Tulum is a gorgeous small town and it's environmentally protected so there is very little development. Here's a link to a home that I found just doing a quick Google search.

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/19268.html

I mean, there is development, but it's nothing like Cancun or Playa Del Carmen.

Hi Lauren,

You should check out vacationrentals.com where owners post their vacation rental properties online. There are pictures of the rentals along with detailed descriptions. I've rented vacation properties a few times through this site for small and large groups with no problems and have been very satisfied with my experience.

Although all of my vacation rentals have been in the US, they do have rentals in Mexico. You communicate directly with the owners of the rentals, which is great since they can answer any questions you have. Through my experience, the owners respond to your emails promptly and are all pretty friendly.

Good luck in your search!

Hi Lauren!
Mexico has a great selection of beaches without that spring break feeling you talk about. But could you narrow a bit your description? There are little towns which barely have electricity and there are little towns that have lots of comforts. Also, could you tell me if you want to plan some activities like surfing or snorkeling for me to help you narrow your selection of beaches? I'm mexican and it would be a pleasure for me to help you select whats best for you so you can have a great trip!

Lauren,
San Miguel de Allende is the most amazing Mexican destination! No MTV spring Breakers in this town:) It's fabulous Art, Architecture and plenty of rentals!
http://www.internetsanmiguel.com/vacation_rentals.html

good luck.

Lauren

Thanks for the suggestions so far!
jesuis*sublime-
To narrow down my search, we are looking to do some activities but not anything that a big resort would offer. we are looking for a small town that has a restaurant or two.
We are looking on the Pacific coast, though. does that narrow it down?
God, I love the AT community!

tulum!!! the beaches are beautiful and it is really laid back. i spent christmas there with my family and it was a real vacation.
san miguel de allende is rad too but there is no beach... depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.

Perfect! it does narrow it down, let me tell you. First Oaxaca, it offers lots of little towns almost connected to one another, you can check some out at allaboutoaxaca.com/beachesofoaxaca.htm
You can look beaches in the states of Jalisco and Guerrero, maybe even Chiapas, but that's farther south.
You may not want to ban the caribean just yet. There is this little island just where the gulf of Mexico begins, on the tip of the peninsula, which let me tell you is absolutely magical. It's called Holbox, and it is what I imagine you are looking for. You should really look it up!
If you have more questions or need more help, i'm right here, just ask!

It has been a few years now, but we really enjoyed Sayulita when we visited in 2003 for 4 days. We stayed at Villa Amor and just had the most relaxing time falling asleep to the sound of the waves and waking to watch the surfers while having breakfast on the beach. Aaaah. It was small and underdeveloped without paved roads. Surely things have developed a bit since then, but even then, there were still quite a few delicious restaurant options in town. We saw some gorgeous homes along the coastline under construction.

I have not been, but have heard wonderful things about Punta Mita - more developed than Sayulita and also has some gorgeous homes for rent. (There is also a Four Seasons there)

I lived in Bucerias for about 4 months in 2005. It is about a 40 min. bus ride north of the Puerto Vallarta airport. It is a quiet town that is split between ex-pats and Mexicans.

I rented an apartment throuugh VRBO.com. Check it out, there are several places listed there throughout several price ranges. There is awesome food there and the people are great. It is close to a touristy area but if you and your group don't speak Spanish it is a great place to go for it's easy access and proximity to Puerto Vallarta. There are usually kite surfers to watch on the beach in Bucerias and there are small pubs with cheap, cold bear!

It is a short bus ride from Sayulita which is also a great place. More of a young, alternative vibe there but very unique.

Let me know if you want any more info on the Bucerias area!

Go to Sayulita! I second faq's suggestion, we also stayed at Villa Amor. They have some larger villas there or there are also lots of vacation rental houses in the area I think. We went there two years ago at Christmas/New Years and it was wonderful. Small town square with nice, casual restaurants. Beach isn't the most beautiful in the world, but it is nice and not too crowded. Overall a great place with a very laid back vibe.

You can see our pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremyhollis/sets/72157594467627972/

I'd recommend Tulum too, even though it's not on the Pacific coast... it is an absolutely perfect place for a vacation like this. When I was looking for a place to stay last year, I came across this house/cabana rental which might work for your group.

The only thing I have to add is that, if you choose to go through VRBO.com, choose a place that has lots of feedback (preferably all positive).

I would not advise booking a place that has no feedback - or worse - has the comment feature disabled.

I made this mistake when renting a house in Austin earlier this year and I will not make it again!!

I love Mexico! I recommend Huatulco (in Oaxaca) - great snorkeling, not overcrowded! Or Nayarit (Guadalajara), or Yucatan. There is a great guide book of "Mexican beaches" by "Moon-something". Just don't be a scared tourist! Mexico (and Mexicans) are wonderful.

I do agree with Tulum. I stayed in Tita Tulum. We had our own private cabana right next to the beach. It's also an eco-hotel. Solar powered!

I also suggest Huatulco and Oaxaca. Huatulco I stayed with a friend, so I have no suggestions for where to stay. In Oaxaca there are no beaches, but it's a beautiful Spanish settlement. Fresco buildings and salsa dancing! We stayed in a gorgeous hotel called Hotel La Rosa. It was $30 US/night for two beds, was right next to the Zócalo and had a quaint little courtyard.

But if you really want an amazing Mexican experience, I suggest Isla Holbox (pronounce Hole-bosh). It's a remote island a three hour bus ride from Cancun (and a 1/2 hour ferry ride). There are no cars, white sand roads, turquoise virgin beaches, and a flamingo sanctuary. It's where mexicans go to vacation, so it's much less developed. When you eat at a restaurant you feel like you're eating in someone's home. It's so community-oriented and welcoming.

We loved Oaxaca (the state, not the capitol city oaxaca that is beach-less). Huatulco is great, but perhpas a bit too big-resorty.

There is a small beach called Zipolite near Huatulco that my family loved. Chillest beach I've ever been to, lined with small hotel/restaurants. We ate every meal with our feet in the sand. Lots of good food and super-mellow-hippie-yoga type folks. Look it up.