Riviera Maya vs. Cancun- any suggestions?

foxfirejg · June 27, 2008

I'm attempting to choose my resort for a DW in late May or early June of 09, and I'm having some trouble sifting through all of the options! I first can't decide on Cancun or somewhere in the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen is my current favorite, but I'm not set on that either!), and there are so many resorts I'm getting lost! My TA has recommended Azul Sensatori, but I'm nervous about that after seeing some posts about the Karisma hotels on here, so now I'm thinking one of the Dreams resorts. However, if anyone would like to recommend other resorts, I'm open to that! I'm particularly interested in places with a good beach area, fairly good food, and where getting a semi-private to private reception is not going to cost me the moon.

Thanks so much for your help!

212eric · June 28, 2008

Perhaps the best reason I give for booking a wedding in the Cancun Hotel Zone, as opposed to Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen is that your guests will have options and freedom. The options and freedom go hand in hand because what you find in the Hotel Zone as far as great restaurants, shopping, entertainment, bars, clubs, etc., etc, you will not find in the other places you are considering. This is not to say that the resorts offer many amenities in Riviera Maya, but Cancun as a whole offers much more. If you decide on the Hotel Zone as your destination, your choice will be made easier, so first I recommend you consider area first, then narrow it down to resorts. That's my dos centavos.

212eric

foxfirejg · June 28, 2008

Thanks for the suggestion:)

aeroo · June 28, 2008

I agree. Choose the area first, then narrow it down to the resort. It will be much easier that way. Playa del Carmen and Cancun are great if you want to be close to shopping, bars, restaurants, entertainment. We stayed in a resort in PDC and our guests loved the fact that they could just walk up to 5th ave for all the shopping, entertainment and nightlife. It was good because some people in our group were not beach people and had we stayed in a place not close to town, I don`t think they would have enjoyed it as much. I preferred PDC over Cancun, just because of 5th ave and the sort of intimate small town feel to it. Cancun has bigger bars and restaurants like the Hard Rock, whereas PDC has tons of smaller local restaurants, pubs, street vendors, etc. Just depends on the preference of you and your guests. Maybe first choose if you want to be close to town or prefer to be in an isolated resort (which of course you can take taxis out). Then go from there. Good luck choosing!!

cougs · July 2, 2008

PROs and CONs for riviera maya:

PRO: riviera maya resorts overall seem to be more affordable than those in cancun hotel zone.

CON: depending on which area of riviera maya you choose, your ride from the airport could be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours! (the long ride was my deal-breaker for dreams tulum)

CON: there has been some discussion about the beaches in riviera maya not being quite as nice as those in cancun (not as turquoise blue and clear, and seaweedy). again, could depend on which area of riviera maya you choose.

PRO or CON (depending on your perspective): some parts of riviera maya are far from *everything* (if you like seclusion, privacy, calm ... then it's a good thing). many resorts in cancun hotel zone are within walking distance to nightclubs, shopping etc. (if you like more of a party atmosphere, think you'd like to venture outside the resort, or want entertainment options, this is good!)

good luck!