Playa Trip Report 11/23 - 12/1/09

[jperge]

The day has FINALLY come for us to go on Vacation!! I must warn you that we turn in early (especially for 20 somethings) Hopefully this TR won't be too boring I am sure at least someone will get some info from it - I tried to take good notes while we were down there in an attempt to return the favor to all of you on the board that have helped me out!!

Monday 11/23/09 - Our flight was leaving Richmond at 7ish am... so we were up super early, and my mother in law was kind enough to take us to the airport (she is also watching our 2 furbabies while we are gone!) The flight was uneventful and we got to Terminal 3 of the Cancun Airport around noon. Caught the bus there at Terminal 3 which was a first for us, all the other times we flew into Terminal 1 (2?) but apparently now the bus stops at both terminals... YAY!! 100 peses each (left over from previous trip) and we are on our way. We booked a Jr. Suite room at Hotel Vista Caribe before our arrival, and being that it is on 6th St we just walked there from the bus terminal. We got settled in and had our first Playa lunch at Playa Maya. It was delish as always!! I think it was $280 pesos for a beer, mojito, and 2 orders of chicken tacos Prices were higher than I remember, but the view is priceless and the food/drinks are tasty. After lunch, we wandered around checking out a couple dive shops getting a feel for where we want to dive. We went to Scuba Playa, where we got Open Water Certified a couple years ago, Phantom Dive Shop, and Diversity Diving. We settled on Scuba Playa because we were already familiar with them. Most prices were pretty much the same. We set up a dive for tomorrow in Playa... I am a new/nervous diver and at this point I was pretty unsure of it, but they were very encouraging at Scuba Playa!! Then we went to Mega and stocked up on Beers and bottled water, and some snacks. Stopped at Zenzi to check out what the movie was (August Rush) had a happy hour drink. The tip was included here, the service was soso, but we got four mixed drinks and a beer, and some really good buffalo wings for $209 pesos. Not bad if you ask me! Now we are super tired from exploring dive shops, eating and drinking. We head to bed, not sure what time it was... but we have to be at the dive shop in the morning for our first dives!!

Mojito at Playa Maya


Hotel Vista Caribe Junior Suite Room - we paid $61 USD/night

[jperge]

Day 2 - Tuesday Nov 24

Today we took Pesos out of the ATM. Despite all of the forum encouragement, I was nervous about it. We took out $5000 peses - looking at my bank statement online, it was $385.52 USD, plus a $5 fee and $11.57 fee. I think it ends up to be slightly better than just haven taken USD down and changed them at the cambio (which we did as well, but I didn't want to carry down too much cash)

Today is also our first SCUBA day!! I was so nervous! I got a little teary eyed and the dive shop and they were so nice about it! I ended up having a great time! We dove in Playa at Tortuga and Barracuda. At Tortuga I saw as sea turtle and have NEVER seen one before, so I was really excited. Other than that there was not much to see at Tortuga. At Barracuda there were tons of fish and corals to see. After this day of diving for me I decided that I didn't need to dive anymore - it is expensive and I like it, but not THAT much. Zach on the other hand decided that he will do a package and dive Cozumel, Cenotes, and again in Playa before we leave.

After diving, we ate lunch at what used to be Dr. Taco and is now Tacochino on 10th, I believe btwn 6th and 8th?? Oh boy do you get a lot of food, and it is cheap cheap cheap!! We got a huge burrito, chicken quesadilla, beer and a coke and it was around $139 pesos I think. And Tasty!! We hung out at Fusion for the rest of the afternoon. They are pricey but their drinks are STRONG and the view right from the beach is amazing! 70 peso mijitos and We also got some fajitas for a snack/dinner, I think those were $130 pesos. Again, not cheap (this becomes a huge theme for me, I am used to a much less expensive Playa, but you pay a premium for the view I suppose) As the afternoon/evening wore on, I was feeling a little loopy, and our friends were arriving at our hotel for the week as well, so we headed back to say hi to them... then to bed. I was sooo tired (and a wee bit drunk )....

where we had lunch - it was really good!


The burrito


Fusion at night

[Eileencc]

Good start! That mojito looks tantalizing, with that little tiny piece of mint just lingering on the rim...mmm! I love mojitos!

Please, continue!

[jperge]

Day 3 - Wednesday November 25

The friends who we met down in Playa is a couple and their 4 kids (ages 8-14) and their friends, another couple and their daughter, who is friends with the other four. I have known these guys for 12 years... used to babysit for them. I was sooo excited to spend the week with them!! They are the people who introduced me to Playa, in fact.

