I am overwhelmed...need some planning advice

rayinpa · 07-16-2008

Ok, so I am going to Playa for the first time from Aug 29 - Sept 2 as a suprise for my Wife's Bday.
The problem...My wife is great at planning all our vacations, I am horrible at this and making decisions. She gave me a list of like 7 places in the past year and I just picked one.
What I know, Friday we get there in the afternoon so most of that day and evening is just beach and hanging. Maybe a Massage to start the trip off.
I want to do a Cozumel Day trip to see the sights, but after that, I am not sure.
Oh and she does get motion sick so cattamarans are out. I just don't know if I don't plan till we get there will things we want be open (snorkeling, ATV trips) and what about these resturaunts for dinner at the AI's.
If it was just me, I would just go and play it by ear, but this is a special birthday and I want to sort of spoil my wife. We are staying at the Riu Palace Mexico.
Can anyone help?

mexisv · 07-16-2008

I would sort of plan a couple things to do but would play it by ear when I get there. Who knows you may like the resort so well, don't want to leave everyday. When we stay at a resort we tend to leave every other day for a few hours. We are not big into pricey all day excusions just do things on our own. I would suggest the first day just get aquainted with the resort surroundings. I personally would book the massage for the next morning and veg out at the beach taking it all in.
It can be just relaxing to quietly enjoy each other's company, hitting some local stuff for just a few hours. Playa is fun to shop, so go there and stop at one of the beach bars for a drink before heading back to the resort. Tulum ruins are fun, not expensive or involving an entire day.

Eileencc · 07-16-2008

I'm sure avagirl will chime in on this thread...she's staying at the same hotel soon and I know she's done a ton of research on activities for the trip. I'm sure she will share what she learned with you. Alternately, you might do a search on this forum for threads started by avagirl...I know I've learned a LOT on her threads that have helped me prepare for my own upcoming trip. Good luck...try to relax and have fun! You're going away to escape the stress and worry of the real world, right?

Babaloo · 07-16-2008

If your wife gets motion sickness then skip Cozumel.
It does, after all, require a boat to get there.

Manitou · 07-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

If your wife gets motion sickness then skip Cozumel.
It does, after all, require a boat to get there.

That's what I was thinking too.
How about a trip to Tulum? Does she like history, ruins, etc?
Or, check out the "trip planning" tab above and see if there isn't something there that might be of interest to both of you. Great tours and you don't have to do anything but be ready on time!

rayinpa · 07-17-2008

Thanks All. The motion sickness is an issue, but I think normally she would be ok with Dramamine, I have just heard the Ferry can be very rough.
I guess I am just wondering if there is enough to do in town and Tulum ruins seem close. I just hate to spend a whole day traveling.
I will also look up avagirl.

**Heather** · 07-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayinpa

Thanks All. The motion sickness is an issue, but I think normally she would be ok with Dramamine, I have just heard the Ferry can be very rough.
I guess I am just wondering if there is enough to do in town and Tulum ruins seem close. I just hate to spend a whole day traveling.
I will also look up avagirl.

Personally, I would skip Cozumel if I was easily seasick like your wife and if I didn't like to spend a whole day traveling like you.

A great introduction to the area is the Tulum and Beyond tour. Pickups for this start at about 7.30 and you'll be back in PdC by around 4.30 or 5 pm. You'll visit the Tulum ruins, a couple of cenotes, and a fantastic secluded beach south of the ruins in Tulum. Everything except gratuity is included: snacks, water, full lunch, entrances, snorkel gear, air-conditioned transport. Plus, these are small tours, typically with a group size around 12 or 14 people or less, not one of those impersonal big bus tours where you're herded like cattle. You really can't go wrong with this tour.

Other things to do in the area are: visit Yalku lagoon and Akumal to snorkel. Akumal is where you can see sea turtles. Take time to stroll up and down 5th avenue people watching and checking out the little stores.

Oh, and please make sure to do a whole lot of nothing, too. Relax and enjoy! Happy planning!

Lastone · 07-17-2008

Naysayers!

