Aventura is where we stayed as well. We loved it but would stay at another Palace resort, Xpu Ha, the next time only becuase we like the estuary and inlet for snorkeling. BIM is correct there is no real beach at Aventura but the resorts offer free shuttle service to the other Palace resorts so that you can do the beach thing. Your all-inlcusive package is good at thiese other places too. We only sat all day in the sun 2 days, the first and last. We took the free shuttle into Playa del Carmen at 9 am and then the ferry to Cozumel for part of the day. The ferry fee is $33 US round-trip for 2 people. The free shuttle will pick you up again in the eveing at 7:20 but it makes for a long day so hail a taxi for $12 US to take you back to Aventura. We did the shuttle both ways. Shopping in Playa was less "in your face" than Cozumel and know that any price give can be beaten, you have to barter. We ate at a nice restuarant on 5th Ave in Playa, sat on the street watching the people and had the best meal. The beach in Playa is fantastic, as well. A server, for lack of a better term, brought the drinks right to our chaisses. I spent several hours sunning and swimming topless like the locals. Well like some of the locals...some of them use the Carribbean as their bathtub. The best beach we went to was at Tulum. This is the site of some phenominal Mayan Ruins, the workmenship is breathtaking. We went there on a free tour the hotel offered, they offer several, to Xpu Ha and Tulum. The beach here is at the bottom of a cliff that have been cut back by the sea. I would have gone there again had there been more days on our trip. The best part about Aventura is the age is 18+. This is NOT a swingers resort but just kid-free. We enjoyed that part since we left ours at home. Here is a link to all the Palace Resorts if you want a marketing view, and pm me I have some we took if you are interested.
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