Iberostar Paraiso Lindo Trip Report

[michelle66il]

Spent five nights from Dec. 21-26th at the Lindo. From Ohare we flew Ryan International which left over an our late. Transfer to the hotel on a big bus which was fine except for one lady who was throwing up which makes me want to dry heave. I actually felt bad for her but ewwww. I asked for a room in buildings 50-54 from recommendations I had read and was put on the third floor of building 54-room 5476. When we walked in it had just been painted-but honestly we didn't care. Our room overlooked the wave pool and was right in the middle of the resort. Room and resort were spotless. Hubby was impressed--heck I make all the plans he just shows up so no pressure on him--but it is a beautiful resort. Just a bit overwhelming at first. Room had two double beds, very nice bathroom. We had the 12 and 14 year old with us in the same room and it wasn't too crowded. Of course once we got there hubby wanted to know why I didn't book 7 nights (uhh because I knew you would freak if you knew how much this trip already cost), but we asked our "funjet" rep and he came back with $2000 for two more nights--no thanks--if I booked 7 nights originally it would have been about $800 more.
Weather--glad we had jeans and sweatshirts the first two days. The first couple of days there was a cool breeze, but we still swam and ran around in shorts with a handy sweatshirt. The wind made some great body surfing with good size waves the first two days which made hubby and my son estatic.
We did have a rain shower the second day in the morning, but no big deal. The 3rd and 4th days were picture perfect. Sunny, warm, clear skies, mid 80's.
Excursions--our second day (the rain morning) we went ATV/speedboat tour at the Maroma Marina Paradise. Last time we went to Playa we went with ATV Explorers through the jungle and swam in cenotes. This ATV tour was just a track with too many people. The speed boats would have been fun but again too many people. Our rep told us no one under 16 could drive the ATV's but plenty of kids under 16 driving atv's. Even my husband said this was the worst ATV tour we have ever been on. Our third day we had deep sea fishing excursion. We rented the boat for just our family $400--which was the same as if we had each paid share rate. Last time we were in playa we did deep sea fishing out of puerto adventuras in April and caught Marlins. This time we went out of Maroma Marina Paradise on a boat called Moonshadow. My son caught a 42 inch barracuda and then they decided to fish for variety. My daughter caught a nice grouper. I think overall they caught about 20 or 25 fish. Our final day we went on a snorkeling excursion for an hour from the dive shop at the hotel. It was $25 and we saw lots of fish--would recommend it. Last time we were in playa we stayed at the Iberostar Tucan and rented a car. Did Xel-ha, Yal-ku Lagoon, deep sea fishing, Maya tour (with coba), atv's, swam with dolphins--our favorite was Yal-ku lagoon.
Resort stuff--buffet got old fast. Nothing spectacular except for Christmas eve which was lobster, crab legs, shrimp, yummy stuff. We did the mexican specialty, the steak specialty, japanese and the italian. Steak and Italian were our favorites. They did have waitresses by the beach and the pool. Shows were fun and the star friends work very hard! Everyday people were working working working on this resort and the place is spotless. The pools were never crowded, plenty of chairs on the beach and around the pool. The jacuzzi and the pool are cold water, but refreshing.
Few notes: We did go downtown on the hotel shuttle and spent a few hours downtown. We took taxi back (bus was packed). Taxi was $18 plus tip. One lady was screaming at the hotel because they told her it was $150 to take a taxi to Cancun. I asked how much it was to puerto adventuras and was quoted $32 each way (didn't go).
The Lindo is beautiful and the staff is exceptional, but I liked the convenience of the Tucan. It was smaller, but closer to many of the things we enjoyed doing. The Lindo is probably better for people who just want to hang at a great resort.
The hurricane damage is still extensive outside the resort, but it seems like everyone is hard at work fixing everything. It was eye opening to see the devastation a hurricane can do--lots of naked trees and building that are ripped apart.
Going away for the holidays was one of our best Christmas memories ever. I would highly recommend it. Our flight back was with AeroMexico--only 12 people on the plane! Plane left on time, got to Ohare on time, had good in flight meal (no meal with Ryan--unless you paid $5). Already back to work and wishing I was still in Mexico.

[Sukidog]

Thanks for a great trip report. We stayed there for two weeks last year and looooved it. I have never stayed at a resort that offered nice sized lobster tails and filet on the buffet. That really blew my husband (the chef) away. Of course they were prepared to order.

[brreid]

Michelle,

Great report! We are staying at the Maya in February. Any thoughts on that?

Also, did any of your ATV tours do ruins and snorkelling also?