If you want to go to Cozumel, so be it.
There are work-around's for this.
There are better remedies out there then the drugged-out day-long feeling from Dramamine.
check this out:
Seasickness - Best Remedies for Seasickness
Motion Sickness Wristbands – Safer Alternative to Motion Sickness Medications & Patches

I have this one. I use it on boats, amusement park rides, and (yep) elevators.
ReliefBand® -

I'll bet you already have it mind to treat her to a nice meal off-AI in PdC.
John Gray's is a fav of ours.

JameyBano · 07-17-2008

I get motion sickness and did ok--but just ok on the ferry. I would recommend ginger tablets to combat motion sickness--works well with no side effects. If you go to Cozumel, you must go to Coconuts, my husband could spend days there looking at the photo albums there!
I agree with Heather that the Tulum and Beyond tour is not to be missed--this tour was my favorite day of our trip there last year and Mitch is a great guy. I would also return to Akumal for snorkeling--seeing sea turtles in their natural habitat is unforgettable.
Also you must get guacamole at Palapa Hemingways!!!!! YUM!

Funny that you get to "suprise" your wife with a pre-determined list of destinations--I would not trust my hubby to "suprise" me either--we would end up golfing, fishing and going to burlesque shows!
Best of luck to you--PDC is a great location for an unforgettable vacation!

Manitou · 07-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lastone

Naysayers!

If you want to go to Cozumel, so be it...

Our first trip to PDC I thought it would be fun to spend a day in Cancun. Sure glad people talked me out of it.

avagirl · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eileencc

I'm sure avagirl will chime in on this thread...she's staying at the same hotel soon and I know she's done a ton of research on activities for the trip. I'm sure she will share what she learned with you. Alternately, you might do a search on this forum for threads started by avagirl...I know I've learned a LOT on her threads that have helped me prepare for my own upcoming trip. Good luck...try to relax and have fun! You're going away to escape the stress and worry of the real world, right?

You are toooo cute!

Soon baby soon!!!

Rissask · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manitou

Our first trip to PDC I thought it would be fun to spend a day in Cancun. Sure glad people talked me out of it.

I have spent 4 weeks in Playa and never been to either Cancun or Cozumel, and no regrets.

I think if we were there for more than 2 weeks, I would want to make the effort to go to Coz for a couple of days, but there are just too many better and more relaxed day trips closer by when there for a short time (Chichen Itza, Tulum, Vallalodid, Coba, cenotes, Akumal, etc.).

Lastone · 07-20-2008

Our take on:

Cancun:

Las Vegas!
We thought it felt much like the Vegas strip, driving into downtown Cancun. No need to worry about misreading any signs, as it was very very "Americanized".

Cozumel: like an even more laid-back Play dC (re: 5th Ave), sans the gorgeous beaches.

Seasick: I was covered with my Reliefband on the ferry and the Pirate ship cruise. But we discovered that one of my sons suffers motion sickness and felt like he was still on a boat (sea legs?) for the next two days. (both boat rides were 2 consecutive days). He wasn't "green-around-the-gills" while on the boat, however.

Eileencc · 07-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by avagirl

You are toooo cute!

Soon baby soon!!!

Who me? Cute ?

I can't believe I'm 21 Days away woohoo! Three weeks!

avagirl · 07-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eileencc

Who me? Cute ?

I can't believe I'm 21 Days away woohoo! Three weeks!

I can't even think straight lately! My mind is in vacation mode already.. I am so prepared, I feel like I am not prepared?? Makes no sense, but I am a scambled mess! Way tooooooo excited!

07-16-2008	#1 (permalink)
rayinpa very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside Philadelphia, PA Posts: 38	I am overwhelmed...need some planning advice Ok, so I am going to Playa for the first time from Aug 29 - Sept 2 as a suprise for my Wife's Bday. The problem...My wife is great at planning all our vacations, I am horrible at this and making decisions. She gave me a list of like 7 places in the past year and I just picked one. What I know, Friday we get there in the afternoon so most of that day and evening is just beach and hanging. Maybe a Massage to start the trip off. I want to do a Cozumel Day trip to see the sights, but after that, I am not sure. Oh and she does get motion sick so cattamarans are out. I just don't know if I don't plan till we get there will things we want be open (snorkeling, ATV trips) and what about these resturaunts for dinner at the AI's. If it was just me, I would just go and play it by ear, but this is a special birthday and I want to sort of spoil my wife. We are staying at the Riu Palace Mexico. Can anyone help?

