Beach conditions in front of El Faro/Costa del Mar/******????

[shannabear]

Great forum and I feel fortunate to have found it. I have been traveling to Playa since 1993 but haven't had the pleasure of visiting since 2002. We always travel with several friends and mentioned to several we would be going in August and December of this year. Someone then mentioned the beach between the ferry dock and the Porto Real is all washed away. I read about the efforts to restore the beach and viewed photos of the poles and nets. I was wondering if these are still in place? What does the beach look like right now? And finally, any recommendations for a great beachfront hotel for our next trip. We have always stayed around El Faro, Da Gabi, Costa del Mar, La Mariposa....and after kids even Porto Real. We are up for anything. Many thanks for your time and comments.

[jtm1631]

Beach conditions are sandy and wet

From what I have read here some areas of the beaches lost some sand after the huge rainfall last month. It seems the storm exposed some rocks, etc. in the stretch from the ferry pier to Porto Real, but no major damage. The nets and poles are still up but again from what has been indicated here have not done much to help the retention of sand.

As far as great hotels on the beach you will find many great reviews of Playa Maya. We stayed there in May and will be going back in August (only 29 days left). Playa Maya has a great staff, great food and perfect location. If you search Playa Maya you will see numerous posts giving you more details. You can also look at my photos of the hotel in the multimedia section of this web site.

JT

[Anna]

You'll notice that we are a bit reluctant on this board to comment on beach conditions. Whatever the exact conditions are right now will be history next week, and it's sometimes hard to explain this. A beach is a constantly changing natural environment; it comes and goes depending on wind conditions and weather in general. Sometimes one end of the bay is wider than the other, the next week it's the opposite. The beach you're talking about is NOT washed away. Sometimes it's very wide and sometimes it's not quite as wide, and there's NO way to predict exactly how it will be for your next trip. That's the only answer anyone can possible give.

[dbeauch6xx]

We were at the Albatros last week and the week before and entered the water in front of the El Faro. The beach was in good condition, no rocks just sand but we noticed the water was cloudier then usual. We suspected it was due to all the rain last month.

[Beach Cookie]

We were in downtown Playa last week right near the ferry boats, and the beach looked great to me. Of course, I didn't see it the week before, but it sure looked good to me.

I'm not really sure what people mean when they say "beach damage". Are they referring to erosion, or something worse?

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by Anna

Whatever the exact conditions are right now will be history next week, and it's sometimes hard to explain this.

I think Anna is exactly right. I have been traveling to PDC almost yealy since 1990. It is sometimes surprising to return there and see the changes. For example, the beach at Porto Real had a real seaweed problem when I was there the year after it was built. This past April, the beach there was great. I have noticed that some areas of the AI resorts have a drop off at the waters edge as much as 3-4 feet. And at other times it is fine. The sand bar on the south beach area goes up and down.

Since I spend only 2-3 weeks per year in PDC, I can't offer an opinion as to why or how often it changes. I have read posts about this beach being better than that beach for various reasons. But peoples opinion of what is "best" differs and may not apply to you (or me).

What I can say for sure is that I have NEVER once been dissapointed with a visit to PDC. The changes it has undergone over the years is part of the local charm. I showed up this year and there was suddenly a fancy new mall by the dock, and the road was being paved over on 5th Ave BY HAND! Watching those craftsman work was amazing. You don't often see work like that done in this part of the US. I remember being outraged when a McDonald's and BK popped up. No matter how many times I visit, it always seems a bit different, but comfortingly the same. And that includes the beach.

As far as a hotel with an excellent stretch of beach??? I have stayed at the fanciest AI's as well as inexpensive non AI's. Every stretch of beach has been a great vacation. This year I stayed at the Playa Maya www.playa-maya.com . This hotel is in the middle of the beach that you asked about, and it was certainly not washed away. Quite the contrary, the beach there was very nice and not as crowed as the AI's have been in the past.

I know this is not the specific direction you were looking for, but Anna was being honest (in addition to being correct.) Pick a hotel that is in your budget and go have a great time. No one area of the beach is so much nicer than another that it should be the deciding factor.

Enjoy your trip, and have a pina colada for me.

[Playahh]

Just returned from Playa Maya on Tuesday. Its a wonderful place to stay. It's just a few yards down the beach from El Faro. The beach in the stretch you're talking about, over the 4th of July weekend, was plenty wide. It definitely does change as photos taken at various times can attest. Between the hotels and the water was about 50 feet at the narrowest and in front of El Faro nearly 80 feet. There were areas at the water's edge where the relatively flat rocks were exposed, but the water was clear, and you could see where they ended. Between the rocky areas was pure sand and you could play and swim in these sandy areas or go out even farther into deeper water. The water was very clear and pleasant. We saw quite a few people enjoying swimming there. The nets are still there, but they really only get in the way of a good picture. Close to the Gran Porto Real the water quality to me looked unacceptable. In front of their main sunning and swimming pool area, the water had a definite brownish green appearance and we noticed an algae type odor in the shallow water where the GPR breakwater makes the beach hook around. The water was very calm there, but that was causing it to stagnate. On the east end of the GPR, though, the breakwater has created another beach which is much nicer and has lots of space. That's where they play beach volleyball.

