W Bones trip report

[WBones]

After returning from Playa last night I thought I'd post a short trip report. Myself along with Mrs. Bones and 7 friends had a great trip. Here's a few things that I'd recommend. Los Comales for breakfast loads of fresh fruits and watermelon and orange juice. Fresh made omlets made to order with 4 or 5 side dishes to chose from. As much as you want to eat for $4.95. It's located on 4th Calle and 5th. As usual the El Pirata right next to the ****** excellent food good prices, great location. And a bucket of beer $9 bucks is sure hard to beat.( $2 beers at the swing bar--some of our friends walked next door to the Parrot and they said they were charged $4 for a beer so I did'nt go there! They were there late at night so maybe the prices change for the late crowd?) Now here's our best find El Pastorsito 30 Ave & Calle 20.
There were 9 of us and everyone ordered different food ( Best Taco's El Pastore) and everyone thought it was our best meal in Playa. We all had a couple beers and we were all floored when we got the bill and it was less than $80 bucks. The next night was our last and everyone wanted to go back there again. So we did and most everyone agreed that it was even better than the night before. T he nice part is that it's really not far from 5thAve so, we all just walked back to the Tequila Barrel for some drinks. Speaking of the Tequila Barrel we stopped in numerous times it's such a good people watching spot and the same nice people are there from the last 3 trips.And I'll tell you what when you use the Playa Deal Card it's got to be about the cheapest place to drink on 5th Ave.Another great place we found was right around the corner at Sharkeys 7 bucks for a bucket of beer all the time and $1.25 a beer during happy hour. We talked to Sharkey and always ran into a friendly local who always wanted to BS or gladly answer any of our questions about Playa. Stopped across the street at Ranita boy do they have ice cold beer there. And both the last two places I mentioned carry VICTORIA BEER which all 9 of agreed was our favorite (kind of amazing huh) that 9 people can agree on one thing. While I'm on the subject of liquor we stopped at Pipo's again.When you did your tequila taste test a few weeks before my trip Gran Centenario (Anejo) rated 10 out of 10 so I just had to try it to the tune of $62.00 Pipo's had it for $23 I was sick ( by the way I'd rate it about 7 out of 10) different taste buds you know. I ended up buying 3 bottles of Don Julio Anejo to take home (now theres a real 10 out of 10) about $38 a bottle, what a steal. My buddy found a bottle of his hard to find Almond Tequila on 5th Ave the first day and it was $18, it was less than 7 bucks at Pipo's. We all ended up buying our take home booze there and it's just a short walk off 5th. The only negative we had several places added on there on self imposed eating tax to varying degrees, but we just figured it in to what we usually pay 15 to 20 percent and did'nt argue. The only place we had a little problem was at Hemmingways 5 of us had a nice lunch there. So upon sitting down we placed our 3 Playa Deal Cards on the table so that they know that we are aware of tipping as noted in the literature that we received. Upon receiving our bill my wife noted that they had added there self imposed tax of $4.80 to the $48 bill and on the receipt it was stamped Tip not Included. Well not wanting to cause a problem we paid the amount stated and added $4 buck USA. While everyone waited outside myself and my friend used the banos. Our waiter came right up to me and stated did'nt you think I gave you good service? The bill was $52 and you only give me$4 dollars! I was taken aback and said What? And he repeated the same comment. I then looked him in the eye and said you and I both know that you added that food tax and there is no tax. so you got that plus $4 dollars and I think thats plenty. He just got a sheepish grin on he's face and said Oh and turned and walked away.I was beginning to think maybe I was wrong so we went right back to the Hotel Colibri and met Peter the owner and told him the story. He said the following "they are getting greedy and people are being cheated unfortunately several of his hotel guests have told similar stories lately" Other than that ( I'm sure glad it happened to me rather than my wife) we had a great week and Playa is still the BEST place to visit in Mexico.

[tommy]

nice report.

[ryberg]

Hey, WBones! Sorry I didn't get back out to see you again before your group left that day. I have a hard time spending any serious amount of time talking to anyone who passes by these days...

Just to clarify, restaurant meals are taxed, and at a rate of 10%, which would be consistent with what they put on your check. The question is only whether the prices they post or which appear on their menus already include that tax or whether they are still subject to it. You can read up on this on a recent thread here.

The situation is exactly parallel to hotel rates, which are always subject to 12% (10% sales + 2% lodging) in taxes (even if someone tries to tell you otherwise), but the rates as published by the hotel or shown on the rack on the wall may or may not already include that tax.

The trick in either case is to find out, preferably in advance, whether the price stated already includes the tax or not.

Steve

[Softy57]

Thanks Bones for a wonderful report. I've written a lot of your info in my notebook for next years visit. Especially Pipo's,which we hadn't heard about,but will definately be visiting! Another fascinating & helpfull report on this very usefull site.

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by Softy57

Thanks Bones for a wonderful report. I've written a lot of your info in my notebook for next years visit. Another fascinating & helpfull report on this very usefull site.

You know, I've written a few things down before...but as you say, a notebook certainly is a great idea...As I think about it...I can see a 3-ring binder with color coded tabs for bars, restaurants, sight-seeing, activities, shopping, groceries, tequila (thanks Bumper)....and on and on...

So Softy57, how is your notebook set up and what kinds of things do you find especially noteworthy?

Anyone else care to chime in with their .02 cents worth, too?

[Softy57]

Oh don't be such a bear,cuffedlinks, I just have a short list of forum favorites. Why would I spend an hr. or 6 every day on this site if it wasn't worth a few notes?Also the places you Senior Members meet when you're there.Sorry if my organizational skills make you uncomfortable. Softy p.s.I am NOT Electra-o!!