Trip Report Sandos Playacar Mar 2008

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by purpleprincesTX

and how were the beds at the Sandos Playacar?

Very satisfying! We slept great in the one in our room. It was firm but not like sleeping on a slab. There are no box springs so the mattress is in fact on a pedistal but we found them firm but comfortable.

[Little Cheese]

Originally Posted by Frombe

Well we are now at that point where all we can think about it Playa. Can't even concentrate at work and I know it's only going to get worse the closer we get.
The weather here in Colorado hasn't been very "Spring Like" so it is going to REALLY make Playa a DREAM for us. It is so dry here that I can't wait to feel the humid air on my skin.
Can't wait to go snorkeling and diving.
I have really enjoyed all the reports and tips and have found them to be very helpful. If there is any other advice you could give first timers please share.

Frombe, "Here's the deal".....fellow Bubba fan from MA.

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by lippy

did you stay here and also if you did do you know how we make dinner reservations before we get there

Yes we did - you make them at the concierge desk upon arrival, which is in the main lobby. Clik the Trip Report link below & take a peek at the 1st or 2nd day's comments.

[purpleprincesTX]

Ha ha ha......well satisfying beds are just what we need for our upcoming 10th anniversary trip
thanks for you info and great trip report!

[130taKen120]

Hi all – remember more specific details about our trip are found earlier in this trip report. These sections have additional information about the days from the video perspective.

Akumal was tiring and we had planned just to relax today at the Sandos resort. We’d reserved our palapa and loungers at 5 this morning (yes 5 a.m.) and saw a marvelous sunrise, albeit a chilly one. Sand is cold at dawn as it loses its heat overnight – wear flips or shoes or prepare to get a “chill in your sole” ☺

We noticed that the beach had eroded to reveal large whales near the palapas that were previously covered entirely by sand. Later videos will show these whales exposed both seaside and beachside from the waves and further erosion. As previously mentioned in the TR, I think periodically that the Sandos or a group of resorts along here haul/pump sand back onto the beach. At the time we were there, though, Mother Nature was winning the battle.

It was really windy that day too. We watched parasailers and the jet-ski shuttles out to these boats, as well as catamarans, fishing boats, etc… At one point I noticed that the ferries seemed to be stationary and a cruise ship appeared to be holding a ways out to sea. Later we found out that the harbormaster had closed the port & sent the ferries out to escape being slammed against the ferry dock in the waves. Good thing we hadn’t ventured over to Cozumel that day…

We saw the advertising for the fire dancers show being towed on a large banner behind a prop plane criss-cross our view over the ocean several times. I guess that’s how we learned about it the day we went too. Worth seeing – from the beach.

We also met a German family who were living in the states (LA, I think) following the husband’s job. Very nice – part of the fun lounging was just striking up conversations with some of the other resorters and learning a bit about them and the things they had tried on the Mayan Rivera.

There are also some shots of people playing on the whale directly in front of our loungers. Water at that time was about chest-high and it was great fun letting the waves surf you up on it as well as trying to stay on when they came crashing over. I read elsewhere that people got hurt on these so indulge yourself at your own risk. The most we ever got was a scrape on the tops of our feet.

It’s just hard to beat a day like this one. You’re in an entirely different environment, which I think takes your brain a while to adjust to with all of the changes in scenery, food & beverage, sunlight, culture, etc… So cool. No wonder people are attracted to the Tropics. Home & family are where the heart is, but these days are memories for a lifetime.

[130taKen120]

Hi all – remember more specific details about our trip are found earlier in this trip report. These sections have additional information about the days from the video perspective.

Today we took the ADO to Tulum. It was really easy – go up to the ticket counter, tell them your destination and number of tickets, hand over the cash and you’re set. Total cost one-way from PDC to Tulum: $8.40 ($4.20 per person).

Almost on a whim, I took the video camera out shortly after we left the station at 5th & Juarez and taped the procession along the way. Some thoughts:

1) Foot patrol police appeared on many intersections along Juarez, some serving as traffic conductors during peak periods.

2) Juarez is constantly crowded with people, vehicles and limited traffic control

3) If you’re wondering what a Collectivo looks like, one white one with the word TUCSA on the side appears in this segment

4) There is not much open space near the center of PDC – many shops are small (as are the sidewalks), open air cafes and shops line the street and serve a wide variety of products to people along the way.

