Viva Azteca in January?

[klassy]

We are booked at the Viva Azteca in January. We have 2 teenagers, 13 and 15 (both boys). Are there lots of activies for them or are they going to be bored? Can anyone give me feedback on things to do there and what the resort is like. Our travel agent recommeded this resort.

Thanks,

Klassy :P

[JJG]

We went to Viva Azteca when last spring break. My teenage daughter ran around with the other english speaking teenagers at Viva Azteca. Based our family's experience, your sons will enjoy this place. Here are the things that I think they will do:

Play volleyball
Play in the afternoon bocce ball tournament against elderly Italians
Play ping pong by the pool
Body surf, boogie board in the waves
Walk along the beach in front of the other resorts and scope out the teens at the other places. It's a long row of resort after resort.
Ride bikes into Playa del Carmen - bikes free at resort, ride is short - a mile and a half, maybe?
Try to get the bartender to pour them beers (there are different color wrist bracelets for the under age kids so they will most likely be unsuccessful, but this was a favorite pasttime of the teenage boys we saw there last time - any time their parents were out of sight)
Walk down to Viva Maya for lunch or dinner so they can eat at a different restaurant than the one you and your spouse are eating at. Only a few resorts down the beach, so we did let our daugther do this with her friends.
Stay up late and go to the goofy shows (some are good, most are goofy) and then hang out at the tables by the pool playing ping pong, playing cards, and talking to the other teenagers there as late as you will let them.
Ogling topless Italian sunbathers.

The disco is small, not too impressive. The week we were there was not a big disco week. The food is fine.

You can scope out what the shows are each night at Maya and Azteca and go to the one that appeals to you more. Or go by the weather - Azteca's theater is sheltered, Maya's is more open air: Beautiful evening? Walk down to Maya. Windy or cool? Stay at Azteca.

If they are willing to meet new friends and have a bit of an adventure, I really think they will like this place. It is small and a lot of the guests don't speak much English, so after a few days they will likely have found the other english speaking teenagers around.

My son - who was 9 - loved this place too. And they did have the cartoon channel in English on cable in the room, if a kid wants to get out of the sun for a while.

If the waves are not too choppy there are nice little catamaran thingies, too. When we were there, it was always too choppy.

Take a day trip to Tulum in a van. inexpensive, educational.

Jennifer

[klassy]

Thanks for the info. My kids are typical teenagers (the more trouble they can find, the better), so they should have fun. I was kicking around Xel-Ha but have heard that it is very expensive and crowded. I am looking forward to some R&R without the kids hounding me. Hubby wants to golf, and I believe there is a golf course closeby. Don't know much about it though. He is an avid golfer.

Anybody have any advice on this resort? I have read such differing opinions from great to terrible that I am a little concerned.

Thanks again,

klassy