May 5th - May 12th, a trip summary

TravelerfromPA · 05-17-2007

First off, thank you all for posting your opinions and adventures. I would have been completely lost in Playa without them. The reason this is a summary is I managed to take over a hundred pictures while diving yet very few around Playa, and Mrs. Traveler is not exactly thrilled with me. Especially since this is probably the best trip we have ever had. I thought I'd try something a little different and divide this into two sections. The first being things we really loved and the second being things we'd do a little different. These are just a collection of things that made our trip what it was. It will be interesting to hear the opinions on both since I'm sure not everyone will agree with me. So here we go...
USA 3000 - Great airline and a lot of fun. We had assigned seats (my wife at the window and me in the middle

) and the plane was packed. However, the trip was smooth and went quickly. We also had the entire Washington Redskins Cheerleading Squad on the plane, which was quite interesting.
La Tortuga - Beautifull hotel, loved the garden pool especially after a hot day. The breakfast was great, the staff wonderful, and the beach passes really came in handy. I will stay there again.
Mamitas - I liked the beach club. Maybe because it wasn't high season, but we had no problem getting a palapa every morning. Service was fine but they wouldn't let me run a tab. The trick is to use a $500 pesos note for two beers, and all of a sudden they seem to want to run a tab. Go figure.
Policia - Call me strange but I like the police walking around with sub-machine guns. I never felt so safe.
Il Barrito(sp?) on 5th and approximately 26th - Great pasta, recommended by our Itlalian dive instructors. An excelent place to get something a little different and the sauces were amazing.
Limones on 5th - Expensive, but the quiet and dark garden is a great romantic dinner location, and the food was excellent. I need the recipe for the roasted garlic sauce. It was so good I'd put it on ice cream!
HC de Monterey - The arrachera national is beyond words. I wish I could ship it home for a weekly meal. Make sure you know where you are going since getting dirrections on the street can be a challenge. Also, order "mantequillia" with it and you'll get butter, pepper sauces, and some sort of garlic sourcream sauce. The best food in Playa. I think it was StewartG who said this is his favorite restaurant in the world and I now understand.
Pluto Dive Shop - The nicest and friendliest people. My wife finished her refferal diving certification with them, and it couldn't have gone better. I recomend them to everyone.
Walmart and Mega - the only places to shop for groceries and snacks. Hot sun and beer feeds the need for chocolate chip cookies.
Tacos el Pastor - I had these for the first time, and both El Fogan and Carboncitas. I wish they made these here, because they are now one of my favorites.
El Paraiso (Nuddy's) - Amazing, relaxing beach club. I will make a special trip there everytime I am in Playa.
Collectivos - Easy, cheap transport. No need to fear.
Clase Azul - Everyone has different tastes, but this is my new favorite tequila. I 'll be ording more over the net.
El Yellow Submarine - After a day of various beach club music, listening to AC/DC and drinking a beer hits the spot. Loved the rock music and request night. No where else in Playa plays Rammstein concert footage, yet it works.
Babe's - There is no better drunk food then Babe's Swedish Meatballs platter. Period. Also the last meal I had in Playa.
Playa in gereral - Every morning about 6:30am I took a walk out in the populous, looking around and taking in the amazing smells of the small restaurants cooking for the workers. I never once felt uncomfortable or worried. The people are friendly and the town is great.
And here we go, things I'd do different...
La Pesca - Loved the chicken nachos appetizer, but then my wife and I split the shrip and cheese casserole(soup). It was fine, but too much and too rich. I would have rather had a small cup and then tried some seafood. I was very dissapointed I never got to try anything else. I'll have to go again.
El Fogon - I had the arrachera with queso. It was OK, athough with the strong gamey taste I think there was some organ meat mixed in. I'll have to try something else there also, because after HC de Monterey all other arrachera is ruined.
Tulum ruins - Hot and no shade. They were fine for the 30 minutes we stayed, but next time I'm going to try Coba. Just a personal preference.
Kool - Maybe because it wasn't busy, but I didn't notice a huge difference between here and Mamitas. Plus we had free passes to Mamitas which didn't help. The food was also comparable to mamitas. But if I had a large group the four-bed groups in the back would be ideal.
Sunscreen - before I forget and to make sure this is picked up on a future search by another newbie BUYING SUNCREEN IN PLAYA = FINANCIAL RAPING. Make sure you bring it, most of my meals were cheaper. We barely made it through with what we brought.
Covi Liquors - I didn't realize they are limited on their high-end tequillas, so my trip was a waste. However, the rest of their selection has great prices.
Manne's - The only Greman I ever met who didn't like Weisse Beer

