Playa Bound for a Cheap Haircut, Hostel & Fished along the way

Beth-n-Scott · 01-17-2010

INTRO
Gosh, I really struggled for a title for this trip…bottom-line we’re all about saving cash to off-set the more costly airfare.

We were bound and determined to go, thus I hunted for the best bang for our buck for accommodations…. and after a few haircuts in Playa, Scott has now refused to get his hair cut in the US, swearing the side street Mexican barbers are unsurpassed in styling and price.

January 2010 NEW Haircut!

May 08 Playa Haircut

March 09 Playa Haircut

June 09 Playa Haircut

\

....there has been more haircuts...but enough past haricut photos... on with the report!!

BACKGROUND
We were born and raised Michiganders, live near Ann Arbor, Michigan, in our mid 30’s & my 9th trip to Mexico- this was my LUCKY #7 trip to Playa!! We have been heading up and down the Yucatan coast since 2005. We strap on our backpacks each trip and off we go! Scott is a serious fly-fisherman and has fished every Playa trip and is very lucky each trip. Scott will fish anywhere, and will contest that Michigan has some of the best fly-fishing spots, yet he loves the thrill of salt-water fishing, thus he brings his portable fly-rod and hand-made flies and catches beautiful fish in Mexico. Our love of Playa is growing into an obsession and we think more and more of taking a 3-6mth. sabbatical someday within the next few years and station ourselves in Playa, since obviously we cannot get enough. We had a blast on our first 2005 Playa trip that we planned to marry the next year in the vicinity and chose nearby Cozumel with about 20 family and friends, hense the wedding adavar photo on the forums.

Us...August at home 2009

December 2006, our Cozumel Wedding

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN IN MEXICO?
Cancun
Isla Holbox
Cozumel
Isla Mujeres
Puerto Morelos
Paamul
Punta Allen
Tulum
Akumal
Nogalas

I've been lucky enough to also experience: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and Grand Cayman….yet Playa del Carmen is the only place we keep returning too!!!!

Holbox Island, Mexico Jan 2008

Playa June 2009

PLANS FOR THIS TRIP

Opt for a private room Hostel vs. a Hotel
Mule 2 cat traps for Cocos Cat Rescue
Visit the Peanut Pet Shelter
Fly-Fish from shore
Visit Tulum again, this time go to El Paraiso (never been)
Try Carboncitos & La Cueva del Chango
Eat at Makkeroni & again
Eat at our favorite taco joint: Taco Gomez
Visit Moms Hotel – meet Brenda & Joe
Snorkel a Cenote & Akumal Bay
Attend a Peep Meet
Shop on 5th
Visit Paamul again, stop by and say hello to Kathleen & family
Visit north beach Playa
RELAX

(surprisingly, we accomplish all all this list, but one!)

....and Relaxing we did....Jan 2010- Tulum Bch

MUST DO FOR OUR NEXT TRIP
Visit Chemuyil & Coba

VACATION DAYS
Wednesday Jan 6th- Jan 10th…not long at all. Scott is in his 2nd year of nursing school and with me being a therapist, its hard to get a big chunk of time off. We’ve done Playa in 5 short days and 4 nights before, so we knew what we were up for, but were dying for a Playa fix.

January Guy · 01-17-2010

Such awesome pics. I really like the August 2009 one of you guys at home although it has nothing to do with Playa. And of course the Sol pic. And the wedding pics and the beach pics and the haircut pics, etc. Love 'em all.

I can't believe that I got my haircut right before leaving for Playa when I had read about Scott getting haircuts in Playa in a different TR of yours. I'm getting my next haircut in March in Playa!

Can't believe I also missed Tacos Gomez on this trip - another must do for next trip.

I'm trying to figure out which of your to-do items you didn't get to, because obviously I saw you do a few of them!

Looking forward to the rest of guys!

JG

Beth-n-Scott · 01-17-2010

WE ARRIVE!!!!
We volunteered & muled 2 cat traps for Cocos Cat Rescue.

Its super easy and we encourage anyone to do it! - Just get in touch with Laura. Cocos needs as many traps as possible as with an estimated 14,000 cats

on the streets in Playa and with spring coming up its important to TNR (Trap/neuter/return) as many of the feral cats as possible.

We were told that the traps fit easy into a hockey bag, but without one, Scott used duck tape and made a handle! Laura emailed us a letter to show customs....and we had no problems! It is now posted on the forums that anyone that brings a Cat trap will receive a free Cocos Cat Rescue tee shirt from Maureen!!!!

