less tourist-y towns along the RM?

[coppergoddess13]

My FSIL wants to go to a more 'authentic' Mexican city either before or after our wedding, and she has invited FI and I to join them for a fun trip extension. I'm not really wanting to pay extra for a multi-city plane ticket (flying into one place, out of another), and for a flight within the country, as would be required if we went to Mexico City, so I'm looking for options along the RM that allow for a less tourist-y experience. Any suggestions? We are going to be in Puerto Aventuras for the wedding portion of the trip, but we are willing to go farther down the coast, if there are any great cities farther down (or a bit inland as well). Thanks ladies!

[Bianca]

Maybe Tulum?

[rodent]

my wedding was in puerto aventuras. the town of paamul is a couple of miles north from PA. it's more authentic. it's where locals go for a beach. we had the beach to ourselves. everyone was in this open air restaurant while we were there.

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...957#post440076 there are some pics of paamul here

[Sascha Gluck Photography]

Try to look up Playa del Secreto, Akumal, Pamul or Tankha ( Casa Cenote ) Casa Cenote

[PaulSchrank]

I've lived here for four years and I've explored up and down the coast. You can go to Tulum and go south on the beach road. You can gop very far south and the resorts on the coast become more and more remote. Not exactly authentic Mexican. If you want that, go to Merida, but it is not on the coast. Further south of Tulum, almost to Belize is Bacalar. This place is really amazing, it's an inland lake where the cenote water meet the sea waters. it's called the lagoon of seven colors because the different water types and mixes of, create distinct shades of blue in the lagoon. if you can get yourself a raft or small boat it would be much more fun. You can buy a two person raft to row in Playa del carmen at Wal-Mart or mega for about $50-$60. There are small hotels on the lagoon and the city of Bacalaar which is small but authentic. The trip from The RM will take you through Carillo Puerto which is a very authentic mexican town. You can also stop in Majuhual, which is a strange little town on the a beautiful coast. it was hit by a hurricane last year, so was Bacalaar so i don't know what they are like now. I imagine things are back to normal now. There is a town between cancun and Playa called Puerto Morelos. This is a tourist town but it's much smaller and has a different vibe. It's very easy to get to Tulum and Puerto Morelos from anywhere in the RM so they are a good place to start. Merida may be yopur best bet for authenticity, but I admit, I have not yet been there. It's about 5-8 hours from the RM. All of these places can be reached by buses or you can drive a rental car.

[jlj1176]

Thanks for the information on Bacalar, Mexico. I am getting married in June 2009 in the RM. We have been trying to decide on what to do for our honeymoon. After seeing your post and doing some research on the area - it sounds like the perfect honeymoon spot!

[lambert13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayaWeddings I've lived here for four years and I've explored up and down the coast. You can go to Tulum and go south on the beach road. You can gop very far south and the resorts on the coast become more and more remote. Not exactly authentic Mexican. If you want that, go to Merida, but it is not on the coast. Further south of Tulum, almost to Belize is Bacalar. This place is really amazing, it's an inland lake where the cenote water meet the sea waters. it's called the lagoon of seven colors because the different water types and mixes of, create distinct shades of blue in the lagoon. if you can get yourself a raft or small boat it would be much more fun. You can buy a two person raft to row in Playa del carmen at Wal-Mart or mega for about $50-$60. There are small hotels on the lagoon and the city of Bacalaar which is small but authentic. The trip from The RM will take you through Carillo Puerto which is a very authentic mexican town. You can also stop in Majuhual, which is a strange little town on the a beautiful coast. it was hit by a hurricane last year, so was Bacalaar so i don't know what they are like now. I imagine things are back to normal now. There is a town between cancun and Playa called Puerto Morelos. This is a tourist town but it's much smaller and has a different vibe. It's very easy to get to Tulum and Puerto Morelos from anywhere in the RM so they are a good place to start. Merida may be yopur best bet for authenticity, but I admit, I have not yet been there. It's about 5-8 hours from the RM. All of these places can be reached by buses or you can drive a rental car.

Yup. What he said.

As far as I know, Majuhual is pretty much back up and running now. There is still a bunch of damage, but inns and hotels are open and everyone down there sure would appreciate the business.

[TATrisha]

I've been to Majuhual and it is BEAUTIFUL! Probably the prettiest place I've ever been. It's so funny because it's just down the road a couple miles from Costa Maya which is a cruise port... but not many people know about it. It's awesome!

[coppergoddess13]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Now I have a lot of additional research to do!

[RoryS]

We went to Majuhual on cruise stop in Costa Maya in 2007. It is such a charming town and what I pictured Cancun might have been like many, many years ago. My husband and I were supposed to go to Cancun for our honeymoon in 1976, but the travel agent said they only had 6 hotels and had some problems with frequent power outages and problems getting enough help!! I guess things have changed since then...