Playa Del Carmen - Mexico

[Fishinguy40]

I saw Coach's post about Cancun and though I would do something similar. This sight does seem to be a wealth of information for just about anything!

We are going to Mexico for the first time later this month. Never been there so we don't know what to expect. We will be staying at the Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort, which is all inclusive and located near the town of Playa Del Carmen. Curious to hear what others have to say about do's and don'ts for the area. Any recommendations on day trips? Fishing? Our 15 year old daughter will be going with us so any recommendations on teenage activities would also be great!

[Ralph Wiggum]

If you get a chance, go to Tulum. It's impressive and there is a gorgeous beach. Xelha is supposed to be cool, but we didn't make it last time.

[Jakesbuds]

Tulum is very cool as Ralph stated and Xelha is also a very cool place to visit. Never fished in Playa, only flat fishing in Cozumel. If you get a chance to take the ferry to Cozumel, they have excellent scuba / snorkeling there. Tons of reefs and a very nice little main square for shopping and it only costs around $8 US to take the ferry each way. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes. Xelha has a "lazy river" you can float down that opens up into a lagoon that you can snorkel in. There's also some smaller cliffs you can jump off into the lagoon as well. All this costs some money of course. Tulum has an awesome beach and some marvelous cliffs overlooking the ocean. You should really enjoy Playa, it's very nice with beautiful beaches and some very good eating establishments as well.

P.S. i forgot to add these two places are not within walking distance. Usually in downtown Playa you can find package deals that include the park fees (Xelha & Tulum) and use either a taxi service or a greyhound type bus that take you there and back as well. All for a price and you can catch the ferry to Cozumel right in downtown Playa

[GotOne]

Google "trip adviser-playa del carmen" Should get some good info.

[KeystoneLight]

Take the ferry over to Cozumel and rent scooters and tour the island. Make it an all day event so you have time to stop along the many beaches and walk around. Tulum and Chichen Itza are both very cool places to see. Go downtown and shop. Be willing to barter. Try some deep sea fishing, not the greatest but fun.

[machohorn]

I agree with all these. I stayed at the Playa Real, At that time the beach was pertty tore up from the hurricains but still the sun was warm. Dont let your daughter stray downtown by herself at night, Downtown shops are fun at night but a15 yo girl might find a little trouble, Drugs, booze locals etc. Walk the beachs in the morning, great sunrise with coffee, tip! a buck here a buck there. Barter and dont give in, if you visit the shopping area a few times they know who you are and will come down in price The local Policia are friendly The federalis are all bussines. You will know them by thier camo and M16's, You will see them but dont worry, nothing is going on to worry about. I never fished because the reef was tore up. Cozumel is very nice, Tulum great for pics Down by Tulum there is a place where you can go 4 wheeling lots of fun, Taks the greyhound fast and cheap.

[machohorn]

Jeeze my finger are hittin all the wrong buttons today, I know I can spell berrt then this

[machohorn]

Jeeze my fingers are hittin all the wrong buttons today, I know I can spell better then this

[dhuth]

If you are going to go fishing, I suggest you do your research ahead of time. We figured that it couldn't be too bad and we'd catch some fish. Boy was I wrong. We got one 6-8 lb baracuda in 4 hours of fishing for like $275 or so. It was a long, boring boat ride if you ask me. You don't hold the rods, you don't bait the hooks, you don't do anything but ride in a boat.

[jigging-matt]

Have been down to the Riviera Maya/Playa area a couple of time now. Just got back a couple of weeks ago from there. Will give you a couple ideas. Xel Ha is pretty nice. You can easily spend the day there. Fishing is alright. Did it once, caught a nice buzz on the boat. Haven't done it again. We went on an Excursion a few years ago, you went for an ATV ride, and on a speed boat ride. Was a good time. This year we went on an excursion called Tulum Extreme. You go snorkeling in an underground cave, Zip lining, Rapeling, they feed you a great lunch, and then they take you to the Tulum Ruins. This was an EXCELLENT trip. Some friends of ours did it a week later and had the same experience we did. We also liked the trip because we like to sit at the resort and relax on the beach, and with this trip we were back befor 4 that afternoon. We generally do 1 excursion a year, sometimes 2 if one really grabs our attention. For the most part we like doing the activities at our resorts (volleyball, watersports, etc.). I have seen people that thought they needed to go on an excursion every day they were there. at the end of the week they were worn out, and really couldn't tell you anything about the resort that they just spents a few thousand dollars to stay at. Depending on how much you stay around your resort you really don't need to exchange any money into pesos. They like american, and with exchange it for you if you buy something. (or you can use your credit card). The only other thing I would warn you about is renting scooters. Cozumel might be a little safer, but I would not recomend renting scooters anywhere else. Driving is erratic down there and every time we are there you hear about tourist and scooter accidents. I would stay far away from them. Sorry I rambled on so much. If you have more questions on anything specific, post them. Otherwise enjoy your trip.

[DTro]

Hey Matt did you make it back up the rope ladder in that cave?

That was one of the hardest things I've done. Harder than it looks.

