My 5+ wks in The Yucatan & Chiapas
 

Just back from a wonderful winter break to - Playa del Carmen, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Merida and lots of side trips in between.
I'll put something more informative together as soon as I wake up and get warm again. I'm in New England.

Meanwhile, if anyone has questions, fire away.

Looking forward! I spent about 5 weeks in those same surrounds in 2010 - Tulúm, Valladolid, San Felipe, Isla Mujeres, Merida, San Cris, Palenque.

I have been to all of those places, but never in 1 trip - sounds wonderful!

Did you get a chance to see Calakmul?

Where did u stay in Playa?

Lol. Can't wait for your report, Esp. Chiapas

How did you get around?? Any safety concerns? I would love to visit this region, but the safety issue there leaves me hesitant. (And I am not one of those who thinks it is unsafe everywhere in Mexico...just thinking about rural Chiapas and potential problems)

Snorkelluvn:

Chiapas is one of the safest places you can visit in this hemisphere. Between the army and the Zapatistas, there's very little room for the cartels and gangs to operate. There are occasional inconveniences like roadblocks (we didn't encounter any) but those are usually resolved by paying a 'toll.'

Cybor, are we going to get a report? Even a brief one would be great!

Sorry all. We came home to a bit of chaos and re-entry hit us hard.
In any event, this very informal report will be done off the top of my head. My apologies ahead for rambling and omissions.
The trip was nice enough and we've been to Mx so many times that we don't take notes. Please ask any questions that you'd like and I'll try to help.
I'll also be posting pics on my page on FB. You can find me on the Fodor's Friend page and friend me if you'd like to see them. I'm easy to find.

Here goes;
Boston > Atlanta > Cancun
ADO bus Cancun > Playa del Carmen approx 1hr. less than 10.

Playa del Carmen main station > taxi to PDC north-end (Coco Beach area)less than 4.

We stayed at a lovely VBRO 2bd/3bath condo close to the beach. The neighborhood was lovely and quiet.
The condo was very nice had everything we needed.

The last time we were in PDC was in the 80s when the place was a few little streets based around a fish village.

The little motel that we stayed in way back when was under 20. a night. The only people we say at this place was an under 10 y.o. brother and sister who checked us in. The place had a king sized hole in the wall and a bug the size of Cleveland in the shower. I used my beach towel for a pillow and slept on top of the covers.
The things one remembers. ;)
Anyhow, PDC was very sweet back then.

Sweet probably isn't the way I'd describe PDC now. I'd say it's chic casual now. Not too bad, I must say, to my pleasure. No high rises, lots of beach, beauty, eating establishments of all kinds and tons to do if one wishes.

We did all the usual beach activities as well as eatin our way through PDC. Great restaurants. We also pretty much walked into town just about every day or eve. There's lots of fun, interesting shops and great people watching.
After much searching and bad advise we found a place that rented some pretty funky old bikes. Mine was a pink no speed. This place was somewhere near 4 -6 on 10th ave. It's technically not a bike rental place. It's an establishment that take people on bikes to a very near cenote (natural swimming hole).
Anyhow, the bikes worked out just fine as PDC is very flat and it's easy to ride.
Buses and combis (special destination vans)and cabs are also plentiful and cheap. We did not rent a car nor did we go to too many typical tourist venues.

Thank you. Can't wait to hear about San Cristobal. I had to cancel my trip there from Playa via Cancun airport a yr ago due to a family member getting sick back home. Still want very much to get there.