With the cold weather, snow, ice and slush approaching, you might be looking for a tropical escape. Allow me to let you in on the highest rated and well priced resort in the Mayan Riviera: The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal located just 80 kms south of Cancun in Mexico's Mayan Riviera.I know there's been a lot of controversy concerning Mexico as a travel destination. Drug wars and exploding resorts aside, I think it's a fabulous destination. The Tucan/Quetzal is located in the Playacar complex, a safe gated community adjacent to the charming town of Playa del Carmen. Safety is not a problem and it's the perfect place to walk a bustling beach and do some great shopping.
This resort is a lush jungle paradise with waterfalls between the buffet restaurants, strutting peacocks on the way to the pool and howler monkeys in the trees outside your room. It's lovely to see all the nature interacting with resort guests and vice versa, making it a great vacation pick for families and couples alike. The winding trails and dim lighting at night might make this resort a bad choice for those suffering from mobility issues, but the resort did have motorized carts to help out. I found all the walking to be a great way to work off those afternoon guacamole binges!
The ITQ has one of the most gorgeous beaches on the Mayan Riviera. Sparking crystal waters, sand like white sugar, and lots of thatched palapas to lounge under. Until recently, the beaches were being reclaimed and that meant unsightly black bags of sand at many beaches a long the coast. Playa del Carmen has now been finished and I believe the beaches at Tulum and Akumal (20 km south) now have the sandbags. Servers will come and get you drinks on the beach but I found it faster to get my own since the bar was not that far. Yes, boys, there are topless sunbathers.
The rooms are very basic, sporting busy bedspreads and hard mattresses, but sleeping was never a problem. The showers are fabulous with perfect water pressure, lots of clean fluffy towels and a terry robe to wrap yourself in after your scrub. Mini bar is stocked with beer, sparking water and pop and there was a welcome bottle of Silver tequila in the room when we arrived.
A la carte restaurants were decent. Some of them still had self serve areas for the appetizers. the Japanese was the least authentic, but the teppanyaki tables were a blast to sit at. Mexican was delicious, Italian featured great decor and the service was stellar. Food was typical restaurant Italian. The buffets were staggering and always had a fresh selection of food. Breakfast was as international or traditionally Mexican as you like. A few of the highlights included roast suckling pig Tacos on mexican night, Grilled Habernero peppers that blew my mind with heat, lightly seasoned and grilled shrimp on the lunch buffet, fabulous guacamole and pic de gallo with fresh tortilla chips down by the beach, and the paella on the beach was simply fantastic. Being greeted with champagne and orange juice or tequila spiked coffee on your way to the breakfast buffet was also a nice touch. My glass was never empty and service staff were always smiling helpful.
Drinks are as strong as you like them. If you want more booze, ask for it and they will pour. The only down side to this resort is the quality of booze. Although I asked for Jose Cuervo, may of the bars didn't have it and what they did pour gave me a screaming hangover. Drinks are made with pre mixed syrups and not with fresh fruit. I was surprised and a bit disappointed at this, but I understand that it is common at many four and even five star resorts along the Mayan Riviera.
The lobby bar on the Quetzal side was a great place to lounge and have a cocktail after dinner and the Tucan lobby bar was where we met many new friends and congregated for drinks before dinner reservations.
Yes, the pools are cold. I prefer the word refreshing as I question why the pool is so warm if it is. Catch my drift?
Entertainment was actually not bad and the productions were quite elaborate. Staff did a great job overall.
This trip cost us $2200 for 2 people for a week. The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal is only one of four all inclusives in the Mayan Riviera that has received over 90% in ratings from travelers and also the one with the best price point. If you're looking for fantastic value, a dreamy beach, great food and an overall amazing vacation, check this place out!!!
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Trip Advisor Reviews
Iberostar Website
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