Tulum & Akumal are both on the shore. Tulum has a little more of the "beachy" shoreline. Coba is set behind the other two. It's the newest section, larger rooms, a few more perks. It really all depends on what you're looking for. I would read back aways in the reviews for each of them, then make your decision. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

We were setting up a Jamaican trip during that same time frame (went 1/24-1/31), I looked at the Bahia Runaway Bay, but decided to go with the RIU Ocho Rios instead because the Bahia was just set to open and I wasn't sure if it was going to be ready when I was booking (end of Nov.). In hindsight, I'm glad we didn't go to the Bahia! At least you received the vouchers for your trouble!

You'll enjoy the Riviera Maya Bahia.

We haved stayed at both Tulum and Akumal and toured Coba. If I were to go back, I'd pick Akumal. The rooms are all Jr Suites, the pool is laid out in a way that you don't feel cramped or crowded and there's more shaded seating available. Akumal has a more intimate feeling overall. Plus the swimup bar is more fun.

We got a voucher from GBP for the "all inclusive" portion of the stay - hotel, meals, drinks.....we still have to pay for airfare.....approx $1200 from what I can find. Air Transat also gave us a $500 voucher each....so that will take care of a portion of the airfare.

I am just not really sure how we will go about booking using the voucher.....I am not sure if we will be able to use the airtransat transport bus or not.

BBum

if i'm not mistaken, air transat books akumal....... but that's for their packages.

Personally Beach Bum 001, I would definitely stay on the Tulum side (sorry Sandy), but it just seems more spread out and closer to the Hacienda (Disco). Now having said that, the whole resort is very beautiful and it is our favourite place to go. We never stay at the same hotel twice, but somehow we keep going back to the Bahia.

I think the Akumal side is better for families, the Tulum side seems better for younger people. When we were there, the activity pool always seemed to be hopping, fun stuff going on. The Akumal activity pool seemed to have more kids joining in the games. But, I suppose it really depends on who's there when you are! The Tulum is closer to the Hacienda, and that's where the late-night action is, so it makes more sense that you'd want to stay there if you're more into the night-life.

giving my two cents (come on guys, you can't be THAT surprised!)....i much preferred the tulum side to what i saw last week. akumal was really really crowded - couldn't even get a chair at the main pool or beach. i think everyone must've been there :) the tulum side, to us, was way more laid back - and north american (not that that makes a difference). i would do diamond club/hacienda club again - cuz it gives you one extra "quiet" pool to hang by. depends, ultimately, on what you're looking for - gbp has something for everyone.

Hi Beach Bum, my husband and I went last year (we're 26) and stayed at Tulum. We found that the reception was a lot quieter, the beach and pool are more quiet, and we had free access to internet (I don't think that's the case at Akumal). The beach there is a lot harder to get into, though, so we would walk to the akumal side for a less rockier entry (we didn't have water shoes).

We did walk around and akumal/tulum seem to be better choices, Coba just seemed so far from everything.

Good luck and don't forget to feed the fishies!

Hey Beach bum, firstly if you are booking through an airline (Air Transat), you could probably arrange to hitch a ride with them to whatever part of the resort is deemed with your tour company because, quite frankly, whatever the tour company you booked with for your Jamaica trip will determine which side you stay on. You can't go wrong with either Tulum or Akumal. As for the beach on the Akumal side, friends from my office just returned not too long ago and yes it is crowded, because they have to share the beach with the people staying at Coba...we are thinking of taking a little walk along the beach closer to Tulum, I have seen how close everyone is on the Akumal side of the beach and we are staying there this year only because it was too late to book the Tulum side, but having said that both sides are beautiful. We will see the first couple of days how we feel about the beach situation...it isn't that far along the beach to Tulum. All in all, it is an awesome resort and you will have a blast.

We just returned--we stayed at Tulum and walked down to Akumal--it was very crowded that way, nowhere to "plop". On the north side of Tulum I was able to find a place to sit at the beach or pool at all different times of the day. Very peaceful on that side. I would probably request to stay that way on a return visit.