Snorkel equip. in Playa del Carmen, and cenote rec.
Apr 11th, 2011, 09:26 AM
#21
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You will love the Jungle Place - it was a highlight of our trip!
Do you plan on visiting ruins? If so, since you have a car, I highly recommend Coba - the setting is beautiful and you can hire a guide at the entrance to pedal you around and stop wherever you'd like to get out and explore.
Also, very near Coba is the most "other-worldy" cenote we visited, Choo-ha. Definitely worth a stop - you enter via a hole in the ground, climb down a long, wooden spiral staircase and can then take a dip in cold, clear water in cave-like setting. Very cool!
Do you plan on visiting ruins? If so, since you have a car, I highly recommend Coba - the setting is beautiful and you can hire a guide at the entrance to pedal you around and stop wherever you'd like to get out and explore.
Also, very near Coba is the most "other-worldy" cenote we visited, Choo-ha. Definitely worth a stop - you enter via a hole in the ground, climb down a long, wooden spiral staircase and can then take a dip in cold, clear water in cave-like setting. Very cool!
Apr 11th, 2011, 10:38 AM
#22
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Yes, we will visit Coba and Tulum, probably in same day, start very early and get to Tulum before the crowds.
Will defnitiely put Choo-ha on the list! I have mapchick.com's good maps of the area and I'll see if that is on her maps.
Will defnitiely put Choo-ha on the list! I have mapchick.com's good maps of the area and I'll see if that is on her maps.
Apr 11th, 2011, 10:54 AM
#23
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Cala Vera was another cenote we liked. The Aktun Chen caves are also worth a visit.
Valladolid is a cool town to visit and there are nearby cenotes and Ek Balam.
Have you been to Chichen Itza?
I also have an old trip report on here which you can access through advanced search under my former log in 'highflyer'. It's called Akumal trip report June 07
Valladolid is a cool town to visit and there are nearby cenotes and Ek Balam.
Have you been to Chichen Itza?
I also have an old trip report on here which you can access through advanced search under my former log in 'highflyer'. It's called Akumal trip report June 07
Apr 11th, 2011, 12:35 PM
#24
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Thanks, sassy, I am keeping track of all of these recs, and I will definitely check out your Akumal report!
I don't think we will go to Chichen Itza on this trip. I went many many years ago; for me it was better than even Machu Picchu was. But a 3 hr drive each way plus the ruins is too much for one day for us, and we'd have to do an overnight, which I don't want to do since we have a condo rented for the wk. in PDC.
My husband and the two teen girls have never seen any ruins. If everyone gets really excited after Tulum and Coba early in the wk, we could reconsider and fit in Chichen Itza, but then again it will be holy wk and we have no reservations for an overnight stay there.
I don't think we will go to Chichen Itza on this trip. I went many many years ago; for me it was better than even Machu Picchu was. But a 3 hr drive each way plus the ruins is too much for one day for us, and we'd have to do an overnight, which I don't want to do since we have a condo rented for the wk. in PDC.
My husband and the two teen girls have never seen any ruins. If everyone gets really excited after Tulum and Coba early in the wk, we could reconsider and fit in Chichen Itza, but then again it will be holy wk and we have no reservations for an overnight stay there.
Apr 11th, 2011, 01:19 PM
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I believe Choo-ha is indeed on Mapchick's maps (which are great). You can buy entry tickets right at Coba, if I recall. They will give you detailed driving instructions with your tickets - it's only 5 minutes away.
Apr 11th, 2011, 01:24 PM
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If you're interested, here's a video of the Coba ruins followed by a short clip of the choo-ha cenote. Be warned, my kids filmed and narrated a few minutes of the Coba footage! 
Coba begins at about the 1:50 mark:
http://www.youtube.com/johnm127#p/u/3/mR0udmK5c2Q
Coba begins at about the 1:50 mark:
http://www.youtube.com/johnm127#p/u/3/mR0udmK5c2Q
Apr 13th, 2011, 12:13 PM
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I think your 18 year old girls would like Xplor.
http://www.xplor.travel/
They have cenotes to swim in, raft in and drive quad runners though and then zip lines. It's a fairly new atrraction and easy to get to from Playa del Carmen. It's close to Xcaret.
I would also suggest the night show at Xcaret. We enjoyed Xcaret better than Xel-Ha because there are more things to see and do there. Xel-Ha to us was just for snorkeling.
I agree that the hurricanes and tropical storms has ruined much of the snorkeling in that area. We went back to Cozumel in 2009 and found the snorkeling not as great and disappointing as the early 2000's. I was so glad we went to Sian Ka'an. Maybe you can go some other time.
http://www.xplor.travel/
They have cenotes to swim in, raft in and drive quad runners though and then zip lines. It's a fairly new atrraction and easy to get to from Playa del Carmen. It's close to Xcaret.