He did have Bitburger beer which ever he doesn't like. I would have like to have gotten there for food, maybe next time.
Carboncitas - I need to try somethig different. I had a steak burrito that was good, but a little bland. I need to try again if just for another Tacos el Pastor.
Cozumel - I liked the diving and Playa Corona beach club for snorkeling, but everything else was really expensive. Next time we will dive then head to the East side. Speaking of Cozumel...
Drunk cruise ship passengers on Cozumel - Absolutley an embarrassment. I was hoping the policia would use their sub-machine guns to shut them up but alas no massacre occured. Ok, that was a little harsh but please stop making everyone hate Americans. You can be trashed and not loud, I've perfected it.
Cancun airport - luggage claim took an hour and got the red light at customs. Oh well.
Tequilla Barrel - It was OK. Maybe if I go with a group of people next time I'll enjoy it more.
Pizza Pazza - Not good drunk food, especially when you start to ponder how long the ham and mushroom pizza was sitting on the counter.
Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night. No clubs, no La Santanera (which apparently goes till 7am), no black-out drunk binges. I fear my 3yr old daughter is making me grow up. Next time I'm going to clear our schedule, relax a little more, and have a longer night life. Maybe I can find some amphetamines at the tourist stores or a whole lot of Red Bull.
Again, thank you all for your posting that made this trip great. I can't wait to go again. Gracias.

cuffedlinks · 05-17-2007

Yowza.
Fine overview~!

If you get some pictures posted somewhere, drop us a link...or we'll help you learn how to post them....even if you feel they didn't turn out to your liking.

Thanks again!

Ron & Robin · 05-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelerfromPA

Policia - Call me strange but I like the police walking around with sub-machine guns. I never felt so safe.
Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night. No clubs, no La Santanera (which apparently goes till 7am), no black-out drunk binges. I fear my 3yr old daughter is making me grow up. Next time I'm going to clear our schedule, relax a little more, and have a longer night life. Maybe I can find some amphetamines at the tourist stores or a whole lot of Red Bull.
.

I also felt very safe with the police all over the place. Ron who is very paranoid about being out of the country wasn't real impressed. I told him he should feel safe that they were there to protect us, he asks, what are they protecting us from?
We also needed to get somthing for the stamina problem. I couldn't believe how tired you could get doing nothing all day!
Great report!

**TeeZet** · 05-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Yowza.
Fine overview~!

If you get some pictures posted somewhere, drop us a link...or we'll help you learn how to post them....even if you feel they didn't turn out to your liking.

Thanks again!

Definitely a DITTO on that!

Rissask · 05-17-2007

Good report, thanks!

Quote:

Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night.

sounds like us.

Must be all the sunshine and fresh air!

Tequillagal · 05-17-2007

Wonderful report. Great information for us newbies arriving in June. Would also love to see pictures!!!

gingele · 05-17-2007

Great report! Two comments: first, I seem to be one of the few other peeps here who was likewise underwhelmed by pizza pazza as "drunk food"...much preferred Rey's. And second, as for the stamina thing...I'd chalk it up to the diving, that always wiped me out.

