Playa and beyond, July - August 2007

[Thor Henning]

We have bought the tickets for the airfare. Kari and I are coming to Playa late July 23, and this time we are staying for three weeks.

We are also thinking of going on a trip by bus to Belize and Guatemala. Playa - San Ignacio - Flores - Tikal - San Christobal - Palenque, and then back to Playa. I haven't counted the days yet. We will have to see how much time to spend. The problem is we want a lot of time in Playa too.

The Guatemala trip has been discussed here. I thought about a guided tour, but Anna convinced us we could do it ourselves.

Edit: The trip report starts on page 5.

[redhed]

Good for you Thor! What a wonderful adventure!

[Coccinelle]

Yay Thor!

I would like for us to aim for 3 weeks eventually too.

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by redhed

Good for you Thor! What a wonderful adventure!

It's good to hear from you Redhead!
You were great help when I first entered the Forum three years ago and asked about El Tukan.

[redhed]

I remember Thor. That was my first post. Actually, James made some kind of scarry remark about my comment to you regarding the El Tukan and completely turned me off the forum. It took awhile for me to return.

I've toughened up since then and enjoy it.

Your upcoming trip sounds terrific!

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by redhed

I remember Thor. That was my first post. Actually, James made some kind of scarry remark about my comment to you regarding the El Tukan and completely turned me off the forum. It took awhile for me to return.

I've toughened up since then and enjoy it.

Your upcoming trip sounds terrific!

I have learned that El Tukan didn't always behave, but Kari and my experiences where great.

This will be the first time we have bought the air fare separate, and we will buy the hotels through this site. This Forum gives me great help and entertainment.

[redhed]

Yes I agree Thor. We're also going to buy fare separately next time and stay at a Playa Info hotel....maybe the Fusion. I think that airfare from Toronto is expensive but I guess yours is much more!

We had many good stays at the El Tukan but we no longer have a Canadian charter company that carries it. It was very reasonable and we liked it because it was not all inclusive. It's very difficult to find a package anymore that is not all inclusive.

We spent Christmas this year in a hotel in downtown Cancun and travelled back and forth to Playa....also went to Akumal and Isla Mujeres...it's all good!

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by redhed

Yes I agree Thor. We're also going to buy fare separately next time and stay at a Playa Info hotel....maybe the Fusion. I think that airfare from Toronto is expensive but I guess yours is much more!

Yes, air fares are expencive. We are using Continental this time. Oslo-New York-Cancun and back.

[Thor Henning]

Now we have ordered the hotels in Playa: 4 nights at Luna Blue, 10 days for the roundtrip: Playa - San Ignacio - Flores - Tikal - San Christobal - Palenque, and back to Playa, and then 7 nights at Shangri-La Caribe. This has to be great!

[Thor Henning]

I think we will try to order lodging at the Tikal site, so we will be able to see the place early in the morning. Anyone know anything about this?

[CatskillsMom]

Excellent! We're also trying to manage planning a second visit (next winter though)..I just have to do it on a tighter budget this time. Our last vacation we did so many things....tours, swam w/ dolphins, etc. THIS trip will be more about exploring on our own and just enjoying the 'Playa life'.

[Thor Henning]

I don't think our round trip will be very expencive. The most expencive so far is Shangri-La Caribe.

[Thor Henning]

We have decided to reserve a room at Hotel Jungle Lodge at Tikal. Any suggestions? Do any know the best site to reserve rooms? How about this site? I have read about someone paying for a room at another site without getting any. I wouldn't like that experience!

[Thor Henning]

In this thread Anna wrote:

Originally Posted by Anna

Yes, you're most probably thinking of Bonampak. It used to be quite an ordeal getting there, but there's a better road now so it's not so remote anymore. I would suggest taking a 2-3 day tour to this area, the Lacadonian jungle, to see Bonampak, the ruins of Yaxcilan and spending the night in a village in the jungle. The Lacadonian indians are very much still living like the ancient Maya - this is the Mayan people with the least influence of Western blood and culture. Such a trip can be organized from Palenque, but I think the foundation Na Bolom in San Cristobal also organizes trips there. Their museum should definitely be visited too.

I found this and this link about Na Bolom.

[ThrushJockey]

That sounds like an awsome trip!

Have a great time!!!!!!!!!!!