My husband and I are looking at going to Mexico in November for a couple weeks.
Normally we go to Nuevo Vallarta but this year the prices seem high so now we are thinking of going to either Playa Del Carmen / Tulum area.
At this time we are looking at theses hotels - Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Grand Bahia Principe Tulum, Grand Sirenis or Dreams Puerto Aventuras. Any comments about these hotels? Also are there other hotels that we should be looking at and if so which?
We enjoy getting off the resort and going for dinners so would we be within walking distance to any pubs / restaurants for any of these hotels?
We also enjoy walking on the beach so is that possible for quite a distance or not?
Look forward to replies.

The Coba resort I don’t think it is located right on the beach. I think you have to cross the street to get to the beach.

We like Catalonia Riviera Maya, the food is always good, and the place is spotless.

Grand Sirenis is isolated not walking distance to any town.

We've stayed twice at the Grande Bahia Principle Akumel which is on the same resort as Tulum and Coba. It's a nice resort, has great food. Tulum is closer to the beach than Coba but they have shuttle carts that take you around the resort. This resort is not within walking distance of anything. I think the closest place is a 30 min drive.

For walking the beach at Grande Bahia resort, you can walk the length of the Tulum and Akumel hotels then you hit jungle with unmaintained beaches that they don't recommend you walk on. Maybe 15 mins of walking.

The resort strip here is not close to anything... Other than neighboring resorts. You would definitely need a car or taxi.

Go to PV or San Poncho loved it there!

My favorite is the princess resort, Sunset of Riviera. Located near Playa. My preference is the swim out room. Laguna is fancier if you are looking for something more private/romantic.

We stayed at the Grand Sirenus, it's huge. You'll get your walking in going from place to place. It's right on the water and has is own snorkeling area off the beach but I'm not sure how all the seaweed is impacting it. There is tons to do on the resort including a lazy river also many ala carte restaurants. The buffet resturant is huge and they also had daily bbq lunches. We walked out of the resort and caught collectives on the highway to cenotes etc.

Grand Bahia Principe was a amazing resort!!

loved Grand Bahia , awesome snorkleing right off beach and Akumal beach to swim with turtles is 10 minute cab ride , as well the Tulum ruins are close by

I preferred Sirenis over Bahia smaller, more to do but still huge. Akumal Bay and Sandos Carocal were better than either.

Panama jack playa del carmen

Taunia McIsaac
You won’t be able to walk anywhere from these places you will ha e to take a cab. I to am looking for the same thing. I want all
Inclusive but I want to be able to take my kids out and about and eat elsewhere if we choose.

PM me and I’ll show you my 5 star condo, how to have a mix of all inclusive/eating out, resort access and a car for 2 weeks so u can really explore. All for less than 5k for 2weeks - including direct flights.

Marcus interested in your information

Marcus I would like to know too!

Grand Princess Sunset. Swin in / out rooms

Look into Ventura at Marina El Cid . We are currently here, it's a brand new resort and there is a kids fee zone. Great food, great atmosphere.

We stayed at the Grande Principe Tulum / Coba last December. There’s not much close by and you are on a busy highway so I wouldn’t suggest walking. But there is a local bus. The restaurants at the resorts are not bad

How’s about Manzanillo? We enjoyed our trip there ... WJ flys direct.

Is the seaweed covering the Mayan beaches still an issue?

Lori I think all that coast is having problems down past Belize

Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa, Our Mexican home. You will never regret it.

I have stayed at both grand sirenis and grand bahia tulum. Both were pretty comparable in terms of the resort/food/amenities, but I preferred the grand sirenis because the rooms are nicer! both are far from any "town life" but both offer shuttles daily into town.

Grand Bahia Principe. Can’t go wrong

We just went to the Grand Sirenis last month. It was terrible.

does it have to be an all inclusive? We stayed at a small B&B type hotel in Playa Del Carmen for a week, and then rented an apartment for the second week in Puerto Morales. Both had pools and were a few minutes walk to the beach and lots of local restaurants. We enjoyed them much more than previous stays at all inclusives. I don‘t know though if they're still having terrible seaweed issues.

I love Grand Sirinis! It has a lazy river, tons of restaurants, pools and ocean spots. Love the shows

The Mayan Riviera is being affected by a seaweed problem. Its affected tourism hugely. Apparently the beaches are badly infested & that the stench is so bad to lay out on the beach. I'd do some research first.

Sandi we were there a few years ago and agree that the seaweed is really yucky, and makes swimming and beaching awful. Check before you go. It’s a big problem.

GBP Tulum is great and oceanside. GBP Coba is very family oriented with a small water park for little kids. You can walk the beach to Akumal from either and there are nice restos there. Check the sargassum situation before you book. They've had a LOT of problems with piles of sea weed on the shores. I love it there regardless.

Have you checked out Huatulco and area ?

Iberostar Grand.

Go to Huatulco...much
nicer & safer.

Dreams...

safer from what? Which side is safer, Pacific or Atlantic?

Pat they make a great effort with security

Occidental Xcaret!!!!

Cris van Schagen
Jen Evans been there 2x. Love it. Will go back.

I have been to both the Grand Sirenis and the Dreams. Both are good. I would definitely check on the seaweed situation as it was an issue at the dreams when we were there last. The nice thing about the dreams is that you can walk to some shops and bars in Puerto Aventuras.

I got married at the GB Tulum, and found it too big. We’re booked at Dreams PA in January, mainly because we love the PA area! You have tons of restaurants and bars in walking distance and don’t have to taxi anywhere. So you get to get off resort but in a safe and cheap alternative

Iberostar quetzal close to a lot of things and close to the ferry if you want to visit Cozumel.

Tina we’re headed there nov 8-17 & heard its fantastic (haven’t gone to this resort ourselves yet).

I stayed in Gran Caribe Real (not on your list) and I loved it!

Loved the Dreams resort. You won’t be disappointed. Stayed at Bahia Principe Akumal. An amazing resort as well. Coba was more for kids IMO

Dreams tulum is wonderful. Also heard good things about baha principe in Coba. Not on the Caribbean side but we much preferred our trip to cabo san lucas!

Just DON’T go to Grand Sirenas!! It was the worst one we’ve been to.

Barcelo Palace (Oceanside) is incredible

Barcelo Grand resort,- Maya, Caribe, Colonial - it is the one on the highway between Cancun and Playa. 4 resorts in one, and access to all the a la cartes and shows. They have a double decker bus that takes you around the resorts, and also a bowling alley, and mall with some high end stores. BUT another building also has the local crafters that change all the time.. Highly recommended - we never left the resort!