Cancun

It really depends on what you're looking for. The Cancun hotel area is busier, noiser, more crowded. I personally love Playa del Carmen. There are some amazing resorts in that area that are just as good or better than in Cancun. Playa del Carmen is my vote!

It really depends on what you're looking for. The Cancun hotel area is busier, noiser, more crowded. I personally love Playa del Carmen. There are some amazing resorts in that area that are just as good or better than in Cancun. Playa del Carmen is my vote!

I prefer totally non-resort areas - Valladolid, Merida, even Tulum (although it's getting way too touristy and more resort like). I've stayed in Cancun many times but only due to a friend's timeshare....the beaches are soft and beautiful but you're basically "stuck" at your resort unless you take the local bus or have a rental car. The local and long distance buses in Mexico are great.

Playa - hands down! Stay in town - not at one of the outlying resorts. Then you can walk to different restaurants and shop. The surf in Cancun is really rough - it will have its way with you! Playa has much gentler waves - Cozumel acts as a natural break.

Another vote for the Playa del Carmen area! My husband and I rented a house in Playacar last year, and we loved it. It was a little removed from the main part of town and had a beautiful, more private beach one block away. However, we were still within walking distance to Playa del Carmen for restaurants and shopping.