Going to Playa in October, any suggestions for a family of 8?
Anyone ever use a fishing charter here?
Anyone ever use a fishing charter here?
Playa del Carmen
- Thread starter bswain1980
- Start date
Went there for our honeymoon 5 years ago. Had blast. Stayed at the Royal. We didn't do an excursions because I have been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of them already and they take a whole day (typically), so we did massages instead.
The 'downtown' of Playa was right outside our resort and was a neat little market/tourist trap. But fun and safe.
What resort are you staying at?
The 'downtown' of Playa was right outside our resort and was a neat little market/tourist trap. But fun and safe.
What resort are you staying at?
I will never go to Mexico again. Never never never never. Too many nice places to go in this country without taking the risks you take going there.
Hahaha. Oh Dinglefritz.. Mexico is a grand place and I prefer it for beaches and cerveza!
For a family of eight, you could try the pyramid and ruins at Tulum. There is a more rustic less touristy pyramid at Coba. You could try snorkeling and seeing the turtles at Akumal. Xel-ha is an amusement/nature park type of place nearby. Also, you might try a forum called playa.info. The forum would likely have some recommendations there and discussions about what is going on in town.
I love MX! I have been 5 times and have never had a bad experience.
I have done some fishing while there but would recommend FL/gulf coast over Cozumel/Playa fishing. I enjoyed Chichen Itza but not sure how close they let you get now. Back in the day we were allowed almost everyplace. I heard the bus ride can be a pain so we flew from Cozumel all the way to the site.
If you don't SCUBA I would recommend a resort course to try it out. You are near some of the best sites in the world to SCUBA. Snorkeling is good but SCUBA is a whole different world.
I have done some fishing while there but would recommend FL/gulf coast over Cozumel/Playa fishing. I enjoyed Chichen Itza but not sure how close they let you get now. Back in the day we were allowed almost everyplace. I heard the bus ride can be a pain so we flew from Cozumel all the way to the site.
If you don't SCUBA I would recommend a resort course to try it out. You are near some of the best sites in the world to SCUBA. Snorkeling is good but SCUBA is a whole different world.
I have gone every year for the last 6 years. The Royal is nice but its adults only. Riu Palace Riviera Maya is nice. As is Riu Yucatan if you want a little cheaper. the Iberostars are nice also, have stayed at the Tucan and Maya. Tucan is on a jungle setting and has monkeys swinging form the tree's. Playa del Carmen is real close to Xpore which is really great for a family. cave diving, zip lines, 4x4 lots of fun. Also you can catch the ferry to Cozmel which has great scuba diving. The ruins are neet too, but only do that if your there for 7 days, takes all day and a hour drive.
have fun. whats the ages of everyone and can prob tell what you would like more.
Perfect. Do exactly what LVC just said. I was in Playa for 5 days last summer and hit all of the highlights listed here. My wife and I rented a car for the entirety of the trip and drove without issue. A little bit of a drive to Chichen Itza, but worth it. Coba was definitely my favorite Mayan ruin to visit. For a family, Xel-ha will keep you busy for a day or 2 if needed. Plenty of Cenotes to check out as well.
When people talk about how dangerous a place like Playa Del Carmen is, it is like saying Nebraska is dangerous because of Baltimore or Ferguson. Playa Del Carmen is a MUCH safer place to travel than many cities in America including our nations capital.
No doubt there are dangerous places to travel in Mexico. Playa Del Carmen is not one of them.
No doubt there are dangerous places to travel in Mexico. Playa Del Carmen is not one of them.
We did the trip to Tulum, Xel-Ha, and Xplor. I'd recommend all of them.. Xel-ha is a great way to introduce kids to snorkeling as it's in a controlled environment but still feels very similar to being out in the ocean. Xplor is great for zip lining, some ATV's, and swimming through the caves.
