Do any of you actually leave your AI resort to go to Playa Del Carmen or other destin

Newuser · 07-27-2010

Enjoying my second day at the Barcelo Maya and it's just amazing! I see many people travel outside the hotel to go to other clubs,beaches, etc. This resort has everything I could possibly ask for . So my question is, am I missing something ? Should I travel to Playa? Better clubs perhaps? Food? Please let me know !!

Newuser · 07-27-2010

I have also asked the front desk and they will
not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

Mikey · 07-27-2010

The very first trip to Playa I stayed at an AI....By the third day I became bored there and took a Taxi into Playa everyday.....It was the last time I stayed at an AI. For the last nine years have stayed somewhere on or just off fifth avanue. For me it had to do with being able to hit the different beach clubs, bars, places to eat, people watching, etc......

Brent & Kim · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newuser

I have also asked the front desk and they will
not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

really?

Beachnutt · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newuser

I have also asked the front desk and they will
not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

I find that hard to believe. Definitely leave the resort. Go to town, take a tour, maybe ferry to Cozumel.

August will be our 8th trip in 6 years. There is still so much on my "to do" list. I will probably never get to it all.

We've stayed at both AI and small hotels. I really prefer the small hotels and finding all the little out of the way eating spots that Playa has to offer.

**Susie Q Roo** · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newuser

I have also asked the front desk and they will
not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

What??? They're going to take you down in handcuffs if you try walking to the highway to catch a colectivo? I don't think so.

Different strokes for different folks - some are happy to do nothing but overdrink and overeat and lie around on the beach all day and others want to actually KNOW this area they've traveled to. Neither is more right than the other because people want different things out of a vacation. Personally, though, I think it's a darn shame not to get at least into Playa or see some ruins. There is so much more to the Riviera Maya than the sterile world of the AI with its mass-produced food and staged "fun."

BERT G · 07-27-2010

They won't allow you to leave really! Are you staying at an AI or a prison?

**SunKneeMarie** · 07-27-2010

I'm sure they would prefer that you book a tour through them in order to leave the AI, but you definitely can leave on your own... are other people coming and going in taxis who already have their wristbands on?

we almost always stay at an AI (we like the ease of food/drink/chair/pool right there for us) but we always take at least one tour and go into town to eat/walk around at least once... best of both

**Shammy** · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newuser

I have also asked the front desk and they will
not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

I don't know who gave you that information but it's positively incorrect. I've stayed at the Barcelo 6 times and have left to go - all sorts of places - each time. You don't need anyone's permission to walk out of the lobby and take a taxi, colectivo, whatever, to...anywhere. It's not jail!

rainbow · 07-27-2010

...don't miss out on spending time in playa del carmen...it is the most amazing place i have ever been to in my life...sneak away disguised if you must

...but, don't miss playa!...

jobob · 07-27-2010

I love wandering into town, this time we'll walk along the beach for the first time, check out the stores, buy my take home liquor at WallyWorld or Mega. We also head over to Cozumel for a day to visit relatives. Maybe this year because we've saved sooooooo many $ by not booking with Sunquest that we'll take in Tulum or Coba ruins. Would also like to visit the town of Tulum. Our daughter visited it last year and said next trip that's where she's staying.

Smudger · 07-27-2010

I can't wait for my wander around 5th again! didn't see half of it last time...but this time I am looking for those gorgeous glass tumblers with the coloured edges.....I have seen them in restaurants etc, but I really want to bring some home with me this time.........by the way does anybody know if it is ok to take glassware through customs in your hand luggage? as I don't fancy putting it in the suitcase because of the way they get thrown about

any info would be most helpful!

Doggiemom · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smudger

I can't wait for my wander around 5th again! didn't see half of it last time...but this time I am looking for those gorgeous glass tumblers with the coloured edges.....I have seen them in restaurants etc, but I really want to bring some home with me this time.........by the way does anybody know if it is ok to take glassware through customs in your hand luggage? as I don't fancy putting it in the suitcase because of the way they get thrown about any info would be most helpful!

