Any help with Riviera Maya

gottagofishin · Post by **gottagofishin** » June 21, 2007 10:35 am

Planning our next trip to Riviera Maya next easter. We need to find a place that will keep our 14 and 7 year old son's occupied. Any help is appreciated.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 21, 2007 10:49 am

We've been twice. Once for our honeymoon and once with the kids (9 and 3).

We *loved* the Barcelo Maya http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en ... Beach/Home, where we went on our honeymoon (they have since expanded and added a new section called the Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial and we'd stay there if we went again). The beach is top-notch. Absolutely fabulous. We didn't really do any of the resort activities, but there's gobs of stuff to do each day, plus the shows at night which were really fun. I can't say enough about the pool bar.

When we went last October, we stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Cancun-hote ... _3_78.html. The resort was plenty nice (don't stay at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar or Paraiso Beach because you won't have all-access to the good pools). They have the best pools but I'd say the beach is average (and NOTHING compared to the Barcelo). Again, tons of activities to do for little kids all the way up through the teens and the shows at night are a lot of fun. The Japanese restaraunt is fabulous, too! They also have big buses w/ A/C that will take you to Playa del Carmen for free.

Both of the above-mentioned resorts regularly receive great reviews on tripadvisor.com.

I've also heard fantastic things about the Bahia Principe, but we haven't stayed there. If I were to go again (which is inevitable of course), I'd either try the Bahia Principe or stay at one of the Barcelo resorts again.

AND, if you want a really awesome travel agent to help plan your trip who has been to the Riviera Maya more times than I can count, contact Anna Lynn (another BN person) at http://www.lonepalmtravel.com. She's the bestest and will find the best place for ya for what you want to spend.

gottagofishin · Post by **gottagofishin** » June 21, 2007 12:58 pm

Thanks. The Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial are on the top of our list right now. A few questions
How was the ride from the airport?
Did you make the trip to Playa de Carmen?
How $$ were the taxi's.
How about the boat trip to Cozamel?

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » June 21, 2007 1:06 pm

gottagofishin wrote:Thanks. The Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial are on the top of our list right now. A few questions
How was the ride from the airport?
Did you make the trip to Playa de Carmen?
How $$ were the taxi's.
How about the boat trip to Cozamel?

If the Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial are at the top of your list--keep them there. I'm serious about the beach. It is awesome.

Ride from airport was great. We booked through FunJet and got the non-stop transfers as part of our package so we got to sit in an A/C van/car and didn't have to stop at any of the other hotels to drop other passengers off. Barcelo is toward the end of the stretch of the resorts and it's a real pain if you have to stop at each resort along the way. It takes about 45 minutes from the airport to the hotel.

We went to Playa del Carmen a few times. We took a taxi once--for a family of four I'd guess you'd pay about $15-$20 each way--you can bargain of course!) or a Collectivo van (you have to walk to the edge of the resort property to get). It's like $2-3 per person and you have to have a very open mind.

I'm sure you could ask the resort folks, too.

We have never managed to do the Cozumel thing. We've always thought about it, but free beer back at the resort always beckons us back! Now that M'ville is in Cozumel I'll definitely go next time we're there.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » June 21, 2007 1:51 pm

We (me and the Mrs., left the keets at home) just got back from Playa del Carmen last week. We didn't go AI, we stayed at a smallish boutique hotel. Absolutely loved it.

My brother has been a couple of times with his 1½ year old daughter. They like the Iberostar Tucan. There's a lot of things for kids (even older kids) to do, it's family-friendly, and the beach is nice. And his wife is one of the pickiest people I know.

The ferry over to Cozumel will run you $20 roundtrip (if I remember correctly). It takes about a half hour, and they leave every hour on the hour. If you get the slightest bit seasick, you may want to bring appropriate medication.

We also went to Tulum and Akumal Bay. We rented a car for like $45 a day...driving in Mexico is definitely an experience...

At Akumal Bay, I snorkeled with sea turtles. Was very cool. Kids your age might get a kick out of it. You can rent snorkel gear right on the beach at Akumal Bay.

We're now trying to plan a trip with the keets. We'd definitely go AI with them, a lot of the boutique hotels don't allow kids, and there's more to do for the kids at an AI.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » June 21, 2007 5:33 pm

Trust me on this one. Stay in Tulum at the Bahia Principe. We have been several places in Mexico and Cancun specificially to include Aventura Spa Palace and NOTHING even comes close. Tulum is about 2 hours south of the airport and about 1 hour below Cancun.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » June 21, 2007 5:35 pm

gottagofishin wrote:Thanks. The Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial are on the top of our list right now. A few questions
How was the ride from the airport?
Did you make the trip to Playa de Carmen?
How $$ were the taxi's.
How about the boat trip to Cozamel?

taxis are about $6

Boat ride to Cozumel is worth the cash. I think $45 round trip for 2.

