Playa Del Carmen -Mexico

[minijaffacake]

Hi, looks like I've talked DBF into going to Mexico for a week in December 07. Want a bit more of a chilled out holiday than Orlando last year. Can only afford a week however. We would still like to do a couple of excursions as I think a whole week lying by the pool would be a bit too chilled for us :cool2: I would love to swim with Dolphins again but there seems to be many places to do this in Mexico. Can anybody tell me about their experiences? Also many of the excursions seem to involve snorkelling and I cant do this due to a permanently perforated eardrum, so can you tell me which excursions I would not get value for money from?

Also are there any shopping excursions to Cancun??


Thanks

[Nicksgirl]

We had a shopping trip out to Cancun, it was great but were very pleased to get back to our hotel in Riveria Maya - Cancun was very touristy and dare I say a little rough.

Love Love Love Mexico though, hope you have a wonderful Tequila time !

[ANGEL C]

We stayed in the Riviera Maya and did a day trip excursion to Cozumel Island to swim with the Dolphins. There was snorkelling included if you wanted to do it but you could just relax on the beach or walk round the eco park. Lunch was provided and we had an hour or so afterwards do do some shopping on the Island. Transport was also included in the price via coach & ferry from our hotel.

We also did a trip on the 'Fat Cat' catamaran from Puerto Aventuras Marina about 20 mins from PDC. Whilst walking round the marina we saw organized swimming with Doplhins there. There were also areas with Manatees and Stingrays. This Dolphin encounter would probably be cheaper than the Cozumel one as there didn't seem to be much else involved other than the swim.

Hope you'll have a fab time :spin:

[doryfan1]

(i can hear val ramsey groan as i'm posting this) would river maya be the nicest area to stop in? inyho, can you get some discounted late deals on all inclusives if you wait till nearer the time or is it best to book early. husbands 40th in nov and although we have chance of an appartment in spain for the week it just doesn't have the same romance as say.. mexico. do you think a week is too short for the distance you travel? (i couldn't stretch to a fortnight)
thanks,

[carolynn38]

Hi,
we stayed in Playa Del Carmen (Riu Palace, in fact) in May 2005 (AI) and had a FABULOUS time. Its a gorgeous area to be in!

We also did the dolphins but booked it before we went. Didn't work out to be much cheaper doing it this way, BUT we did get the day we wanted, transport and the program we wanted - Sea Life Discovery, where as well as swimming with the dolphins we also swam with the manatees and fed the rays.

We did it at Puerto Aventuras with Dolphin discovery

http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/puerto_aventuras/

Highly recommended.

We didn't do many other tours, but went to Xcaret (again on our own by taxi) and had a great day out. We paid extra to have a meal whilst watching the evening show and thought it was very worthwhile, as the food was excellent and you also got reserved seating. There is a laxy river here, which some snorkel through, but to be honest you can just swim. There is so much else to see and do here, including dolphin encounters, which tbh, didn't look as good as the one we had (or as long).

We also spent an afternoon browsing round Playa del carmen itself, which was nice, as well as a very alcohol fuelled evening, organised by our tour reps.

We didn't go into Cancun ourselves, but some friends did. They cought the local bus and said it was fine.

I loved my hol there and are definately going to go back some time. If you need to know anything else, just ask away.

[Nicky Mouse]

Hi again,:D

We did the Dolphin experience on Isla Mujeres, went from Cancun on boat and was practically a full day (about half hour swim with Dolphins) you can also do a swim with sharks and lunch was also provided, there is also a limit on the number of people allowed in 1 day so there's loads of room to roam and relax:thumbs-up
In the afternoon, we were given golf buggies (1 between 4 people) to race:blush: round the island on which was great fun. On the way back on the boat, you could get drunk with the crew :nonono: or just relax,All this was included in 1 price which I think was about £90 (can't remember $'s) and was the best day we had there.
As already been said there's also great shopping and quite a few other good trips depending on what you like to do.
Let me know if you want any more details:wavey:

[scottfeltham]

hi,were of to the rui palace in playa del carman in 10 weeks
im glad you liked the place carolynn38
we want to do one or two trips aswell
cant wait
scott

[Nicksgirl]

(i can hear val ramsey groan as i'm posting this) would river maya be the nicest area to stop in? inyho, can you get some discounted late deals on all inclusives if you wait till nearer the time or is it best to book early. husbands 40th in nov and although we have chance of an appartment in spain for the week it just doesn't have the same romance as say.. mexico. do you think a week is too short for the distance you travel? (i couldn't stretch to a fortnight)
thanks,

Personally I think the Riveria Maya is the nicest part.
If you could try and get a Palace resort hotel which is all-inclusive you can visit all the other hotels in the Palace chain whilst your there and take in all the facilities too.
We first went for a week and yes it can be done.