We walked by there everyday on our way to Playa Tukan and Mamitas, just a short walk beyond the new (not being used) dock. These beach clubs have as good of a stretch of beach as you would find anywhere. You can rent a palapa and lounge chairs for 60 pesos (a little less than $6) a day. The massage therapists at Playa Tukan give a great, relaxing massage and its quite reasonable;$25/half hour or $45/hour.

[highdark]

We just got back last night, and the beach in town looked fine to me. We stayed at the Viva Maya and the beach was wide and clean, but there was a drop off of about 3 feet into the water. The water was nice, but kind of cloudy until we went further out, and there it was clear. The cloudiness was from sand swirling around in the water for some reason - maybe because of the drop off? We stayed 5 days, and every day was hot, sunny and clear, we only had some light rain sprinkles for about 1/2 hour the second day, so it was just perfect!! The water in Cozumel was crystal clear though and we had a great time snorkeling. I will write a trip report when I'm not so tired from catching up on work. Funny thing - the whole time in Playa I didn't have a headache at all - today I'm back home and already hitting the Excedrin!

[shannabear]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

Beach conditions are sandy and wet

From what I have read here some areas of the beaches lost some sand after the huge rainfall last month. It seems the storm exposed some rocks, etc. in the stretch from the ferry pier to Porto Real, but no major damage. The nets and poles are still up but again from what has been indicated here have not done much to help the retention of sand.

As far as great hotels on the beach you will find many great reviews of Playa Maya. We stayed there in May and will be going back in August (only 29 days left). Playa Maya has a great staff, great food and perfect location. If you search Playa Maya you will see numerous posts giving you more details. You can also look at my photos of the hotel in the multimedia section of this web site.

JT

Thanks so much for your response. That helps since it has been a few years since I have been down. You weren't the only one to recommend Playa Maya so it looks like I will have to call or email for reservations. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I am also collecting information for another group of girls who are coming down in October. Playa Maya seems like the place to be. I'll check out the photos soon. Can't wait!

Shannon

[shannabear]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

Beach conditions are sandy and wet

From what I have read here some areas of the beaches lost some sand after the huge rainfall last month. It seems the storm exposed some rocks, etc. in the stretch from the ferry pier to Porto Real, but no major damage. The nets and poles are still up but again from what has been indicated here have not done much to help the retention of sand.

As far as great hotels on the beach you will find many great reviews of Playa Maya. We stayed there in May and will be going back in August (only 29 days left). Playa Maya has a great staff, great food and perfect location. If you search Playa Maya you will see numerous posts giving you more details. You can also look at my photos of the hotel in the multimedia section of this web site.

JT

JT Thanks so much for taking the time to post information about the beach conditions. I will contact the Playa Maya in the next few days and reserve a room. Sure sounds like it is the place to be. I'll check out your pic's too. Many thanks again.

Shannon

[shannabear]

Originally Posted by FrankRN

I think Anna is exactly right. I have been traveling to PDC almost yealy since 1990. It is sometimes surprising to return there and see the changes. For example, the beach at Porto Real had a real seaweed problem when I was there the year after it was built. This past April, the beach there was great. I have noticed that some areas of the AI resorts have a drop off at the waters edge as much as 3-4 feet. And at other times it is fine. The sand bar on the south beach area goes up and down.

Since I spend only 2-3 weeks per year in PDC, I can't offer an opinion as to why or how often it changes. I have read posts about this beach being better than that beach for various reasons. But peoples opinion of what is "best" differs and may not apply to you (or me).

What I can say for sure is that I have NEVER once been dissapointed with a visit to PDC. The changes it has undergone over the years is part of the local charm. I showed up this year and there was suddenly a fancy new mall by the dock, and the road was being paved over on 5th Ave BY HAND! Watching those craftsman work was amazing. You don't often see work like that done in this part of the US. I remember being outraged when a McDonald's and BK popped up. No matter how many times I visit, it always seems a bit different, but comfortingly the same. And that includes the beach.

As far as a hotel with an excellent stretch of beach??? I have stayed at the fanciest AI's as well as inexpensive non AI's. Every stretch of beach has been a great vacation. This year I stayed at the Playa Maya www.playa-maya.com . This hotel is in the middle of the beach that you asked about, and it was certainly not washed away. Quite the contrary, the beach there was very nice and not as crowed as the AI's have been in the past.

I know this is not the specific direction you were looking for, but Anna was being honest (in addition to being correct.) Pick a hotel that is in your budget and go have a great time. No one area of the beach is so much nicer than another that it should be the deciding factor.

Enjoy your trip, and have a pina colada for me.

Frank,

Thanks so much for all the information. I am not only coming down a few times myself, but I have also raved about Playa so much throughout the years that the teachers and staff at my children's school are wanting to come in October. So I wanted to scout out the local scene for them so I could recommend a great place to stay. Sounds like the winner is Playa Maya. I'm going to contact them soon to see if they have availability later this month.

Glad you had a great time. I feel the same about Playa. It changes.....but so do we. We always leave talking and planning the next trip.

Many thanks,
Shannon

[shannabear]

Anna,

Thanks so much for the beach condition info. I have experienced the differences in the beach because I usually come down twice a year. Someone obviousely gave me false, secondhand information about the conditions in Playa. I couldn't believe it so I did some research and it landed me here. This has been the best resource for me considering we haven't been down for a few years. And since Playa is always growing and changing, I always appreciate a few tips on new hotels, restaurants, etc. Looks like the Playa Maya is our place (if they have room on short notice.)

Again I thank you and hope all is well,
Shannon