Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[pao2134]

I have 20 days to travel from Cancun to Belize and back starting next week. I am planning on spending the first few days in Isla Mujeres and then head down. I don't have anything planned, but I'd like to see some lonely beaches, hopefully I can do yoga along the way, diving and eat well. Also, I am traveling on a tight budget. Do you have any suggestions on what places I should hit? I'd like to avoid touristy places and resorts at all costs!!

[mmbcross]

You should be able to do quite well as long as you keep away from the luxury resorts and all-inclusives. There are plenty of very inexpensive accommodations all the way down to Placencia in Belize. I suggest you skim these sites to see what you can find. You have a huge number of alternatives, so take an hour or two to study your options.

I suggest you visit:
Playa del Carmen - http://www.travelpod.com/s/playa+del+carmen
Cuzumel - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Cozumel
Tulum - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Tulum
Chetumal just to change from the Mexican bus system to a Belizean bus. Keep in mind that Belize will be a bit more expensive than Mexico.
Ambergris Caye (the most expensive part of Belize) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/ambergris+caye
Caye Caulker (Poor man's Ambergris) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Caye+Caulker
Dandriga - http://www.travelpod.com/s/dandriga
Placencia (The jewel) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Placencia

Once you have decided on your stops, access Trip Advisor, which covers accommodations from 5-star to no-star-at-all, complete with guest surveys.

This should cover 20 days, or it could cover 20 years. It's your call!

Enjoy

[pao2134]

Thanks for your answer! What about the Sian Ka'an reserve? Is it worth it? Are there any other beaches along the Mexico strip that are worthwhile staying at instead of the obvious three, especially between Playa del Carmen and Tulum? ie. Xcaret, Akumal, Xel-ha?

You should be able to do quite well as long as you keep away from the luxury resorts and all-inclusives. There are plenty of very inexpensive accommodations all the way down to Placencia in Belize. I suggest you skim these sites to see what you can find. You have a huge number of alternatives, so take an hour or two to study your options.

I suggest you visit:
Playa del Carmen - http://www.travelpod.com/s/playa+del+carmen
Cuzumel - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Cozumel
Tulum - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Tulum
Chetumal just to change from the Mexican bus system to a Belizean bus. Keep in mind that Belize will be a bit more expensive than Mexico.
Ambergris Caye (the most expensive part of Belize) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/ambergris+caye
Caye Caulker (Poor man's Ambergris) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Caye+Caulker
Dandriga - http://www.travelpod.com/s/dandriga
Placencia (The jewel) - http://www.travelpod.com/s/Placencia

Once you have decided on your stops, access Trip Advisor, which covers accommodations from 5-star to no-star-at-all, complete with guest surveys.

This should cover 20 days, or it could cover 20 years. It's your call!

Enjoy

[starlagurl]

Did you check the blogs on TP yet? There are a bunch: http://www.travelpod.com/s/blogs/Sian+Ka%27an+reserve

[mmbcross]

Sian Ka'an reserve is mostly wilderness and wetlands. Access to beaches are from Punta Allen, and its not all that easy to get to.
http://www.travelpod.com/s/punta+allen
Watch out as this site is mixed up with some blogs from Punta Arenas, Chile.
Akumal - not really worth it, you will see much better along the way.
Xcaret - A disneyesque nature park. My grand children loved it. It's expensive, but if you have the time and finances, you might give it a try. Don't cry if you give it a miss.
http://www.travelpod.com/s/Xcaret
Xel Ha - Interesting rock pools for snorkelling. It's just off the route, so it can't do any harm visiting it. To my mind, it's the best of the three, and it won't break the bank.
http://www.travelpod.com/s/Xel-ha