First Timers Traveling in May with Questions

[fleckre]

I've been trolling around on this site for a bit and have appreciated the insight I have been able to garner thus far. I have looked for answers to my specific situation, but have found none. I would like some help on where to stay. To help you give me an informed answer, I'll provide some information about my trip.

I am going with my wife and another couple, both in our mid 20s.
We are not all that in to the club scene (although I would be into checking out good Jazz like I saw in one thread).
We are looking for a more relaxed time and atmosphere.
One of our main reasons for going is to go SCUBA diving (and for our wives to lay on the beach).
Finally, we would prefer to stay in a villa, rather than a hotel room.

So, my question is: is there a good region to stay for my preferences? Can anyone suggest a specific villa or rental agency that would suit my needs? As a bonus if anyone could suggest good SCUBA company to use or nights out that would fit our bill, I would be grateful.

Thanks for your help in directing my research.

[CancunWithMe.com]

Hello there, I might be able to provide you with some good suggestions, and I am sure the great folks in here will share some more soon.

If you guys are not that into the night club scene, I would suggest you guys visit a locals night club instead. For example, in Cancun Barezzito and Mambo Cafe usually get packed with locals, and very few tourists. Both of these are in downtown Cancun. I suggest this so you can see the difference in cultures. The clubs in the Hotel Zone are similar to the ones in USA.

If you main goal is SCUBA, then you might make the trek to Cozumel. I have never been there, but I do hear the best snorkeling in the area is done out of Cozumel. Also, if you only do ONE dive in the area, I would recommend you do a cenote dive instead of an ocean one. Ocean snorkeling could easily be done elsewhere in the world, but cenote diving is very unique to the area, so something you should consider taking advantage off

As far as region to stay, are you guys set in staying in Cancun? or you guys open to suggestions anywhere between Cancun and Tulum?

If you guys end up in Cancun, a neat place to visit on Sunday evenings would be Parque de las Palapas. This is where many locals go hang out with their families.

[Laura Mapchick]

If your main goal for the trip is diving, you really should look into staying on Cozumel or perhaps Akumal.
All kinds of great villas to rent in Akumal and Cozumel.

[fleckre]

Thanks for the reply. To answer your question, we would consider staying outside of Cancun. Any suggestions? Would you stay in Cozumel or somewhere just outside like Playa del Carmen?

[Laura Mapchick]

You might check out Playa, a lot closer to dive sites, tons of good restaurants and night spots, live music, good shopping for the ladies and if you stay right in Playa ..all of it is within walking distance.

[CancunWithMe.com]

I agree with Mapchick. I would also recommend PDC.

[fleckre]

Thanks guys - I think we have settled on Playa del Carmen and have some good beats on places to stay. Can anyone recommend restaurants with a great atmosphere that we should visit?

[CancunWithMe.com]

not sure if I will get in trouble for advertising another forum, but if you check out intheroo.com you will get some great advice from locals in PDC.

My personal favorites in PDC are CH super carnes. The original place is on 1st street south. Most of PDC is on the "north" side. This restaurant is after "Avenida Juarez" on PDC. Streets north of Juarez are "north" streets. and streets south of Avenida Juarez, are south streets. They also have a new location on 10th ave, but I haven't been to that one yet.

Another good spot is La Floresta, which is located on the main highway. Some good shrimp and fish tacos. Not as good as the ones in Urgue Taquito in Tulum, but still good.

If you guys are meat eaters, there is an argentinian place on 5th Ave and like 30th street. It is a hole in the wall, but you can get a very tasty rib eye steak for about 130 pesos. They have other argentian cuts for a lower price.