Well, we're all set June 12th - the 16th staying at the Royal Playa Del Carmen. Thank you to everyone for your helpful imput. I only have three more questions. (I know, STOP WITH THE QUESTIONS ALREADY). First, which are the tastiest restaurants at the Royal and in the area? And my second questions is would anyone be interested in joining us in hiring a private tour to the ruins. If we could get 4 - 6 people the cost would be less than a large bus tour. Thanks again

I might be interested. Which tour are you going with?

I am not sure yet, maybe Chichen Itza. What would you be interested in seeing?

I've been to all of them but like revisiting so it really doesn't matter. Are you booking with Yucatrek or someone else?

colorkid, are you vacationing or do you live there. Also, where if I only have one day for sightseeing, where would you suggest I go?

I live there part time...about 3 months a year. I'm going down on Monday and staying until the end of July. The sites are so different it's hard to say. Chichen Itza is quite amazing in it's size and structures. The ball court is amazing. It's very groomed and easy to move about but it is large and with little shade. Coba is closer to Tulum distance wise...Chichen Itza is further. It's very jungular with dirt pathways that wind through the jungle and reveal the structures. You can still climb the castillo here where you cannot in Chichen Itza. You can also rent bikes to ride around or pedicabs to have other people ride you around. It's much less expensive than CI. Ek Balam is amazing for the King's Palace with the carvings and paint. It's much smaller than Chichen Itza or Coba and doesn't take that long to see. We pared it with a trip to a cenote the day I went with Yucatreks and also lunch in Valladolid. I've drive to the other sites myself. I've also see Tulum and Muyil but wouldn't care to go there again...not that they weren't good but there's others I'd rather see again.

Also, you might want to know about some other local fun that's happening next week....

June 13 - Jazz fest on the beach at Mamitas. It's free and I've been to the one in November but not this one. Had a great time last time.

Thursday night art walk - every Thursday night at 7:00 from Constituyentes on 5th Avenue walking north, local artists will have their work displayed on 5th avenue. This just started last week and the pics looked wonderful.

Thursday and Saturday night at Bad Boys on the beach. Laid back bar with lots of locals and a great band. Dancing, etc. I believe from 4-8 p.m.

Movie night at Zenzi. I'll have to check on this but it's also on the beach.

Thanks for the info. I think I want to go to Chichen Itza Probably on Sunday. Is there a visitors center At chichen Itza and official tour guides? Do we just need a driver to get there?

Yes, there is a visitors center with a little bit of a museum before you go out onto the grounds. I haven't taken tour guides through there before but they are available. Also, just for info...the only restroom is in the visitors center and there is a small restaurant also.

I just met some folks who are staying at the Royal as they were lost in town and looking for a pharamcy. They said they are loving it there. Took them round to find what they needed.

One other comment about Chichen Itza on Sunday....that is probably the busiest day of the week there as everyone is off from work. Also, if you get there when the doors open at 8 you can beat the heat a bit and the crowds no matter what the day. Then on the way back stop in Vallodolid for lunch. There's also a prison right out of town that has the best hammocks for sale that the prisoners make. Look on the south side of the road for the brightly colored hammocks. I'd love to go with if you have some ideas of how you'd like to transport. Safe flight....only a few more days.