As i promised with my last post on deciding whether to visit Tulum or Playa del Carmen, here are the all-inclusive resort options with the easiest access to these very popular Riviera Maya towns.

Tulum is an easy one, there is only one all-inclusive resort with easy Tulum access, and that is Kore Tulum Retreat and Spa Resort.  It is a boutique adults-only resort with only 94 suites, and it’s located approximately where all three roads going in and out of Tulum proper meet.  That means guests of this resort can easily get to Tulum shops, restaurants, bars, the actual town area of Tulum, a more usable beach, etc., especially if you rent a bicycle.  While Kore Tulum is beachfront, there is not a usable stretch of beach on-site so guests who want beach access are transported to a nearby beach with ocean swimming opportunities.  The next closest all-inclusive resort with easier access to Tulum would be the family-friendly Dreams Tulum.  That one is north of Tulum proper so you would have to get transportation to and from Tulum proper; it is a 10-15 min. drive south of this resort to reach the town of Tulum.

Playa del Carmen on the other hand offers multiple all-inclusive properties where guests can walk to busy 5th Ave. and shop until they drop.  Don’t forget, Playa del Carmen also has lots of opportunities to dine, drink, party, and people watch, so if this is more your style then you should have no problem in finding an all-inclusive resort which offers great opportunities to experience Playa del Carmen.

Here’s a short list of all-inclusive resorts where you can walk to PDC’s busy 5th Ave.:

• Hilton Playa del Carmen.  This is an adults-only resort with direct beach access.
• Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen.  This is a family-friendly resort with direct beach access.
• Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen.  This is a family-friendly all-inclusive optional resort with direct beach access.
• The Yucatan Resort Playa del Carmen.  This is a boutique adults-only resort just off 5th Ave.  It’s not right on the beach, but the resort has a reserved beach area which is just a short walk away.  If you book the All-Inclusive Plus package with this resort you can also access Hilton Playa del Carmen.
• Mahekal Beach Resort.  This is a family-friendly all-inclusive optional resort with direct beach access.  The only drawback is that it is walkable distance to the northern part of 5th Ave., so to reach the main part of PDC’s shopping area you’d have to walk south quite a distance.

Let’s not forget about Playacar which is directly south of Playa del Carmen.  Almost the entire stretch of beach is devoted to all-inclusive resorts.  I’ve stayed in the Playacar area many times and on several occasions I’ve either walked to PDC’s 5th Ave. or I’ve taken a taxi for about $6 USD.  You can also walk north along the beach from Playacar and you will reach the Cozumel ferry and Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen which is mentioned above.

What do you think?  Would you like to stay at an all-inclusive in Tulum or Playa del Carmen?