Playa.Info's one-of-a-kind tours!

[Pipefish]

Hi. Just wondering if there is any possibility of the Chichen Itza tour happening on any other day than Fridays. We will be in PDC in early May 2006, and unfortunately a Friday tour does not fit with our itinerary. We did the Tulum and Beyond tour last year and would love to experience Chichen Itza the "playainfo" way.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Pipefish

Hi. Just wondering if there is any possibility of the Chichen Itza tour happening on any other day than Fridays. We will be in PDC in early May 2006, and unfortunately a Friday tour does not fit with our itinerary. We did the Tulum and Beyond tour last year and would love to experience Chichen Itza the "playainfo" way.

The tour schedule does change all the time, but even if we don't have a Chichen tour in May on the day you want, you can request an added tour. We will do what we can to accommodate your request.

[twool2122]

I just signed up for this tour... where in Playa does this tour leave from or do you pick people up from their hotels?

Also, due to the holiday I am hoping you have enough that week to make this tour happen.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Heather

Playa.info tours

Playa.info tours currently run on the following schedule:

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS - Tulum and Beyond
WEDNESDAYS - Ek Balam/Valladolid
THURSDAYS- Coba Treasures
FRIDAYS-Chichen Itza/Valladolid

Remember: If you have a group of people who would like to go on a tour on a different day, we will do our best to accomodate you.

Who are James and Anna?
We are the people behind Playa.Info. We have lived in Playa del Carmen for more than 7 years and we're quite knowledgeable when it comes to this area, Mayan history and culture, snorkeling, cenotes and whatever else will give our tours that extra edge.

What kind of tours are these?
More elaborate itineraries can be found below. Our tours are planned to give you a fun day of culture, history and natural wonders. And most importantly FUN! Look at us your friends who live here and will take you on a great day out!
Our tours are exclusive, we only take small groups (maximum 12 people) and the tours fill up pretty fast. This means that if you are interested you should book as soon as possible. If you wait too long it's unlikely that there will be space left.
Our tours are a whole different experience from the 'cattle' tours - it's more like if a friend showed you around. We make them special by taking you to some places where other tours don't go, and we add a lot of local knowledge and flavor to the day.

Which tour should I choose?
Our tours are designed to be quite different, so if you'd like to go on two (or all) of them, you will not have any repeats.
The Tulum and Cenotes tour is the most diverse and it's a full day, with a Mayan ruin, cenotes, snorkeling and lunch at a paradise beach on the schedule - kind of a 'best of' tour for the Mayan Riviera. Tulum is a great ruin to visit, but on this tour it is not the main focus of the tour - just a part of it. This tour is perfect if you want a taste and an introduction of the wonders of the Mayan Riviera.
The Coba with a Yucatecan Flavor tour is perfect if you're interested in learning a bit more about the Maya and visit an archaeological site that is much larger and older than Tulum. The visit to Coba is the main object to this tour, and we will spend almost 2 hours at the site. Here you'll also have the opportunity to climb the second tallest Mayan pyramid in the Mayan World (the tallest is in Tikal in Guatemala). The cave/cenote we visit in the afternoon is truly spectacular. You should choose this tour if you're extra interested in learning more about the Maya and if you want to visit a wild, largely un-excavated ruin in the middle of the jungle.

How do I sign up?
Use our automated booking calendar.

Your information will be stored in the database, availability will be confirmed, and we'll send you a payment link.

Pick ups
Our tours leave out of Playa del Carmen. If you're staying in a hotel in Playa or Playacar, we will pick you up at your hotel (or very close to it, in case your hotel is located so that we can't drive up to it). If you're in a resort between Playa and Tulum, we'll also pick you up. If you're in a resort north of Playa, we'll give you a meeting point in town. The pick-ups will be between 7.20 am and 8 am, but the exact time of your pick up will depend on where the participants of that day are staying and how to best navigate town. You will receive that information the week before the tour, at the latest.

Prices and Payments
Tulum and Beyond: 87 usd per person, 65 usd for children 12 yrs or younger.
Coba Treasures: 80 usd per person, 57 usd for children 12 yrs or younger.
Ek Balam/Valladolid: 97 usd per person, 77 usd for children 12 yrs or younger.
Chichen Itza/Vallodolid: 97 usd per person, 77 usd for children 12 yrs or younger.

Click on the link above to sign up and once we have confirmed availability, we'll send you a payment link for the full amount. We'll get back to you within one day (or perhaps two, if it's the weekend). Your payment is 100% refundable if you cancel 36 hours or more in advance. If you cancel the day before the tour, 50% is refundable. There are no refunds if you cancel the day of the tour or if you have to leave the tour for any reason once it has started.

What's Included?
Basically everything: all entrances; expert guiding; snacks and lunch; water, soft drinks and juices; snorkel gear (when applicable); air-conditioned transportation with driver. Things to bring/wear: comfortable shoes/sandals, hat, sunglasses, swim wear, towel, camera, personal belongings and some cash in case you want to pick up some handicraft in one of the villages we pass on our way.

