Mexico Recomendation needed

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

Ok, it seems a lot of people really like some Mexico resorts.

I have not been in wow, close to 12 or more years. I just was not impressed with Mexico versus the Caribbean.

Reading this forum, maybe, I need to be more open minded. So, I will ask the experts. I have a bonus week in Mexico with SFX. What resorts would you recommend? We like to cook in, eat out usually only once or twice. We like a nice beach, and we like to snorkel.

So, what should I request with SFX?

Thanks

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Any of the Grand Mayans or Mayan Palaces. There pools are super huge. SFX gets a lot of these GM units. Now not sure if SFX gets the Gran Melia in Cancun, If it does grab it as well. I also hear the Bonita resorts are nice but again I am not sure if SFX gets them, same goes for the Royals. It is best to Ask Mark in the Ask SFX forum which resorts they get.

[flexible Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close flexible]

If you like to snorkel, you will like the Maya Riviera (south of Cancun). Lots of cenotes (underground rivers) and two water theme parks X-Caret and Xe-Ha.

We stayed at Mayan Palace in the Maya Riviera Nov-Dec 2007 and went snorkeling a lot. The beach at the Mayan is not the best, but you'd probably rent a car to get to the cenotes. Although they have a shuttle to Cancun and you can snorkel there.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You can also snorkel at Yalku lagoon or if in Cancun-right in front of the Westin Regina or take a boat to Isla Mujeres and do the Garafon reef.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Ok, it seems a lot of people really like some Mexico resorts.

I have not been in wow, close to 12 or more years. I just was not impressed with Mexico versus the Caribbean.

Reading this forum, maybe, I need to be more open minded. So, I will ask the experts. I have a bonus week in Mexico with SFX. What resorts would you recommend? We like to cook in, eat out usually only once or twice. We like a nice beach, and we like to snorkel.

So, what should I request with SFX?

Thanks

A little bit more info may help.....where have you already been in Mexico ie : what parts and where would you like to go?????

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I recommend the Grand Mayan - Riviera Maya. We have spent 4 weeks there and are going again in April for another 2 weeks. The beach right in front of the resort is not good but there is a decent beach just a few minutes walk farther down.

The Grand Mayans/Mayan Palaces are affiliated with SFX. They have lots of weeks available. They confirmed my request immediately for 2 weeks next April and I could select whatever date and arrival day I wanted.

I have exchanged into the Royal Mayan in Cancun through SFX but am not sure whether you could get it with the bonus week.

As previously mentioned, the best bet is to ask Mark of SFX directly.

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

As many others have said the Grand Mayan, Riviera Maya is super. You have to take some form of transportation to get to either Cancun or Playa del Carmen but that is pretty easy. From what I hear any of the Grand Mayans would be good.
Also, the Pueblo Bonitos are all pretty nice places. PB Emerald Bay in Mazatlan is fantastic, super grounds and great pools.
If snorkeling is important to you then stay on the east coast (Caribean side), the west coast (Pacific side) does not have much good snorkeling.
We love Mexico but some don't. It is different than the Carribean but if you let yourself enjoy the culture and the people it is a great place.

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

A little bit more info may help.....where have you already been in Mexico ie : what parts and where would you like to go?????

Did Acapulco over 30 years ago, right after we got married. Ditto on Mexico City. Then about 12 or so years ago went to Puerto Vallarta for a week.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Did Acapulco over 30 years ago, right after we got married. Ditto on Mexico City. Then about 12 or so years ago went to Puerto Vallarta for a week.

A lot has changed since then and the Grand Mayan/Mayan Palace resorts are very luxurious.

[mas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mas]

Royals

I'll add my vote for the Royals.

They have five resorts in Cancun. The Sands, I believe, is their newest, but I stayed at the Royal Mayan. It is the second oldest (next to the Club international) but the setting is beautiful and has the bonus of sharing grounds and facilities with two other resorts(Royal Caribbean and Islander).

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

Grand Mayan - Mayan Riviera. You can take the bus to Playa del Carmen and then the ferry to Cozumel for some great snorkeling. The kitchen in the Grand is better for those who cook on vacation (not me!). The resort is awesome.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

We REALLY liked Grand Mayan Nueva Vallarta - as others have said - very luxurious!

Going back in January and can't wait!

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Did Acapulco over 30 years ago, right after we got married. Ditto on Mexico City. Then about 12 or so years ago went to Puerto Vallarta for a week.

Oh my gosh.....30 years Mexico is totally different trust me...I am sure you would not even recognize Acapulco...and I have not even been there yet...

Mexico City, largest city in Mexico, and I am sure has changed immensely....have not been there either, just too daunting for me at this point...

12 years ago for PV....well it is now like a big city.....so so many changes, we go frequently and it just keeps on changing, not sure I am liking that....

I did go my first time to PV about 18 years ago and well at that time I just thought it was okay, nothing spectacular....but now we go many times a year.

I personally think due to your wanting to snorkel you should go to the East coast of Mexico ( I prefer the west or Pacific Coast ) but for snorkeling and scuba and such the Mayan Riviera is where to go....

I would suggest Grand Mayan, or even Mayan Palace anywhere in that area, I hear the Royals are very good as well, or a Palace Resort also in that area but they are AI.

The Mayans are very americanized as are the palace resorts, well actually the whole area of Cancun etc...is.. Cozumel has a Palace resort and great snorkeling. Playa del Carmen has a Palace resort, and then there is the really luxurios Adventura palace, and there are many others in cancun. Cancun, Playa del carmen, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, well you get the pic...you'll get snorkeling, clear water, and many historical things to see, the ruins, Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, X-Caret, Xel -Ha, oh there is so much to see and do on that side and it is a whole different world from PV.

Now if the snorkeling were not a biggie for you, then I would say try PV again or even Nuevo Vallarta, they both have a Grand Mayan and NV has a Palace Resort. Nuevo Vallarta was built as a resort town, so it is clean and has some very nice resorts with long white sand beaches.

Mazatlan is more laid back and cheaper than all of them. Tourism is not their main sport, shipping and fishing is. It is a great place with great beaches and lots of Mexican culture, but many prefer PV or NV to that. We love Mazatlan as well but it is a longer drive for us so we usually only go 2 weeks a year as opposed to many weeks in PV or NV. Both have very distinctive feels and atmosphere, just as does Mazatlan, and Cancun is well just totally different from them all.

Good luck in your choice. I am sure you can go to the websites of all these resorts and check out the accomodations and also check reviews on this site and maybe over on TUG or Trip Advisor.

Oh I am going to Nuevo Vallarta in Nov. to Mayan Place not Grand..wish it was Grand but so be it, still a great property and units.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Just noticed the SFX part....I would say request a Grand Mayan in the Mayan Riviera!!! I believe SFX gets a lot of them.

[jgirvine Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jgirvine]

Wow, ok, yall have convinced me. So, I will put in a request for the Mayan Rivera next Sept. or Oct. with SFX.

So here is the next question. I am a little confused about the Grands, seems one is nicer than the other???? They share the same grounds but one you can use stuff and one you can't???? What am I missing?

So if I hope for a really nice one which ones do I ask for and in what order would you rank them?

Thanks tons.