This was their first day in Playa - I went with the Dad to the bakery at 6th St and 30th Ave. My fav thing from there is the triangle shaped ham/cheese things with sugar on top. They have all kinds of good breads that are good snacks throughout the day on the beach! After the bakery, we went to breakfast at the hotel... there is breakfast everyday included with the hotel, at the restaurant connected to the Vista del Caribe. You have the choice of a huge fruit plate, eggs, or pancakes and they bring fresh OJ and toast to everyone. It was a good start to every day! We wanted to hang on the beach, but it rained for a good hour or so right after breakfast After the rain, Zach and I sat at Fusion for a drink, then joined our friends on hotel borrowed lounge chairs under palm trees in front of Luna Encantada. This is just a stretch of beach that is public with no other beach clubs or beach chairs on it and it worked out well for our group bc we just set up our own towels and chairs. Then off to a late lunch at La Tarraya!!! This was good! I had the fish fillet del sol. It was a little dry, but our friends rave about this place as do the folks on this forum, it is on the Beach maybe around calle 2ish. And it is priced right, and being right on the beach the view is PERFECT!! There are 11 in our group, we had 11 meals, 4 pitchers of lemonade, 5 orchatas, and 6 flans, and the bill was $1050 incl the tip!! Amazing! We hung out and talked here for a while, watched a boat bring in a catch of lobster and clean it. That was really neat to see! We went back to the hotel, then all went to Pizza Banana on 10th Ave btwn 8th and 10th I think...for those who were hungry... wandered around, ended up at the Zocolo (I think that is what it is called?) by the pier to Cozumel, they sell good fruit cups here and there is a playground and the kids like to play soccer on the beach. We say the spray painter artists, and a human statue that was pretty amazing. There were also fire dancers down that way, which was scary and neat all at the same time. We hung for a while then went back to bed... Tomorrow Zach is diving the Cenotes and has to be up early!!

Spray Paint Artist


Hotel Vista del Caribe Pool


Lobsters at La Tarraya - that Cat might get LUCKY!!

[jperge]

Originally Posted by Eileencc

Good start! That mojito looks tantalizing, with that little tiny piece of mint just lingering on the rim...mmm! I love mojitos!

Please, continue!

Thanks! Mojitos were definitely my drink of choice this trip!!

[jperge]

Day 4 - Thursday 11/26/09

Today Zach goes to dive in Cenotes with Scuba Playa. We first ate breakfast at the hotel. This was always a good breakfast! Filling, prepared us for the day!
I headed to the bakery with friend while Zach headed to Scuba Playa, sat with friends while they ate, then it was a beach day for me with my friends!! We ate basic tacos for lunch at a Taqueria at 4th St and 15th Ave, it was basic, not delish but it did the job. And it was cheap! Zach got back just after lunch... He ate lunch at Fusion while I sipped another Mojito. We lounged on the beach again in front of Luna Encantada, swam with the kiddos. When it started getting dark we headed in to get ready for dinner. I didn't note where we went for dinner this night... we might not have eaten bc we ate a late lunch?? I dont' remember. We did go to a different dive shop, Scuba 10 on the Ave btwn 8th and 10th, across from Pizza Banana. Zach likes them and will do another Playa dive with them bc they are bit cheaper than Scuba Playa

Zach's Cenote Dive: HE LOVED IT!! He said that the water was so clear it was as if the divers were suspended in air! He saw Helo Clines (sp?) and said that it was neat/crazy to see... apparently that is where the salt water meets freshwater and it makes everything very blurry.

Obligatory feet pic This is the beach in front of Luna Encantata - at the beach and 6th St


another view - cloudy skies

[mocha2]

I am so enjoying your report. Can't wait to see and hear more. I'm interested in checking out that taco place in a few weeks

[jperge]

Day 5 Friday November 27

Today is Coba / Cenote trip day!! Since there are 11 of us, we rented and split a van and driver. It was $2000 pesos for the day, plus a tip for the driver. We ate an early breakfast at the hotel (7:30am) and were off. Our first stop was Coba, about 2 hours drive, give or take a couple minutes. We wore bug spray to Coba, but the bugs were not bad at all (maybe bc we had on the bug spray??) These ruins were really neat to see. I had never seen them before and really enjoyed the trip!! We climbed the pyramid of honey, apparently the tallest one in the Yucatan. It was soooo high! I almost didn't make it to the top, I looked down about half way up and started to feel sick and dizzy. I had made it this far... I was going all the way!! I only snapped 2 pics from the top, tho, bc I was pretty uneasy up there! Coba can be a lot of walking - you can rent bikes and ride or take a bike taxi - we walked, it was not too bad, but if you have trouble walking, you may want to take the bikes! After Coba, we ate lunch at Lol Ha. This restaurant was really good!! I got sincronizadas, and an agua de pina. It was all really good. We also got a queso fundido with chorizo. Again there were 11 of us, all got lunch entrees, 2 queso fundidos, 2 guacamoles, 11 drinks, total bill was $1100 pesos. Talk about a deal! The entrance to Coba was $51 pesos.

