Where to go in Mexico - beach, snorkeling and ruins?

Question

I am looking for someplace off the beaten bath, quiet and non touristy. Also, close to or on a nice beach as well as the possiblity of checking out some ruins or doing some other active land activities. I am having a hard time finding a place that isn't a touristy resort or party place. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

Puerto Vallarta - then head inland and go to less popular beaches/hotels ... close to ruins

Answer 2

You apparently haven't looked very hard.Mexico has over ten thousand kilometers (6000 miles) of shore line.There are literally hundreds of places "off the beaten bath/path that are quiet and non touristy close to or on a nice beach."

Many,but not all of them, are very close to archaeological sites(ruins) and often have areas for snorkeling and surfing.

A lady friend and I recently spent three months in Mexico,a month each at two different small, little known, beach communities. One on the Pacific and the other on the Gulf of Mexico.Both beaches had an abundance of inexpensive,fresh seafood,and fresh fruit as well as several small,low cost,clean and comfortable family owned hotels and restaurants.We spent our third month touring in and around Mexico city and several of the colonial cities plus some amazing, seldom visited archaeological sites.

I'm confident the total cost for our "three months" in Mexico would be the same or perhaps less than the cost of a "three week" stay for two at a typical all-inclusive resort in Cancun or Cabo San Lucas.I guess it depends on how and where you want to spend your time & money.

Buena suerte con su investigación!

juan23

edit: I think "SF" and rhino720 have given you an excellent suggestion. Tulum is a beautiful location and one that you should be able to find all of the information you need to "set up something by internet".The places I stay and am speaking of, are usually not near an international airport,have no websites,color brochures,booze cruises,all inclusive options,jeep tours,para sailing or air conditioned vans to transport you and your luggage. As much as I would like to help you with your apparent dilema I am just a simple traveler not a travel agent.

I never make reservations and if I plan an itinerary it is always loose, flexible and subject to change at any time.I just go and let things happen as they may and I'm seldom dissappointed.

Regarding your request for more details and names,surely you can understand that by posting the 'specific' locations  and/or hotels in a public forum such as this is would be counter-productive to protecting their current ambiance and allure.I'm not trying to be elusive or evasive by not naming names,just protective.I would like to return to both of these places again in the future without finding  a bus load of drunk and obnoxious spring breakers from north of 'la linea' who heard about it on Yahoo Answers. Thank you for your consideration. I wish you a memorable trip.

Answer 3

I strongly suggest you check out the beaches at Tulum.  Staying there, you will barely know you are just an hour and a half from crowded Cancun.  The beach there has to be one of the world's most beautiful.  Mid-winter and August will find somewhat larger crowds, but the rest of the time, you might see only a few others on the beach.

Although many of the beach cabañas are very rustic and have only limited electricity, there are some that are fully air-conditioned and quite luxurious.  

The Tulum ruins are a short taxi or bike ride away.  And the town of Tulum (a mile or so from the beach) provides lots of dining variety, some nightlife, and great people-watching.  (If you go there, get some chicken at Pollo Bronco - you won't regret it!)  Coba ruins are also nearby, and there are many opportunities for other land activities with jungle zip-lining, cenotes (underground caves/lakes) and ATV tours all within a short drive from Tulum beach.

Answer 4

Here's another vote for Tulum.  Check out the reviews for the Posada Luna del Sur on tripadvisor.com below.

Answer 5

The Tulum suggestion is good, for all the things you are looking for, beach, snorkeling, ruins, active land activities. It may fall short on the "off the beaten path" request. Depending on what your perception is there. It doesn't even come close to Cancun or PDC for touristy but there is more and more development in the area all the time. The plus is that Tulum is easy to get to, it's a simple, straight 90 minute drive from the Cancun airport.

If you can go south of Tulum, even a little you will see much lest tourist traffic.

Another option that would certainly qualify as off the beaten path would be Xcalak and Mahahual. That's about 4 hours south of Cancun it much more remote, pretty brilliant snorkeling. As for ruins you can check out many in the southern end of Quintana Roo and just across the state boarder at Campeche (Rio Bec, Kohunlich, Xpujil, Calakmul and many more) .

The other mention of Gulf Coast beaches may not be the best for snorkeling, except in cenotes, the beaches in the Gulf that I've seen tend to lack water visability. (except, Arrecife Alacranes but thats not easy to get to)

I posted a link on places to stay in Xcalak as it's likely much more difficult to find info on it than Tulum.