Dreams Puerto Aventuras Brides - POST HERE!

[2010wedding]

Originally Posted by mwcfarms

I was going to add. Originally we wanted to go to Dreams Tulum. I really really wanted pictures done on their staircase. But the distance to Tulum with three infants was too long and then we found Dreams PA. It was smaller and closer to Playa. Although they say its only 45 min from the airport and that is in exceptional condtions. No traffic and no drops offs. My brother said its more like an hour and twenty minutes to hour and half. should be fun after a 5 hour play ride. But its 13 days today. YAY.

I too wanted Tulum but given the overall distance after the plane ride and the guests we were inviting with small kiddies, it was too far. The location to Playa also made a difference if any of our guests wanted more "to do".

[2010wedding]

5 more posts and i am no longer a Noobie!!!!

[mwcfarms]

Woot, so Jacy said that in PA they are not allowed to have bonfires on the beach but some guest have done a fire show. Thats funny janna same reason we didnt pick Tulum was distance. It was my top pick lol. And I am sure it will be perfect. Back from my second kickboxing class. I am off to soak my abused muscles.

[Tifuhhknee]

Originally Posted by acwedding

what made you pick Dreams Puerto Aventuras?
were still trying to pick our location
we thought we settled on barcelo tropical, but now i am having second thoughts
any suggestions help
pictures, posts on trip advisor, 3.5 star rating, and 2006 story turned me off barcelo
we like a good/big/interesting pool with bar, clean, great beach, good food, i like grand, my fiance does not like big buildings and concrete, he likes trees

There were a few reasons why... so I'll share.

1. We stayed next door (Catalonia Riviera Maya) in April 2007 (just us, first trip to Mexico ever) and June 2009 (with 13 family members). We totally fell in love with Puerto Aventuras, but did not want to be at the same resort again... it was a fun place with an amazing beach, but the food was so-so and we wanted a little bit nicer place for our wedding. I'll note that on these trips the ride from airport to hotel was 1 - 1.5 hours. This includes stopping at about 2 other places to drop people off and a gas station stop to pee and get more beer.

2. I was interested in Dreams Cancun.. but FI and my mom thought it looked Star Trek-ish :o( I thought it was amazing, but his opinion counts too haha.

3. Dreams Tulum was my next idea. A friend of mine (who was married at Dreams PV) JUST went there for a wedding in June 2009, so I asked her opinion. I knew she had an amazing wedding herself, so she did have something to compare it to. She said she would NOT recommend going there. Not that it was bad, but it was nowhere near as nice as Dreams PV, including food and beach. Because we are beach lovers and not pool hang-outers, she said steer clear.

4. We wanted a place where our guests can snorkel right off the resort beach. Because we stayed next door, we knew the beach here would be GREAT for this. Catalonia's beach is connected to it in the same little bay thing, and I'm pretty sure I accidentally swam in front of Dreams PA while snorkeling on previous trips. Almost any area north of there requires an excursion for good snorkeling according to reviews and those I e-mailed.

5. Absolutely did not want a big secluded just resort where you have to get a taxi to go anywhere else. PA is a great little town where you do feel safe venturing out on foot. There are shops, bars, restaurants, and of course the marina. A baby dolphin was born last time we where there and it was very cool to see. Also (small) golf course right there.

6. Final selling point: soft beds mentioned in reviews, NO RESERVATIONS for dinner! that was such a headache before, and no wearing those plastic bracelets, and plenty of restaurants.

I know how hard it is choosing a resort, but once we found Dreams PA, we just knew it was the perfect place. I hope I've helped you decide one way or another. My FI also doesn't like concrete and buildings, it's Mexico and he wants it to feel like Mexico, not a big ritzy place. Good luck!

[badrianne]

Congratulations Rainfall! Thanks for all the details and can't wait to see the pictures. I'm so happy it was less windy for you.

[mwcfarms]

Can you cash travellers cheques at the resort or somewhere close. If at the resort what is the fee?

[Ginalyn]

Originally Posted by Tifuhhknee

5. Absolutely did not want a big secluded just resort where you have to get a taxi to go anywhere else. PA is a great little town where you do feel safe venturing out on foot. There are shops, bars, restaurants, and of course the marina. A baby dolphin was born last time we where there and it was very cool to see. Also (small) golf course right there.

Tiffuhhknee you were probably around Puerto Aventuras when I was there!! Small world. I went swimming with the dolphins a couple days after my wedding with our flower girl and we got to see the baby dolphin!

Originally Posted by mwcfarms

Can you cash travellers cheques at the resort or somewhere close. If at the resort what is the fee?

I think you can cash them at the resort but only if they have enough "cash" on hand. Plus the fee is higher at the resort than it is in the actual town itself (sorry I don't remember the fees offhand).

[Rainfall]

Originally Posted by mwcfarms

Can you cash travellers cheques at the resort or somewhere close. If at the resort what is the fee?

There is no fee you just have to show id. The will give you usd if they have it. I suggest you go first thing in the morning. They get a big drop and change in the morning. If not you get pesos and the exchange rate is not that bad but you will get better at the bank. We got 1usd to 12.5 peso where as the bank we could have gotten 12.85 Not that big of a difference. We found it convenient to carry some pesos with us as at some stores they ripped us off with the exchange rate.

Good Luck!

[mwcfarms]

Thanks. I need to pay my photographer in US dollars so thats a big chunk of change.

[2010wedding]

Anyone know what the HM package entails? I emailed Jacy again today and haven't heard back if its free with the wedding packages, an upgrade or you have to pay for it.

Thanks!!!