asp-upcoming trip

08-02-2003

HELLO ALL,
TRAVELING TO ASP END OF SEPT, 2003. PLANNING ON BOOKING SOME OF THE SPA TREATMENTS SINCE GOOD REVIEWS. ALSO HAVE ALREADY BOOKED DOLPHIN DISCOVERY--I BOOKED THE ENCOUNTER--SINCE THE SEA LIFE DISCOVERY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING OUR STAY--THEY SAID IT WAS BEING PHASED OUT.
HAS ANYONE TOURED THE AREA RUINS? HOTEL PACKAGE INCLUDE SOME I THINK I WOULD LIKE. ANY COMMENTS?
HOW WAS THE HOTEL IN GENERAL? CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE WEATHER MIGHT BE LIKE? THANKS DORISH34[/b]

jvmitch · 08-03-2003

dorish,
My wife and I just returned from ASP for a week. WE LOVED IT and cannot wait to go back. We toured only one of the ruins, Tulum. Let me tell you about the included tour. The shuttle left at 930 AM and did not return until after 6 PM. You would think that you were in for a nice long day at the ruins. You are not. The first four hours of the tour we were dropped off at XPU-HA. This is another Palace resort just south of ASP. Now mind you we had a great time here, and even returned later in the week for more fun. (The snorkeling here is sooooo much better than at ASP, and they have an open water beach, not a lagoon.) Be prepared to walk though as it is very spread out. After four hours here, we went to Tulum. It was about a 600 yard walk from the entrance to the actual ruin site. HINT: Pay the 150 pesos and ride the trolley (aka. tractor with carts behind it). We had a 45 minute walk through guided tour and then about 15 minutes on our own for pictures before having to leave. We later found out the reason we left so early was so the guide and bus driver could stop the tour at a road side shop for shopping. I personally saw the tour guide get a hand full of cash from one of the shop operators. We did not like being force fed into a road side shop when we had thought we were going to visit ancient ruins all day. In all, we had spent the entire day and only had 15 minutes of time to take photos. I would suggest taking the tour to Tulum, but plan on taking a taxi back to ASP. That way you can stay as long as you want. Our plans were to spend most of the day on the beach at Tulum, but we never even had time to step foot on the sand! XPU-HA is definately worth visiting. Tulum is definately worth visiting. The road side shop is NOT! If you plan to get on the beach at Tulum (mind you it is one of the MOST beautiful beaches I have seen in my life) you may want to take a Taxi there and back. See if you can just get your ticket for the tour without actually going on the tour. I think it is $15 US dollars to enter Tulum. I hope this helps.
Verl and Jennifer

Paulie · 08-03-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by "jvmitch"

HINT: Pay the 150 pesos and ride the trolley (aka. tractor with carts behind it).

I don't agree with you. I went to Tulum two years ago and walked from the highway to the ruins. I don't remember exactly how long it took us, but it was not that far. That is why I think that 150 pesos (is it really that much? That is about 15 USD!) is ridiculous.
Just bring enough water if you go out on trips and you will be fine!

**denisea** · 08-03-2003

Tulum is very easily done on your own. I'd skip the packaged tour and take a taxi from your resort. I'd also skip the trolley and walk as it is only a short distance (0.25 miles at the max). I have problems with my feet and cannot walk long distances and had no problems making this walk on my own. The entrance fee into Tulum is 35 pesos (approx $3.50 USD). If you want a guide, you can hire one right at the entrance.

Bring bottled water with you. The beach is small but very nice. So wear your bathing suit under your clothes and bring a towel so you can relax and cool off after you're done exploring the ruins. It's a great way to spend a day.

MERCADO · 08-03-2003

I have to agree with Denise, Tulum is very easy to do on your own, I was there the same week as Verl and Jennifer (HI GUYS) and my friends and I took a taxi. I've gone on the tour in the past and found it to be a complete waste of $$ and time. A taxi is not much and you have all day to explore the beach.

