I am getting conflicting input regarding the convenience factor of Shangri-La Caribe in PDC. Some say that it is an easy walk to town (i.e. to restaurants), others say you would need to rent a car or take taxis. Anyone have a strong opinion? Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

I would ideally like to stay at a hotel on the beach, but if it's too far to walk into town and enjoy local restaurants, I think I would rather stay at Mosquito Blue (they give you access to Beach Club). Thoughts?

Shangri La - on beach, can walk to shops and dining, but a bit more of a jaunt to get into the heart of downtown

Mosquito Blue - very trendy, but in a noisy part of town and a sometimes difficult staff

Playa Maya - nice compromise, on beach, not quite as trendy or luxe as the other two, but clean, friendly, and right smack in the middle of everything...

Thanks! I don't have to be in the "heart" of downtown. I just want to be able to walk to some great, quality, local joints.

But, how long of a walk would it be if we decided we did want to get to the "heart" of it all?

Personally, I think the walk from Shangri La Caribe to downtown is an easy 15-20 minute stroll. That being said, I wouldn't want to walk it at night. My memory may be a bit faulty, but I recall a walk of maybe a couple of blocks from the beach area back to a public road. I haven't been in that area at night, I'm guessing it would be pretty darn dark. We really like to walk, so for us it wouldn't be the distance that would cause us to take a taxi at night, it would be the safety factor.

If you want to be in the downtown and on the beach, there are lots of small hotels that fill the bill. As someone else mentioned, the Playa Maya is nice. Also check out the Alhambra, the Treetops and the Albatross Royale. These are all 1/2 block off the busy 5th ave which is lined with restaurants, bars and shops, and right on or very close to the beach.

I think the great beach at Shangri La is well worth the short distance from town(in the daytime, it's a 10 - 15 minute walk down the beach to town, in the nighttime, I agree with the previous poster, take a $5 cab ride). The beach is nicer than right in town, in fact, it's nicer than the beaches in the playacar area too -- wider, less crowded, very pretty.