Also, where did the hotel take you snorkelling? and what did you do at the Yal-ku lagoon?

I'm trying to decide what to do with our three kids 25, 22, and 17.

Barb

Originally Posted by michelle66il

Spent five nights from Dec. 21-26th at the Lindo. From Ohare we flew Ryan International which left over an our late. Transfer to the hotel on a big bus which was fine except for one lady who was throwing up which makes me want to dry heave. I actually felt bad for her but ewwww. I asked for a room in buildings 50-54 from recommendations I had read and was put on the third floor of building 54-room 5476. When we walked in it had just been painted-but honestly we didn't care. Our room overlooked the wave pool and was right in the middle of the resort. Room and resort were spotless. Hubby was impressed--heck I make all the plans he just shows up so no pressure on him--but it is a beautiful resort. Just a bit overwhelming at first. Room had two double beds, very nice bathroom. We had the 12 and 14 year old with us in the same room and it wasn't too crowded. Of course once we got there hubby wanted to know why I didn't book 7 nights (uhh because I knew you would freak if you knew how much this trip already cost), but we asked our "funjet" rep and he came back with $2000 for two more nights--no thanks--if I booked 7 nights originally it would have been about $800 more.
Weather--glad we had jeans and sweatshirts the first two days. The first couple of days there was a cool breeze, but we still swam and ran around in shorts with a handy sweatshirt. The wind made some great body surfing with good size waves the first two days which made hubby and my son estatic.
We did have a rain shower the second day in the morning, but no big deal. The 3rd and 4th days were picture perfect. Sunny, warm, clear skies, mid 80's.
Excursions--our second day (the rain morning) we went ATV/speedboat tour at the Maroma Marina Paradise. Last time we went to Playa we went with ATV Explorers through the jungle and swam in cenotes. This ATV tour was just a track with too many people. The speed boats would have been fun but again too many people. Our rep told us no one under 16 could drive the ATV's but plenty of kids under 16 driving atv's. Even my husband said this was the worst ATV tour we have ever been on. Our third day we had deep sea fishing excursion. We rented the boat for just our family $400--which was the same as if we had each paid share rate. Last time we were in playa we did deep sea fishing out of puerto adventuras in April and caught Marlins. This time we went out of Maroma Marina Paradise on a boat called Moonshadow. My son caught a 42 inch barracuda and then they decided to fish for variety. My daughter caught a nice grouper. I think overall they caught about 20 or 25 fish. Our final day we went on a snorkeling excursion for an hour from the dive shop at the hotel. It was $25 and we saw lots of fish--would recommend it. Last time we were in playa we stayed at the Iberostar Tucan and rented a car. Did Xel-ha, Yal-ku Lagoon, deep sea fishing, Maya tour (with coba), atv's, swam with dolphins--our favorite was Yal-ku lagoon.
Resort stuff--buffet got old fast. Nothing spectacular except for Christmas eve which was lobster, crab legs, shrimp, yummy stuff. We did the mexican specialty, the steak specialty, japanese and the italian. Steak and Italian were our favorites. They did have waitresses by the beach and the pool. Shows were fun and the star friends work very hard! Everyday people were working working working on this resort and the place is spotless. The pools were never crowded, plenty of chairs on the beach and around the pool. The jacuzzi and the pool are cold water, but refreshing.
Few notes: We did go downtown on the hotel shuttle and spent a few hours downtown. We took taxi back (bus was packed). Taxi was $18 plus tip. One lady was screaming at the hotel because they told her it was $150 to take a taxi to Cancun. I asked how much it was to puerto adventuras and was quoted $32 each way (didn't go).
The Lindo is beautiful and the staff is exceptional, but I liked the convenience of the Tucan. It was smaller, but closer to many of the things we enjoyed doing. The Lindo is probably better for people who just want to hang at a great resort.
The hurricane damage is still extensive outside the resort, but it seems like everyone is hard at work fixing everything. It was eye opening to see the devastation a hurricane can do--lots of naked trees and building that are ripped apart.
Going away for the holidays was one of our best Christmas memories ever. I would highly recommend it. Our flight back was with AeroMexico--only 12 people on the plane! Plane left on time, got to Ohare on time, had good in flight meal (no meal with Ryan--unless you paid $5). Already back to work and wishing I was still in Mexico.

[paraiso10]

Originally Posted by brreid

Michelle,

Great report! We are staying at the Maya in February. Any thoughts on that?

Also, did any of your ATV tours do ruins and snorkelling also?

Also, where did the hotel take you snorkelling? and what did you do at the Yal-ku lagoon?

I'm trying to decide what to do with our three kids 25, 22, and 17.

