nubie questions

gsusser · 03-15-2004

Hi, we'll be taking our first trip to PDC next week. First, can I just say a BIGTIME thanks to Anna and James for this board! I've spent several hours browsing and have found it the most useful site in the history of the internet!

A few questions. An acquaintance raved and raved about floating down the River, Xcaret. I saw a mention of it on this site also. Is it really that fabulous?

Can someone define Mayan food? Typical ingredients, spices? Fish or meat? Just curious (I'm in the restaurant biz.) On the subject of food, someone mentioned Moros CRab House. Anyone hear of it and know anything about it? I don't see it in the restaurant section here.

Unfortunately, we're only spending 4 nights here. It was all planned at the last second. Most of the time we'll be spent relaxing and snorkeling. As much as we'd like to see all the famous Mayan sites, relaxation is the primary purpose. If we only took one trip, what do you suggest? Chichen Itza seems a bit much to do on such a short stay. Tulum?

Many thanks.

natalie · 03-15-2004

About the 'river' at Xcaret. I personally wouldn't recommend it, or even the park, except for the evening show. The place is mostly an overpriced tourist trap. There's better and more exciting snorkeling to be had elsewhere. For instance, snorkeling in one of the many cenotes is a much better experience.

As for Mayan ruins, if you want to see something spectacular and have a day to spare, go see Coba. I believe it's closer than Chichen Itza, and it's well worth the trip. Tulum is in a nice location overlooking the sea, but there's really not much to see there. Then again, with only 4 days to spare, you may want to wait until your next trip to see any of the ruins and just relax on the beach. 8) The ruins will still be there when you get back!

**Jesus** · 03-15-2004

Floating on the "river", mmmhhh, is not exactly a river, is a manmade underground thing and there aren't many things to do or see. I would much prefer to do the cenotes snorkeling.
You can go to Tulum and do the cenotes on the same day trip. You can even trow in Akumal for snorking in the ocean with tons of fish.

Yucatecan food: cochinita pibil is the first thing that comes to my mind. Veal, shrimps, sopa de lima (limon soup), achiote, horchata, papadzules, relleno negro, queso relleno, etc. Just use the "quick search" tool at the top of the page and you will find a lot of disscusions on them. Also look at he bottom of the page, you will find some articles written by James on food.

If you have any doubts after reading all that, I will be happy to make them bigger of fuzzier.

Dpreefer · 03-15-2004

There is one restaurant in Playa right off of 5th Avenue on 8th or 10th (cannot remember) called Yak Chi (or something like that). It purports to make auhtentic Mayan food. It is very different and quite good, although I did not find it as exciting as I had hoped. I was in the restaurant business too, and I thought the dinner very worthwhile. In any case, it is a very nicely appointed place and a delightful evening. Try the chaya soup. This is an indiginous spinach-like vegetable. Very delicate and delicious. I thought it worth the whole meal.

03-15-2004	#1 (permalink)
gsusser sandflea Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: jersey city Posts: 4	nubie questions Hi, we'll be taking our first trip to PDC next week. First, can I just say a BIGTIME thanks to Anna and James for this board! I've spent several hours browsing and have found it the most useful site in the history of the internet! A few questions. An acquaintance raved and raved about floating down the River, Xcaret. I saw a mention of it on this site also. Is it really that fabulous? Can someone define Mayan food? Typical ingredients, spices? Fish or meat? Just curious (I'm in the restaurant biz.) On the subject of food, someone mentioned Moros CRab House. Anyone hear of it and know anything about it? I don't see it in the restaurant section here. Unfortunately, we're only spending 4 nights here. It was all planned at the last second. Most of the time we'll be spent relaxing and snorkeling. As much as we'd like to see all the famous Mayan sites, relaxation is the primary purpose. If we only took one trip, what do you suggest? Chichen Itza seems a bit much to do on such a short stay. Tulum? Many thanks.

03-15-2004	#4 (permalink)
Dpreefer way into it Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 183	Looking for Mayan food? There is one restaurant in Playa right off of 5th Avenue on 8th or 10th (cannot remember) called Yak Chi (or something like that). It purports to make auhtentic Mayan food. It is very different and quite good, although I did not find it as exciting as I had hoped. I was in the restaurant business too, and I thought the dinner very worthwhile. In any case, it is a very nicely appointed place and a delightful evening. Try the chaya soup. This is an indiginous spinach-like vegetable. Very delicate and delicious. I thought it worth the whole meal.

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03-15-2004	#2 (permalink)
natalie toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 44	About the 'river' at Xcaret. I personally wouldn't recommend it, or even the park, except for the evening show. The place is mostly an overpriced tourist trap. There's better and more exciting snorkeling to be had elsewhere. For instance, snorkeling in one of the many cenotes is a much better experience. As for Mayan ruins, if you want to see something spectacular and have a day to spare, go see Coba. I believe it's closer than Chichen Itza, and it's well worth the trip. Tulum is in a nice location overlooking the sea, but there's really not much to see there. Then again, with only 4 days to spare, you may want to wait until your next trip to see any of the ruins and just relax on the beach. 8) The ruins will still be there when you get back!

03-15-2004	#3 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,581	Floating on the "river", mmmhhh, is not exactly a river, is a manmade underground thing and there aren't many things to do or see. I would much prefer to do the cenotes snorkeling. You can go to Tulum and do the cenotes on the same day trip. You can even trow in Akumal for snorking in the ocean with tons of fish. Yucatecan food: cochinita pibil is the first thing that comes to my mind. Veal, shrimps, sopa de lima (limon soup), achiote, horchata, papadzules, relleno negro, queso relleno, etc. Just use the "quick search" tool at the top of the page and you will find a lot of disscusions on them. Also look at he bottom of the page, you will find some articles written by James on food. If you have any doubts after reading all that, I will be happy to make them bigger of fuzzier.

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