air for a 4 night stay. That's about $3-400 less than we've seen in the past. It's south of Playa, a $5 cab ride (pretty much all cab rides seem to be $5 there) into town. You can use the facilities at any of the other 4 Riu resorts in the same area - 3 others are just down the beach a bit.

 

[skyward]

My wife and I are booked at the Valentin Imperial Maya which is just north of PDC for the first week of November and got it for a great price. Including airfare from Calgary but not including the room upgrade and rental car was about US$1000 each. It is an all-suite adults only resort, 9 restaurants, no reservations required or limits on a-la-carte dining and premium liquor. It is right on a nice beach. Check out the website.

We are planning to do a bunch of diving including at least 1 cenote. We booked a rental car at the same time for $17 per day.

Doug

 

[paulw]

I have stayed at the RUI and the Iberostar in Playa many times and both are on the beach and were great. There are two RUI's in town one larger than the other and we liked both. Not the best for snorkeling though. There are several just north of town (including an Iberostar I have stayed at) where the snorkeling is better but it is a pretty good ride to town. Hope this helps.

 

[Ed Hatfield]

There are three AIs in PDC. Grand Coco Bay at the north end and The Royal and Porto Real closer to the centre. The Royal is up-scale but the Porto Real is OK. Coco Bay has the boats anchored right off shore and is not as attractive. The break wall in front the of the Porto Real can also be considered by some to be an eyesore. Funny how these things never show up in the travel brochure photos. There are several AIs in Playacar but be aware that some are NOT on the beach. Staying in Playacar is also a lot like vacationing in Florida - there is nothing Mexican about Playacar. Best pick is the Royal.

 

[Jax]

I'm rather fond of the Occidental resorts, but don't fall for buying into them.
Occidental Allegro Playacar Occidental Allegro Playacar - Occidental Hotels & Resorts - Cancun Vacation Specials
Another one is the Occidental Allegro Cozumel.

BTW, In spite of the "no-tip" policy, if you toss a MX$10 coin a few places, you get extra special attention.