...Cocos is also looking for mules to bring some sutures down for that Laura wants to order. Cocos need them before the 21st of Feb. This will be a very small package and easy to mule.

OFF TO PLAYA VIA ADO BUS!!
We often take the bus from the airport to PDC, and its appox. 90 pesos per person. Way cheaper than any taxi or shuttle and the bus runs almost every hour. The bus is very nice....airconditioning, televisions, even a bathroom.....(actually nicer than our Spirit Airlines flight!)

bathroom door

Playa ADO bus station- very centralized location!

Our hostel was right around the corner

Beth-n-Scott · 01-17-2010

WE ARE CHEAPOS
We opt for cheap places to stay, anything under $50 per night is good, yet getting very hard to come by now-a-days. Our last trip to Mexico was in June 09, during the swine flu hype and we found a steller deal at Fiesta Banana for $30 bucks a night, so I was determined to stay in that price range again and we did it. I searched and searched and found a private suite at Hostel Colores Mexicanos for $15 pp, per night ($30 USD).

:p

HOSTEL COLORES MEXICANOS:
Shhhhhh…at $30 bucks a night, high season, lets keep this place a secret.

It was WAY better than expected!!! Basic, great location & super cleen. We booked thru hostelbookers.com for the best deal. This place offers no air conditioning (did have ceiling fan), yet amenities included bath towels, cable tv, communal kitchen, communal balcony, computer usage and private and group rooms. We opted for a private suite with a bathroom. No safe, yet lockers are in rooms but you must have your own lock. Beds have sheets only, but with no air conditioning it was not an issue. We had no hot water (but it wasn’t freezing either) during our entire stay (as the place advertised), but regardless I would recommend it and return! This is not recommended for youngsters looking for a party hostel, its more of a basic hotel w/ hostel amenities with some colorful Mexican character. This place is across from the basketball park on 15th Ave between Calle 2 and Juarez Ave.

Check it out!!!

Computer stations in main lobby

Communal area

Communal kitchen complete with everything you need, including bottled water & a stove (not pictured)

Communal balcony-...look closely, you can see our favorite taco joint- Taco Gomez!!

Our room was on the 2nd floor, each room has a shared veranda with outdoor table and chairs

TV w/ cable...& some American channels

Our room came complete with one double and one twin bed

A large closet/storage area. The right of the photo is the lockers- no safe, -remember to bring your own padlock.

private bathroom

The lower level hallway is walled in and the walls are colorful and gives a great local vibe!

cmsitaly · 01-17-2010

Great pics Beth

Doggiemom · 01-17-2010

Great pictures Beth!!! I so hope that we can meet up in Playa again! You 2 are a very cool couple! I love your adventerous spirits!!

Ok, you may continue now!

roni · 01-17-2010

I enjoy your trip reports!!

Beth-n-Scott · 01-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by January Guy

Such awesome pics. I really like the August 2009 one of you guys at home although it has nothing to do with Playa. And of course the Sol pic. And the wedding pics and the beach pics and the haircut pics, etc. Love 'em all.

I can't believe that I got my haircut right before leaving for Playa when I had read about Scott getting haircuts in Playa in a different TR of yours. I'm getting my next haircut in March in Playa!

Can't believe I also missed Tacos Gomez on this trip - another must do for next trip.

I'm trying to figure out which of your to-do items you didn't get to, because obviously I saw you do a few of them!

Looking forward to the rest of guys!

JG

If we cross paths again in March, we must plan a double date of a haircut and a meal at Taco Gomez!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmsitaly

Great pics Beth

Thanks Cmsitaly, I appreciate you clapping!

Quote:

Originally Posted by roni

I enjoy your trip reports!!

Thanks...they are time consuming so its greatly appreciated!

Beth-n-Scott · 01-17-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

Great pictures Beth!!! I so hope that we can meet up in Playa again! You 2 are a very cool couple! I love your adventerous spirits!!

Ok, you may continue now!

Linda! So nice meeting you! When are you headin back? Were thinking either March or end of May/beg. June. Hopefully we can give some doggies some baths then!

Trish&Chad · 01-18-2010

I always love your trip reports, Beth!!! The haircuts are always great--Scott is so funny about getting his hair cut in Playa!!

Keep it coming!!! I love your pics!!

bigdogmom · 01-18-2010

Great trip report so far, Beth! The pics of the ADO bus/bus station make me feel a lot more comfortable about taking the bus during our upcoming trip (1st time to Playa).

So, did you purposely have your bridesmaids' dresses match the blue of the Caribbean?

syl · 01-18-2010

another trip report..perfect for a rainy day! i love the background info. makes it very personable! carry on!

