Where to stay Cancun or Playa del Carmen

[Queenbee2709]

Hi! We are booking our annual long haul holiday for March 25 to Mexico. I am going for the first time and I am wondering where to base ourselves.

For Cancun - I am considering Hyatt Ziva Cancun or Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach - anyone been to these?

For PDC - Anyone stayed at the Fairmont hotels? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

It's been quite a while since I've been but Tulum was absolutely gorgeous and much nicer than Cancun, would really recommend it.

Personally I think Cancun is the American equivalent of Benidorm. High rise equivalent in Mexico.

Tulum is gorgeous.

PDC big, but nicer than Cancun.

Take a look on google and Trip Advisor to compare them all.

Thank you - I did look at Tulum but thought it was a bit isolated. Is there much to do there outside of hotels for kids?

Oh no - it seems cancun is a love it or hate it destination Lol! I have never been to Benidorm - again people either seem to love it or hate it.

Tulum seems a big fave - I will look more into it.

Thanks x

I went to Cancun about 10years ago. It was beautiful with so much going on if you wanted to join in. However, it's definitely Benidorm for Americans- very loud, but I did meet some lovely people and really enjoyed it.

I really didn't like Cancun but was only there one day and one night before moving on. I think my favourite place to stay was around Sian Ka'an but can't remember exactly where I stayed.

Some of the hotels look very nice - We are travelling with 2 kids so the party scene isn't really for us this trip.

Glad you had a great time!

I am so surprised so many didn't enjoy Cancun - I always see it on places to visit etc.

I am leaning towards Playa del Carmen as people seem to enjoy it there more.

I stayed on an island opposite Cancun called Isla Mujeres for 2 months which was a lot quieter and very beautiful. It's about 30 minutes from Cancun by a small ferry. It's closer from the airport than Playa Del Carmen is, if you've got kids.

This island looks like heaven. Beautiful beaches and water but I suffer from severe motion/sea sickness so haven't really considered it. It looks like those postcard perfect places x

Blimey. I had my honeymoon in Cancun almost 30 years ago. Drinking age was 18, so it was full of young Americans getting drunk even back then.

I'm honestly so surprised and naive clearly as I thought it was a family destination as well as the partying/drinking - I always see it on these places to go lists!

I think we will venture into Cancun so I can say been there done that but will base ourselves in PDC or Tulum!

It's loud, it's brash and extremely ugly with all the high rise hotels stretching for kilometres.

It's hugely popular with young Americans who can pop over on a quick flight.

Many do (as I do) compare it to the Benidorm of Mexico - but with a caribbean sea.

I can think of much, much nicer destinations.

We did a ten day trip with two days in Cancun - day trip from there to Isla Mujeres - and then moved to Playa Del Carmen for the remainder. Hired a car and drove to Tulum and Chichen Itza etc. Wouldn't have changed it, and I'm very jealous of you're upcoming trip x

Been to both Cancun and PDC. If it were up to me, I'd do PDC every time. It's a smaller town feel with all of the action, if you want it. If the Fairmount is located in PlayaCar (the resort side of PDC), I wouldn't think twice.

There isn't a lot of love for Cancun on here it seems! We will stay in PDC or Tulum and may be do a day trip into Cancun!

I would love to visit Chichen Itza but with 2 small DC it may not be possible! Glad you had a great time x

We are leaning towards PDC too - think it seems a little less full on party town!

I stayed in Cancun 17 years ago, I was 26. Absolutely awful place even back then. Full of American teenagers getting pissed and being obnoxious.

There is tons to do! Exploring mile upon mile of beautiful beaches teeming with wildlife. Snorkelling at cenotes. Visiting Mayan sites.

Both Tulum and PDC are a million times better than the hideous Cancun.

I thought that the whole party and drinking culture was more excessive during american holidays or spring breaks?

It was neither spring break or American holidays when we were there. Honestly stay somewhere else. The hotels are nice but not much to see or do outside of them.

I think that seems to be the consensus on here - PDC or Tulum is better than Cancun.

Back into research mode!

I stayed at Xcaret occidental just outside playa del carmen. Hotel was beyond amazing, the grounds are out of this world and loads of pools and animals. We had monkeys on the balcony every day. We looked out into a forest. Little private beach as well. I mean it was a private beach for the whole hotel, not like my own private beach!

We hired a car and I drove to Tulum to see the ruins. We also drove to Coba which I'd really recommend and also to different cenotes. I'd recommend hiring a car as the excursions are very expensive. I think prices are based on US tourists so everything was double what I was expecting! This was 5 years ago.

The xcaret occidental hotel is right next to one of the xcaret parks, that was the best day out. You can take a boat from the hotel foyer into the park I think, we just walked was 2 mins.

Do look at up to date travel warnings though, there have been shootings and USA I believe have issued advice about travel to mexico. It's gang/drug related but be careful still as people have been shot in Playa town centre I believe.