5) Domino’s has a long reach ;-)

6) This is a great way to tour in PDC. We enjoyed the experience and hopefully you will as well!

[130taKen120]

Hi all – remember more specific details about our trip are found earlier in this trip report. These sections have additional information about the days from the video perspective.

The great thing about the ADO bus to Tulum was that they dropped us off at the Archaeological Zone bus stop, less than .5 km from the Tulum ruins. We also were approached by a gent from the bus station there asking if we wanted to purchase return trip tickets for departure at various times later that afternoon, which we did to guarantee a seat. I guess the advice against driving on highway 307 at night applies to ADO busses as well, as most of the departure times would get us back to Playa before dark.

Due to the camera issue (see the TR for explanation), we were a bit behind schedule and walked past all of the touristy events along the road, skipped waiting for the tram as most people were on foot, and hoofed it to the Tulum ruins entry booth. We bought our entry tickets, and I foolishly neglected to purchase a video camera sticker for $3.80 U.S. We hired a guide and as we entered the ruins, the ticket booth employee took my camera battery until we left to prevent me from videotaping. Shoulda paid the $3.80 – never know when or if we’ll get back.

After the ruins tour we walked down the hot, lonely road leading south from the ruins towards the beaches, and were it not for a friendly cab driver we would have kept walking past El Paraiso!

We arrived and sat in chairs with sand under our feat at the El Paraiso. The pico and chips were just what the doctor ordered, and we enjoyed some refreshments, the view and one another’s company on this beautiful day. Soon we contacted a local snorkel operator who took a boatload of us out for $10.00 each on an hour long snorkeling tour, as we ended up seeing 1 young sea turtle among numerous fish and coral.

The beach was larger, less crowded and the prices were reasonable. This is where one of the famous “leaning Palms” is located, which I pan across a couple times in the video. Tulum beach and El Paraiso are hard to beat - you be the judge.

[missixty]

Looks lovely!! Can't wait to go to El Paraiso. I just hope there's some of those double bed things left when we get there!

[relling00]

Originally Posted by 130taKen120

The great thing about the ADO bus to Tulum was that they dropped us off at the Archaeological Zone bus stop, less than .5 km from the Tulum ruins. We also were approached by a gent from the bus station there asking if we wanted to purchase return trip tickets for departure at various times later that afternoon, which we did to guarantee a seat. I guess the advice against driving on highway 307 at night applies to ADO busses as well, as most of the departure times would get us back to Playa before dark.
[/yt]

First off, thanks for the great reports. We are going next week and staying at Sandos Carocal, so I've read your reports with particular interest.
What were the times the trips returned to PDC from the Archaelogical Zone bus stop? Any early afternoon times? We are going down a day early (on May 15), and most of the rest of our party are coming down on the 16th, and were wanting to spend a half day at Tulum before the rest of the crew got there around 1 or 2pm on Friday....

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by relling00

First off, thanks for the great reports. We are going next week and staying at Sandos Carocal, so I've read your reports with particular interest.
What were the times the trips returned to PDC from the Archaelogical Zone bus stop? Any early afternoon times? We are going down a day early (on May 15), and most of the rest of our party are coming down on the 16th, and were wanting to spend a half day at Tulum before the rest of the crew got there around 1 or 2pm on Friday....

Hi relling00: Not totally sure of the exact times but I am thinking they busses ran about every 30 minutes or so. The fellow who met us at Tulum had a card that listed them so as to be easy for us touristas to comprehend, The times were like 4:40, 5:10, 5:40, 6:10. calculating backwards, it's easy to come up with a time in the early afternoon.

One caveat is that now that the "busy" season is winding down, ADO may reduce the number and frequency of bus runs - not sure but just speculation. The clerks at the stations will be able to help you out & sell you both to and from tickets.

Good luck and if I were you, I'd pay the $3.80 to use my video camera!

[Super Dave]

I am new to this forum....actually I've been "lurking" for weeks....but wanted to ask you a couple of questions and also wanted to say thanks so much for this great report. I can tell you put a lot of time into the TR; but please know that the time you are putting in is saving the rest of us time in mistakes/learning curve when we are on vacation, which is invaluable, and for your help I thank you sincerely!

