Swimming is very important to my husband and me as well. Cancun, for the most part, has very rough waves and currents, which allow for body-surfing, boogie-boarding, but make it less enjoyable (and sometimes dangerous) for swimming. The city is shaped as the number 7, so the only calm area is on the top section. Some hotels situated there are Dream,s Riu Palace, Riu Palace Las America, Oasis Viva, Riu Caribe.

You could also look into resorts in Riviera Maya, some of which are better for swimming than others. We stayed at Barcelo Colonial, which had quite calm water (our favorite place so far!), and this year we are going to Grand Palladium. However, most of the resorts outside Cancun and Playa del Carmen do not offer as many entertainment options--not sure how much value you place on that.

I recently came back from 15 days in Cancun and there was basically zero waves, you could not boogie board unless you wanted to use the board as a flotation device. The side of the & the Caribbean side was like a large swimming pool. However I have been there where it has a lot of waves and it is rough. Now the top of the 7 is always calm because it is the Bay of Isla and not the Caribbean, if you do not mind rocks and vegetation in the water and having a greenish tint water vs the turquoise of the Caribbean Cancun is famous for the bay is always swimable

Hmmm...Having stayed at top of the seven a few years ago, at Riu Palace Las Americas, I can tell you for certain that the water in that area is not greenish, full of "vegetation" or rocks, as the other poster would lead you to believe. In fact, if you look at the Tripadvisor pictures for the hotels I mentioned, you will see for yourself. It is absolutely beautiful!

Hi, meli, I can understand your concern. When we stayed at the Riu Palace Las Americas (which is on the top end of the Cancun "7"), the water was perfect for swimming. Very little waves. From what I've learned, hotels along the top of the 7 have calm waters that are great for swimming, while the resorts further down tend to have a rougher surf. Here is a map of the Cancun hotel zone, which should show the location of your hotel. Again, I don't know if location means everything because the water could be different when you travel. Hope this helps!

http://www.cancun.bz/cancunmap.htm

Sorry, forgot to mention that on the link I provided, the Golden Parnassus is listed as the "Golden Crown Paradise," its former name.

Personally, I wouldn't swim any where in Cancun. Its not save and all the beaches are nasty and just gone. But yes, I still go there and love it ... we are balcony or pool people. Its hard to find a nice place to go in this economy and sounds like you guys need one ... just don't go to Cancun with high expectations and you will be fine. I'm planning our Nov. trip there, currently.

wow i really disagree with the previous poster. yes the beaches are not what they used to be, but they are still nice. and i swim every time we go and only in the ocean.

that being said, you do need to book room on the top of the seven if you go there to swim during the winter months. we stay at the riu.it is not the ritz, but it is nice for what we go for. it is gorgeous inside and out. the only thing that is modest are the rooms. and they are very clean and have a great balcony with stunning ocean views.

based on what i think your needs are as far as swimming i would change and go to the riu palace or riu cancun.

there might be some on here who can testify as to how the beach is at another hotel, the excellence playa mujeres. same water as the other 2, but way more luxurious. read those reviews also.

p.s. thank you for the sacrifices your hubby and you and your family make for our country!

OK, then you should stay at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, it's swimmable there ... Only problem there is that entire area is Gross and nasty, (The FAGCA used to be our old "home"), but this area NEVER came back after the hurricane. If you are under 25, it may not matter to you ... my first trip to Cancun was the Cancun Palace. If you're "young" you might /will enjoy an AI at the RUI ... go, have fun, and post your TR!!!!!

If you do not think the water is different colored on top of 7 then look yourself, but it is vastly different especially as you get to the lower KM #. 2 of teh RIU are higher KM and water is not as different but Riu Caribe which is a lower KM is a lot different

go to google maps http://maps.google.com/maps

type in cancun hotel zone, and zoom in. you will see a HUGE difference in water color from top of 7 where it is the bay of isla mujeres to the side where it is the Caribbean Sea