Cozumel or Playa del Carmen?
 

Going to the Yucatan coast for a week in March. Never been there before. Should we stay at PDC, or Cozumel? We like snorkeling, but also like to see Mayan ruins. Not ones to simply sit on a sandy beach; got that here in FL.

We visited Cozumel and Akumal (just south of PDC) last year. We thought the snorkeling off Cozumel was great and we took a flight over to Chitchen Itza. These ruins are far enough away that you might fly even if staying in PDC. My choice would be Cozumel.

Hi! Personally, I would stay in PDC and if you really want to see Cozumel, take the ferry over for a day trip. <BR><BR>My husband and I *love* PDC...stayed in the Royal Hideaway Resort Playacar. It was fantastic! We could have stayed in the resort the entire time...but we ventured to Tulum to see the ruins. I would skip the other (chintz-intza sp?) unless you are REALLY into it. It's a few hrs drive inland and HOT HOT HOT. Tulum is close by and basically on the beach. Xel-ha is a fun eco-park to spend the day...huge lagoon to lounge in an inner tube, explore the caves, swim with dolphins etc, but the snorkeling is not impressive. For the BEST snorkeling we did a trip through Snorkel Adventure. They take you to a private beach for the day, lunch and drinks included...you take small boats out to the reef, both 10 ft and 20ft drops. It was great! I hear cozumel is great for diving/snorkeling as well. <BR><BR>hope this helps. have fun!<BR>

If you want snorkeling and something other than sitting on the beach - definately Cozumel. There is a very small ruins sight on the island, but its quite easy to take the ferry across to Playa and visit Tulum for the day. You can also fly quite easily to other major ruins on the mainland. However, the snorkeling is amazing on Cozumel and very accessable from the beach - no paid tour required. We snorkle at least once every day. We've been going to Cozumel for a month every winter for over 10 years and always find something new and exciting. The little town of San Miguel is loaded with great restaurants and shopping. If you decide on Cozumel and want more info, drop me an email at [email protected].

I'd say stay in Playa Del Carmen at one of the many small hotels there. Many more options for day trips than on Cozumel. The snorkeling may be better there, but unless that will be your 'main' activity, staying in PDC will give you way more options. Tulum is easy to get to, but no where near as impressive as Chitzen Itza. I've never been to Coba, so don't know how that compares. There are lot of cenotes around PDC to snorkle and swim in as well. There are colectivos (vans) that run the corridor from PDC to Tulum about every 15 minutes all day, only cost 20 pesos each way. Definitely a bargain.

Can any one help me with transportation from Mayan Palace to PDC? We don't have a car. Any idea on cost of taxi or local buses? Thank you.

ww--<BR><BR>I've not been to PDC yet (heading there in about a week) but have been doing research. I understand that there is a local bus that runs in the PDC area (and also to Cancun I think) which is very cheap and easy to use (I think I read like $1.50 USD). Do a search on &quot;PDC and bus&quot; and you might find more info.

Any recommendations on how to get reasonable rates at Royal Hideaway?

I went through my travel agent. i don't trust the on-line auctions and I like the full service of an agent. It turned out to be exactly the same proce I could have booked on line.