From here, we went to the Cenote Car wash, which is on the road to Coba as well. It was $50 pesos per person, $25 pesos for the kids. It was so beautiful, clear water!! Platform to jump. I really enjoyed my time here, the water was refreshing! I saw a turtle swimming around, too! They have a rustic changing room and I believe an outhouse... I didn't use the bathroom but I believe there were potty's there.

From the Cenote, we went to the town of Tulum... not to the ruins. We have been there several times before. We walked around town, I bought the spoon rest I had wanted to buy on my trip to Playa...got some ice cream. YUM! Met back up with our friends, got coffee at Don Cafe, maybe? They have food too and the kids decided they were hungry again, so we got desserts and coffee and some foods... then napped on the drive back to Playa. It was a long day! I think we got back around 8pm After we got back we just hung out at the hotel again...



Pyramid of Honey (temple of Honey??)


Looking down - BIG mistake!!


Looking up!!

View from the Top


Enchilada at Lol Ha


Sincronizadas at Lol Ha

[Sue]

How did you like your hotel?

[caramba]

Ohhhhhh I cannot wait for that first mojito.... that looks great!
Nice report, keep it coming!

[jperge]

Day 6 - Saturday Nov 28

Zach went Scuba again to day with Scuba 10 to the Playa reefs again, he went to Tortuga and Sabalos (sp?) He saw several turtles!! I am so jealous! For the girls, today was a shopping day... We walked up 5th and browsed - the younger girls were set on buying SOMETHING!! I actually saw a blown glass Pitcher at Plaza something or another on 5th - their glass prices seem to be pretty fair $3.50 US for glasses, the pitcher I wanted was $8.50 US. I also saw some nativity ornaments there and bought one for myself and a couple for xmas gifts. I also took advantage of the "free tequila shot" they give... it was a VERY SMALL free shot... but worth a try! By lunchtime again, Zach was back so I abandoned the shopping trip and went to lunch with my hubby... we tried to go to Babe's but they don't open until 2pm We ended up at the Tequila Barrel on 5th for 2x1 Sex on the Beach, Ribs (so mexican ) and Enchiladas. It was good and the people watching can't be beat. It cost us around $380 pesos for the lunch... I know this place gets good reviews on the forum, the food WAS good, but the drinks were not strong at all... actually, the seemed a little weak We met everyone back on the beach for a while... it was starting to get dark and cloudy and a wee bit chilly... we ended up going for "dinner" to Ah Cacoa with everyone... coffee's and chocolate cake for pre dinner. That is my kind of eating! After that we were a little hungry for some real food, so we made it to Babes on 10th St and Zach and I split Spring Rolls, Pad Thai and a Daiquiri. We really love Babes! After dinner we walked around a bit - went to Scuba 10 bc Zach wanted to talk with the scuba guys - they were going to dinner across the street, on 10th St btwn 8th and 10th ave - Don Ceviche Marisco - -they have fish and shrimp tacos and the like - the chimichangas are TO DIE FORE - I am not a huge sea food fan but I tried the Shrimp chimichangas and they are really good!! they also serve this shirmp soup before dinner and that was good - I was soo stuffed from all the other eating I did that day, but it was pretty good!

A decorated tree trunk on 5th


Jellyfish - these "outlet" stores seem to have popped up in quite a few places


Tequila Barrel Ribs and Enchiladas




shrimp soup at Don Ceviche

[jperge]

Originally Posted by Sue

How did you like your hotel?

I actually really liked it! It was literally steps from the beach btwn the Beach and 5th on 6th St - and that Jr Suite room we were quoted at $61 US per night - A/C was cold, room was large - fridge kept our water practically frozen. Our room was quiet, there were some rooms that were not due close proximity to 5th Ave... but as long as you get a room facing the pool, toward the back of the hotel you will be fine... we were in 1208 and had no problems. They provided beach towels if asked - an they have some beach chairs you can use on a first come first serve basis - they now have 6 because our group bought 4 and left them

The only complaint I had is that they were kind of stingy in room towels... we got 2 towels per day, no wash cloth or hand towel, no bathroom floor mat (and the shower kind of leaked on the the bathroom floor) We probably could have asked for more towels but didn't.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by jperge

I actually really liked it! It was literally steps from the beach btwn the Beach and 5th on 6th St - and that Jr Suite room we were quoted at $61 US per night - A/C was cold, room was large - fridge kept our water practically frozen. Our room was quite, there were some rooms that were not due close proximity to 5th Ave... but as long as you get a room facing the pool, toward the back of the hotel you will be fine... we were in 1208 and had no problems. They provided beach towels if asked - an they have some beach chairs you can use on a first come first serve basis - they now have 6 because our group bought 4 and left them

The only complaint I had is that they were kind of stingy in room towels... we got 2 towels per day, no wash cloth or hand towel, no bathroom floor mat (and the shower kind of leaked on the the bathroom floor) We probably could have asked for more towels but didn't.