Mambeaux · 01-18-2010

Great report Beth! I wish I could go to Playa every time I needed a Haircut.

Jacko · 01-18-2010

Lovin' the paint colors at the hostel!

Eileencc · 01-18-2010

I always enjoy your trip reports, Beth! This one is no exception! Great start! Please continue!

01-17-2010	#1 (permalink)
Beth-n-Scott reposado Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jackson, MI USA Posts: 1,264	Playa Bound for a Cheap Haircut, Hostel & Fished along the way INTRO Gosh, I really struggled for a title for this trip…bottom-line we’re all about saving cash to off-set the more costly airfare. We were bound and determined to go, thus I hunted for the best bang for our buck for accommodations…. and after a few haircuts in Playa, Scott has now refused to get his hair cut in the US, swearing the side street Mexican barbers are unsurpassed in styling and price. January 2010 NEW Haircut! May 08 Playa Haircut March 09 Playa Haircut June 09 Playa Haircut \ ....there has been more haircuts...but enough past haricut photos... on with the report!! BACKGROUND We were born and raised Michiganders, live near Ann Arbor, Michigan, in our mid 30’s & my 9th trip to Mexico- this was my LUCKY #7 trip to Playa!! We have been heading up and down the Yucatan coast since 2005. We strap on our backpacks each trip and off we go! Scott is a serious fly-fisherman and has fished every Playa trip and is very lucky each trip. Scott will fish anywhere, and will contest that Michigan has some of the best fly-fishing spots, yet he loves the thrill of salt-water fishing, thus he brings his portable fly-rod and hand-made flies and catches beautiful fish in Mexico. Our love of Playa is growing into an obsession and we think more and more of taking a 3-6mth. sabbatical someday within the next few years and station ourselves in Playa, since obviously we cannot get enough. We had a blast on our first 2005 Playa trip that we planned to marry the next year in the vicinity and chose nearby Cozumel with about 20 family and friends, hense the wedding adavar photo on the forums. Us...August at home 2009 December 2006, our Cozumel Wedding WHERE HAVE WE BEEN IN MEXICO? Cancun Isla Holbox Cozumel Isla Mujeres Puerto Morelos Paamul Punta Allen Tulum Akumal Nogalas I've been lucky enough to also experience: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, St. Thomas, the Bahamas and Grand Cayman….yet Playa del Carmen is the only place we keep returning too!!!! Holbox Island, Mexico Jan 2008 Playa June 2009 PLANS FOR THIS TRIP Opt for a private room Hostel vs. a Hotel Mule 2 cat traps for Cocos Cat Rescue Visit the Peanut Pet Shelter Fly-Fish from shore Visit Tulum again, this time go to El Paraiso (never been) Try Carboncitos & La Cueva del Chango Eat at Makkeroni & again Eat at our favorite taco joint: Taco Gomez Visit Moms Hotel – meet Brenda & Joe Snorkel a Cenote & Akumal Bay Attend a Peep Meet Shop on 5th Visit Paamul again, stop by and say hello to Kathleen & family Visit north beach Playa RELAX (surprisingly, we accomplish all all this list, but one!) ....and Relaxing we did....Jan 2010- Tulum Bch MUST DO FOR OUR NEXT TRIP Visit Chemuyil & Coba VACATION DAYS Wednesday Jan 6th- Jan 10th…not long at all. Scott is in his 2nd year of nursing school and with me being a therapist, its hard to get a big chunk of time off. We’ve done Playa in 5 short days and 4 nights before, so we knew what we were up for, but were dying for a Playa fix. __________________ Hold on...a vacation is not too far away. View my June 2010 trip report here View my January 2010 trip report here View my June 2009 trip report here View my March 2009 trip report here

01-17-2010	#2 (permalink)
January Guy añejo Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 5,900	Such awesome pics. I really like the August 2009 one of you guys at home although it has nothing to do with Playa. And of course the Sol pic. And the wedding pics and the beach pics and the haircut pics, etc. Love 'em all. I can't believe that I got my haircut right before leaving for Playa when I had read about Scott getting haircuts in Playa in a different TR of yours. I'm getting my next haircut in March in Playa! Can't believe I also missed Tacos Gomez on this trip - another must do for next trip. I'm trying to figure out which of your to-do items you didn't get to, because obviously I saw you do a few of them! Looking forward to the rest of guys! JG

