Playa del Carmen Travel Forum

My wife and I will be staying in a resort not far from Playa Del Carmen. We want to take a taxi to 5th Avenue, walk around and have some Mexican food. I have been to Playa before (I love this town). Obviously, there are lots of restaurants along 5th Avenue, but wanted to get people's recommendations on the good one since some of these restaurants are the typical tourist traps (bad food, high prices).

Can someone please give me some advice how to choose a place for snorkeling around Playa del Carmen, Mexico? We do not have guys with us this time so we want to be somewhere safe. We are not sissies but we do not want to get ripped off just because we are blond. How much is it supposed to cost? Also what is the best way to see the Chichen Itza ruins? We do not want to rent a car. I have been to Tulum before and it was awesome so we are going back.

Can anyone give me a lead on a local vendor (name and phone/email contact info)with whom bride and groom may contract for a wedding tent or canopy? Wedding is May 22, The Royal Playa del Carmen. Hotel does not have/supply tent or canopy. Wedding is for 100+/- guests. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
Mary

Hi I have spent my last penny on getting to mexico to be at two very good friends wedding. So now I am completely broke in the middle of a recession with a ticket to Mexico and I need somewhere cheap to stay. In the past I have crashed with friends in their rooms, but everyone going are couples, so unless I meet someone who is willing to put me up for a few nights I'm stuck. (yeah - yeah I am the poor friend that spends his last dime and works 20 hrs a day).

Are there Cabanas or a hostel in walking distance to Barcelo Maya Beach resort?

where is the bus terminal at cun airport and do I need to purchase tickets befor I leave the U.S.

Could someone recommend a good day spa within a short ride from the cruise pier? We will be in town just for a day and I would like to have a great "spa day" without spending too much money (like on the ship). I found the Spa Del Sol in Cozumel online. It seems very reasonable. Is it a good place?

Thank you!

We have traveled in Mexico and were able to purchase legal drugs such as antibiotics. Do they have pharmacia's in playa del carmen like they do in border town? Does anyone have experience with this? I am also interested in dental care in Playa del Carmen? Any information would be helpful. Thanks

Hello. Does anyone have experience with any of these hotels in PDC? location? breakfast quality? noise? comfort? Thanks! Illusions is more expensive. We are planning to take day trips every day and spend little time at the hotel.

Would anyone have a recommendation for us something fun to do in Playa Del Carmen for New Year's eve? We are a middle age couple not very much into loud nightclub atmosphere. Looking for nice dinner, live music or other entertainment. Dinner and music could be in different places . Thx!!

We are suppose to be coming down to Playa del Carmen May 29th if our travel company does not cancel our trip. We are staying at Sandos Playacar beach resort and spa. We were wondering if there are alot of people at the resorts and if the resorts are fully open as far as restaurants and bars. Also are the ferrys to Cozumel running and is Fifth Avenue Busy or dead. We do not want to come down if noone is there and our hotel is only half open or functional. Could someone please let us know?

We will be stating at the Sandos Playacar Resort and Spa...is the Blue Parrot within walking distance?
Jill

Dear Forum: has anyone any feedback on the Mayan Palace Riviera Maya resort at Km.48 Carr. Fed. Cancun - Playa,Solidaridad, Playa del Carmen. One review in Trip Advisor claimed that all the good reviews were written by its employees so I am a bit concerned. I've already booked it via my timeshare but I'll just cancel and book another if the feedback is very negative as I'll have 3 small children travelling with me. Thanks in advance.

Dear Forum: I will be staying at the Mayan Palace, Riviera Maya, Km.48 Carr. Fed. Cancún - Playa Solidaridad, Playa del Carmen, Q.Roo-México. I am looking at options to get to Merida for a day. It seems a long ways on the map. I'll have three small children with me (2, 4, 7) Questions:
(1) Is there a direct, comfortable public transportation service to Merida, any timetable info & how long will it take?
(2) Are there direct flights to Merida?
(3) Alternatively, would you recommend renting car in Mexico to go to that area (safety?. Is it relatively easy to get to Merida from where I am staying? How long will it take by car?
(4) Are there rental cars with GPS systems in Mexico e.g. like the Hertz Neverlost system?
(5) Is it so far away that overnighting might be recommended?

Thanks

Dear Forum: I will be staying at the Mayan Palace, Riviera Maya, Km.48 Carr. Fed. Cancún - Playa Solidaridad, Playa del Carmen, Q.Roo-México. I am looking at options to get Chichen Itza for a day as I'll have 3 small children with me (2, 4, 7). Tours are of course an option but may be too structured for fidgety children. Questions:
(1) Is there a direct, comfortable public transportation service to Chichen Itza, any timetable info & how long will it take?
(2) Would you recommend renting car in Mexico to go to that area (safety concerns for foreigners) and is it relatively easy to get to Chichen Itza from where I am staying? How long will it take by car?
(3) Are there rental cars with GPS systems in Mexico e.g. like the Hertz Neverlost system?

Thanks

I am staying at Iberostar Quetzal next week and need to know if they have soya milk available in the buffet?

How late do these buses run? Our flight came in at 10:30pm and by the time we cleared customs it was after 11pm. We had a hotel transfer but on our next trip we are planning on not doing an all inclusive trip.

Thanks!

Hi!

I an looking for a good rental in the area for august.

I found the following company on the web: www.kaaxan.com, they look serious, but has anybody had any experience with them ?

Thanks

Hi guys!! I´m planning to travel to Play del Carrmen with my wife and baby.... someone have any reference from this hotel??? Other recomendations??

