Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya (cruise, best, hotel, Cuba)

[SoFlaMom]

Can anyone tell me the best things to do with kids. We've taken our 3 and 5 year old to Cancun, but this year we're staying in Playa Del Carmen. Looking for fun things to do and good restaurants. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[jkcoop]

The ruins at Tulum, also, if you have a vehicle consider going inland a bit and checking out Coba. One of the last places you can still climb the ruins. It's out in the jungle and is quite an experience.
They also may enjoy either Xel-Ha:
Riviera Maya Mexico Xel-Ha Ecological Water Theme Park
Or Xcaret
Cancun Mexico - Xcaret Park Eco Archaeological Theme Park natural Cancun tour
We went to Xel-ha - it was too touristy for us, but we have an older son, so we enjoyed snorkeling in other places and he's old enough where we can. The ages your kids are, this might be a perfect activity.
It is a wonderful area down there. We have never stayed in Cancun so I can't compare, but we own a timeshare in the Riviera Maya area and love it.

[Twinkle Toes]

We stayed at an all incusive couples only resort called the El Dorado Royale, which was nice. Next time we go back though we are taking the kids to another all inclusive resort. They have those "Palace" resorts for families. We went to a couple of them while we were there and checked them out. They appeared to be very nice and had a lot of activities. I forget the names of these places but I think one of them was called Moon Palace.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

We stayed at an all incusive couples only resort called the El Dorado Royale, which was nice. Next time we go back though we are taking the kids to another all inclusive resort. They have those "Palace" resorts for families. We went to a couple of them while we were there and checked them out. They appeared to be very nice and had a lot of activities. I forget the names of these places but I think one of them was called Moon Palace.

We stayed there a couple of years ago right after they opened. That was THE BEST all inclusive I have ever stayed at. All others were the pitts after them. The way it is built looks almost as if it is two different resorts w/ the larger buildings on one side and the cassitas on the other.

We were there just as a couple since this place was adult only and basically stayed there everyday except one and went into Playa for a day. That was fun and I know people that have stopped there on a cruise w/ their family for the day and had fun.

Tulum is and all of that area is supposed to be pretty fun. We are going back someday to visit that area.

[mhart8]

We like going to cenotes. There are several in area. Akumal is also great. Try the lagoon in Akumal for snorkeling or just swimming.

[firebll31]

Puerto Aventuras is just a 10-min taxi ride from Playa del Carmen. They have a marina, dolphins, parrots, and I think sea lions. There is also a small shopping area with some good inexpensive restaurants where you can sit outside next to the dolphin pools. If you time it right, you can watch the fishing boats come in and see what catch they bring back. If you like coconut, please try the coconut ice cream! It's fabulous!

I second Xel-Ha for the kids-lots to do. But don't do a combo Xel-Ha and Tulum trip, you won't have enough time esp. with small children.

[southdown]

Take the ferry across to Cozumel and go to Chankanaab for the day! Or anywhere in Cozumel....

It's a national park nature reserve but with a high-end hotel style beach, white sand, wonderful snorkeling, scubadiving lessons even for young kids, swimming with dolphins...

http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-chankanaab.asp


Foot passenger-only ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
http://www.travelyucatan.com/cozumel_ferry.php