01-17-2010	#3 (permalink)
Beth-n-Scott reposado Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jackson, MI USA Posts: 1,264	WE ARRIVE!!!! We volunteered & muled 2 cat traps for Cocos Cat Rescue. Its super easy and we encourage anyone to do it! - Just get in touch with Laura. Cocos needs as many traps as possible as with an estimated 14,000 cats on the streets in Playa and with spring coming up its important to TNR (Trap/neuter/return) as many of the feral cats as possible. We were told that the traps fit easy into a hockey bag, but without one, Scott used duck tape and made a handle! Laura emailed us a letter to show customs....and we had no problems! It is now posted on the forums that anyone that brings a Cat trap will receive a free Cocos Cat Rescue tee shirt from Maureen!!!! ...Cocos is also looking for mules to bring some sutures down for that Laura wants to order. Cocos need them before the 21st of Feb. This will be a very small package and easy to mule. OFF TO PLAYA VIA ADO BUS!! We often take the bus from the airport to PDC, and its appox. 90 pesos per person. Way cheaper than any taxi or shuttle and the bus runs almost every hour. The bus is very nice....airconditioning, televisions, even a bathroom.....(actually nicer than our Spirit Airlines flight!) bathroom door Playa ADO bus station- very centralized location! Our hostel was right around the corner

01-17-2010	#4 (permalink)
Beth-n-Scott reposado Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jackson, MI USA Posts: 1,264	WE ARE CHEAPOS We opt for cheap places to stay, anything under $50 per night is good, yet getting very hard to come by now-a-days. Our last trip to Mexico was in June 09, during the swine flu hype and we found a steller deal at Fiesta Banana for $30 bucks a night, so I was determined to stay in that price range again and we did it. I searched and searched and found a private suite at Hostel Colores Mexicanos for $15 pp, per night ($30 USD). :p HOSTEL COLORES MEXICANOS: Shhhhhh…at $30 bucks a night, high season, lets keep this place a secret. It was WAY better than expected!!! Basic, great location & super cleen. We booked thru hostelbookers.com for the best deal. This place offers no air conditioning (did have ceiling fan), yet amenities included bath towels, cable tv, communal kitchen, communal balcony, computer usage and private and group rooms. We opted for a private suite with a bathroom. No safe, yet lockers are in rooms but you must have your own lock. Beds have sheets only, but with no air conditioning it was not an issue. We had no hot water (but it wasn’t freezing either) during our entire stay (as the place advertised), but regardless I would recommend it and return! This is not recommended for youngsters looking for a party hostel, its more of a basic hotel w/ hostel amenities with some colorful Mexican character. This place is across from the basketball park on 15th Ave between Calle 2 and Juarez Ave. Check it out!!! Computer stations in main lobby Communal area Communal kitchen complete with everything you need, including bottled water & a stove (not pictured) Communal balcony-...look closely, you can see our favorite taco joint- Taco Gomez!! Our room was on the 2nd floor, each room has a shared veranda with outdoor table and chairs TV w/ cable...& some American channels Our room came complete with one double and one twin bed A large closet/storage area. The right of the photo is the lockers- no safe, -remember to bring your own padlock. private bathroom The lower level hallway is walled in and the walls are colorful and gives a great local vibe!

01-17-2010	#5 (permalink)
cmsitaly añejo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,729	Great pics Beth

01-17-2010	#6 (permalink)
Doggiemom añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Humble, Texas Posts: 9,363	Great pictures Beth!!! I so hope that we can meet up in Playa again! You 2 are a very cool couple! I love your adventerous spirits!! Ok, you may continue now!

01-17-2010	#7 (permalink)
roni añejo Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 59,677	I enjoy your trip reports!!

01-18-2010	#10 (permalink)
Trish&Chad añejo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,959	I always love your trip reports, Beth!!! The haircuts are always great--Scott is so funny about getting his hair cut in Playa!! Keep it coming!!! I love your pics!!

01-18-2010	#11 (permalink)
bigdogmom beachaholic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 466	Great trip report so far, Beth! The pics of the ADO bus/bus station make me feel a lot more comfortable about taking the bus during our upcoming trip (1st time to Playa). So, did you purposely have your bridesmaids' dresses match the blue of the Caribbean?

01-18-2010	#12 (permalink)
syl añejo Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: santa ynez Posts: 7,380	another trip report..perfect for a rainy day! i love the background info. makes it very personable! carry on!

01-18-2010	#13 (permalink)
Mambeaux very sparkly Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 27	Great report Beth! I wish I could go to Playa every time I needed a Haircut.

register to remove these adverts

01-18-2010	#14 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 30,889	Lovin' the paint colors at the hostel!

01-18-2010	#15 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 7,354	I always enjoy your trip reports, Beth! This one is no exception! Great start! Please continue!