Debbielasvegas · 05-17-2007

we need pictures, definitely pictures (in my best Rainman voice)

Cinker1 · 05-17-2007

Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night.

I was that way when I was there in January!! One night we thought it was at least midnight and it was only 9:15!!

I thought it was just because I was getting older, but I see that I'm not the only one!

boxi · 05-17-2007

We were usually the only ones in the restaurants for dinner. We thought that was odd, but later on found out that everybody goes to eat after 8pm and not at 6pm like us (we were in bed by 8pm for the whole first week). We blame it on the jet lag, but could it be, that we are getting older? Hmmmm, no probably not, the jet lag it is!

Rissask · 05-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxi

We were usually the only ones in the restaurants for dinner. We thought that was odd, but later on found out that everybody goes to eat after 8pm and not at 6pm like us (we were in bed by 8pm for the whole first week). We blame it on the jet lag, but could it be, that we are getting older? Hmmmm, no probably not, the jet lag it is!

it's the same time here as in PDC, and we still never make it past 11.

FrancescoSerena · 05-17-2007

Great report!

syl · 05-17-2007

suggestion for nest time ..dont forget a siesta!!!we always have alittle siesta after a day of snorkeling and laying on the beach relaxing and doing not much of anything..its very exhausting!!!after siesta we have dinner and then hit a few bars...we arnt up to the weee hours but hold aout till midnite!!

cyndyj1 · 05-20-2007

I was so excited to be there, my significantly older butt was up much later most nights - had a little party at my condo that lasted until about 3:30am. The exception was the day I did the Mayan Encounter tour with Alltournative. Pick up at 7:05 am (shudder)...then long drive, canoeing, zipline, rapelling into a cenote, then wandering all over Coba (to be honest, I did NOT make it to the top - although I did go to the top of the Acropolis at Ek Balam), then a shot of tequila with the tour guides. I got home, took a shower, ate something, and instantly passed out. Around 8pm. How's that for being a wuss? Like you, it'll take me a while to get photos sorted out. Can't wait to see yours.

TravelerfromPA · 05-21-2007

My wife reminded me that most mornings we were up by 6:30am ( I have no idea why) having a large breakfast by 7:30 and then starting our activities. She also reminded me that on the days we went straight to the beach, I was usually walking while drinking a Sol. No biggy except that was usually about 9:00am which sets the stage for the rest of the day. Next time I'll try to hold off on the beer, margarittas, etc until at least 11am! Pics comming soon.