CHeers!!!!

has anyone stayed at the tides in playa del carmen? the website looks awesome, and i've read mostly positive, but some negative reviews. thanks in advance..p.s. we're looking to go in august, which i know is the rainy season. i appreciate any reply! thanks!

Will be in PDC next month...have been before but need some help. Will have 4 children 3 and under....should we pack all the disposable diapers we'll need? Did so last time with only one child...shopped at Chedraui, and WalMart...and was often surprised at the things i couldn't seem to find... also...using Ace Rent a Car...and have asked for two toddler car seats...anyone have any experience with them....and with car seat requests....thanks for your help!

HI! Need some advice choosing a hotel for my Playa Del Carmen trip I am planning in May. Have done some research and read MANY reviews, which have just perplexed me even more!

Am looking for a moderately priced, all-inclusive, beachfront property in PDC or surrounding areas. A nice beach is very important, as we are BIG beach people…nothing too rocky. Being able to walk to town (PDC) would be nice, but is not essential.

We are not fussy people what so ever, just want a good experience for our vacation (it will be my 30th bday!). Any help is appreciated, as the choices seem endless!

Thanks in advance,
mj

Hi everybody!

What are you experiences with dive centres in the area. I'm concidering taking an open water course this winter. Are there any hotels that are popular with scuba divers or are run by dive centres?

Merry christmas by the way!

I am headed down with my family and renting a place in playa del carmen. My siblings and I really want to take some surf lessons, we are all over 25 (if that matters), and since there are six of us in total (step sibs, sibs, and significant others) we would love it if we could find someone that would give us a group lesson, or lessons.

anyone know of anyone or anywhere local that we can go to sign up for something like this?

also, as we have been a PV family for a while I would love any other Playa del Carmen tips yo've got for a fun-loving hard-partying family out on the town

Hello VT'ers,

We will be honeymooning in the Playa area Jan. 3rd to the 8th. Does anyone know what we can expect as far as weather? Just wondering what to pack so I can start digging out some of our summer stuff if need be!

Also, I am a vegeterain and was wondering if you have restaurant recommendations for the town of Playa Del Carmen? We are staying at the adults only all inclusive Iberostar Grand Paradaiso but I'm sure we will venture out to Playa for at least one day.

We also welcome suggestions of things we should see/do such as the cenotes and I've been hearing about a bar/restuarant that's a cave called Alux Cave or something like that? I'm not really into snorkeling and scuba though so activities not involving that would be welcome suggestions!

Thanks!
Renee

Since our story is similar to hundreds of others that can be found on the internet, I will try to be brief.

While on vacation celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary with our 2 young children; we were approached upon our arrival at the airport in Cancun and offered free attraction tickets in return for a $40 deposit and listening to a 90 minute time share presentation at Sunset Fishermans Village in Playa Del Carmen.

They picked us up at our hotel and held us hostage for 7 hours of lies and high pressure sales tactics at their beautiful, small (and curiously uninhabited) resort with a view of the island of Cozumel. We were "guaranteed" a good investment, rental income and easy availability. They even threw in a 2 year membership to RCI and 4 RCI bonus weeks! We in return, threw away $14, 000 of our hard earned money. Please - don't send any comments telling us how stupid we are - we know!

In October of 2007 we attempted to reserve any winter week in 2008 and were told that there was absolutely no availability until May. We were offered a studio for one week (when we had purchased a one bedroom) or "mandatory all inclusive" in Cancun. The studio was out of the question with 2 kids and their all inclusive in Cancun (not Playa Del Carmen where we had bought) was way overpriced. We could have gone to a 5 star all inclusive for less money!

Our calls and emails have been mostly ignored by Sunset Group. A letter from our attorney was also ignored. We have filed a complaint with Profeco, the government agency who act as mediators. Profeco will have 3 meetings with the company in Mexico before closing the file (possibly as unresolved). The first meeting took place on November 4th but we were not invited. Sunset Group made us an "offer of cancelling our contract without a refund, we have declined their offer. They are now threateaning us with a US collection agency for 2008 maintenance fees when we were refused a reservation in 2008!

We have contacted Mastercard, RCI, the Mexican Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Embassy in Mexico since we beleive that they all have a duty and obligation to warn tourists about Sunset Group and it's fraudulent practices.Has anyone had any success with obtaining a refund from these banditos? Is a class action possible (from Canada) and has anyone had any success with obtaining a refund outside of the 5 day waiver period? Please constructive responses only...thanks.

I stayed in this small hotel in June and really liked it. I enquired about staying for a month next year and the guy gave me his card, but I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know the phone number or email address for El Campanario or ideas on how to find it? Thanx

Hey,

We're going to PDC from November 29th until December 13th.

We're a bit worried about the weather. Could someone please tell us what's the weather's usualy like end November - begin December?

Could you also tell us if it gets cold in the evening? And when does it get dark?

Tnx!!

Kind regards,
tsay

Hi, my family and I coming to Playa the in Dec. and are staying at a new resort call Azul Five by karisma. It is on the beach and just wanted to see if you knew anything about the resort and if it is opening on time?? thanks for your help in advance!

hi! im not meaning to sound stupid, but im going to playa on oct 27 and will be there till the 6th of nov, is it most likley to rain on us the whole time we are there? We live in washington state so are used to the rain, but ive heard that when it rains there, its still nice and warm enough to be outside, and that it usualy passes fairly quickly, meaning that if it rains in the morning, theres a good chance we could still spend the afternoon on the beach. Is this just wishful thinking, or the truth? I appreciate any and all replies, and any advice about anything we shouldnt miss while there.

Where can I buy a Lonely Planet guidebook in Playa Del Carmen? I know about the bookstore in Puerto Morelos but this one is closed for the season. Is there any other place where they sell them?