best beach, smallest waves

[Vacationaire]

This will be our 4th trip to Playa area, with wife and 2 kids, ages 5 and 8. In the past we have stayed at the IB Tucan/Quetzel, IB Del Mar and Barcelo Colonial. Each had great points, but I am looking for a combination of IB Tucan grounds and jungle feel with the beach and water of Barcelo. The IB Del Mar was awesome, but the ocean (at least when we were there) was choppy, and sometimes too much for the kids. The Barcelo's grounds were a little too manicured for my taste, pools were good, and ocean was great. The Tucan (back when I was there) had the "whales" in the water, but my understanding is that the beach there now is fantastic.
Is there a combination of good beach, typically calm ocean water, and lush grounds that I should be looking at? I am leaning towards the Tucan, but as I remember the rooms were getting dated.
thanks

[Babaloo]

Wave action is contingent on weather and currents.

I don't believe any one beach has a monopoly on "calm"

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Wave action is contingent on weather and currents.

I don't believe any one beach has a monopoly on "calm"

thanks Babaloo, I do realize that weather is going to affect the water, but there can be a big difference based on location, reefs, bays, etc. Are there resorts where due to location the water may tend to be calmer, throwing out the the question of weather and currents?

[Emmy]

Check out the Grand Palladium - very lush jungly (if that's a word) feel to it.
A couple or bays south of Barcelo. My husband and I just stayed there in May - while we are not avid snorklers, we did enjoy the beach there. We've also been to the IB Del Mar - I know what you mean that it does get more "wave action"

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Emmy

Check out the Grand Palladium - very lush jungly (if that's a word) feel to it.
A couple or bays south of Barcelo. My husband and I just stayed there in May - while we are not avid snorklers, we did enjoy the beach there. We've also been to the IB Del Mar - I know what you mean that it does get more "wave action"

thanks Emmy! We loved the Barcelo but the ride down there from the airport was quite the haul. The little one's bladder barely made it! If the Grand Palladium is a longer ride, it could be an uncomfortable ride.

[snappysammy]

you want calm, go to akumal

[Emmy]

I didn't suggest Akumal, because the only AI there is the Akumal Beach Resort. That is no where near the class level vacationaire is looking for based on her request.

Have you checked into taking a private transfer? That way you could stop if needed

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Emmy

I didn't suggest Akumal, because the only AI there is the Akumal Beach Resort. That is no where near the class level vacationaire is looking for based on her request.

Have you checked into taking a private transfer? That way you could stop if needed

thanks for the Akumal information, but that would be a bit far away, even with a private transfer. That's part the reason I like the IB's, get there quicker and we are able to leave the resort a bit later for the airport

[Shammy]

You don't find beaches like you have at the Barcelo north of PDC, unless you're on Maroma beach - and no decent family friendly AI there. The ocean at the IB* complex does tend to be rough most days, that's pretty much how it goes. And the rooms at the Tucan/Quetzal ARE dated, they are in need of an overhaul. NOW Jade is a nice family friendly resort and close to Puerto Morelos, as is Dreams Riviera Cancun, but neither fit your jungle atmosphere criteria. I don't think you're going to find everything you want - close to airport, great beach, calm water, tropical grounds - in one resort.

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Shammy

You don't find beaches like you have at the Barcelo north of PDC, unless you're on Maroma beach - and no decent family friendly AI there. The ocean at the IB* complex does tend to be rough most days, that's pretty much how it goes. And the rooms at the Tucan/Quetzal ARE dated, they are in need of an overhaul. NOW Jade is a nice family friendly resort and close to Puerto Morelos, as is Dreams Riviera Cancun, but neither fit your jungle atmosphere criteria. I don't think you're going to find everything you want - close to airport, great beach, calm water, tropical grounds - in one resort.

thanks Shammy! You are right, we will have to settle on the good and the bad for each resort. Right now I am leaning towards the Quetzel/Tucan, the pools seemed pretty big and nice, and the water is calmer than the IB Del Mar. My youngest (5 years old) being safe in the ocean is damn important, and since she's a water bug, it's hard to keep her out.

[Matt J]

May I suggest Sandos Playacar -- right next door to IB Tucan/Quetzal. Since it's right next door you get some of the same jungle effect. However IMO your children would enjoy Sandos more. Quite a few more kids activities.

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Matt J

May I suggest Sandos Playacar -- right next door to IB Tucan/Quetzal. Since it's right next door you get some of the same jungle effect. However IMO your children would enjoy Sandos more. Quite a few more kids activities.

any thoughts on cost differences between IB and Sandos?

[Emmy]

From just general research using the "red fruit" company the Sandos is usually less than the IB.

Also I apologize in my earlier post referring to you as "her"

I remember just picking a resort based on "brochures" before we had the internet! I think the planning/research is part of the fun

[Vacationaire]

Originally Posted by Emmy

From just general research using the "red fruit" company the Sandos is usually less than the IB.

Also I apologize in my earlier post referring to you as "her"

I remember just picking a resort based on "brochures" before we had the internet! I think the planning/research is part of the fun

Emmy, don't worry about "her", I got a chuckle out of it. I will check out the Sandos, looks like a good alternative.

[racsanone]

The beach at the palladium is very calm wave wise.. beach is nice and sandy...