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Hello! - 10/14/2011 3:37:08 PM

NancySP

Posts: 17
Joined: 10/14/2011
Status: offline

Newbie here... what a wonderful resource for those of us who are trying to find the best spot for our Mayan vacations. We've been to Mexico once, spending a week on Isla Mujeres and we fell in love!

This year our daughter is a high school senior and wants to come back for her vacation. We want to try something new and are having a difficult time narrowing down where we'd like to be. There seem to be pluses and minuses as usual!

We enjoy places that are less crowded so Tulum and Akuamal look like they're right up our alley. And we're also trying to do this as economically as possible. We'd love to be on or very near the beach so some of the casitas are intriguing. It seems we will probably need to rent a car since it's so far from Cancun but are wondering if a shuttle and taxi would work almost as well.

Throw into the mix Solymar Condos in Cancun. They look nice and give us the option of being nearer town and perhaps being able to avoid renting a car. Ack! So many choices. I'm beginning to become a little overwhelmed!

I'm trying to sift through all the information here and elsewhere but thought I'd ask if there are any obvious solutions for us. I know, I'm probably dreaming! Thanks for any advice. I look forward to getting to know some of you as we continue to plan our trip!

Nancy

Post #: 1

RE: Hello! - 10/14/2011 4:43:02 PM

Gato

Posts: 4986
Joined: 2/23/2006
From: Canada Eh!(the Cdn Cowtown)
Status: offline

Welcome Nancy
I usually stay in a Casa with 6 others. But akumal area surely has casitas for 3 if you need and all price ranges

We usually only rent a vehicle when we go on long trips.. for the most part we use collectivos or buses to get to the store, then taxi back .. ya its hot.. and humid - but a 10 min walk to the hiway isnt a bad thing to get to where u need to go

as for pickup in Cancun.. have used Cancun transfers 6 times now. Never had a problem with them cost us 140 us funds return trip

good luck planning your trip
G

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RE: Hello! - 10/14/2011 5:21:49 PM

Jamie

Posts: 2548
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline

There are lots of nice condos on Half Moon Bay, also South Akumal and Jade Bay and Aventuras Akumal (I stayed here with a friend last time but you need a car, very far from the highway and over an hour walk to main Akumal). A two bedroom condo is maybe going to be less money than a villa. If you stayed on HMB, you could rent a golf cart for all or part of the time if you wish, some people walk it, depends on time of year, can be hot!

Only stayed in Cancun once, just a bit too high rise and Americanized for my tastes, if you loved Isla this may or may not be for you. If you are looking for a little possible nightlife, check out Playa del Carmen, there are lots of condos for rent there, or if you want to stay more laid back, stay in Akumal (or Tulum) area, take collectivo up and taxi back as the collectivos stop running about 10pm.

Have a great trip whatever you decide and welcome to Locogringo

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RE: Hello! - 10/15/2011 11:24:56 AM

Conifer water rat

Posts: 3560
Joined: 11/10/2009
From: Conifer, CO
Status: offline

Don't have much to offer you in advice since we've stayed at ABR every time we've been in Akumal, but wanted to say welcome to LocoGringo & let us know where you decide to stay!

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RE: Hello! - 10/15/2011 6:24:55 PM

NancySP

Posts: 17
Joined: 10/14/2011
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Thanks everyone!

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RE: Hello! - 10/15/2011 10:21:08 PM

Vancouver Sundog

Posts: 5923
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
Status: offline

Looks like you have a great plan

Lots of great little condos

Try EasyWay for car rentals - the LG Favourite

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RE: Hello! - 10/16/2011 10:52:43 AM

water baby

Posts: 307
Joined: 10/5/2011
From: FRUITA, COLORADO
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: NancySP

Thanks everyone!

I know young adults like a little more nite life, maybe, so Playa De Carmen would be good. Myself, I like laid back, snorkeling right out my door, so stay at ABR(Akumal Beach Resort). You can try USA tranfers from the airport, or we book thru Apple Vacations and get a shuttle provided. From the ABR, we've rented a car to go inland to the ruins, but mostly do the collectivo to anywhere- like Playa to the ferry or XPLOR- a fun park with ziplines, underwater caves 4-wheelers, ect.. Whatever you do - have a great time!

