Lurking no more

[athome773]

After lurking for the past couple of years we are
finally going to post.

Back before we had kids and life was simple we were
Vallarta fans, going there two or three times a year.
We used to stay at the Camino Real. It has since
changed ownership/names, but back when we frequented
it the level of service and amenities were unrivaled.


In 1999 some friends of ours invited us on a trip to
Cancun. We had never stayed at an "All Inclusive"
before. Our friends joked that it was a combination
Motel 6 and Denny's with unlimited beer. If only that
had been true! Of the 7 nights we were there they ran
out of beer by 9 pm twice and the food would not have
even made it to Denny's scrap table. We vowed never
to go back to Cancun or to an All Inclusive again.

Then we had kids.

Kids and vacation could be defined as oxymoronic.
Unless thoroughly planned with few expectations,
taking children away from their home for seven days
can be anything but relaxing. With that in mind we
thoroughly researched vacation destinations and
decided Mexico would be a good choice due to our
familiarity with the language and culture. We know
how to ask where is the bathroom, how much, and please
bring the bill. Vallarta, however, did not seem to be
a good option due to the fairly rough nature of the
surf in most areas and the necessity of taking cabs
(without car seats or set belts) everywhere. We knew
we did not want to go back to Cancun again, but loved
the idea of bringing the kids to the Gulf side of
Mexico. Our travel agent recommended Playa Del
Carmen. That was in 2000. We have since been back
six times and are returning on Saturday 12/30/06 for
seven days.

We have stayed at Rius, Iberostars, the Gala, and most
recently the Catalonia Riviera Maya. All are
all-inclusives, but anyone who has paid $9 for a
hamburger only to have their 6 year old take one bite
and tell you they are not hungry can understand the
logic behind that. We are returning again to the
Catalonia this time. The kids really like it there.
Their favorite parts are the kids' club, the choclate milk.

I will post some photos if I can figure ou how and am available for any questions before we leave (in 3 days!) or after we return.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

[Bumper]

[SunKneeMarie]

welcome out of lurkerdom!! and that $9 hamburger comment really hit home for me!!! when we go back with all the kids, we'll probably do an AI again... if we ever go back as just a couple, we'll probably stay in town.

welcome to the forum... would love to see your pics/read a report when you get back!!

[WornOutTire]

Originally Posted by athome773

will post some photos if I can figure ou how and am available for any questions before we leave (in 3 days!) or after we return.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Welcome!! (Subtle different shade on the mat Bumper?)
Search the forums for "Photobucket" "Flickr" "link photos". You will find plenty of ways... I didn't know how until I tried it here...

[fireinmn]

Welcome! Have a great trip!