Mexico vacation input needed

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by sphelps

If you're not set on Mexico I would suggest looking into the Dreams resort in La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Best place by far in the Caribbean, in my experience. Lots of restaurants and you don't need reservations and most don't have dress codes (trust me this is key when you're down there). Good snorkeling right of the beach, super calm water, and one of the best dive shops right on the beach as well. I even got married there and I still like it, that should tell you something

Sounded great to me until I went to the web site and found the price of the rooms start at around $500 per night for the Feb. dates I plugged in. Know of any other nice but more reasonable resorts in the Dominican? Not sure yet if this is where I'll go as I really liked Hawaii and would love to go again and visit the Big Island this time.

[hillegom]

I have stayed at the gran bahia coba, one of three resorts in the conglomerate. Cheaper there but you are not at the beach. Takes 5 min by little tram which comes by about every 5-10 min.
The snorkeling is not too bad, nothing like cuba. But the town of Akumal is about 10 min away by collectivo like someone else has said. Cheap! I am thinking 5$ US but not sure. We saw quite a few turtles there. And if you swim to the breakwater you see a little bit more. Watch out for boats! I saw a resting shark there. Not sure what kind. It was sleeping so we did not bother it (afraid to)

[burgerchow]

If you go to Maya, you gotta go to the state park called Xcaret. They have an underground river that you can float down to the ocean. Their beach had the best snorkelling I've ever experienced. Millions of fish. They even have large schools swimming around you. The fish aren't scared cause being a state park, they're used to people.
If you go to the pacific side, I just stayed at the Dreams Los Cabos in Cabos San Lucas. I'd give this 6 stars, as service and food was exceptional. Not cheap though.

[Phanman]

Barcelo Maya Palace is awesome, love that place and the snorkeling off the beach is really nice too. Lots to see and a very clean resort.

xcaret was cool too and only 15mins away. If your looking to save some cash you can take the local bus that runs back and forth along the road. Just stand on the side of the highway and they will stop for you.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Sounded great to me until I went to the web site and found the price of the rooms start at around $500 per night for the Feb. dates I plugged in. Know of any other nice but more reasonable resorts in the Dominican? Not sure yet if this is where I'll go as I really liked Hawaii and would love to go again and visit the Big Island this time.

Not sure why it's listed so expensive, I went in May and it was $1500 for a week including flights and everything. Just checked on escapes.ca and it's $1769 for 7 days through westjet leaving Feb 4th.
Anything is La Romana will be nice, I'd avoid Punta Cana just cause it's really windy and the ocean is pretty rough. La Romana is in a calm cove so it's much better.

[24storm]

Thanks everyone for all the input. We booked in at the Gran Bahia Principe Akumel with the golden upgrade. Cant wait.

Anyone have more input on excursion that a person should look into?

All those who have stay at the Gran Bahia that have any pointers or resturants that they would recommend or stay away from it would be great to have your input.

Keith

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by 24storm

Thanks everyone for all the input. We booked in at the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum with the golden upgrade. Cant wait.

Anyone have more input on excursion that a person should look into?

All those who have stay at the Gran Bahia that have any pointers or resturants that they would recommend or stay away from it would be great to have your input.

Keith

Some nice cenotes close to Tulum, check those out for sure.

[axe_man16]

when you get to the resort, ask the people at the front desk where to make dinner reservations. Book the Japaneese one, absoultely amazing. You will have to travel to Akumal, great snorkeling. I went to Xel Ha, but wouldn't recommend it, very murky water and fairly pricey.

[Treebeard]

Akumal Bay has good snorkeling but the water can get silty if it is windy. Half Moon Bay is about a mile north of Akumal bay, and I think the snorkeling is better, although it is rocky.
If you go to Akumal Bay stop at the Lo Ha beach bar for happy hour. This webcam is mounted on the front of the dining area.
For great margaritas go to La Cueva del Pescador. The also have really good food.
If you are the least bit interested in Mayan history, be sure to visit the ruins in Tulum and better yet, take a tour to Coba. In my 2007 trip, I hired a cab for the day from Akumal to Coba and back, and it only cost around $50, but this trip the DW and I are renting a car for the first 10 days.

If you enjoy snorkeling, I would highly recommend taking a resort scuba course. Better yet, if time permits, do your classroom and pool training at home before you leave, and do your open water certification dives at one of the dive shops in Mexico.

Check out LocoGringo for tons of good information on the Mayan Riviera. I always book with them when staying in the Akumal area. Their forums also provide a wealth of information for activities in area.

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by 24storm

Thanks everyone for all the input. We booked in at the Gran Bahia Principe Akumel with the golden upgrade. Cant wait.

Anyone have more input on excursion that a person should look into?

All those who have stay at the Gran Bahia that have any pointers or resturants that they would recommend or stay away from it would be great to have your input.

Keith

Keith,

I would for sure do "La Gran Tortuga" restaraunt; I'm fairly certain its on the Akumel site; or maybe Coba; I can't remember. But as others mentioned the tram continuously runs between the three sites. You have made a great choice in resorts! We stayed there (at Tulum) and it was fantastic. I would go again in a heartbeat. Enjoy!