05-17-2007	#1 (permalink)
TravelerfromPA into ruins Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 66	May 5th - May 12th, a trip summary First off, thank you all for posting your opinions and adventures. I would have been completely lost in Playa without them. The reason this is a summary is I managed to take over a hundred pictures while diving yet very few around Playa, and Mrs. Traveler is not exactly thrilled with me. Especially since this is probably the best trip we have ever had. I thought I'd try something a little different and divide this into two sections. The first being things we really loved and the second being things we'd do a little different. These are just a collection of things that made our trip what it was. It will be interesting to hear the opinions on both since I'm sure not everyone will agree with me. So here we go... USA 3000 - Great airline and a lot of fun. We had assigned seats (my wife at the window and me in the middle ) and the plane was packed. However, the trip was smooth and went quickly. We also had the entire Washington Redskins Cheerleading Squad on the plane, which was quite interesting. La Tortuga - Beautifull hotel, loved the garden pool especially after a hot day. The breakfast was great, the staff wonderful, and the beach passes really came in handy. I will stay there again. Mamitas - I liked the beach club. Maybe because it wasn't high season, but we had no problem getting a palapa every morning. Service was fine but they wouldn't let me run a tab. The trick is to use a $500 pesos note for two beers, and all of a sudden they seem to want to run a tab. Go figure. Policia - Call me strange but I like the police walking around with sub-machine guns. I never felt so safe. Il Barrito(sp?) on 5th and approximately 26th - Great pasta, recommended by our Itlalian dive instructors. An excelent place to get something a little different and the sauces were amazing. Limones on 5th - Expensive, but the quiet and dark garden is a great romantic dinner location, and the food was excellent. I need the recipe for the roasted garlic sauce. It was so good I'd put it on ice cream! HC de Monterey - The arrachera national is beyond words. I wish I could ship it home for a weekly meal. Make sure you know where you are going since getting dirrections on the street can be a challenge. Also, order "mantequillia" with it and you'll get butter, pepper sauces, and some sort of garlic sourcream sauce. The best food in Playa. I think it was StewartG who said this is his favorite restaurant in the world and I now understand. Pluto Dive Shop - The nicest and friendliest people. My wife finished her refferal diving certification with them, and it couldn't have gone better. I recomend them to everyone. Walmart and Mega - the only places to shop for groceries and snacks. Hot sun and beer feeds the need for chocolate chip cookies. Tacos el Pastor - I had these for the first time, and both El Fogan and Carboncitas. I wish they made these here, because they are now one of my favorites. El Paraiso (Nuddy's) - Amazing, relaxing beach club. I will make a special trip there everytime I am in Playa. Collectivos - Easy, cheap transport. No need to fear. Clase Azul - Everyone has different tastes, but this is my new favorite tequila. I 'll be ording more over the net. El Yellow Submarine - After a day of various beach club music, listening to AC/DC and drinking a beer hits the spot. Loved the rock music and request night. No where else in Playa plays Rammstein concert footage, yet it works. Babe's - There is no better drunk food then Babe's Swedish Meatballs platter. Period. Also the last meal I had in Playa. Playa in gereral - Every morning about 6:30am I took a walk out in the populous, looking around and taking in the amazing smells of the small restaurants cooking for the workers. I never once felt uncomfortable or worried. The people are friendly and the town is great. And here we go, things I'd do different... La Pesca - Loved the chicken nachos appetizer, but then my wife and I split the shrip and cheese casserole(soup). It was fine, but too much and too rich. I would have rather had a small cup and then tried some seafood. I was very dissapointed I never got to try anything else. I'll have to go again. El Fogon - I had the arrachera with queso. It was OK, athough with the strong gamey taste I think there was some organ meat mixed in. I'll have to try something else there also, because after HC de Monterey all other arrachera is ruined. Tulum ruins - Hot and no shade. They were fine for the 30 minutes we stayed, but next time I'm going to try Coba. Just a personal preference. Kool - Maybe because it wasn't busy, but I didn't notice a huge difference between here and Mamitas. Plus we had free passes to Mamitas which didn't help. The food was also comparable to mamitas. But if I had a large group the four-bed groups in the back would be ideal. Sunscreen - before I forget and to make sure this is picked up on a future search by another newbie BUYING SUNCREEN IN PLAYA = FINANCIAL RAPING. Make sure you bring it, most of my meals were cheaper. We barely made it through with what we brought. Covi Liquors - I didn't realize they are limited on their high-end tequillas, so my trip was a waste. However, the rest of their selection has great prices. Manne's - The only Greman I ever met who didn't like Weisse Beer He did have Bitburger beer which ever he doesn't like. I would have like to have gotten there for food, maybe next time. Carboncitas - I need to try somethig different. I had a steak burrito that was good, but a little bland. I need to try again if just for another Tacos el Pastor. Cozumel - I liked the diving and Playa Corona beach club for snorkeling, but everything else was really expensive. Next time we will dive then head to the East side. Speaking of Cozumel... Drunk cruise ship passengers on Cozumel - Absolutley an embarrassment. I was hoping the policia would use their sub-machine guns to shut them up but alas no massacre occured. Ok, that was a little harsh but please stop making everyone hate Americans. You can be trashed and not loud, I've perfected it. Cancun airport - luggage claim took an hour and got the red light at customs. Oh well. Tequilla Barrel - It was OK. Maybe if I go with a group of people next time I'll enjoy it more. Pizza Pazza - Not good drunk food, especially when you start to ponder how long the ham and mushroom pizza was sitting on the counter. Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night. No clubs, no La Santanera (which apparently goes till 7am), no black-out drunk binges. I fear my 3yr old daughter is making me grow up. Next time I'm going to clear our schedule, relax a little more, and have a longer night life. Maybe I can find some amphetamines at the tourist stores or a whole lot of Red Bull. Again, thank you all for your posting that made this trip great. I can't wait to go again. Gracias.