Private tours
If you have 8 people or more in your group we can schedule a tour any day it fits you and we can also customize the day for your group. Ask for a quote.

James and Anna's Special Tours - Itineraries:

TULUM AND BEYOND
• We leave Playa del Carmen at around 7.30 am.
• On the way to Tulum, we get acquainted with each other and what we're about to see and experience during this active day.
• The ruins of Tulum have one of the most dramatic settings of all - perched on a cliff by the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Tulum flourished in late Postclassic time and the buildings date back to the 12th century. It was an important trading port and one of the few Mayan cities still inhabited when the Spaniards arrived. Our group will be joined by a local guide, specialized on Tulum.
• After the visit to the ruins we head inland a short distance to one of the area's most fascinating cenotes. This area is unique for its cenotes, which basically are waterfilled sinkholes doubling as entrances to cave systems. This particular cenote is highly decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, both above and beneath the surface. The water is cool and clear as air. Snorkeling in this natural wonder will give you an unforgettable memory that can only be experienced first hand.
• Next we will go to a nearby private beach for lunch. This particularly beautiful, and almost empty, stretch of beach is located near the entrance to the Sian Kaan biosphere. We will get lunch ready for you as you swim around in the turquoise water of the Caribbean. Drinks and tropical fruit is also on the menue as well as some chill-time.
• Satisfied with food and beach, we’ll head north towards Playa, and we will make one more cenote stop on the way home, this time at a very nice smaller cenote in lush jungle setting with a fun cliff to jump from – a perfect ending to a beautiful day. At this time in the afternoon chances are good to see some colorful tropical birds in the vegetation surrounding the cenote.
• We will be back in Playa del Carmen at around 5 pm.

COBA TREASURES
• We leave Playa del Carmen at around 7.30 am.
• On the way to Coba, we will give you a long-ish introduction of Mayan/Yucatecan history and culture.
• Coba dates back to Classic time (600 AD), which makes it one of the oldest ruins on the Yucatan peninsula. It was also an important trading post during centuries. A local guide with special knowledge of Coba and of the jungle around it will accompany us at the site. The pyramid of Coba is the tallest Mayan structure on the Yucatan peninsula and the view from its top is breathtaking. We'll take our time in Coba and spend a couple of hours there.
• Hungry after climbing the pyramid, we head to a typical family-run Yucatecan restaurant with a view of the lake (and its caymans) where we have tasty lunch with homemade tortillas.
• Our next stop is a pristine cenote/cave which only recently opened for visitors. Only a priviledged few have seen this spectacular natural wonder. We'll go for a swim in the refreshing water and have time to explore.
• On our way from Coba we'll pass a few small villages where we can stop and pick up some nice handicraft if there's an interest. We'll be back in Playa around 5 pm.

Chichen Itza/Valladolid
• We leave Playa del Carmen at around 7.30 am.
• During the ride to Chichen Itza, your guide will give you a briefing of the history of the Mayan people and the area we travel through. Before getting to Chichen Itza we will have a sandwich to give us the energy we need to see this amazing ancient city.
• On our visit to Chichen Itza, the grandest of ruins in the Yucatan, you will learn more about Mayan life and traditions. The oldest buildings in this site date back from 850 AD. Chichen Itza was the center of power in the 12th century and it is one of the biggest sites in the Mayan World. On our three hour visit we will cover both the south and the north part of the site. A local site guide specialized on Chichen Itza will join us.
• About half an hour from Chichen Itza lies the small colonial town of Valladolid, which we will visit next. Valladolid is one of the first towns the Conquistadors built in the Americas and it certainly has an interesting history. By the quaint Zocalo (the main square) we will enjoy authentic Mexican food served with fresh fruit drinks.
• After this late lunch we visit the amazing cenote X’keken near the village of Dzitnup, just outside of Valladolid. A cenote is a sinkhole that works as an entrance to a cave system. It's often waterfilled with cool and amazingly clear water. X'keken is one of the most amazing cenotes on the Yucatan peninsula.
• On our way home there may be time to stop in one of the little Mayan villages to pick up some beautiful handicrafts.
• We will be back in Playa around 7.30 pm.

Ek Balam/Valladolid
• We leave Playa del Carmen at around 7.30 am.
• During the ride to Ek Balam, your guide will give you a briefing of the history of the Mayan people and the area we travel through. Before getting to Ek Balam we will have a sandwich to give us the energy we need to see this amazing ancient city.
• On our visit to Ek Balam, a little gem of a Mayan City, you will learn more about Mayan life and traditions. Construction started in the late Pre-Classic period (100 BC to 300 AD) and continued well into Late Classic time, which is 700 to 900 AD. During our tour of this important site, a local site guide specialized on Ek Balam will join us.
• About half an hour from Ek Balam lies the small colonial town of Valladolid, which we will visit next. Valladolid is one of the first towns the Conquistadors built in the Americas and it certainly has an interesting history. By the quaint Zocalo (the main square) we will enjoy authentic Mexican food served with fresh fruit drinks.
• After this late lunch we visit the amazing cenote X’keken near the village of Dzitnup, just outside of Valladolid. A cenote is a sinkhole that works as an entrance to a cave system. It's often waterfilled with cool and amazingly clear water. X'keken is one of the most amazing cenotes on the Yucatan peninsula.
• On our way home there may be time to stop in one of the little Mayan villages to pick up some beautiful handicrafts.
• We will be back in Playa around 6.30 - 7.00 pm.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by twool2122

I just signed up for this tour... where in Playa does this tour leave from or do you pick people up from their hotels?