Barb

I just back on 12/21/05 from the Lindo/Maya after 1 week, and a wedding...mine. We stayed at the Lindo the first 4 nights, got married, and stayed at the Maya the last 3.

For anyone who hasn't visited, the Maya is not worth the extra money. We loved both the Lindo and the Maya, and for us it was worth it cause those 3 nights were our honeymoon...but other than a honeymoon, i would reccomend the Lindo, at a cheaper price. We stayed in building 51 of the Lindo, perfect for us cause it was close to the beach and pool. We didn't mind walking to the lobbies for drinks and dinner. We were in building 63 of the Maya, this time by the pool but between the beach and the lobby.

Buildings 60, 61, and 62 are all pretty close the beach, so with your 3 kids i would reccomend asking for one of these buildings. Being 5 years older than your oldest, I can say with confidence that your kids will probably really like the pool and the pool bar. Definately the place to hang out. I went on an ATV excursion and the jet-ski part was great, the 4-wheeler part stunk. You just get really dirty and they don't let you go very fast.

I would reccomend snorkelling, especially if they've never been. I would also reccomend going into town at least 1 night. The last free-bus leaves at 9pm, so you guys could catch that and split a cab on the way back. Cab is $18 one way. You have to check out the ******...we also like Tequilla Barrell.

The beach is beautiful in the moring...watching the sun rise, and at night with a full or almost full moon. There are plenty of events that the hotel itself holds, volleyball, archery, windsurfing, sporting contests, ect... They keep everyone busy and entertained.

Don't know if you guys have ever been to any all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun/Playa area, but this one will blow you away. I've been 4 times and the only time that was close was another Iberostar, the Quetzal/Tucan. I don't see how anyone can be disappointed with Iberostar, they are the best!

Hope you guys have fun, and be sure you eat the Japanese restaurant...the best.

[brreid]

Paraiso10,

Did you go snorkelling and where and with what tour? Where did you rent the jet skis? Which ATV tour did you do? Did you book at the hotel? Did you do the ruins?

Thanks for all your tips..especially about the bus to Playa. We will definitely do that.

Were you able to hear the construction next door? Were there alot of little kids?

BTW...congratulations!

Barb

[paraiso10]

Originally Posted by brreid

Paraiso10,

Did you go snorkelling and where and with what tour? Where did you rent the jet skis? Which ATV tour did you do? Did you book at the hotel? Did you do the ruins?

Thanks for all your tips..especially about the bus to Playa. We will definitely do that.

Were you able to hear the construction next door? Were there alot of little kids?

BTW...congratulations!

Barb

We paid for snorkelling at the hotel...it was their own boat, equiptment, ect... It was cheaper than booking an excursion, which I've done in the past, and basically the same thing.

The ATV tour was called the "Jungle Tour", which I booked at the hotel, through my funjet rep. You can also rent jet-ski's at the hotel at about $50 per 30 minutes. The jungle tour was $80 for 45 minutes ATV, & 45 minutes jet-ski....probably a better deal, but like i said, the ATV part stunk.

Didn't do the ruins, but heard that they were great. My mom and aunt went there and loved it.

Couldn't hear any construction at all...we were in building 63 when at the Maya.

There were several kids, but not a lot of 'little kids'. I would say more 12 - 16 year old kids than any other age. I was there during Christmas break though?? Most of the kids actually hung out at the wave pool, which is small compared to the HUGE pool that runs down the middle of the Lindo/Maya.

Hope all of this helps and thanks for the congrats....it is an awesome place for a wedding. Just check out the beach about 1 hour before sunset, there is a wedding there almost every day.

Jamey

[michelle66il]

Barb,
If you are in pretty good shape I would recommend the alltournative tour that is a whole day--you visit a mayan village, visit a ruin, kayak, swim in cenotes. It is an exhausting full day. I would recommend ordering a map before you go http://www.cancunmap.com/. This is the one I used my first visit and it was awesome.

Yal-ku lagoon is very just kind of private for snorkeling. The key would be getting a taxi driver who can take you there. We basically were the only ones there when we went. If you do go take food with because it's not like a park that has food/drinks/etc. We had a car so after using our horrible spanish

You will see a scuba hut by the pool that will give you info about snorkeling through the hotel, but to actually sign up and pay you will have to walk a few blocks down the beach-not sure why they can't just call and reserve you a spot, but no biggie.

Playa is a wonderful place and to really appreciate it I think you need to explore a bit on your own. Though when you stay at such a great resort it is hard to get motivated to go anywhere. Definitely check out the map link it was worth it for me.