Mexico

[paulap]

Considering Mexico for our next holiday. Has anybody been and, if so, what's it like?

We quite fancied Cuba but because DH has an American Diplomatic Visa we are not allowed in:(

[Honeybunny]

Been twice to Mexico 2005 & 2007 - and loved both times!! We stay inthe resort of Playacar about 30/40 miles from Cancun. (Cancun is a very built up and all you see is concrete hotels everywhere - though it does have good shopping) Playcar is a lovely resort and cannot fault it - built around a golf course. We have stayed in the Iberostar Tucan both times and it is the loveliest hotel I have stayed in (so far). Monkeys, peacocks, iguanas roam freely round the grounds, there is a small nature reserve that has giant tortoise, flamingoes and the main buffet restaurant you are surrounded by ponds that has giant fish in it.

You are about $5 cab ride from Paya del Carmen which has bars, restaurants and loads of shopping!!

Plenty of excursions to Chitzun-Nitza, Tulum and a fantastic excursion Xel-ha which a natural park where you can snorkel, ride the lazy river and just explore (i enjoyed it so much we have done this now 4 times)!

First time we went with First Choice and last year Direct Holidays who ended up being over £500 cheaper. We usually go in May as you get the sunshine and the rainfall is slighly less than the main summer months.

The hotel is split into 2 Ibertostar Tucan and Quetzal but you all use the same facilities. (Quetzal I think youcan book thru thomas cook).

I hope this small piece of info helps - but if you have any more questions feel free to post!!

Cheers

[carolynn38]

Another positive thumbs up here for Playa Del carmen.

We went in may 2005 and stayed in the Riu palace. The resort was lovely, and a quick cab ride or 15 min walk saw us in the heart of Playa del carmen itself. This was a great area for daytime shopping or just people watching, and was really lively at night, but tbh, the hotel was just that great we didn't really leave that much.

We did visit Xcaret which was a combination of eco park / zoo / snorkelling / shows / dolphin park which was a great day out, and we also went to Puerto Adventuras (sp) for a dolphin swim which was exceptional.

There is just sooooo much to do, including trips to Cancun as its only about 40 mins, but again, everyone I have spoken to say cancun is a bit club 18-30's (if you know what I mean).

Even though I'm not a big believer in going back to the same place twice (the world is just sooo big), we are in fact going back this May. We just figured that for the money, you just can't beat the place for just relaxing.

This time though we are trying the Riu palace Riviera maya which is slightly newer, but only 5 mins from the hotel we went to last time. We personally like the Riu chain of hotels (esp the Palaces) as the staff are so friendly, the hotels maintained wonderfully, and the food and drink all top notch - very important at a AI. We also like the fact that if you are at a Riu, you can use all the facilities of the other Riu's in the area.

One tip re the Riu's though - they tend to be found through Thomson's as they are Tui owned, but you can usually find the same holiday (same hotel / dates / flight / even rep in the area) through Portland Direct much cheaper.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

[CarolynU]

Another thumbs up for Playa Del Carmen. We stayed in the Sandos Playacar Beach Resort, which was great, and right on the most amazing beach.

[Sarah84]

Went to Playa Del Carmen last october and i would deffo recommend it, i couldnt find anything to moan about.
Stayed at the Sandos Caracol in the select club as the original hotel we were booked into Sandos Playacar closed for refurbishment so Virgin had to move us, but despite bad reviews on trip advisor there was not a thing wrong with Sandos Caracol the room was huge, jaquzzi on our balcony, wonderful food, great staff. Just a shame the beach was so rocky in that area.

[rnoon]

We went a few years back with First Choice and for the first week we did a tour which was excellent as you stayed at some really cool hotels next to Chichen Itza and Uxmal and saw a lot of the country and then for the 2nd week we chilled out at a lovely Barcello Hotel. Would definetly recommend it.

[anna68]

We're going to book riveria maya el doroado suites for next March

[Dylan]

Highly recommend Playacar.

Went into Cancun a couple of times, avoid it if you can - a Mexican version of Magaluf!

Chichen Itza is a must, as is Tulum and Cozumel to swim with dolphins.

