Wedding Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen

[Tigarlily1]

Hey everyone! I am in the process of planning our honeymoon for July of next year and need some advice on where to stay. We are leaning townard Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen because there is so much to do! And it will be my fiance's first trip to the Caribbean so I wanted to be sure to pick some place where the water is extra blue!

I read in a different thread that there are some people here that are fond of this area of Mexico. Any advice on where to stay? Also, so far we have only been looking at all-inclusive resorts (mostly because I don't know what is available there) is that a mistake? I am pouring over trip advisor ratings... it's so hard to make a decision!!

Thanks for your help!
Allison

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Hey everyone! I am in the process of planning our honeymoon for July of next year and need some advice on where to stay. We are leaning townard Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen because there is so much to do! And it will be my fiance's first trip to the Caribbean so I wanted to be sure to pick some place where the water is extra blue!

I read in a different thread that there are some people here that are fond of this area of Mexico. Any advice on where to stay? Also, so far we have only been looking at all-inclusive resorts (mostly because I don't know what is available there) is that a mistake? I am pouring over trip advisor ratings... it's so hard to make a decision!!

Thanks for your help!
Allison

I've been to that area twice, though I hesitate to recommend the resorts I stayed at (since I imagine your budget might be bigger than my student budget, so you can probably get a better place, though I did like the ones we went to). I liked the area a lot. I've stayed at the Catalonia Riviera Maya, which is very cute but family-friendly so lots of kids screaming and running about. The Golden Parnassus in Cancun is adults-only, so much quieter.

The water was quite pretty both times I was there and we had a good time. I do like all-inclusives for going to Playa/Cancun, especially since it seems like ALL the places around there are big resorts, and prices can get high for meals if you're not doing an all-inclusive brand.

I know several PSers have been and can recommend other, better resorts

 

[amc80]

I stayed at the Riu Yucatan and it was amazing. The Riu resorts are nice because you can use the facilities at and of Riu resorts in Playa Del Carmen, regardless of which one you're actually staying at. It looks like there are six of them now. I went back in 2000 and it is still one of my favorite vacations.

 

[Autumnovember]

I lived in playa for one month...and I absolutely LOVED it (and also was there three times before). I have also been to riviera maya...which in my opinion, more family oriented. One of the times I was at playa I stayed at an all inclusive and me and SO didn't like it. It wasn't that we didn't like the hotel, it was the fact that we didn't get to truly experience playa for what it is worth. The other two times we stayed in little boutique hotels. One of them is called Hotel Cielo. It is nothing fancy but it is really cute and everyone who stays there LOVES it. It's very inexpensive and a block off the beach. There are TONS of these types of hotels in playa on 5th ave. If you stay in one of these kinds of hotels, I personally think you'll have a better time. There are just so many various types of restaurants with various cuisines that your mouth will be watering to try out (argentinians steak house, for example). Since we stayed at a small boutique hotel and thus spent less on the hotel we had the freedom of eating at some AMAZING places on the strip. I am good friend with the owner of Hotel Cielo so I could get in touch with him if needed....check them out on trip advisor.

Also, if you need suggestion on what to do.....I have TONS.

 

[stephbolt]

We stayed at the Grand Velas in Rivera Maya last May and it was amazing. I think it's a great honeymoon area if you want to do a blend of laying around by the beach/pool and going on excursions. I don't know if I would make the splurge to stay at the GV again (it was $$$) but we really loved being pampered on our honeymoon.

 

[decodelighted]

Both times I've stayed in the areas, I've had compromised financial info. One time my credit card # was stolen at the car rental place at the resort (the only place I used that card). And another time -- the ONE time I used an ATM in Playa -- I received a series of fraudulent withdrawls FROM PLAYA weeks after I returned home. Both times I had to change all my info & file US police reports in order to recoup my funds. And last time I got a terrible case of swimmer's ear from a resort pool.

Just a word of warning to be SCRUPULOUSLY careful. Mexico may be cheap & charming with gorgeous scenery ... but it is also a cesspool of criminal activity (in my experience).


ETA: I'd recommend Antigua or St. Lucia as alternatives -- both were LOVELY and FRIENDLY and I escaped from both without sickness & fleecing!

 

[parrot tulips]

My husband and I stayed at The Royal Playa Del Carmen last year for our honeymoon and loved it. The resort was beautiful, adults only, service was amazing, it was right on the beach, and all of the restaurants (all inclusive) were really good. It was very close walking distance to Fifth Avenue (fun touristy area with lots of restaurants/shops). The only down side - for a nicer resort, there were a surprising number of college students who were happy to take full advantage of the all inclusive poolside bar...

My favorite thing we did while out there - the Coba Maya Encouter Expedition with Alltournative. We got to kayak, check out Mayan ruins, go zip lining, rappelled down a small cliff, and swam in a cenote. So much fun!

 

[Tigarlily1]

Thanks everyone for your responses.... very helpful.

Parrot tulips - that resort is at the top of our list right now. I'm glad to hear you liked it. What month did you go in? How was the weather? That excursion sounds awesome! Those types of activities are the exact reason we are leaning toward this area rather than St. Lucia or Jamacia.

 

[NovemberBride]

We stayed at the Excellence Riviera Cancun for our anniversary. It was amazing and I would (and have) recommend it to anyone. It is adults-only and all-inclusive. I was very wary of the all-inclusive not being up to my desired standards (I am admittedly a hotel snob). It exceeded all my expectations. The grounds were beautiful, the rooms spacious and clean and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. And I have stayed at some of the top hotels in the world. The only thing that was only average was the food, but if you are looking for somewhere with great food you probably aren't going to Mexico or an all-inclusive. Excellence also has another resort on Playa Mujeres (island off Cancun) that is even newer and is supposed to be amazing as well.

 

[Amys Bling]

We stayed at the RIU Palace . Loved it! It was on our just graduated college budget so you maybe be able to do nicer- heard Iberostar resorts there are quite nice!