I would also recommend the Tulum tour, lots of fun and a part of Mexico a lot of people don't see.

[Jakesbuds]

Scooters on Cozumel are a must. I forgot to mention that. Once you get out of town square in Cozumel its smooth sailing. FYI get the insurance too. We've needed it once and I've seen many others that needed it badly after a trip to the other end of the island and back lol. I think that had more to do with the beer consumed during their ride than anything else though lol!

[jigging-matt]

Dtro, ours didn't have a rope ladder to get out of the cave. Sounds like it would be fun though. Had a hard time getting the wife to the top of the first tower for the zip lining. That was the coolest thing.

[DTro]

It was about a 100ft climb straight up the unstable rope ladder. There were a couple of bigger guys from Italy that went up before me. They made it about half-way and both ended up falling down and splashing into the water. The local Mexicans were laughing so hard and said loudly, "TOO MUCH PASTA!"

Then they said, you can use the hoist over there that we reserve for the ladies.

That was motivation enough for me to grunt my way to the top.

[jigging-matt]

That would have been cool. Wish I was still in Mexico.

[Koldfront Kraig]

Get pesos out of the many cash machines. As soon as I cleared customs at the airport I found a cash machine and didn't use dollars the whole week we were there.

The best exchange rate. They were offering 13 pesos to the dollar at stores and banks. The cash machines were 14.3 to 1.

I just checked the exchange rate - 15.3 to 1.

I used my calculator on my cell phone to figure out if I was getting a good deal when buying goods and services.

Keep small bills for tips and use the biggest bills you can to get change. For some reason no one wants bigger bills??

The best snorkeling for us was Akumal bay. Its about half way between Playa and Tulum.

Cab rides anywhere in Playa were 30-50 pesos.

We brought our own snorkel and goggles and rented flippers to save space in luggage.

Great area. If all goes well in the next year we will be going again.

[NTW]

If you decide to venture into town for a dinner and entertainment I would reccomend eating at LaParilla (mariachi band and good food) and checking out Blue Parrot (outdoor fire dance show).

Also, I noticed a European guy who brought a telescoping fishing pole and was out in the early morning casting along the shoreline btwn resorts. I was instantly VERY jealous. Wondered about license and that sort of thing but nobody bothered him. I only saw him bring in one small fish (ladyfish?) but who knows what you could find???

Other than that, Tulum and Xhelha were what everyone wanted to see. We got tattoos instead

[Mopad]

Fishinguy40 - Stayed at Sandos Caracol for our honey moom in July 07. Great place. Make sure to go to the sandos webpage and sign up for the Sandos4u, this will give you access to vip area of the resort. Costs nothing.

When we went, we spent one day over in cozumel. Went snorkeling, its was awesome!

One day we went to playa to just walk around the markets.

Other than that, we spent the rest of the time on the beach sippin mojitos!!

Make sure to bring water shoes, the beach is great, but once you get into the water, there is a lot of corel. Bring a bubba keg also, the glasses are pretty small, plus your icy drinks won't melt down so fast.

[Bigbartguy]

I just got back on Sunday from Playa. You will enjoy!

I echo the comments about an insulated mug if you will be at an All-Inclusive. We ate out every night in Playa - even though we were at at AI. The food in Playa is too good to pass up. Only name I remember is Playasia, but every place we ate was great.....go figure....I fly to Mexico to eat Asian food.

Stayed there 3-4x and have always loved it. Stayed in Cozumel a couple of times also - not NEAR as much to do!

[Walterwontfalter]

I recommend finding a Wal-Mart and buying goggles and snorkel sets for everyone rather than renting them. Keep your daughter within sight at all times. Not trying to scare you. Just not worth the chance. If you do go to Cozumel check out the Rancho Buena Vista(or something like that). It's a bus ride to the ranch and you take about an hour long horse ride around the ranch, in the jungle and see some Mayan ruins. Free tequila and beer when you get back and the two guides are hilariously fun. Otherwise a catamaran trip to Isla Majeras for great shopping and food. Most catamaran tours offer snorkeling, just make sure when they stop to dole out equipment you are at the front of the line so you don't end up with the broken stuff. Don't miss the pyramids. I've been saying for years "we'll check them out next time we come" and we never get around to it. Plan for an entire, long day and enjoy it. Pack around plenty of water.

[baitcaster]

just got back from the Playa area. Stayed at the AI Riu Tequila. Best vacation I have been on. Took a cruise last year with the family to Cozumel and Cayman Islands. Enjoyed the AI atmosphere much better. I ditto bring a bubba keg for the drinks. Took an excursion to Coba and climbed the Mayan Temple there. Tremendous feeling climbing a 135 stair thousand year old temple. I too climbed the hand ladder out of the Cenote. Couldn't let my 12 year old daughter and 15 year old son show me up.

I absolutely loved every part of the trip. Hard to believe how well taken care of you are at the AI resort. If all goes well we will be back there in the area again next year.

[FYGR8]

Stayed at the Barcelo Palace over Christmas and had a wonderful stay. Leaving for Playacar Palace next week. Looks like a nice place!