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RE: Hello! - 10/16/2011 11:09:56 AM

absfam

Posts: 591
Joined: 10/14/2006
From: Wonderful Wyoming
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Condo on Half Moon Bay! (Luna Azul, Caribe, and The Reef have a great location) Right on the beach, great food in the Akumal area! Rent a car and explore a little. Go ziplining and check out the ruins! You will love it! Going back to the area for our fifth visit and third with the kids. Our kids, even the teen, LOVE it there!

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Gail

Post #: 8

RE: Hello! - 10/16/2011 6:48:37 PM

NancySP

Posts: 17
Joined: 10/14/2011
Status: offline

Great tips everyone! I think we're going to land at Slice of Paradise, Cabana #1 on Tankah Bay. Brenna actually wants a laid back, non-crazy place and the reviews I've read of Cabana #1 sound perfect.

She also wants wonderful food... any suggestions on places to go? I think we'll rent a car for at least part of the time we're there. Love Mexican food as well as seafood....

Thanks for the info on car rentals. Now it's time to do some research on the collectivo.

We're lucky in that at the end of our family vacation, Brenna will fly home and Dave & I will stay on for a couple of days before meeting up with his company for a 4 night stay at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya. I may be back to ask for suggestions on where to stay for the couple of days in between.

Post #: 9

RE: Hello! - 10/16/2011 8:25:24 PM

Whale

Posts: 5535
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: Littleton, Colorado
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Welcome to the forum. If you rent a car you won't need the collectivo. Driving around the area is easy.

As far as where to stay for a couple of days after you leave Tanka I would suggest either Club Akumal Caribe Hotel or my favorite place and the place we always stay, Villas Mayas Bungalows. If you go to Akumal to snorkel with the turtles and/or to eat you will see both right behind and just South of the Lol Ha restaurant and beach bar. But be warned, you will fall in love just like everybody else and it will require a return trip in the near future. Lots of good places to eat in Akumal.

The Riu Palace is in Playacar just South of Playa del Carmen so you will get your fill of shopping and nightlife there if you want that. Akumal, and even more so Tankah, are laid back quite places where you can relax and enjoy the beach without so many people. How many people are there depends on what time of year you go, but there will never be many people in Akumal compared to Playa or heaven forbid, Cancun.

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Post #: 10

RE: Hello! - 10/17/2011 3:42:10 PM

NancySP

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Joined: 10/14/2011
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Thanks for the welcome and tips!

Post #: 11

RE: Hello! - 10/21/2011 3:48:06 AM

roxywatson001

Posts: 1
Joined: 10/21/2011
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Hello Guys

Post #: 12

RE: Hello! - 11/8/2011 9:27:22 AM

AKUMALATION

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Joined: 4/15/2011
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Welcome all, to LG

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RE: Hello! - 11/9/2011 1:40:43 PM

Paradisefor50

Posts: 129
Joined: 10/24/2011
From: Humboldt County, CA
Status: offline

This forum is what convinced me to choose the ABR. I can't wait to be there!

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RE: Hello! - 6/5/2012 2:16:46 AM

kimmi11

Posts: 1
Joined: 9/17/2011
Status: offline

Hello Friends, I am new member of this forum.

Post #: 15

RE: Hello! - 6/5/2012 8:50:25 AM

sherrys07

Posts: 3884
Joined: 7/15/2005
Status: offline

Welcome kimmi11! Planning a trip?

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Sherry

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RE: Hello! - 6/5/2012 7:31:48 PM

BlueBeachLady

Posts: 1529
Joined: 9/18/2005
From: Austin, Texas
Status: offline

quote:

This year our daughter is a high school senior and wants to come back for her vacation.

Nancy, For our son's high school graduation we took him and his best bud to Las Casitas Akumal. They had a great time roaming around by themselves. (You'd have to be Sh*tfaced, and hit your head on a rock, and fall in a puddle face first to really get in trouble in Akumal.) We rented a car for the first time and hated it. We much prefer taxis and collectivos but are not people that need to go 3 new places a day. I agree with Whale, (of course), HCAC or Villa Maya Bungalows is an excellent choice. I'm an HCAC girl myself. If you stay on Akumal beach, make sure and experience the "spa", Buddha Gardens, right next to the hotel. It is FAB!

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