I would also suggest the night show at Xcaret. We enjoyed Xcaret better than Xel-Ha because there are more things to see and do there. Xel-Ha to us was just for snorkeling.
I agree that the hurricanes and tropical storms has ruined much of the snorkeling in that area. We went back to Cozumel in 2009 and found the snorkeling not as great and disappointing as the early 2000's. I was so glad we went to Sian Ka'an. Maybe you can go some other time.
Apr 13th, 2011, 02:32 PM
#29
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KVR, thanks for the Xplor rec. I looked more closely at that after you posted, and I think I may send the two girls and my husband there for a day (while I go get a massage and relax!)
Apr 13th, 2011, 03:26 PM
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We really wanted to go in December, but we don't zip line. So we couldn't justify the cost. But, it does look like a lot of fun. I'm with you on the Spa day.
We've been going to Mexico for the past 10 years and still haven't seen or done everything that area has to offer. One of the reasons we like to return every year. Hope you have a good trip.
We've been going to Mexico for the past 10 years and still haven't seen or done everything that area has to offer. One of the reasons we like to return every year. Hope you have a good trip.
Apr 15th, 2011, 06:28 AM
#31
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I have a late question - where can I buy biodegradable sunscreen in Playa del Carmen? Will the Walmart have it? I just thought about this today, and now it is too late to order it online to take with us for use when snorkeling.
May 14th, 2011, 12:44 AM
#33
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I am currently BACK in the Riviera Maya for a long weekend after just being here 3 wks ago! Guess we liked it... I have quite a trip report to post w/some surprises, will do that in next few days so stay tuned.
May 25th, 2011, 01:47 PM
#36
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Ok folks. Three trips to Playa del Carmen on 3 wks, and now I OWN a place there. LOL, really! Can't believe I am writing this.
We went for the wk at spring break at end of April and stayed at El Faro. LOVED the town, had a car and explored all over. Then went back 2 wks later and stayed at an AI called Grand Velas (I had won this in an auction and it had to be used in May). Really missed being in PDC.
Then I got an email from a realtor I had been emailing with, as my husband and I had looked at some condos while we were in PDC in April. A very nice 2 bedrm condo that had never been rented, 1/2 black from CoCo beach on the north end of town, corner unit with wraparound balcony and good ocean views from it. Price dropped by almost 1/3 overnight, a distress situation for the owner who needed cash asap. Price dropped last Wed. and I went down this past Sat. and bought it.
Came home last night and going back down on Sat. for the closing next wk. Mexican attorney in PDC is verifying title is clear but it does not appear to be a problem (as it can often be down there). Construction is sound on the small complex. Nice rooftop pool w/ocean views and the condo is turn-key, sold w/all contents down to dishes and sheets. We love the decor and furniture.
I've met a lot of nice and very friendly people down there in the couple of visits so far, Mexican locals and people of many diff. nationalities who are living down there at least part of the yr if not all yr. We love the town, esp. how walkable it is, and how nice it is away from 5th ave.
So far we have snorkeled at Akumal w/sea tutrles and at that reef (GREAT snorkeling for being right off the beach), went to Tulum, Puerto Morelos, the monkey sanctuary. What I really like is exploring the town of PDC. There are some great places to eat within a few blocks of the condo.
I intend to go back for a few wks in the fall and study Spanish at International House. And we are going to spend our 25th anniversary in Oaxaca for Dia de Los Muertos and end up at the condo for a wk. in early Nov., visiting Chichen Itza then also.
It was a very good deal and I am glad we jumped on it. Thanks to my husband who is usually very cautious with real estate but understood you have to move fast when a deal like this arises. My husband and I knew each other for 3 wks when we decided to get married 25 yrs and 2 kids ago. Sometimes good things can happen quickly and we are not ones to walk away and regret later that we should have jumped on it.
I ordered a ceramic plaque from a local PDC store that will have "Casa (our last name)" on it. After traveling in NX for 35 yrs, I actually own a place there now. It's a dream that has finally materialized and we could not be happier w/the location, condo, and how this all came together.
Favorite inexpensive and authentic places to eat:
-Carbocitos (Calle 4, just west of 5th Ave), tacos al carbon, two for 11 pesos at happy hr, 55 peso BIG GOOD margaritas
-El Fogon, across from the MEGA store, tacos al carbon
-El Terraya, on the beach at 2nd, on the left, seafood
-Little Quesadilla place with sunflowers painted outside across from the beach entrance to Indigo Beach Club
-Piola, a little more money than ones above but EXCELLENT Italian, and very friendly owner. Good drinks, nice bar, away from the madness of 5th Ave. I am glad this one is short walking distance to the condo.
We went for the wk at spring break at end of April and stayed at El Faro. LOVED the town, had a car and explored all over. Then went back 2 wks later and stayed at an AI called Grand Velas (I had won this in an auction and it had to be used in May). Really missed being in PDC.
