Playa del Carmen ~ View topic

Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

We are planning a trip to this resort for a friends wedding in February. We are planning on staying 4 nights, the cost is going to be $2800 for the 2 of us (airfare + hotel). Do you know anything about this resort? I figured you might have some great info since you know the area. Thanks for your help!

Hey Shorty!

I don't know much about the resorts! If you want to know where you can find a room in Playa for 25.00 a night, find a meal in Playa for under 5 dollars or how to get from Playa to Tulum for 2 dollars...I'm your gal!

Playa del Carmen, the town, is where I go and stay and there are lots of hotels in town and restaurants and bars.

The resorts are located up and down the highway between Cancun and Tulum and that area runs 90 miles long. So, I really don't have a lot of opportunity or reason to go to any resorts, since I like to stay in town and not do an all-inclusive package.

However, if you go to:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d284824-Reviews-Iberostar_Paraiso_Lindo-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

There are 650 reviews of the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo! Have fun reading and I hope you have a great vacation and your friends have a lovely wedding!

If you ever decide to visit the town of Playa del Carmen, come back and I'll be happy to tell you all about it!

-Jen

Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the reviews. I would love to hear how I can get from Playa to Tulum for 2 dollars, 5 dollar meals etc. We love to explore new places but the really touristy things I'd like to avoid. Any shops on 5th Avenue that I must go to or should avoid? Fill me in on anything else you think I have to see. How's that Mayan liquor?

I really like this site!! I've enjoyed reading about the area.

Thanks, Shorty!!

I am out of town and in a hurry. I will answer your questions Monday night, OK?

-Jen

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 282

You can take the collectivo to Tulum which is a van (actually a whole system of vans from Cancun to Tulum) that is used by both tourists and locals alike. Very inexpensive; runs down the highway (307) and will drop you along the highway if you tell the driver where you want to go. The only down side to this is if you want to go then out to the beach you either have to hike or take a taxi. For instance, you can take a collectivo from PDC to Tulum pueblo and then take a taxi to the beach for considerably less than taking a taxi all the way south. There is a collectivo stand in Playa Del Carmen and if you tell the guys outside where you want to go they will direct you to the correct van. Vans become crowded during certain times of the day when the workers are going or coming from work at the resorts along 307 so it may get cozy in the van at times. As for food in Playa; most of the inexpensive restaurants can be found off of 5th avenue if your willing to venture forth. Some possiblities are Dr. Taco, El Fogon, El Sarape, HC de Monterray, El Oasis and on and on.... there are truly so many choices that it's hard to pin one down. The restaurants on 5th are good and the section of Little Italy at the north end of town has many great Italian restaurants. Also Babe's Noodles and Carboncitos are not to be forgotten. I had breakfast of yogurt, fruit and homemade granola at Cafe Corazon that was excellent last month, coconut shrimp at Playa Maya for lunch and any of the others for good, inexpensive dinners. I am so looking forward to going back in.....11 days. Yum.
I know Jen will have a lot more info but just had to throw my 2cents in...I think I have to go eat now. Very Happy

Sue

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 282

Oh, the Paraiso Lindo is not in town but a 20 min drive to PDC.

I'm heading home today, but my flight is delayed so I have a few minutes to check in.

I think Sue covered your questions...thanks, Sue!!

Going back in 11 days?! I'm jealous!! You just got back. How is the condo?

-Jen

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 282

Hi Jen,

It's coming along and this will probably be my last trip for a look see until we close on it; hopefully in September/October. They were tiling the pool when we left, the kitchen sink was in as was all the tiling in the bathrooms. Everything had been delivered and was just waiting to be installed. It looks like that part of town is really building up. There will be new complexes on either side of us and there is already one built on our west side. The new Mega is across the street and is really nice. There is also a bus station that we didn't know about on 20th which is very convenient.

This time I guess I'll start measuring for window treatments since I plan on bringing them down myself. I went to a fabric store in the mall across the street last time and looked at fabrics but I've heard the prices are crazy for people to make them and install. My husband can do all that.

Hopefully I'll be able to call Playa home fairly shortly. Every time I go it becomes more comfortable; as you know it gets under your skin.

Hi Sue,

When we went to Chichen Itza a couple of years ago, the bus left from that other bus station. We, of course, went to the one on 5th and by the time we got the the correct bus station we missed it. No biggie, we just ran back to the hotel, got our swim suits and took the collectivo to Xel Ha and went to Chichen Itza the next day.

I'm glad your condo is coming along!

Shorty,

5th Avenue is pretty touristy, but it is still fun and there are still really cool places to check out. Like Sue said, you can walk one block off of 5th and it isn't as touristy and if you go two blocks off of 5th it isn't touristy at all. For now, anyway.

There are some cool beach bars and Captain Daves on 10th and Captain Daves on the beach are not touristy and really fun places to chill out for a couple of beers and tunes. People are very friendly and if Grady is playing he is very engaging with the crowd and fun to watch.

Just walk around, and you will find some places which will suit your tastes.

I love Carboncitos and Dr. Taco, too. Very good choices for Mexican food.

There is a place called La Tarraya on the beach that serves a fresh fish fillet with rice and tortillas for 45 pesos, so about 4 dollars. You can sit at a table on the beach or inside. It is not fancy or touristy.

I got three shrimp Tacos at Dr. Taco on 10th Avenue for 35 pesos, or around 3 dollars. Perfect for a very light lunch.

You can also ask the locals at the shops or anywhere where the best local and authentic food is.

You'll probably spend most of the time at the resort with the wedding and only 4 days, but if you can make it down to Playa for the day...you should!

-Jen

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 282

I just heard a new beach bar has opened just south of Mamitas which I'll check out next week. It's at the end of 26th.