08-04-2003

Hi,
You'll love ASP, it's a beautiful resort. I have to agree with jvmitch about the trolley ride at Tulum. I think it cost maybe $1.50 or so to catch a ride on the trolley. It might not be that far, but it's hot as H--- so it was really worth it. My husband and I are both in good shape and we were happy to be on that trolley. We actually rented a car and drove through Tulum City and then back to the ruins. It didn't cost but maybe $3.50 to get in and we could walk around, take pictures, and go down to the beach at our leisure. Renting a car is also a great way to explore other towns and beaches like Akumal. We were able to do a lot of snorkeling at the different lagoons and beaches that we came across. Tip for Tulum Ruins: if you have to go to the bathroom, make sure you take your own toilet paper. When I got inside and went into the restroom I noticed a guy outside holding rolls of toilet paper. I assumed he was waiting on the ladies to exit the restrooms so he could go inside and refill the paper. But NOOOOO, that wasn't the case......that's right, I sit down and NO toilet paper. I found out later that you were supposed to tip the guy a couple of pesos for paper BEFORE you go in. Now a couple of pesos is not that much.....but HOW was I supposed to know that? Anyway the ruins are beautiful and the trip is worth it if you do it on your own. As for the spa treatments I had the 80 min. hot stone massage and it was sheer heaven and I also had the 50 min. new age facial. The spa is so great, they treat you like royalty. I think the weather is about the same all year round. It was great in July when we were there. By the way.....hi Mitch and Jennifer.

Liza · 08-04-2003

Hi,
I couldn't get logged on tonight for some reason. I posted the previous post. I didn't realize I was doing it as a guest, thought I was automatically logged on. Does anyone know how we get those avatars under our name? I didn't pick it, it was just there one day.

Liza · 08-04-2003

geez it's late here.....I meant HI Verl and Jennifer....lol...sorry!!!

**denisea** · 08-04-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by "Liza"

Does anyone know how we get those avatars under our name? I didn't pick it, it was just there one day.

Avatars are the small graphic images that some members have added under their username. Adding an avatar is done by using the avatar control panel located at the bottom of your user profile page.

The Playa Groupie that appears under your username is your nickname/rank on the forum. It is based on the number of posts you have made on the forum. Your nickname will change automatically when the number of your posts reaches the minimum posts required for the next rank level.

Liza · 08-04-2003

Why thank you Denisea, that explains it. Thanks for the help.

jvmitch · 08-04-2003

HEY GUYS!!! It is Verl and Jennifer. Mercado, thanks for taking care of me on our last night there. I only wish we could have spent more time together. Jennifer loved you guys. Robin, sorry we didn't hang more. You guys seemed like a blast. I think Jason and Kirsten are FINALLY back from down there. They stayed another week after we left. I only bad mouthed them for the first four days back.
Sorry about my conversion. It was 15 pesos for the ride. Not 150. I felt like it was worth it. I had done all the walking I cared to do at XPU HA. MAN, is that place spread out or what? It was beautiful and definately worth a visit. I miss you all. When are we going back?
Verl and Jennifer

tralin · 08-05-2003

Tulum is beautiful. We also did it on our own as we had had enough of the tours by that point. Word of warning though, make sure you have peso's as this is one of the few tourist attractions that does NOT take USD. And there is no place to exchange it. It is a long enough walk in the heat that you don't want to go back just to get some pesos.

If you have to choose only one though, I would recommend Chichen Itza. It is just that much grander and magical than Tulum. It was the total highlight of our trip and well worth the trip. I DO recommend a tour for that one and it is offered thru the resort.

You'll have a fantastic time. The resort is absolutely beautiful.

Liza · 08-05-2003

Hi guys,
What do you say we just ALL go back. Maybe we could get a better rate that way. How many people would you say is on this forum. Maybe James and Anna could hook us up. I wouldn't even care where we stayed. At this point......I'm ready to hang my bookbag on a palm tree and sleep in a hammock!!! Verl, I know what you mean about Xpu-Ha. Lot of walking to be done there. It was nice to snorkel in the lagoon and their beach is very nice but I'm so glad that we chose ASP. I enjoyed being pampered. SOOOOO what do you say guys.......we all going back?
Robin :P

sunnybrook31 · 08-05-2003

Hey - I had incredibly crappy service and even I want to go back... How sad is that????

