Playa del Carmen Travel Forum

Hi, I am trying to get advice on a better vacation spot during the last week of December of this year '06! I've been to Cancun and I loved it, however I wanted to travel to Playa del Carment possibly this year....OR I am also contemplating over Puerto Rico. Has anyone been to either and what are the pluses or negatives for both during December, rainy season...etc?
I know both places are in the caribbean so I'm sure the weather will still be hot, however is there ever a rainy season and what are the typical temperatures? Thanks for any suggestions!!!

Another typical american question......

I'm a Spanish teacher and independent traveler, and I have been to both Playa del Carmen and Puerto Rico. Playa Del Carmen is a rather small town on the Mexican Riviera south of Cancun. Its advantages are that it's the ferry port for the island of Cozumel and you can take buses from Playa to Tulum and other areas to the south. Puerto Rico, however, is a large and varied island. There is a great deal to see, the beaches are nice, there is a lot of history in Old San Juan, you can see a rain forest at El Junque and stay at hot springs in the south. It's also part of the US, so there are no visa or passport worries. If I had to make a choice, I'd go to Puerto Rico. For more information, check out www.gotopuertorico.com or just serach for Puerto Rico on the Web.

Martha Racine Taylor - Author of Spanish-Live It and Learn It! The Complete Guide to Language Immersion Schools in Mexico

>>> Another typical american question......

heh pedrocarlos, what is wrong with such a question? I would never spend a whole vacation in Playa as I don't like all-inclusives or the American influence there, but getting opinions from someone that has been to both Playa and P.R. seems like a good question to me.

Martha, I would like to extend the question one more. Have you been to Costa Rica? How does it compare to Puerto Rico? The lots to see, history and jungle that you mention for P.R. sounds interesting to me.

Thanks.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with lots of national parks. The focus is on natural history, rain forests, birds and wildlife. It also produces some of the most beautiful hardwoods to be found anywhere. You can see the wood in everything from small boxes and jewelry to furniture. There are several active volcanos. One in particular, Arenal, is spectacular when its in eruption. There are wonderful beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The country has a few interesting historical spots, mostly in and around the capital, San Jose. Because Costa Rica wasn't really "rica" (rich) as its name suggests, the Spanish left it pretty much alone for a couple of hundred years. There were some settlers there, but no big colonial presence. There aren't any significant pre-Columbian sites in either Costa Rica or Puerto Rico. Costa Rica used to be safest Central American country. Now I'm not so sure. The last time I was there (2002), locals were asking us whether we felt safe driving around in a rental SUV, and there were armed guards everywhere, even in small areas far from the capital.

Hope this helps,

Martha

Mracine-- did you get my email?

Another question-- does anyone know if the water in Puerto Rico is warm and good water clarity??? Any recommendations on Culebra, or Fajardo...Vieques..or just stick with the beaches off San juan??

THanks again!!!!!!!

Playa would be my choice for several reason. Ist there is more to see in that area of Mexico then in all of Puerto Rico. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/16c43/947/
From Myan ruins to Xcerat a natural park with underground rivers, zoo, beaches cenotes and more.http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/16c43/ea4af/

4 years ago PR was a fairly dangerous place but not as bad as Savannah, including driving, however PR has gambling. Should notworry about rain in either place check out wheather channel.com for rain per month chart. Then check your area to compare.
PR has ( which should be next year