05-17-2007	#2 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 15,998	Yowza. Fine overview~! If you get some pictures posted somewhere, drop us a link...or we'll help you learn how to post them....even if you feel they didn't turn out to your liking. Thanks again!

05-17-2007	#6 (permalink)
Tequillagal toe in water Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 55	Wonderful report. Great information for us newbies arriving in June. Would also love to see pictures!!!

05-17-2007	#7 (permalink)
gingele añejo Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,401	Great report! Two comments: first, I seem to be one of the few other peeps here who was likewise underwhelmed by pizza pazza as "drunk food"...much preferred Rey's. And second, as for the stamina thing...I'd chalk it up to the diving, that always wiped me out.

05-17-2007	#8 (permalink)
Debbielasvegas life=playa Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Las Vegas 1999-2010 Luxembourg 2010 - present Posts: 870	we need pictures, definitely pictures (in my best Rainman voice)

05-17-2007	#9 (permalink)
Cinker1 beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 363	Last, but not least, my stamina - My wussy 36yr old butt was asleep every night by 10, and we made 11 only one night. I was that way when I was there in January!! One night we thought it was at least midnight and it was only 9:15!! I thought it was just because I was getting older, but I see that I'm not the only one!

05-17-2007	#10 (permalink)
boxi reposado Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ljubljana Posts: 1,112	We were usually the only ones in the restaurants for dinner. We thought that was odd, but later on found out that everybody goes to eat after 8pm and not at 6pm like us (we were in bed by 8pm for the whole first week). We blame it on the jet lag, but could it be, that we are getting older? Hmmmm, no probably not, the jet lag it is!

05-17-2007	#12 (permalink)
FrancescoSerena way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Isla Mujeres Posts: 144	Great report!

05-17-2007	#13 (permalink)
syl añejo Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: santa ynez Posts: 7,380	suggestion for nest time ..dont forget a siesta!!!we always have alittle siesta after a day of snorkeling and laying on the beach relaxing and doing not much of anything..its very exhausting!!!after siesta we have dinner and then hit a few bars...we arnt up to the weee hours but hold aout till midnite!!

05-20-2007	#14 (permalink)
cyndyj1 añejo Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,609	I was so excited to be there, my significantly older butt was up much later most nights - had a little party at my condo that lasted until about 3:30am. The exception was the day I did the Mayan Encounter tour with Alltournative. Pick up at 7:05 am (shudder)...then long drive, canoeing, zipline, rapelling into a cenote, then wandering all over Coba (to be honest, I did NOT make it to the top - although I did go to the top of the Acropolis at Ek Balam), then a shot of tequila with the tour guides. I got home, took a shower, ate something, and instantly passed out. Around 8pm. How's that for being a wuss? Like you, it'll take me a while to get photos sorted out. Can't wait to see yours.

05-21-2007	#15 (permalink)
TravelerfromPA into ruins Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 66	My wife reminded me that most mornings we were up by 6:30am ( I have no idea why) having a large breakfast by 7:30 and then starting our activities. She also reminded me that on the days we went straight to the beach, I was usually walking while drinking a Sol. No biggy except that was usually about 9:00am which sets the stage for the rest of the day. Next time I'll try to hold off on the beer, margarittas, etc until at least 11am! Pics comming soon.

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