This place is really pretty and the kids loved it. The pier with the swings is a really nice touch…read more The pool is huge and heated. It's very clean and well maintained. The bathrooms are immaculate and always being cleaned. The food that we got was very good and my kids couldn't get enough of the quesadillas. The staff is friendly and helpful however, if you change from the beach to the pool you have to switch servers and they want you to tip twice. Which is fine, however, after paying for all an inclusive experience, they give you a very inflated check (that's zeroed out) with tip percentage recommendations. They're very high so be careful. I do wish they had a few hammocks on the property to relax in. All and all it was a great experience.

Paradise Beach review: 5 stars. LOVE IT! My daughter showed up on crutches, and they didn't even…read moreblink--immediately set us up near a set of stairs so she could roll into the pool like the queen she is. Talk about VIP service! Oscar and Ronny? Absolute legends. I don't know if they're employees or drink-delivering superheroes, but they kept the food and beverages flowing so seamlessly that I was ready to adopt them by the end of the trip. The inflatables in the water? An absolute hit. My pre-teen son was living his best life--part gladiator, part dolphin. I was half expecting him to demand we install a floating obstacle course at home. The beach? Chef's kiss. The pool? So much fun it practically parented my kids for me. 10/10 would crutch our way back here again!

We visited this beautiful island on a Carnival excursion with the Twister speedboat as our mode of…read moretransportation. The good: Eduardo y Eduardo were our captains on the boat and it was an amazing time. Aida was our go to person on the island and she was very kind and accommodating. The island is GORGEOUS- clear water, surprisingly no fish, white sand, nice chairs, hammocks, and swings at the cash bar. The drinks from the cash bar were fabulous- I had fresh coconut water and a delicious mojito. The not-so-good: the food was just plain bad and there was very little selection. The included drinks were either a rum punch, tequila punch, or beer. The punches were heavy on sugar but had very little alcohol. The inflatable was in need of much repair. Snorkeling is listed in the description but when we asked we were told there are no reefs on the island and they don't have snorkeling. The worst part for me was the timing- we knew we were only scheduled to be there until 1:30 but we were only at the island from about 9:30-11:45 before we were corralled back to the boats. I'd do it again- but would have liked to know these details going in.

Isla de Pasion is a secluded island off of Cozumel and is such a beautiful beach that is not to be…read moremissed. There are many ways to get there -- by ferry, by private boat/catamaran, or car. On Thursday, my husband and I rented a jeep and drove to the fishing pier at Laguna Ciega. Note: You will need a jeep to get to Laguna Ciega. I would not recommend walking. Once you leave downtown and start driving for a while, you will end up in front of a dirt road, where the road becomes bumpy and requires off-road driving. A regular car will not be able to handle the dips, which are pretty major. Depending on the weather there could also be muddy water. The dirt road is wide enough for one car, so be mindful of cars that could come from the opposite direction. Despite the off-road driving, we still arrived within 30 minutes. Cozumel is not a large island. We parked our rental car and got on a boat with a local who offered to take us across to la Isla de Pasion for 100 pesos per person each way. We agreed that we would pay him half of total when he gets us to la Isla de Pasion, and then the other half when he takes us back to Laguna Ciega. The boat ride was quick and took about 5-10 minutes. Isla de Pasion was incredible. The water was clear and the waves were super gentle. There is a beach club on site; however, my husband and I settled down in our own little section of the beach. We stayed for about 3 hours, swimming, and having a picnic with food and beers that we brought. As we were leaving around 1:30pm, we noticed there were a lot more people on Isla de Pasion. Definitely get to the island EARLY so you can enjoy it when it is less crowded.

