Everyone who’s anyone is jumping on to the Tulum craze, even celebrities. Some of my friends have been to Tulum at least 3 to 4 times this year. Tulum is a hot spot right now, but I want to highlight a few other destinations in the Cancun vicinity.
Cancun (Hotel Zone) – If you are a beach bum. I would highly consider booking a resort in this area. The beach is immaculate. It’s man made so you won’t find many imperfections like other beaches in the area. Great location for first time international travelers. Everything is within walking distance of each other bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, restaurants and tourist attractions. Most of the resorts in Hotel Zone are tall towers, unlike other resorts in the Cancun area.
Cancun’s Hotel Zone has gotten a bad rap for catering to the spring break crowd. You will find the younger travelers here, the party animals. The resorts tend to be a little cheaper in this part of town., compared to other resorts in the Cancun vicinity
Costa Mujeres – A gated community, that host some of the most luxurious and modern properties. Most new builds are located in this area. All resorts have a view of the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres. Also, you don’t have to worry about a seaweed filled beach. The island of Isla Mujeres acts as a barrier for the beach.
Playa Del Carmen – All the fun is located near 5th Avenue. You have the option to stay at an all-inclusive or a European plan resort. If you want to interact with the locals, this is the place to be. You will find a lot of solo travelers and expats here.
Riviera Maya – Home to some of the top resorts in Mexico and the world. As far as location goes, you’re a hop and a skip from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen (25 minutes each way depending on your resorts location).
Akumal – Here you will find, small boutique hotels and a few all inclusives. Great destination for snorkelers and divers. There are several cenotes in the area. A very laid-back part of town. Akumal is a great substitute for travelers that would prefer to stay in Tulum, but need a luxury all-inclusive property. Akumal is only 25 minutes from Tulum. There aren’t any all-inclusive resorts in Tulum that I would recommend for my clients.
Isla Mujeres – That’s a bad BEACH! Isla Mujeres is the crown jewel of the Cancun vicinity. The resorts on this island are boutique style. This location is preferably for couples or a traveler who seeks peace and quiet. The island is pretty busy during the day with travelers partaking in catamaran tours and visiting beach clubs for the afternoon. It’s home to the famous underwater museum. If Isla Mujere’s is not your speed. I would consider making it a day trip. The water is beyond beautiful.
Cozumel – Great place for divers, and brings in a lot of tourist. The resorts in this area wouldn’t be my first choice when booking clients, simply because once the cruise ship tourist have gone there isn’t much nightlife. A better choice would be to stay in Playa and visit via the ferry.
Holbox – I predict this will be the next hotspot, aka Tulum. Travelers are steadily finding out about this gem. Holbox offers boutique hotels, and are very eco-friendly. If you have a day or two to spare, I would definitely take the whale shark tour.I personally travel to Cancun several times a year. I often find myself lodging between Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen. I love the beautiful landscaping and the massive resort compounds. The bigger the resort the better, more places to take great photos…lol.