Now for my questions....
1. I believe you connected to the internet while staying at the hotel. how did the process work (i.e. did you bring a laptop, or are computers available at the resort)?

2. Are the in-room safes large enough to store a laptop computer in? If you carried your laptop with you did you feel comfortable leaving it in the room and/or safe?

3. you mention going to the ADO bus stops - did you somehow know the departure times before arriving at the bus station? if so, where did you find them?

Thanks so much again for all the help you've already provided to me (via the TR).
My wife and I eagerly anticipating a short vacation at the Sandos Playacar in about 1 1/2 weeks! I can't wait!!!

Thanks, Dave

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by missixty

Looks lovely!! Can't wait to go to El Paraiso. I just hope there's some of those double bed things left when we get there!

Hi Missixty; There were only a few dbl bed loungers about the day we were there but there were also many chaise loungers available. I'd bring your beach towels just in case. Don't know if you could decipher this from the video, but there are loooooonnnnngggg stretches of sparsely populated beach on which to wander and explore.

The El Paraiso was one of our personal favs - good guac & pico with toes in the sand and an unmatchable view out to sea. You will love it. Savor every minute....

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by Super Dave

I am new to this forum....actually I've been "lurking" for weeks....but wanted to ask you a couple of questions and also wanted to say thanks so much for this great report. I can tell you put a lot of time into the TR; but please know that the time you are putting in is saving the rest of us time in mistakes/learning curve when we are on vacation, which is invaluable, and for your help I thank you sincerely!

Now for my questions....
1. I believe you connected to the internet while staying at the hotel. how did the process work (i.e. did you bring a laptop, or are computers available at the resort)?

2. Are the in-room safes large enough to store a laptop computer in? If you carried your laptop with you did you feel comfortable leaving it in the room and/or safe?

3. you mention going to the ADO bus stops - did you somehow know the departure times before arriving at the bus station? if so, where did you find them?

Thanks so much again for all the help you've already provided to me (via the TR).
My wife and I eagerly anticipating a short vacation at the Sandos Playacar in about 1 1/2 weeks! I can't wait!!!

Thanks, Dave

Hi Dave:


Thanks for taking the plunge and coming off the fence to post! I also appreciate the comments about the helpfulness of this TR - that's why I did it & I hope it helps more people enhance their experience and that of the people they encounter in Mexico as well. No need to be coarse after all - we're all on this planet for a purpose!

Now to your questions:

1) I wasn't able to get on any wireless at the resort. There is a "shop" off the main courtyard next to the check in palapa that has internet available (try using Windows in Spanish! HA! ) for $5.00/half hour. Have a plan and get it rolling right away. We pre-scheduled everything we wanted to do & used the MapChick maps (which have local contact info) to schedule things we wanted to do once there.

2) Yes safes are large enough for a 15" laptop - maybe 17" but not sure. I felt comfortable leaving mine in it. One day I forgot to lock the safe with the laptop in it and returned to find EVERYTHING in place in the safe. Staff is great!!!!! Whew!

3) Do yourself an unregretable favor and get the MapChick Maps. That told us bus times, prices, everything we wanted to know. If you get there early, buy your tickets then wander about a bit if you are early.

To any touristas planning to venture off the beaten path, or even to go into Playa from the coziness of your resort, I highly recommend these maps. When you think about the thousands you are investing in the airfare, lodging and food, why wouldn't you spend twenty bucks for the best tourist guide you can get to save you time, decision making an money on your trip? It's a no brainer to me.

Hope this helped, Dave. Have fun, God bless you & we'll read about it when you return!

[Super Dave]

Thanks for the info - it definitely helped. Another question about the Sandos....I don't recall you booking a rent car in your trip report, but did you notice if there was a rental car company on-site at Sandos and if so what the prices were? Again, your help is most appreciated. God bless!

[130taKen120]

Originally Posted by Super Dave

Thanks for the info - it definitely helped. Another question about the Sandos....I don't recall you booking a rent car in your trip report, but did you notice if there was a rental car company on-site at Sandos and if so what the prices were? Again, your help is most appreciated. God bless!

Hi Dave:

There is a company on site, we didn't check into it so didn't book. I would research that on this forum and do your booking via a vendor found here or through your travel agent rather than relying on the on-site rental company - think the prices were high. They were for the tours as well so we went it alone. Mapchick has some advice on that subject too.

Thanks!