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-   -   Just returned from 2 weeks in the Playa Del Carmen area (https://www.fodors.com/community/mexico-and-central-america/just-returned-from-2-weeks-in-the-playa-del-carmen-area-160319/)

Wendy Feb 13th, 2002 12:33 PM

Just returned from 2 weeks in the Playa Del Carmen area
 
We just returned from the Playa Del Carmen area. We spent 2 weeks at the Caribbean Village in Playacar. We did alot of exploring on our own by useing the bus system. We did Chichen Itza, Tulum and Puerto Morelos all by public bus and it was great. I would like to help answer any questions you may have.

Paul Tierney Feb 13th, 2002 12:44 PM

Wendy<BR><BR>While you were there did you see a resort called Jungle Beach Club Resort. We reserved a 6 night vacation, but now can't find it listed and get no responses for our e-mail.

curious Feb 13th, 2002 08:22 PM

Found this on the web site....<BR>Did you book this or your TA? If you used a TA, the problem is theirs to solve, if not, your SOL. Go back to the site you booked it on and find their disclaimer..ect...<BR><BR>DISCLAIMER - IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ<BR><BR>Jungle Beach, Inc. is ONLY a reservation booking company that has no ownership (in part or full) in any way of The Jungle Beach Club Resort. <BR><BR>Jungle Beach, Inc. provides it's reservation booking service to those customers that choose to travel to the destination Jungle Beach, Inc. is booking for them. Jungle Beach, Inc. cannot be held responsible for any reservation cancellations, service changes, accidents, injuries, or any other circumstance that a customer might deem diminishing to the quality of the vacation purchased that occur while staying at the resort destination. <BR><BR>The fees that Jungle Beach, Inc. collect from a customer are routed to the individual owners of ANY resort destination booked and upon booking, the services that Jungle Beach, Inc. provides it's customers have been fulfilled. The individual owners of ANY resort destination booked take full responsibility for any and all fulfillment from the time of booking through to the end of the customers vacation. <BR>

Wendy Feb 17th, 2002 10:34 AM

I did see a sign while on a bus but could not see the resort. Never met anyone staying there so I agree with the other posting to go see your TA.

traveler Feb 17th, 2002 12:59 PM

Wendy: Did you go snorkeling & if so where? We were there last year & went snorkeling to Yel-Ku lagoon @ Akumal I think---which was awesome--but this year I'm considering Xel-Ha (rather than Xcaret, which sounds over developed). Also, can you recommend any cenotes to see? Thanks for any info.

Wendy Feb 18th, 2002 06:15 PM

Hi traveller.<BR><BR>I agree with you that Xcaret is to over developed but nice for people who have not an idea about the area. Lots to learn there. Snorkeling off Playa Del Carmen on the boat from the Allegro resort rated high praise from all. They go to where both parks go and you also get a bit of a boat ride. The best cenotes I have ever seen is in Piste, just outside of Chichen Itza, right across the street from the Doloras Alba Motel. By the way we stayed there over night so we could beat the crowds into the ruins. Great motel, great food and a very helpful staff. Nice pool and spotless rooms. This way if you stay overnight you also get to go to the light show at the ruins and it is well worth the 30 pesos.

Wendy Feb 18th, 2002 06:17 PM

Just thought I'd add that I would hit the Cenotes at Piste before 2 in the afternoon and that way you will have it all to yourself. Tour buses hit the ruins about 11am and leave about 3 so beat them to everything. Also some great caves to see just a mile or so away from the cenotes.

Lorie Feb 19th, 2002 04:18 AM

I'm interesting in site seeing with my son. hoping to do a triangle of Cancun to Cozumel to Tulum-Coba to Valladolid to Merida then back to Cancun.<BR><BR>I am arriving via Cancun airport. Would it be better to start in Cancun or Cozumel from airport. Arriving 12 noon. And was considering first night in Cancun a hostel. Do you think this is a good idea. Is it a shorter distance to start a Cozumel, as I do not know if I will be taking a taxi, bus or car, is it a shorter distance to Cancun or Cozumel from airport.<BR>Thanks again, Lorie

Shelby Feb 19th, 2002 04:28 AM

Wendy,<BR>I am taking a 16 and 17 year old to that area the end of March. Any suggestions for resort. We want something all-inclusive but where they can see the area and shop.<BR>Thanks.

Peggy Feb 19th, 2002 06:30 AM

Hi - We are going to Playa del Carman for Easter break with our 2 sons, ages 10 &13. Do you think that taking the bus to the ruins that you mentioned would be O.K. (safe)? Also, if you go the bus route, are there guides to explain what you're looking at? I went 2 years ago with my sisters and we spent 1/2 day at the ruins in Tulum and 1/2 day at Xl Hah. It was not enough time at Xl-Hah so I'd like to do that as a seperate trip. Any Suggestions?

patty Feb 19th, 2002 07:17 AM

Wendy,<BR>I'm curious, how was the hotel? Would you recommend it for a family?<BR>Patty

Mandi Feb 19th, 2002 09:22 AM

Any advice for honeymooners?

Patty Feb 19th, 2002 09:54 AM

traveler,<BR>If you've been to Yal-ku lagoon, I'm not sure that Xel-ha has much more to offer in terms of natural beauty. To me Xel-ha is sort of a larger version of Yal-ku but more touristy and crowded with on site restaurants and souvenir shops. Have you tried snorkeling right in the bay at Akumal? I thought the snorkeling there was great right off the beach.

Wendy Feb 21st, 2002 09:01 AM

Hi Lorie, I would think if you spent the night in Cancun and then took a bus to Playa Del Carmen to catch the ferry over to Cozumel would work best. On Cozumel you would have to rent a car, scooter or cab. No buses go around the Island. Bus service from Play Del Carmen to Tulum, Coba, Vallodolid and Merida is just great and you won't have any problems. We did all our exploring by bus and this way managed to hit the sites without all the tours being there.<BR>Wendy

Wendy Feb 21st, 2002 09:05 AM

Hi Patty, We stayed at the Caribbean Village in Playacar. This hotel is not on the beach but they run a shuttle all day long to the beach. This is definately a family resort and we really enjoyed it. The nice thing about this resort is that you can get day passes to visit the other Allegros in Playa Del Carmen, Cancun and Cozumel. Just give them 24 hour notice to get a pass. Good food, nice staff and lovely grounds. Wendy

Wendy Feb 21st, 2002 09:08 AM

Hi Shelby, Travelling with teens I would think you would want to be very close to the shopping. In Playa Del Carmen there are many resorts right near by and I never heard any negitive comments. If you are staying in Cancun in the hotel zone there will be no shortage of shopping or things to do. I'm partial to Playa, Cancun is just too busy for us.

Wendy Feb 21st, 2002 09:12 AM

Hi Peggy, Yes the bus system is perfectly safe for you and the children. The buses are very nice and it doesn't take long to get around. You can hire guides at all the sites and strongly recommend that you do, you get so much more info and understanding. Did not go to Xl Hah but do know you can take a bus and spend the day so you would have more time.

Wendy Feb 21st, 2002 09:15 AM

Hi Mandi, If I was honeymooning I know I would want to get a cabanna at Tulum on the beach. It is lovely, private and quiet. You could alway grab a bus to go to the city for excitement. Lots of info on the net. Wendy


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