Liza · 08-05-2003

Not sad at all Sunny......best reason to go back.....your opinion of the resort could only improve (I hope). I think we're all suffering from PDC withdrawals, I'm also suffering from Cozumel withdrawals. Those were some of the most beautiful beaches that I have truly ever seen. This back to reality stuff and back to school stuff bites!
Robin

08-02-2003	#1 (permalink)
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	asp-upcoming trip HELLO ALL, TRAVELING TO ASP END OF SEPT, 2003. PLANNING ON BOOKING SOME OF THE SPA TREATMENTS SINCE GOOD REVIEWS. ALSO HAVE ALREADY BOOKED DOLPHIN DISCOVERY--I BOOKED THE ENCOUNTER--SINCE THE SEA LIFE DISCOVERY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING OUR STAY--THEY SAID IT WAS BEING PHASED OUT. HAS ANYONE TOURED THE AREA RUINS? HOTEL PACKAGE INCLUDE SOME I THINK I WOULD LIKE. ANY COMMENTS? HOW WAS THE HOTEL IN GENERAL? CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE WEATHER MIGHT BE LIKE? THANKS DORISH34[/b]

08-03-2003	#2 (permalink)
jvmitch very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 36	dorish, My wife and I just returned from ASP for a week. WE LOVED IT and cannot wait to go back. We toured only one of the ruins, Tulum. Let me tell you about the included tour. The shuttle left at 930 AM and did not return until after 6 PM. You would think that you were in for a nice long day at the ruins. You are not. The first four hours of the tour we were dropped off at XPU-HA. This is another Palace resort just south of ASP. Now mind you we had a great time here, and even returned later in the week for more fun. (The snorkeling here is sooooo much better than at ASP, and they have an open water beach, not a lagoon.) Be prepared to walk though as it is very spread out. After four hours here, we went to Tulum. It was about a 600 yard walk from the entrance to the actual ruin site. HINT: Pay the 150 pesos and ride the trolley (aka. tractor with carts behind it). We had a 45 minute walk through guided tour and then about 15 minutes on our own for pictures before having to leave. We later found out the reason we left so early was so the guide and bus driver could stop the tour at a road side shop for shopping. I personally saw the tour guide get a hand full of cash from one of the shop operators. We did not like being force fed into a road side shop when we had thought we were going to visit ancient ruins all day. In all, we had spent the entire day and only had 15 minutes of time to take photos. I would suggest taking the tour to Tulum, but plan on taking a taxi back to ASP. That way you can stay as long as you want. Our plans were to spend most of the day on the beach at Tulum, but we never even had time to step foot on the sand! XPU-HA is definately worth visiting. Tulum is definately worth visiting. The road side shop is NOT! If you plan to get on the beach at Tulum (mind you it is one of the MOST beautiful beaches I have seen in my life) you may want to take a Taxi there and back. See if you can just get your ticket for the tour without actually going on the tour. I think it is $15 US dollars to enter Tulum. I hope this helps. Verl and Jennifer

08-03-2003	#4 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,025	Tulum is very easily done on your own. I'd skip the packaged tour and take a taxi from your resort. I'd also skip the trolley and walk as it is only a short distance (0.25 miles at the max). I have problems with my feet and cannot walk long distances and had no problems making this walk on my own. The entrance fee into Tulum is 35 pesos (approx $3.50 USD). If you want a guide, you can hire one right at the entrance. Bring bottled water with you. The beach is small but very nice. So wear your bathing suit under your clothes and bring a towel so you can relax and cool off after you're done exploring the ruins. It's a great way to spend a day.

08-03-2003	#5 (permalink)
MERCADO way into it Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 106	I have to agree with Denise, Tulum is very easy to do on your own, I was there the same week as Verl and Jennifer (HI GUYS) and my friends and I took a taxi. I've gone on the tour in the past and found it to be a complete waste of $$ and time. A taxi is not much and you have all day to explore the beach.

