Hi Liz:

I don't have children so I cannot say if it is difficult to be on the beach with a child or not. But I can say that there is nothing like sleeping right on the beach in a bungalow and hearing the waves crash at night. Where I stayed, some families had children and they did not seem to have any issues. Plus I would think that the beach would be more exciting for an 8 year old than town but again I cannot say for sure. I know the beach is supposed to be lights out after 11 but when I went to the bathroom at 3 am, I turned the light on and it worked, go figure. I was also debating beach v town since it seemed like the places in town were alot cheaper. I am really glad I picked the beach.

We always stay on the beach. I have 2 kids and have been taking the youngest since he was 3 months old - he's now 5 (the other is 10 yrs older). With kids who love to dig in the sand, I can't imagine having to stay in town...on the beach, you literally open the door and you are on the beach.

Some places do have 24 hr elec: Tita Tulum might, La Luna, La Zebra, Nueva Vida, Ocho. And there's more.

Traveling in Aug, you will want a beachfront room with a ceiling fan. Ocho has one beachfront room that has two double beds - that would be my first choice to look into.