Then I got an email from a realtor I had been emailing with, as my husband and I had looked at some condos while we were in PDC in April. A very nice 2 bedrm condo that had never been rented, 1/2 black from CoCo beach on the north end of town, corner unit with wraparound balcony and good ocean views from it. Price dropped by almost 1/3 overnight, a distress situation for the owner who needed cash asap. Price dropped last Wed. and I went down this past Sat. and bought it.
Came home last night and going back down on Sat. for the closing next wk. Mexican attorney in PDC is verifying title is clear but it does not appear to be a problem (as it can often be down there). Construction is sound on the small complex. Nice rooftop pool w/ocean views and the condo is turn-key, sold w/all contents down to dishes and sheets. We love the decor and furniture.
I've met a lot of nice and very friendly people down there in the couple of visits so far, Mexican locals and people of many diff. nationalities who are living down there at least part of the yr if not all yr. We love the town, esp. how walkable it is, and how nice it is away from 5th ave.
So far we have snorkeled at Akumal w/sea tutrles and at that reef (GREAT snorkeling for being right off the beach), went to Tulum, Puerto Morelos, the monkey sanctuary. What I really like is exploring the town of PDC. There are some great places to eat within a few blocks of the condo.
I intend to go back for a few wks in the fall and study Spanish at International House. And we are going to spend our 25th anniversary in Oaxaca for Dia de Los Muertos and end up at the condo for a wk. in early Nov., visiting Chichen Itza then also.
It was a very good deal and I am glad we jumped on it. Thanks to my husband who is usually very cautious with real estate but understood you have to move fast when a deal like this arises. My husband and I knew each other for 3 wks when we decided to get married 25 yrs and 2 kids ago. Sometimes good things can happen quickly and we are not ones to walk away and regret later that we should have jumped on it.
I ordered a ceramic plaque from a local PDC store that will have "Casa (our last name)" on it. After traveling in NX for 35 yrs, I actually own a place there now. It's a dream that has finally materialized and we could not be happier w/the location, condo, and how this all came together.
Favorite inexpensive and authentic places to eat:
-Carbocitos (Calle 4, just west of 5th Ave), tacos al carbon, two for 11 pesos at happy hr, 55 peso BIG GOOD margaritas
-El Fogon, across from the MEGA store, tacos al carbon
-El Terraya, on the beach at 2nd, on the left, seafood
-Little Quesadilla place with sunflowers painted outside across from the beach entrance to Indigo Beach Club
-Piola, a little more money than ones above but EXCELLENT Italian, and very friendly owner. Good drinks, nice bar, away from the madness of 5th Ave. I am glad this one is short walking distance to the condo.
May 25th, 2011, 03:21 PM
#37
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Congratulations on your new casa!
Sometimes you only have time to trust your instincts and I'm glad to hear you got a great deal.
I must admit I have been tempted to buy a condo too but we were too busy (aka being lazy) to even look for a property last month. As soon as we got home I booked for Christmas so maybe one day soon we'll take the plunge..
Sometimes you only have time to trust your instincts and I'm glad to hear you got a great deal.
I must admit I have been tempted to buy a condo too but we were too busy (aka being lazy) to even look for a property last month. As soon as we got home I booked for Christmas so maybe one day soon we'll take the plunge..
May 25th, 2011, 05:55 PM
#39
That's so exciting for you! I have dreamed of owning in Playa ever since we stayed at the Aldea Thai over Christmas. I enjoyed walking around that neighborhood. I get Facebook posts from Carbonocitas and they bring me right back to paradise (well, in my dreams at least).
May 26th, 2011, 04:27 AM
#40
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Thank you John and sassy! Sassy, I had not seen this condo while there, only saw online pictures and a video. But we knew enough about locations and the pics were good. We knew a lot from perusing practically everything available in our price range online. Once I got down to see it last Sat., it was clear the pics were real, and that was that.
Birdie, Aldea Thai is at Mamitas Beach. That is the next beach south of CoCo beach. If you come back down let me know and we can meet for coffee if I am there.
There is a lot on the market now down there and if sellers are serious about selling then they are dropping prices. It is a good time to buy a resale property. I am close to retirement and can spend more time down there than my husband can as he is a bit younger, but eventually he will retire too and we can spend time together down there. We like that it is close to Cancun airport, and from there you can get to Mexico City and anywhere in Mexico from there. And there are so many places in driving/bus distance of PDC.
Birdie, Aldea Thai is at Mamitas Beach. That is the next beach south of CoCo beach. If you come back down let me know and we can meet for coffee if I am there.
There is a lot on the market now down there and if sellers are serious about selling then they are dropping prices. It is a good time to buy a resale property. I am close to retirement and can spend more time down there than my husband can as he is a bit younger, but eventually he will retire too and we can spend time together down there. We like that it is close to Cancun airport, and from there you can get to Mexico City and anywhere in Mexico from there. And there are so many places in driving/bus distance of PDC.
