Reasons to Visit:
- beautiful quiet location
- conveniently near Cancun
- shallow beach, great for tots
- nearby small town with shops, cafes
- beachside dining
- nearby outing to Garrafon eco-park
- value price point
Bottom Line: This resort offers a value price and a beautiful location. Don't expect a Beaches-type resort with umpteen pools and kids programs; but guests appreciate this quiet spot, so near Cancun, with its lovely beach, and easy walk to a friendly little town.
note: the Avalon Reef Club has had some additions-- see details.
Avalon Reef Club: Features
The Avalon Reef Club is at the northern tip of Isla Mujeres, a small island that's a 20-minute boat ride from tourist mecca Cancun. The Avalon Reef Club is on its own tiny islet. Cross the little wooden bridge, and take a short stroll away to a laid-back little town: resort guests aren't boxed inside a gilded cage.
The Avalon Reef Club has 55 villas, and a pyramid-shaped tower with 83 guest rooms and six suites with Jacuzzis. Standard rooms are small and would not suit families; suites and villas are spacious and 2-bedroom units can sleep six. (See pix.)
Activities
The main attraction at the Reef Club is the beach-- great for kids because it's shallow and gentle. (No lifeguard, though.)
The pool is simple* compared to the elaborate creations at some all-inclusives, and during our visit it wasn't heated -- which is typical of many all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean.
The Wild Things Kids Club had a playground and a clubhouse with daily activities for ages 4 to 12, such as arts, crafts, beach fun, movies, videogames. The Kids Club was small but the staff was friendly with their little brood.
Grown-up activities might offer yoga or a bike tour. Entertainment includes Mexican Party Night with good buffet, Casino Night and Caribbean Show.
The watersports shop provides gear for on-site snorkeling; always best to bring your own, so you can go when you like. (Watersports shacks typically close quite early.)
The Avalon Reef Club had a small spa, with massage tables outdoors by the sea, a wedding gazebo in a scenic spot, and a helpful wedding coordinator.
Outings
At the watersports shack, trips are scheduled to the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Snorkeling on this reef can be terrific, but make sure the sea is calm if you're taking kids. (This is not an all-included activity!)
Other popular outings include: sunset catamaran cruise, fishing trip, Jungle Tour (- drive your own speed boat through the mangrove forest with a guide, then snorkel at a coral reef; kids welcome.)
The most popular outing on Isla Mujeres is Garrafon National Park: Part natural park, part eco-theme-park, Garrafon is operated by the same company as the popular Xcaret and Xel-ha eco-parks on the Mayan Riviera. Garrafon offers snorkeling, zip-lines, bungee-jumping, sea-trekking, snuba, hammock garden, restaurants. Buy a package with meals and activities and spend the whole day.
Finally: an easy outing is a shuttle-boat ride to Cancun; guests can spend the day at the Avalon Grand Resort, enjoying food and facilities free of charge.
Keep in mind about Avalon Reef Club
- check to see what types of meal plans are offered. Some guests prefer to eat at least some meals in the nearby town
- golf carts can be rented, to explore the island
- some guests recommend shopping around for watersport tours
Find out more about Avalon Reef Club:
- take a photo tour
- See the Avalon Resorts site
- check recent visitors' comments at TripAdvisor.com
- Check prices
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
*Always check resort web sites for updates!
