Stayed at Aventura Mexicana and really enjoyed it. Pool was small (compared to AI) but beautiful at night and generally had it myself, couple of blocks away from the beach. We paid $5 for breakfast and it was delicious. Great location just at the end of 5th Avenue and quiet.

Another nice place is Illusion Boutique which has a pool on top of its roof, comfortable accomodations, and is a block from the beach. Near the heart of 5th Avenue and about 1 - 2 blocks away. Peaceful at night.

If you dont mind being 5 - 6 blocks away from a beach try the Hacienda Vista Real. It is in Playacar which is 5 blocks away from the other end of 5th Avenue/Playa del Carmen. This place is gentel luxury with an onsite spa that will blow you away!

I would also check and see if the Aventura Palace or Moon Palace have any deals in September. Hands down they are the best out there.

I have visited Tourtuga and it is not what I would call rustic. Local flavored boutique resort with touches or luxury.

PL

You can check TA reviews on these hotels and web site will give you prices. Hotel La Tortuga is not at all rustic, I would call it romantic.

Beach Hotels in PDC

Alhambra www.alhambra-hotel.net very good TA reviews

Fusion www.fusionhotelmexico.com Inexpensive, good value

Illusion Boutique Hotel www.illusionhotel.com Very good reviews

Lab Nah www.labnah.com less expensive, good value for the money

Las Palapas www.laspalapas.com

Mosquito Beach Hotel www.mosquitoblue.com poor reviews, but this may be new hotel

Playa Maya www.playa-maya.com almost perfect marks from TA

Playa Palms http://playapalms.com/en/ used to be Blue Parrot, inexpensive, good value

Posada Sian Ka'an www.labnah.com Not much to look at, but folks seem to like it, value

Shangri-la Caribe www.shangrilacaribe.net

Villa Amanecer www.villa-amanecer.com

Mimi del Mar www.mimidelmar.com/ pretty good ratings

Xaman-Ha Condos http://www.xhcondos.com/ Playacar Very high ratings, good place for larger families

"but it looks a bit "rustic" La Tortuga?

REALLY????? Are you looking at the right pics or is my definition of rustic way off? King size bed, plasma TV, modern sinks, glass shower...Now the family I stayed with in Costa Rica had a rustic house. No screens, a few holes but it was a great home.

You might want to look into http://www.pueblitoescondidoresort.com/ but your title says "nice but not expensive." I am a bit confused. Maybe Blue Pearl Suites. Great rates can be found on local hotels at www.cancun.com then come back to TripAdvisor to read the reviews.

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i15504-Great_Ea…

hi all! just got back from magic blue...it was INCREDIBLE!!!! i am picky, picky and it was super nice...i will be posting a thorough review very soon but feel free to message me for details if you need them until then...

We like Playa Maya. It is right on a great beach, is relatively new and extremely clean. You can get a very reasonably priced ocean view balcony and breakfast is included with the room rate, which is served at your table on the beach. There are only about 18 rooms, so it is small, quiet and just around the corner from 5th avenue, about in the middle. They do have an attractive, but small pool. It is very popular.

I second the Playa Maya. Except that if a pool scene is your thing this probably isn't the place for you. Then again since the beach is literally at your front door a pool seems unimportant.

First of all if you are going in September vs February the prices will be significantly less as this is the hurricane season and low season.

If you want an all inclusive the Valentin is new and gets very good reviews. You will probably pay about $240 per night there. There are also deal right now on the new Secret Resorts (there are two scheduled to open in early August).

Royal Playa Del Carmen would be much less than 480. We got it for about 260 a night. In addition, the valentin, many of the secrets, and the RIU Palaces are all on sale. All are nice.

Check out your dates on www.quickrooms.com or www.bookit.com and see- lots of great deals right now.

I'm also trying to find some good deals, but this is what I am finding... an average price for 3 nights is running over $1300.00 for 2. This is for the 'specials' on funjet. Trying to pay for airfare seperately is running so sky high. It almost pays to stay at an all inclusive unfortunately-when you add in the hotel, transfers, food, drinks, etc....

Thank you so much for all the awesome info. You were all exactly right about Tortuga and I was thinking of a different property. It looks beautiful.

After researching all night we were able to find a few great deals on bookit.com for all inclusives that were the same rates as Tortuga. Haven't confirmed anything yet but looks very promising (unless some crazy weather ensues!)Cannot thank you enough for all the info/links/reviews. I love TA!