Also. I highly recommend a company called Local Quickies for tours in the area. Two of the best days of my life were on Local Quickies tours. They do all different types of excursions and were reasonably priced two years ago when I used them. I'm sure they do group pricing and the tours are a blast for kids or adults.
I won't ever waste my money and go back to Mexico again (been there 3 times)....not impressed (I concur with Dinglefritz) So many better places on this planet to take a vacation.
We've been doing Big Island Hawaii 9 out of the last 10 years - already booked to go again in March - much nicer!! And the majority of Hawaiians are proud to be Americans so that's a plus in my book - and Mexicans?...well not so much.
JMHO-
We've been doing Big Island Hawaii 9 out of the last 10 years - already booked to go again in March - much nicer!! And the majority of Hawaiians are proud to be Americans so that's a plus in my book - and Mexicans?...well not so much.
JMHO-
The Mexicans aren't proud to be Americans???? WTF??
Just ribbing ya, though I love Mexico.
Just ribbing ya, though I love Mexico.
Neither good nor bad, but I feel the exact opposite. I won't waste my money every again to go back to Hawaii. Super expensive, crowded, and just doesn't give me what I am looking for when heading to a tropical locale. Maui is about the best out of the islands, but less than impressed. I do like a lot of the Caribbean islands better than Mexico, but hard to beat cheap cerveza, nice beaches, and pretty nice amenities for a good price IMO.
Yea Maui is extremely expensive you are correct....try the Big Island some time - not as touristy and waaay more affordable - we always rent a jeep and can get done to some of the most secluded beaches/snorkeling in the world - not a soul around.
I agree, I prefer the Caribbean over Mexico....
Hawaii was my favorite place to ever visit, but the cost to go to Hawaii and the cost for Punta Cana are hardly comparable. Mexico is cheap. Flights are cheaper (and shorter), all-inclusive are available, it is just way more affordable. But yes, Hawaii is better.
I have been lucky enough to travel to Hawaii, Mexico (x3 or 4), Aruba, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica in my adult life. They all have pros and cons. Mexico is low on the list but Mexico can still be great, especially if you get a nice resort (it also depends on what you are looking for in a trip).
I've been to the Big Island and you are correct. Snorkeling was out of this world, it was just super boring there for me anyway.
The difference is the cops in Omaha aren't going to throw you in a rat hole and sodomize you with a billy club until your relative's pay a judge off to let you out. Mexico is a corrupt, filthy, dangerous country and I refuse to support their economy with my dollars.
Cozumel is a dump and you couldn't pay me to go back there. So in your experience which of the other Islands would you say is the nicest, safest, cleanest for a fly in family vacation? I'm not doing the cruise thing again. I hate being a sheep on a livestock container.
Anything goes in Mexico. Last time we were in Playa we got hustled at a restaurant/bar. Waiter took our drink orders, came back with them and someone in our group handed him a $50 bill. Waiter went to get change and we never saw him again. Wasn't a waiter after all. Agreed it CAN be a very dangerous place. Beautiful? Yes absolutely. Corruption from police is the norm.
Sounds to me like you should just stay within the borders of the good ole boring Continental US and avoid all other places and cultures.
I, for one, think this country is boring as sh!t. I would rather walk through Hadrians Villa in Tivoli than sit on a beach anywhere in the world. In North America alone, the many Mayan ruins in Mexico or Quebec City have more to offer historically and culturally than anywhere in the US. I was in Playa for 4+ days and spent maybe 2 hours on the beach or in the ocean. I would rather walk through ruins every day of the week. Luckily my wife is the same. There is far too much to experience to waste time laying in the damn sun.
Was just there. IT IS A DUMP. Mold growing everywhere in the restaurants and shops. No thanks. There's one nice resort right next to a crappy one with a rope to separate their beaches. Not my cup of tea. Guess I value my health and well being. Friend of mine just got back from Mexico and ended with a GI thing that took him over a month and a hospital visit to get over. He stayed at a very nice all inclusive resort and said he will never go back again.
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