[AliPD]

I've been looking at booking the Riu Yukatan in Playa del Carmen for Easter 2010.It's been years since we've had a laid back holiday with the kids growing up and the endless trips to Orlando.That was a great little tip to book through Portland Direct I'll keep that in mind when it gets nearer time to booking.I read somewhere that they have their own resident monkeys there,the kids would love that.Any more information (pros/cons,best day trips,wildlife etc) and on this resort would be gratefully received,thanks.

http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/mexico/mexico-caribbean-coast/playacar/hotels/riu-yucatan.html

[carolynn38]

The Yucatan is a great resort. I didn't have a look myself as it was being refurnished when we stayed at the Riu palace next door in 2005, but I have heard rave reviews.

If you are thinking of staying here, then I would recommend checking out another forum site dedicated to Riu's, and there is a separate subsection all about the Playacar properties.

Here is the link to the forum section

http://riubambu.com/phpBB2/index.php?f=65&sid=8c1027885a96e0972294d3648b736417

and there is a really good general review section here

http://www.riubambu.com/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=30

There is general resort info here

http://www.riubambu.com/RIU_WEB_PAGES/dom_mexico_menu/mexico.htm

If you stay at the Yucatan, you will also be able to use the facilities of the Riu Tequila, Riu Playacar and Riu Lupita - in fact you can even use the Riu's in Cancun if you go that way, as long as you don't try the Palaces as you will not have privileges for those.

This will give you an idea of all the other hotels and how far they are from each other

http://www.riubambu.com/RIU_WEB_PAGES/RIU_MISC/riu_earth/playa/small.htm

Have a look at the official Riu Yucatan website here

http://www.riu.com/en/hotel-riu-yucatan-playa-del-carmen-mexico.html

They do have quite a bit of wildlife around the resort itself, and it is in a lovely area. There is a small shopping area just a 5 min walk away, and if you want to go into Playa del carmen itself its only a 5-10 min cab drive.

There is plenty to do in the area, if only you can tear yourself away from the hotel. The Riu staff are always lovely, nothing is too much trouble, and the food and drinks are plentiful and most importantly - good quality. I am a huge fan of the Riu chain, and have recommended these hotels to my friends who have been and no-one has ever been disappointed.

I am going back but staying at the Riviera maya palace this time and can't wait.

If you want any more specific information then ask away. I've done the dolphins over there, as well as Xcaret, which was excellent.

[AliPD]

Thanks for all of that,that's brilliant,I'll have a look through it now. :omg: :beer2: :D

[paulap]

Thanks for this. Will have a look later over a glass or two of wine:)

[carolynn38]

Not a problem - I love promoting Playa del carmen in Mexico as its such a beautiful place - can't think of anyone who has even been and been disappointed.

On this up coming trip my boyfriends parents and brother and brother's girlfriend are also joining us for the 2nd week based on our recommendations - hope they like it........... :-o

[AliPD]

I'm sure they'll love it,again thanks for providing all the information. :smile:

[minniemc]

Hi

DW and I went to Playacar for our honeymoon in 2004....stayed in the Riu Palace and had a fantastic time.

As already mentioned previously, the Riu chain is top quality... lovely spacious rooms, fantastic food, spectactular surroundings and right on the beach.

Playa del Carmen is 5 mins in a taxi and a nice little town. You can catch the ferry to Cozumel from the ferry terminal.

Cancun is nice too, but would stay in Playacar Riu Palace when we go again...

I'm sure you'll have a great time....

[*source*]

I have been twice.... Once to San Miguel de Allende ~ in the mountains for a week or so (loved browsing the old markets and streets!) and the other for a day trip on a cruise (Cozumel).

Would recommend either really but Playa Del Carmen sounds beautiful too x

[bevbev]

off to the riu tequila in 12 days will let you know what it's like :d:
bev

[paulap]

Who do you book the Riu hotels through - is it just Thomson?

[bevbev]

as far as i know the tequila is exclusive to thomson (or portland) we were quite limited on choice anyway as we have 2 children and 1 infant and there are not many hotels that accomodate 5. but i did do a lot of research into the hotel and resort (playacar) and it sounds lovely, and to be honest it was not that much more than 2 weeks in greece and it's all inclusive.
also thomsons now have a 33" seat pitch on their long haul planes now (more than virgin) and are also about to introduce twilight check in, so they sounded like a good option :)

bev

[AliPD]

off to the riu tequila in 12 days will let you know what it's like :d:
bev


I know someone who got back from there recently and he raved about it so I know you're going to have a good time,in fact that's why I was looking at this resort.The Yukatan's a bit closer to the beach and that's why I chose that one,have a great time Bev. :D