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07-16-2008	#2 (permalink)
mexisv way into it Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 132	I would sort of plan a couple things to do but would play it by ear when I get there. Who knows you may like the resort so well, don't want to leave everyday. When we stay at a resort we tend to leave every other day for a few hours. We are not big into pricey all day excusions just do things on our own. I would suggest the first day just get aquainted with the resort surroundings. I personally would book the massage for the next morning and veg out at the beach taking it all in. It can be just relaxing to quietly enjoy each other's company, hitting some local stuff for just a few hours. Playa is fun to shop, so go there and stop at one of the beach bars for a drink before heading back to the resort. Tulum ruins are fun, not expensive or involving an entire day.

07-16-2008	#3 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 4,089	I'm sure avagirl will chime in on this thread...she's staying at the same hotel soon and I know she's done a ton of research on activities for the trip. I'm sure she will share what she learned with you. Alternately, you might do a search on this forum for threads started by avagirl...I know I've learned a LOT on her threads that have helped me prepare for my own upcoming trip. Good luck...try to relax and have fun! You're going away to escape the stress and worry of the real world, right?

07-16-2008	#4 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Paamul, Q Roo Mexico Posts: 10,367	If your wife gets motion sickness then skip Cozumel. It does, after all, require a boat to get there.

07-17-2008	#6 (permalink)
rayinpa very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside Philadelphia, PA Posts: 38	Thanks All. The motion sickness is an issue, but I think normally she would be ok with Dramamine, I have just heard the Ferry can be very rough. I guess I am just wondering if there is enough to do in town and Tulum ruins seem close. I just hate to spend a whole day traveling. I will also look up avagirl.

07-17-2008	#8 (permalink)
Lastone lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 18	Naysayers! If you want to go to Cozumel, so be it. There are work-around's for this. There are better remedies out there then the drugged-out day-long feeling from Dramamine. check this out: Seasickness - Best Remedies for Seasickness Motion Sickness Wristbands – Safer Alternative to Motion Sickness Medications & Patches I have this one. I use it on boats, amusement park rides, and (yep) elevators. ReliefBand® - I'll bet you already have it mind to treat her to a nice meal off-AI in PdC. John Gray's is a fav of ours.

07-17-2008	#9 (permalink)
JameyBano life=playa Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 798	I get motion sickness and did ok--but just ok on the ferry. I would recommend ginger tablets to combat motion sickness--works well with no side effects. If you go to Cozumel, you must go to Coconuts, my husband could spend days there looking at the photo albums there! I agree with Heather that the Tulum and Beyond tour is not to be missed--this tour was my favorite day of our trip there last year and Mitch is a great guy. I would also return to Akumal for snorkeling--seeing sea turtles in their natural habitat is unforgettable. Also you must get guacamole at Palapa Hemingways!!!!! YUM! Funny that you get to "suprise" your wife with a pre-determined list of destinations--I would not trust my hubby to "suprise" me either--we would end up golfing, fishing and going to burlesque shows! Best of luck to you--PDC is a great location for an unforgettable vacation!

07-20-2008	#13 (permalink)
Lastone lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 18	Our take on: Cancun: Las Vegas! We thought it felt much like the Vegas strip, driving into downtown Cancun. No need to worry about misreading any signs, as it was very very "Americanized". Cozumel: like an even more laid-back Play dC (re: 5th Ave), sans the gorgeous beaches. Seasick: I was covered with my Reliefband on the ferry and the Pirate ship cruise. But we discovered that one of my sons suffers motion sickness and felt like he was still on a boat (sea legs?) for the next two days. (both boat rides were 2 consecutive days). He wasn't "green-around-the-gills" while on the boat, however.

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