Dont miss the show at Xcaret though - its wonderful..... LONG....... but wonderful.

[Diesel_Staffie]

hi we are staying in the bahia principe akumal - 5* AI - its heaven!!! 10 weeks to go!!! need any info just ask x

[carolynn38]

Scott - you will have a fab time - it is one of the BEST hotels I have EVER stayed in. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and they were all so lovely. Always smiling, always wanting to make sure you were OK - wonderfull people.

The food was also a bit too good to be true. Many a day we tried to miss lunch as we were eating too much, but there was always something fabulous being cooked that we just had to try....

Are you staying in the 'new' Riu Palace, or the older one. The new one has only been open about 12 months or so and is much bigger. We were at the old one and would love to try the new one soon, The older one is located next door to the Riu Yucatan BTW.

Nicksgirl, I agree that the Riviera maya is definately the nicest place in the Yucatan to go. From what I have heard from friends, Cancun is getting a bit too much 'Club 18-30'. Fine if you like that sort of thing, but my foam party days are well over (and I'm only 36!!!!!!!!).

I'm not too sure what you mean about the 'Palace' resort hotels though....

The actual chain of hotels is Riu and they are worldwide. There are 2 x palace hotels in Playa, and they are 'top of the chain'. What this means is you can use the facilities of the other Riu Hotels in the area (Club hotels) like the Riu Yucatan, Rui Tequila (there were more but I can't remember) but they can't use yours. We did visit the others and although they were very nice, the palace is definitely more superior. I also know that whilst we had Bailey's at the bars, the other Riu's did not.......

[Nicksgirl]

Scott - you will have a fab time - it is one of the BEST hotels I have EVER stayed in. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and they were all so lovely. Always smiling, always wanting to make sure you were OK - wonderfull people.

The food was also a bit too good to be true. Many a day we tried to miss lunch as we were eating too much, but there was always something fabulous being cooked that we just had to try....

Are you staying in the 'new' Riu Palace, or the older one. The new one has only been open about 12 months or so and is much bigger. We were at the old one and would love to try the new one soon, The older one is located next door to the Riu Yucatan BTW.

Nicksgirl, I agree that the Riviera maya is definately the nicest place in the Yucatan to go. From what I have heard from friends, Cancun is getting a bit too much 'Club 18-30'. Fine if you like that sort of thing, but my foam party days are well over (and I'm only 36!!!!!!!!).

I'm not too sure what you mean about the 'Palace' resort hotels though....

The actual chain of hotels is Riu and they are worldwide. There are 2 x palace hotels in Playa, and they are 'top of the chain'. What this means is you can use the facilities of the other Riu Hotels in the area (Club hotels) like the Riu Yucatan, Rui Tequila (there were more but I can't remember) but they can't use yours. We did visit the others and although they were very nice, the palace is definitely more superior. I also know that whilst we had Bailey's at the bars, the other Riu's did not.......


The Palace chain hotels are Xpu-ha Palace, Moon Palace, Aventura Spa Palace and the Cancun Palace.

If you stay at one you can play at the others too and enjoy all their facilities. They have coaches that will take you to each hotel so you can stay and visit for the day... as its all inclusive its the same deal.

The Aventura Spa and Xpu-ha are 5 star hotels so thats brilliant. However the Xpu-ha Palace is a shadow of its former self due to the Hurricanes.
It was so wonderful but has sadly changed. The hotel was set in an Eco-paradise.
Aventura Spa Palace is an adults only resort, and god is it impressive.

:wavey:

[Sarah84]

anyone stayed in the Sandos gala playacar??