You should have no issues with that!

Smudger · 07-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

You should have no issues with that!

Thanks for that!!! I would love to bring all kinds of this glassware back with me but it is quite heavy so weight restrictions prevent that...but as long as I can get at least 4 large tumblers and maybe a couple of whisky glasses all in different colours that would make my holiday complete!!

I really can't wait now!!!

daydreamer · 07-27-2010

Definitely get out of the resort and go into town. Check out 5th Ave., local eateries foods are much better then AI (in my opinion and many others), tour one of the Mayan ruins, maybe snorkel with the turtles in Akumal. So much to see and do, it really can't be done in one trip - and it would definitely be a shame not to venture out and stay in the resort the whole time. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

07-27-2010	#1 (permalink)
Newuser lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 13	Do any of you actually leave your AI resort to go to Playa Del Carmen or other destin Enjoying my second day at the Barcelo Maya and it's just amazing! I see many people travel outside the hotel to go to other clubs,beaches, etc. This resort has everything I could possibly ask for . So my question is, am I missing something ? Should I travel to Playa? Better clubs perhaps? Food? Please let me know !!

07-27-2010	#3 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 27,429	The very first trip to Playa I stayed at an AI....By the third day I became bored there and took a Taxi into Playa everyday.....It was the last time I stayed at an AI. For the last nine years have stayed somewhere on or just off fifth avanue. For me it had to do with being able to hit the different beach clubs, bars, places to eat, people watching, etc...... Last edited by Mikey; 07-27-2010 at 07:11 AM..

07-27-2010	#7 (permalink)
BERT G way into it Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SOUTH WEST MICHIGAN Posts: 115	Ai They won't allow you to leave really! Are you staying at an AI or a prison?

07-27-2010	#12 (permalink)
Smudger life=playa Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 771	wandering on 5th! I can't wait for my wander around 5th again! didn't see half of it last time...but this time I am looking for those gorgeous glass tumblers with the coloured edges.....I have seen them in restaurants etc, but I really want to bring some home with me this time.........by the way does anybody know if it is ok to take glassware through customs in your hand luggage? as I don't fancy putting it in the suitcase because of the way they get thrown about any info would be most helpful!

07-27-2010	#2 (permalink)
Newuser lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 13	I have also asked the front desk and they will not allow you to leave the resort on your own..

07-27-2010	#8 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 32,808	I'm sure they would prefer that you book a tour through them in order to leave the AI, but you definitely can leave on your own... are other people coming and going in taxis who already have their wristbands on? we almost always stay at an AI (we like the ease of food/drink/chair/pool right there for us) but we always take at least one tour and go into town to eat/walk around at least once... best of both

07-27-2010	#10 (permalink)
rainbow life=playa Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: southeastern Pennsylvania Posts: 734	...don't miss out on spending time in playa del carmen...it is the most amazing place i have ever been to in my life...sneak away disguised if you must ...but, don't miss playa!...

07-27-2010	#11 (permalink)
jobob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: B.C., Canada EH! Posts: 896	I love wandering into town, this time we'll walk along the beach for the first time, check out the stores, buy my take home liquor at WallyWorld or Mega. We also head over to Cozumel for a day to visit relatives. Maybe this year because we've saved sooooooo many $ by not booking with Sunquest that we'll take in Tulum or Coba ruins. Would also like to visit the town of Tulum. Our daughter visited it last year and said next trip that's where she's staying.

07-27-2010	#15 (permalink)
daydreamer reposado Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fairless Hills, PA Posts: 1,105	Definitely get out of the resort and go into town. Check out 5th Ave., local eateries foods are much better then AI (in my opinion and many others), tour one of the Mayan ruins, maybe snorkel with the turtles in Akumal. So much to see and do, it really can't be done in one trip - and it would definitely be a shame not to venture out and stay in the resort the whole time. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

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