08-04-2003	#6 (permalink)
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Hi, You'll love ASP, it's a beautiful resort. I have to agree with jvmitch about the trolley ride at Tulum. I think it cost maybe $1.50 or so to catch a ride on the trolley. It might not be that far, but it's hot as H--- so it was really worth it. My husband and I are both in good shape and we were happy to be on that trolley. We actually rented a car and drove through Tulum City and then back to the ruins. It didn't cost but maybe $3.50 to get in and we could walk around, take pictures, and go down to the beach at our leisure. Renting a car is also a great way to explore other towns and beaches like Akumal. We were able to do a lot of snorkeling at the different lagoons and beaches that we came across. Tip for Tulum Ruins: if you have to go to the bathroom, make sure you take your own toilet paper. When I got inside and went into the restroom I noticed a guy outside holding rolls of toilet paper. I assumed he was waiting on the ladies to exit the restrooms so he could go inside and refill the paper. But NOOOOO, that wasn't the case......that's right, I sit down and NO toilet paper. I found out later that you were supposed to tip the guy a couple of pesos for paper BEFORE you go in. Now a couple of pesos is not that much.....but HOW was I supposed to know that? Anyway the ruins are beautiful and the trip is worth it if you do it on your own. As for the spa treatments I had the 80 min. hot stone massage and it was sheer heaven and I also had the 50 min. new age facial. The spa is so great, they treat you like royalty. I think the weather is about the same all year round. It was great in July when we were there. By the way.....hi Mitch and Jennifer.

08-04-2003	#7 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Hi, I couldn't get logged on tonight for some reason. I posted the previous post. I didn't realize I was doing it as a guest, thought I was automatically logged on. Does anyone know how we get those avatars under our name? I didn't pick it, it was just there one day.

08-04-2003	#8 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	geez it's late here.....I meant HI Verl and Jennifer....lol...sorry!!!

08-04-2003	#10 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Why thank you Denisea, that explains it. Thanks for the help.

08-04-2003	#11 (permalink)
jvmitch very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 36	HEY GUYS!!! It is Verl and Jennifer. Mercado, thanks for taking care of me on our last night there. I only wish we could have spent more time together. Jennifer loved you guys. Robin, sorry we didn't hang more. You guys seemed like a blast. I think Jason and Kirsten are FINALLY back from down there. They stayed another week after we left. I only bad mouthed them for the first four days back. Sorry about my conversion. It was 15 pesos for the ride. Not 150. I felt like it was worth it. I had done all the walking I cared to do at XPU HA. MAN, is that place spread out or what? It was beautiful and definately worth a visit. I miss you all. When are we going back? Verl and Jennifer

08-05-2003	#12 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Tulum is beautiful. We also did it on our own as we had had enough of the tours by that point. Word of warning though, make sure you have peso's as this is one of the few tourist attractions that does NOT take USD. And there is no place to exchange it. It is a long enough walk in the heat that you don't want to go back just to get some pesos. If you have to choose only one though, I would recommend Chichen Itza. It is just that much grander and magical than Tulum. It was the total highlight of our trip and well worth the trip. I DO recommend a tour for that one and it is offered thru the resort. You'll have a fantastic time. The resort is absolutely beautiful.

08-05-2003	#13 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Hi guys, What do you say we just ALL go back. Maybe we could get a better rate that way. How many people would you say is on this forum. Maybe James and Anna could hook us up. I wouldn't even care where we stayed. At this point......I'm ready to hang my bookbag on a palm tree and sleep in a hammock!!! Verl, I know what you mean about Xpu-Ha. Lot of walking to be done there. It was nice to snorkel in the lagoon and their beach is very nice but I'm so glad that we chose ASP. I enjoyed being pampered. SOOOOO what do you say guys.......we all going back? Robin :P

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08-05-2003	#14 (permalink)
sunnybrook31 way into it Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 106	Hey - I had incredibly crappy service and even I want to go back... How sad is that????

08-05-2003	#15 (permalink)
Liza very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 28	Not sad at all Sunny......best reason to go back.....your opinion of the resort could only improve (I hope). I think we're all suffering from PDC withdrawals, I'm also suffering from Cozumel withdrawals. Those were some of the most beautiful beaches that I have truly ever seen. This back to reality stuff and back to school stuff bites! Robin