Cancun or Playa del Carmen?

[wildcat]

My DH and I are going on our first vacation without DD in October, and we're thinking an all-inclusive on the beach as some relaxing, "us" time. We're looking to lay on a gorgeous white sand, crystal blue water beach, beautiful pools with swim-up bars. We will probably indulge in quite a few drinks and will want to spend some time at the clubs, shopping, and the ruins. Having never been to the Cancun area, which would be best, Cancun or Playa del Carmen? TIA!

[TracieB]

From what you're saying, I think you would have a better time in Cancun... especially if you're looking to club-hop. Playa del Carmen is really nice for relaxing, but IIRC, there weren't very many bars around where we stayed (Aventura Spa Palace - adults only all-inclusive).

Playa del Carmen is closer to the ruins though, and the pools and swim up bar at the hotel we stayed at were fabulous!!!! I loved it there and would go back in a heartbeat.

[wildcat]

Tracie - Thanks! That's what I was thinking, but wasn't sure! We're also looking for an adults only AI.

Anyone have any experience at Golden Parnassus? It's ranked #8 on tripadvisor and gets really good reviews. However, it doesn't look like it has a swimup bar which I was really looking forward to for some reason.:rolleyes:

I'd love more input!

[Kristy]

I've never been to Playa del Carmen, but DH and I did go to Cancun in June and it was great. I know our resort did a bar hopping tour a few nights a week, and there were several ruin tour excursions that were included and you didn't have to pay extra for. We stayed at Moon Palace, which is run by the same place that TracieB stayed at, and is also all-inclusive. Many swim up bars and the drinks are very good ;) I even have a picture of the bar because we liked it so much lol!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/kaflorey/IMG_0584.jpg

[rosa727]

I have stayed in Cancun once and Playa del Carmen twice, at AI resorts (Royal Hideaway and Secrets - both adult only), and I definitely prefer Playa del Carmen. First off, there are several adult-only places, whereas I don't think Cancun has any (well, that's what my travel agent told me). I think that for a first trip without your DD, adult-only might be really nice. You would be about 30 minutes closer to Tulum (the most gorgeous ruins, where most people opt to go) too. As far as being close to clubs, Cancun is definitely more of a city, with big HUGE nightclubs, but the actual town of Playa del Carmen is really cute and has lots of small bars and clubs. If you stayed at a resort in the area, you would probably be no more than 5-10 minutes away from those.

I guess it just depends on what you want - Playa area is more mellow and laid-back. Cancun is more of a wild party atmosphere. It is WAY more built up than Playa.

[{b}]

We honeymooned at Royal Hideaway (AI, adults only, 5*) in Playacar and it was heaven. Very relaxing, great food, lots of privacy, no nightlife. Very laid back, maybe not what you're looking for.

[designer]

I agree with the others - if you're looking for relaxation go to Playa del Carmen, if you're looking for nightlife go to Cancun. I much prefer Playa del Carmen, because it isn't completely built up and the downtown area is nice and still has a "mexico" feel to it.

[wildcat]

Thanks for all the responses girls!! So, I told my DH what the consensus is here and he says that he doesn't need giant nightclubs in Cancun and is leaning towards Playa as long as there is SOME nightlife. So, is there enough nightlife (just some local bars are fine) to keep us entertained a night or two?

[rosa727]

I definitely think there is enough nightlife in Playa, and it does have a way more Mexican feel than Cancun. There is an area called "Fifth Avenue" that has all sorts of bars and shops. The tripadvisor.com chat boards on Playa del Carmen talk a lot about different bars and stuff too. Blue Parrot is supposed to be a great little bar in town. There is also a Carlos and Charlies and a few places like that.

[jen]

Loved loved LOVED Playa Del Carmen. Stayed at the Reef Club (I think! We were booked at the Reef Club in Cozumel but they were overbooked so they sent us to their sister hotel in PDC).
They had a bus trip to Cancun one night if you wanted to check out the nightlife there... I bet other resorts do that too!

HAVE FUN!

[wildcat]

Jen - We're looking at the Reef Playacar in PDC, I wonder if it's the same?? Did you like it? Very cool about the bus trip, we might have to do that one night if we stay in PDC!

rosa - Great! As long as there's something to do when we get tired of being in the resort, that would be great!

[CarolinaGirl]

Another vote for Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen! It is a five star resort listed in the Leading Hotels of the World. The service is amazing and the food is excellent. There are lots of pools and hot tubs around the grounds and we basically had a pool to ourselves every night. There is a concierge in every villa that will make reservations for you for any trips off of the resort, if you want them too. You can even take a nightime trip to Cancun and they will pick you up and bring you back when you're ready. You really get treated like royalty there. We went there for our honeymoon and would go back in a heartbeat!
ETA: The bus trip to Cancun is probably the same as jen mentioned. Just saw that in her post.

[wildcat]

Update!

I finally booked our trip today! We're spending 5 days and 4 nights in Playa del Carmen at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya! It's a brand new Riu that just opened in the Playacar area in February06. We got what seemed to be a really good deal on orbitz...$669per person including r/t airfare (any day other than the one we're leaving on was $900per person). We also have access to the other 4 Riu resorts in Playa that are all within walking distance. I can't wait!!!

Thanks for all the help girls!!

[rosa727]

That trip sounds wonderful. I have heard such great things about RIU resorts! I think you are going to have a great time. Don't forget to come update us after you return!

[designer]

Wow - you got an awesome deal - it's all inclusive, right?
Have fun!

[August2005Bride]

Hi Wildcat I was wondering how you liked RM Did you go yet? I just booked a trip for next April (surprise grad gift for DH) and staying at the Paradisus.
I would love to hear about it and see pics if you have them :D

[wildcat]

We loved Playa del Carmen!! It was actually really windy the first few days, but it made playing the ocean more fun! =)

The Riu was beautiful, wonderful staff, great room. I wasn't fond of the food at all. I've heard that's a problem with all-inclusives, but I wonder if some are better than others?

I'll post some pics tonight (I should be working, sshhhh;)), but let me know if you have any specific questions!

[August2005Bride]

We loved Playa del Carmen!! It was actually really windy the first few days, but it made playing the ocean more fun! =)

The Riu was beautiful, wonderful staff, great room. I wasn't fond of the food at all. I've heard that's a problem with all-inclusives, but I wonder if some are better than others?

I'll post some pics tonight (I should be working, sshhhh;)), but let me know if you have any specific questions!


I am glad tohear you loved it! :D IT sure makes me look more and more forward to it heehee :D

I will def. let you know as a couple other of my CC friends have been there to so I have lots of direction :) Cant wait to see pics.