Playa Del Carmen is over touristy

Stay don't miss Tulum and Akumel. Hell, stay in Akumel or Tulum at the Bahia Principe.

We didn't like Playa Car Palace in Playa Del Carmen

STL PARROTHEAD · Post by **STL PARROTHEAD** » June 21, 2007 6:06 pm

We LOVE Barcelo Maya!!! We've prabably been there 6-7 times. And have taken the kids when they were about 12.. They had a blast.... I love the fact that it is a private beach...the staff is very good to you, and yes, Playa del Carmen is not far, a short taxi drive... very touristy, but we love to spend the afternoon after shopping sitting at Senior Frogs right on the beach......

That would be my vote!!!!

Dutch Harbor PH · Post by **Dutch Harbor PH** » June 21, 2007 6:14 pm

12vmanRick wrote:
gottagofishin wrote:Thanks. The Barcelo Tropical and Barcelo Colonial are on the top of our list right now. A few questions
How was the ride from the airport?
Did you make the trip to Playa de Carmen?
How $$ were the taxi's.
How about the boat trip to Cozamel?
taxis are about $6

Boat ride to Cozumel is worth the cash. I think $45 round trip for 2.

Playa Del Carmen is over touristy

Stay don't miss Tulum and Akumel. Hell, stay in Akumel or Tulum at the Bahia Principe.

We didn't like Playa Car Palace in Playa Del Carmen

When the keets were 6, 6 and 9 we stayed in Akumal at las villas akumal. They got a beach, a pool and a big ole huge ocean right there!!! What else does a kid need?...Oh yeah...Tom and Jerry cartoons in Spanish!!! Wooo Hooooo!!!

gottagofishin · Post by **gottagofishin** » June 22, 2007 7:23 am

Thanks everyone. The information is great. Now I just have to wait unit next March. At least I'm going to see JB twice next week. Camden and AC.

NJPhinPhan · Post by **NJPhinPhan** » June 23, 2007 11:24 pm

As Mal said above, anything ya want to know about Riviera Maya, I can prolly tell ya.

Shoot!

NJPhinPhan · Post by **NJPhinPhan** » June 23, 2007 11:34 pm

BTW...a taxi from the Barcelo complex to Playa Del Carmen is $16 one way (no bargaining, that's what they're gonna tell you it costs), colectivo is $2 per person. It'll take about 20-25 minutes to get to Playa. And I LOVE Playa! The southernmost part is touristy, that's where the cruise ship people get dumped on their way over from Cozumel, but walk north up to the Little Italy section and it's a different vibe.

Follow THIS link for all the info on the Barcelo you ever wanted to know! I moderate that board, come say hola!

The Bahia is also very nice, along the same lines as the Barcelo (meaning mega resort with different sections) but the pools and the beach at the Barcelo are better. The Barcelo is 1 hour south of the airport when going non stop and the Bahia is about an hour and 15-20 minutes south of the airport. Both are family friendly and great resorts for kids.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » June 23, 2007 11:39 pm

NJPhinPhan wrote:As Mal said above, anything ya want to know about Riviera Maya, I can prolly tell ya.

Shoot!

NJPhinPhan · Post by **NJPhinPhan** » June 29, 2007 8:06 pm

ragtopW wrote:

Wayne!

gottagofishin · Post by **gottagofishin** » July 6, 2007 9:06 am

Thanks for all the info!!. I will take you guys up on your offers for info once we gwet closer to booking the trip. Airfare has been on an up and down rollercoaster lately so right now we are keeping a eye on the prices.

gottagofishin · Post by **gottagofishin** » July 24, 2007 1:01 pm

I booked it. A week at the Barcelo Colonial 3/21/08 to 3/28/08. I'm hoping the spring breakers won't be to bad. Thanks for all the feedback. I will be taking some of you up on your offers for more info.

freaky4tiki · Post by **freaky4tiki** » July 24, 2007 1:08 pm

gottagofishin wrote:I booked it. A week at the Barcelo Colonial 3/21/08 to 3/28/08. I'm hoping the spring breakers won't be to bad. Thanks for all the feedback. I will be taking some of you up on your offers for more info.

Way to go! March will be here before you know it! And after reading this thread, I think I wanna go too!

NJPhinPhan · Post by **NJPhinPhan** » July 25, 2007 11:22 pm

gottagofishin wrote:I booked it. A week at the Barcelo Colonial 3/21/08 to 3/28/08. I'm hoping the spring breakers won't be to bad. Thanks for all the feedback. I will be taking some of you up on your offers for more info.

It's Easter week and the resort will be packed!

Not just with spring breakers, but families with kiddies too.

Prepare yourself!