Cool. That's a huge room at a great price! And the pool looks nice, too. Do they close it down at night or are you allowed to use it?

[jperge]

Day 7 - Sunday Nov 29 (phew - TR's are time consuming!!)

This morning Zach was going to Coz to Dive with Scuba Playa - he had to catch the 10am ferry, I walked down with him earlier to get his ticket, then back to the hotel for brekky. After eating Zach left for the ferry - I went to our room and laid around for a bit - called our friends room to see what they are doing - One couple went to Coz at 6am to watch the Iron Man Race... he competed in the Iron Man in Wisconsin this year and wanted to watch the one in Coz... So for me and the rest of the gang it was a beach day YAY!!! I soo wanted to do nothing today! At some point I decided to go for a walk... I walked all the way past Shangri - La hotel on the north end beach!! As I walked, I noted (or at least tried to note) all of the beach hotels along the way... Here is the list I came up with starting at Shangri La going South

Shangri La - beach is a bit eroded
Hotel Las Palapas - beach looks good
Mamitas Beach Club
Kool Beach Club - it looked like there was a hotel or condos behind Kool 0 maybe called Aldia Thia, at Calle 28??
Royal Oasis Suite??
Royal Porto Real - great beach and water!!
Gran Porto Real - ok beach and water but alot of sand bags
Beach btwn Calle 12 - 16 seems to have stinky sewer smell
El Taj Condos coming soon
Playa Palms Hotel looks nice but there are lots of boats in front of it
Blue Parrot - sewer smell here too
La Priata Beach club/bar
Hotel Colibri and No limits Beach Bar - small beach, nice water, boats there a little
Zenzi Beach Club/bar (hotel or condos above??)
El Faro Light house but is no longer painted with "el faro"
Wicky condos - pretty, new looking, nice beach and water - look pricey
Mosquito Blue Hotel/beach club - looks nice and expensive
Hotel Alhambra
Hotel Playa Maya
Pelicano Inn
Fusion - 6th St
Luna Encantada
Wahoo Water Sports - got an 18 US massage here, 70 mins, very relaxing!
Hotel Mimi del Mar
Bad Boys Beach Bar
All Rivera Resort - beach is very rocky right now
La Tarraya
Cabanas La Ruina

This takes you to the pier to Coz. I am sure I have missed places, or mis named them... But I noted as I was walking this is the order the hotels are from north to south.

After all that walking - I needed a massage. Wahoo WaterSports was right next to our spot under the palms in front of Luna Encantada, and they had been advertising 70 min 18 USD massages all week... I got one!! It felt sooo good!! After massage we were hungry... I wanted Pizza and so did the boys (3 of them, ages 8, 10 and 14) so we went to Pizza Pazza and the ladies went to La Tarraya again. Well... let me tell you how young boys can eat!! 3 pieces each and I was almost broke Just kidding but I was def not expecting them to eat so much!! I just love Pizza Pazza, tho... we started at the one on 5th, down close to constituyentes, but they didn't have pepperoni and that is very important to a 10 and 8 yr old, so we searched for another one and found it on I think 8th or 10th St btwn 5th and 10th ave... not sure for sure the exact location. After stuffing all that Pizza in, it was back to the beach for more laying around. Zach caught the 5pm ferry back, and by then it was starting to get dark. We showered and went to Ah Cacoa gain, on Constituyentes with 5th Ave. This place is sooo cool!! They decorate the coffee!! and they have lots of chocolate! Our friends came up a bit later and met us at Ah Cacoa - it was chocolate for dinner and that was a ok with me! Walked to the square and visited, then of to bed!!

Coz diving: Zach says the diving here is awesome - there is so much more to see in Coz, it was worth the trip! The thing he would do diff, tho is go to Coz and find a dive shop rather than use a shop in Playa who basically sub contracts diving to shops in Coz.

Coffee Decorating




The kids are good at Sand Art : )

[jperge]

Originally Posted by Sue

Cool. That's a huge room at a great price! And the pool looks nice, too. Do they close it down at night or are you allowed to use it?

A sign in the room said the pool closed at 10pm There is never a life guard there so I am not sure how strict that is... as long as you aren't loud or bothering other guests.