We had an amazing time at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, located just north of Tulum. If you haven't been to…read morethis cenote, I highly recommend it. This is a cave / underground cenote. We visited Taak Bi Ha through My Quest Concierge Private Tours, booked through Viator as "VIP Tulum Private Tour." Taak Bi Ha was the last of three stops on our day tour. My wife and I couldn't have been happier with My Quest. For details, including how much we paid, see My Quest's Yelp page here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-quest-concierge-private-tours-playa-del-carmen In regard to Taak Bi Ha, My Quest took care of transportation to and from, parking, tickets, translation with on-site staff, pictures, and a personalized guided tour. We entered the cenote just after 12:15pm on a Monday. We stayed until about 1:30pm. During that time, the cenote wasn't crowded at all. There were other groups, but not many. The cenote opening is narrow and steep (watch your head). As soon as you enter and take a look at the cenote from the first elevated platform, the view is stunning. This cenote is an example of nature at its finest. Cenotes have formed over millions of years. Inside, there are man-made platforms which are great for taking pictures. We put on life vests, provided at the check-in shack, and we had our own snorkeling gear and flashlights from My Quest. We got into the water and our My Quest guide gave us a full tour of the cenote, including a pitch-black section where our flashlights and my phone light were our only sources of light. We also swam through a tiny hole to get there. It was wild: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4_KKkAOYzd/?hl=en The water was cold. Bring water shoes to protect your feet. Snorkeling with flashlights is definitely the way to go as you'll be able to see the amazing caves, flowstones, stalagmites, etc. underwater. There's also beautiful coral and stalactites. Bring a waterproof camera. I used a waterproof phone pouch to take my pictures and videos. The water was so clean, clear, and blue. In addition, we saw bats. My wife absolutely loved the experience. She was incredibly happy and thought the cenote was so cool from a nature and science perspective. For her, this cenote was one of the highlights from our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. I agree. She described the cenote as "other-worldly" and "like being on another planet." Cenote Taak Bi Ha has an official Instagram page @cenote_taak_bi_ha: https://www.instagram.com/cenote_taak_bi_ha/?hl=en They've even done weddings here! https://www.instagram.com/cenotetaakbiha/?hl=en Funny enough, inside the cave as soon as we entered, there was a sign posted with a QR code to connect to the cenote's Wi-Fi network. Restrooms and changing rooms are available outside.

Taak Bi Ha is a underground/cave ceynote that is privately owned by a Mayan family. It's deep in…read morethe Dos Oros ceynotes area - you'll turn off the main highway and go for several kilometers, past several other (larger, more commercial) ceynotes. When we arrived, we were the only ones there. Like other places, you need to shower off any sunscreen etc before entering. No bug spray either so move quickly because the short walk through the jungle will have you swarmed! The entrance is through a small cave opening with a very steep flight of steps - wear water shoes and watch your head! Once inside, you'll be in a wonderland! Crystal clear blue water, swooping bats (lots of them!!) and beautiful stalagtites and stalagmites everywhere. I understand why these spaces were considered sacred to the Maya - it is truly another world. We didn't swim but you certainly can. This is an especially good place for divers - we were told that the caves here connect to a much larger system (and ultimately the largest underwater cave system in the world). Really happy we had the opportunity to check this place out!!

Super fun adventure! The lagoon ride was so fun, and we saw a bunch of island creatures. The only…read moredownside was the businesses in the park require payment to use their beach chairs and stuff, even though you already have to pay to get into the park.

The park has a lot to offer if you're an explorer and like to site see. Unfortunately, I went on a…read morewindy day so was not able to enjoy any snorkeling (not the park's fault). The boat ride was short and sweet - saw one big croc. There's a variety of wildlife to observe, a trail to walk thru the forest, and a couple observation towers. The light house was fantastic! The museum under was nicely put together, however if you're a history buff, you'll need to be able to read Spanish fluently. Many areas to stop along the road and walk the shoreline. I rented a vehicle and was on my own terms to do what I wanted when I wanted - highly recommend. The only reason I gave a 4 stars instead of 5 is because the road is long and from beginning to end it is absolutely treacherous! It cost me $22.00 USD to enter.

Our 2nd time to Tulum Ruins was great! We joined a tour this time and enjoyed it. Our guide was…read moreknowledgeable and very accommodating when questioned. We went on a March weekend and was surprised it was not crowded which was great. I would love to come back during sunset next time - the dramatic scenery, combining ancient ruins with a beautiful beach and the ocean view, will definitely be worth it!

Absolutely worth the visit. The setting is hard to beat, ancient ruins perched above turquoise…read moreCaribbean water with a steady ocean breeze the whole time. The walking paths are easy, the grounds are well kept, and there are plenty of viewpoints where you'll stop every few minutes just to take photos. It does get hot and crowded, especially mid-day, but if you go earlier or later it feels much more relaxed and you can really take in how unique the location is compared to other archaeological sites. The beach access below the cliffs is a huge bonus and makes the experience more than just a history stop. Bring water, sunscreen, and patience, but the views alone make it worth it. You will see plenty of iguanas. :)

You can skip it and never feel FOMO…read more I wanted paradise, but what I got was... well, Playa Palancar. Yes, it's technically a beach, but let's not pretend every patch of sand in Cozumel is created equal. The Good: It's easy enough to get to, and you can rent chairs, grab food, and say you've been to one of the island's "popular" beaches. The Not-So-Good: Drinks here are expensive -- and when I say expensive, I mean "why am I paying tourist-bar prices for a soda that tastes like pee?" Expensive wouldn't sting so much if the quality matched, but it doesn't. The sand? Mushy. The beach? Leaves a lot to be desired. The vibe? More "crowded pit stop" than "Caribbean escape." 5.00 sodas should not taste like they were brewed in a bathtub. Playa Palancar can be skipped. Cozumel has better, prettier, and more authentic beaches without the overpriced drinks and mushy sand. If you want the Caribbean dream, keep moving -- this isn't it. Playa Palancar proves not all beaches are created Instagram-ready.