Also, due to the holiday I am hoping you have enough that week to make this tour happen.

Thanks!

We see you are staying at IB Paraiso, which is North of Playa. We start at a central meeting point in town for those staying in hotels north of town and in town central, then head south, picking up along the way. You'll have to take a taxi in the morning to meet us at the pickup point. We can't backtrack in the morning because it adds too much time to our day, when our goal is to get you to the ruins as early as possible. It's easy to find and taxis are cheap. We can take you back to your resort at the end of the day, however.

[twool2122]

Not a problem - just needed to know where the meeting place is in Playa.
Do you know if the collectivo runs that early in the morning?

Originally Posted by Heather

We see you are staying at IB Paraiso, which is North of Playa. We start at a central meeting point in town for those staying in hotels north of town and in town central, then head south, picking up along the way. You'll have to take a taxi in the morning to meet us at the pickup point. We can't backtrack in the morning because it adds too much time to our day, when our goal is to get you to the ruins as early as possible. It's easy to find and taxis are cheap. We can take you back to your resort at the end of the day, however.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by twool2122

Not a problem - just needed to know where the meeting place is in Playa.
Do you know if the collectivo runs that early in the morning?

Java Joe's coffee shop on 10th street between 5th and 10th avenues, easy to get to.

I'm not sure about the colectivos, I've never actually taken one. Anyone?

[#1SteelerFan]

Originally Posted by julie in PA

We were to fly out this past Saturday - if it weren't for Wilma I'd be in Playa right now

Well, atleast your still going - albeit a little later than you expected. We're headed down for the 2nd time on Dec 4th.

[Sonia]

Originally Posted by twool2122

Not a problem - just needed to know where the meeting place is in Playa.
Do you know if the collectivo runs that early in the morning?

I understand that colectivos start coming from Cancun at 6 am.

[twool2122]

Due to Tropical Storm Gamma and work considerations I have unfortunately decided to cancel my trip to Playa. Please cancel and refund my tour to Ek Balam and Volladolid on Wed 11/23.

Thank you!
I will make sure to reschedule when I am next in Mexico.... most likely Spring '06.

Tracy Wooldridge

PS. Let me know if you have any difficulty locating my tour or need further info.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by twool2122

Due to Tropical Storm Gamma and work considerations I have unfortunately decided to cancel my trip to Playa. Please cancel and refund my tour to Ek Balam and Volladolid on Wed 11/23.

Thank you!
I will make sure to reschedule when I am next in Mexico.... most likely Spring '06.

Tracy Wooldridge

PS. Let me know if you have any difficulty locating my tour or need further info.

ya might want to send a message to playa.info instead of posting a cancellation on a thread. (contact button at bottom of page)
maybe?

[Heather]

Originally Posted by twool2122

Due to Tropical Storm Gamma and work considerations I have unfortunately decided to cancel my trip to Playa. Please cancel and refund my tour to Ek Balam and Volladolid on Wed 11/23.

Thank you!
I will make sure to reschedule when I am next in Mexico.... most likely Spring '06.

Tracy Wooldridge

PS. Let me know if you have any difficulty locating my tour or need further info.

Work considerations I understand. Tropical storm? Not so much. Sonia will send your pm for cancellation.

[xqqzme]

Just booked our trip to Chichen Itza with you all. Looking forward to it and it sounded WAYYYYY better than spending a day on a bus with a bunch of people who are no fun!!!

[blondyinnh]

How hot would it get at Chichen Itza in April? Is it very uncomfortable?
Maryann

[Nerak936]

Originally Posted by blondyinnh

How hot would it get at Chichen Itza in April? Is it very uncomfortable?
Maryann

We did a tour out to Chichen Itza in May 2004. Yeah, it was hot. VERY hot. (And unfortunately we didn't do it via a Playa.Info tour.... At that point I was not yet enlightened, so we suffered through the big bus full of strangers type tour).

But, that being said, Maryann, I recommend you NOT hesitate a moment to do it in April. Seeing Chicken Itza was incredible. And doing it via a Playa.Info tour can only make it even more memorable.

[blondyinnh]

How far chichen itza from the Tucan? I know 2 of our group definetly wants to visit that place when we are there, Im not quite sure yet. We did Tulum tour and loved very minute of it. I could just do that one again.