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

**Heather** · 09-19-2005

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 one of two amazing cenotes: either Ik Kil or 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. These two cenotes are some 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 one of two amazing cenotes: either Ik Kil or 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. These two cenotes are some 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.

jtm1631 · 09-20-2005

Hey, what happened to the Sea to Cenote tour?

**Heather** · 09-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtm1631

Hey, what happened to the Sea to Cenote tour?

We are in the process of doing a bit of reorganizing on that tour. It'll be back soon and we'll add it to the schedule. Thanks for noticing.

cuffedlinks · 09-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

We are in the process of doing a bit of reorganizing on that tour. It'll be back soon and we'll add it to the schedule. Thanks for noticing.

I was wondering that as well...I sent that link on to a friend who is travelling with a group and told them to definitely book something through Playa.Info...I even included some of the rave reviews posted here....

I'll keep checking the tweaking process and send something else on as it comes available...News at 11 - someday.

**james** · 09-20-2005

the tweaking process got tweaked by some events last week, but it is a priority for me. I've built a calendar system that should work much more nicely than our cryptic sign-up process of the past.

kaki321 · 09-21-2005

Here's to hoping that Sea to Cenote is back for December

shiantry · 09-27-2005

We are going to sign in for al least two of your tours...but don't know when exacly because we also bring friends along...Is it possible to sign in when after we arrive? Thanks.

**Heather** · 09-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiantry

We are going to sign in for al least two of your tours...but don't know when exacly because we also bring friends along...Is it possible to sign in when after we arrive? Thanks.

We always recommend that people book our tours in advance, for two reasons. One, they are very small and fill up fast. Two, we like to get the tour information you need to you in advance so you can plan accordingly. That said, it is sometimes possible to find space available once you are here, you have to just take your chances and contact us by phone.

shiantry · 09-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

We always recommend that people book our tours in advance, for two reasons. One, they are very small and fill up fast. Two, we like to get the tour information you need to you in advance so you can plan accordingly. That said, it is sometimes possible to find space available once you are here, you have to just take your chances and contact us by phone.

thank you Heather, kan you give me the phone number?

louden48 · 09-28-2005

Shiantry, I don't mean to be stepping in on your business, but the trip to Valladolid and Ek Balam is wonderful! Also, part of the reason why we loved the Playa.Info tours so much is because they are small and you can ask more questions, learn, and see more on these tours. I hope you have a wonderful time! Please let me know if you'd like more of a review of the tour we took to Ek Balam and Valladolid.

shiantry · 09-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by louden48

Shiantry, I don't mean to be stepping in on your business, but the trip to Valladolid and Ek Balam is wonderful! Also, part of the reason why we loved the Playa.Info tours so much is because they are small and you can ask more questions, learn, and see more on these tours. I hope you have a wonderful time! Please let me know if you'd like more of a review of the tour we took to Ek Balam and Valladolid.

You dont step into my business I love to share

Thank you...

I will let you know after I received the Phonenumber so I can contact Playa.info when we are there...

but stil no have

maybe later...

Eric & KJ · 09-30-2005

Should we bring our own snorkel gear or will there be room. Eric

**james** · 10-05-2005

we provide everything.

**james** · 10-10-2005

Our automated booking calendar is now online!

**denisea** · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

Our automated booking calendar is now online!

Now that's a nice addition to the site. Need to add the BFEV to December.

09-19-2005	#1 (permalink)
Heather employee of the month Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 10,864	Playa.Info's one-of-a-kind tours! 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 one of two amazing cenotes: either Ik Kil or 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. These two cenotes are some 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 one of two amazing cenotes: either Ik Kil or 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. These two cenotes are some 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. __________________ Need a Villa or Condo?? Fill this out and let Caribe Sunrise find your perfect spot.

09-20-2005	#5 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	the tweaking process got tweaked by some events last week, but it is a priority for me. I've built a calendar system that should work much more nicely than our cryptic sign-up process of the past. __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

10-05-2005	#13 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	we provide everything. __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

10-10-2005	#14 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	Our automated booking calendar is now online! __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

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09-20-2005	#2 (permalink)
jtm1631 añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,428	Hey, what happened to the Sea to Cenote tour?

09-21-2005	#6 (permalink)
kaki321 life=playa Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 971	Here's to hoping that Sea to Cenote is back for December

09-27-2005	#7 (permalink)
shiantry reposado Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: moved to the beach Posts: 1,100	We are going to sign in for al least two of your tours...but don't know when exacly because we also bring friends along...Is it possible to sign in when after we arrive? Thanks.

09-28-2005	#10 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,899	Shiantry, I don't mean to be stepping in on your business, but the trip to Valladolid and Ek Balam is wonderful! Also, part of the reason why we loved the Playa.Info tours so much is because they are small and you can ask more questions, learn, and see more on these tours. I hope you have a wonderful time! Please let me know if you'd like more of a review of the tour we took to Ek Balam and Valladolid.

09-30-2005	#12 (permalink)
Eric & KJ sandflea Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 7	Should we bring our own snorkel gear or will there be room. Eric