$20 entry fee per person. Was told we'd each get chairs and umbrella but there weren't any…read moreavailable.

Sian Ka'an will forever be a special place. Not just because it's an UNESCO world heritage site,…read morebut because of it's natural beauty, biodiversity and the fact that I got engaged here. I highly suggest getting out on a boat to tool around the reserve, photograph the Beautiful birds, check out the manitees, and float in the Mayan channels. It's a special place!

This review is for Punta Allen, at the end of the Sian Ka'an bioreserve. Holy moly where do I…read morestart? We were thinking about a day trip to Holbox, but we met a local Yucatan couple at a cenote one day that said Punta Allen would be a much better option. The main deterrent is the road to get there, and that's what keeps the place such a hidden gem. They told us we would be fine in our little tiny rental car, but every blog/article online said you needed a 4x4. I read horror stories about getting stuck in the sand and the idea of getting a flat on a tiny strip of land in the middle of the ocean with nobody around for miles definitely scared us. We proceeded to ask local people, and they pumped us up to go, so off the hell we went! It was definitely the craziest drive I've ever experienced. There are so many dips everywhere, if you're not a good driver or a nervous driver it might not be a good idea. It is also one of the most beautiful drives through the jungle with glimpses of the ocean every now and then and watch out for the iguanas crossing the road. And then finally you reach the little town of Punta Allen, with no cell phone service and electricity only at certain times of the day. Amazing. There are plenty of eco tour options in the area, they're all connected so you're going to get the same price and tour. We were having lunch at one of the restaurants on the beach, and one of the tour boats was right there, so we finished up our super fresh seafood lunch and got right on the boat. Our host was amazing and man can he drive a boat! He's a local that's dedicated to this and knows this part of the ocean like the back of his hand. He took us to see dolphins, then to see sea turtles, then to snorkel around the coral reefs, and finally to the "natural pool." This was such an amazing experience! This was one of the most magical experiences in Tulum, which is already magical. The hardest roads sometimes lead to the most beautiful places. I don't know whose bumper sticker I read that on but it fits. The rough journey makes it that much sweeter, and I'm so glad we made it.

Very cool experience! The water was very clear you could see everything. We went with a tour guide,…read moreAngel Pepper, who made the experience great! He told us about the different fish and wildlife we may see and made us feel safe and have fun. There was a lot to explore and it was so beautiful. Highly recommend!!

Small cenote with opening into the ocean. It doesn't have caves but definitely you will see plenty…read moreof fish.

First off, do not use Apple maps to find this place as it will divert you to some dive shop in the…read moremiddle of town. You'll need to use Google maps to get you to the exact location. This was our very first cenote on this trip. It's 500 pesos for adults and 250 pesos for kids that are less than 4'5" or so. Cash only. (If paying in US dollars, it's $30 US and $15 for children.) Be sure to collect your ticket. There is free parking out front as well. Once you go in, there are outdoor showers that you are expected to use to rinse off. No sunscreen is allowed. And before you get your Personal Flotation Device (PFD), they will check that you have showered. However, no one is actually watching you as you rinse off as some reviews have mentioned. They'll also provide a snorkeling mask too. You'll need to walk down some stairs and there's an option to rent a locker for 30 pesos. Some people left their belongings unattended, but you'll get a key for your locker and they'll hold your ID card until you return the key. It's a small area to snorkel around and you'll see a lot of turtles. There are some darker areas, and a waterproof flashlight would have been very useful during those parts. The water is super clear, so let's keep it that way. There's a large grassy area to dry off and relax. I would suggest bringing some snacks if you want to relax out in the sun because it does get cold in the water after awhile. There are no in and out privileges though. Overall, it's a nice little cenote to visit. I would recommend 1-2 hours depending on how much time you want to swim around. Park hours: 8:10 am to 4:45 pm, last entrance at 4:15 pm.

One of the best cenotes in Tulum. The entrance cost at the time of this review was 500 pesos in…read morecash per person. They didn't have any ATM and they didnt accept credit. Locker rental was 30 pesos and equipment rental (livejacket) was included, just need to leave a security (ID, passport, etc) The experience was amazing as you get to swim along fish and turtles. You get to see them in action underwater. The sights underwater are incredible. The water is pretty clear and a bit chilly at the beginning but as you keep on swimming your body temperature adapts to it and it gets used to it Overall, it was really pretty and an amazing experience. Definitely worth coming here and checking it out. : )