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Trip Report Playa Del Carmen Trip Report

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A very quick trip over Labor Day weekend. This was my fourth time in the Yucatan and second in PDC.

I started at Playa Del Karma hotel, where I stayed exactly two years earlier, in the same room. Only this time, the a/c didn't work, the safe didn't work, the lobby computer didn't work and the pool was murky. So I moved to the Illusion Boutique Hotel for $75 per night. Much nicer, bright room, good A/C, refrigerator, rooftop pool, friendly service and mostly quiet, as long as the mariachi bands weren't playing down the block.

It's a bit tough to appreciated PDC beaches, since the best spots are all taken up by hotel chairs and umbrellas. I had free entry to Mamitas Beach Club, but it looked like a fraternity party, so I kept walking north past the hotels and found a peaceful spot on a narrow stretch of beach where it is mostly locals.

The following day, I took a collectivo to Akumal (35 pesos) and rented a chair at the Akumal Beach Resort for $11 which includes $11 worth of food and drinks at their bar. For some reason, many people opt to take a tour on which they all get to wear matching life jackets, so it is so easy to do it on your own. It is a nice stretch of beach with crystal clear water and snorkeling right off the beach. The coral and fish are decent, but the real treat are the huge turtles. They crawl around on the sea floor and every once in a while swim up to the surface. Highly recommended.

And, for those who are so inclined, there are at least three Haagen Dasz shops in PDC.

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