Big Bummer...

SLC-LV_Cpl · 08-28-2004

My wife and I have been lurking on this board for almost ten months in anticipation of our September 23 trip to Playa (without a single post… kind of weird don’t you think?). We love this site. We use it almost everyday to get our Playa fix. The comments and discussions in the forum almost single handedly convinced us to stay at one of the smaller hotels in Playa (La Tortuga) rather than one of the big AIs. We have ordered the maps from MapChick and have booked our day on the FatCat… And yes, we have our playa deal card.

But then… to our utter dismay

, James and Anna’s tours will not be offered on any of the days that we will be there (We arrive on Thursday afternoon and leave Tuesday morning.). We were so looking forward to the Coba tour… I understand that this is due to our lack of planning and that I cannot possibly blame James and Anna for having a life outside of this site and the tours (Especially with a new baby on the way). I do appreciate all that they have done in keeping the board up and bringing us live (sometimes

) web cam pics of the beach.

So our dilemma is this… Since we will not be able to go on one of James and Anna’s tours, we are suddenly left with a gaping void in our trip. We would love to see some of the places around Playa (Coba, Tulum, etc.). Is there another tour group that anyone would recommend?

Nerak936 · 08-29-2004

That is a bummer, SLC. But not to worry. I'm sure someone with more experience in Playa than I will post a recommendation for you of an agency in PdC where you can book a fun day out of town! Booking the Fat Cat was a great move - it's a blast and a "must do" for David and I every year.

And, congrats on becoming a former lurker! Looking forward to reading your trip report when you return (which you HAVE to do since you're now an official poster, ya know)!

**sctx** · 08-29-2004

Rent a cheap car and do the tour yourself, guides are available at the gate, there are a couple of good places to have lunch in Coba (El Bocadito is pretty good and clean), and there are some good cheap stores to pick up trinkets in both in Coba and a couple little villages on the Coba Road... the local people along the way are just incredibly nice and there are a few cenotes you can stop at for a quick cool down swim. Hardest part of the trip would be dealing with the traffic in Playa and from there it's an easy drive

JoanieBlon · 08-29-2004

We have the same problem with going on a James and Anna tour....not there on the day/s they normally schedule them. We have already arranged for a rental car and plan on driving to Coba and Tulum ourselves. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for the "customary" amount to pay a guide there? Gracias!

BTW...I forgot what types of beer James prefers. If we have room in our carry-ons, I hope to tuck in a couple of locally brewed <a href=http://www.floridabeer.com/> Florida Beer Brewing Company</a> micro-beers and drop them off at Posada Freud when we go to pick up our Playa Card....

Beachnutt719 · 08-29-2004

We were not able to hook up with James and Anna either, bummer here too. Fat Cat is definitely worth it. It was great fun and one of the highlights of our trip. Give my love to Captain Kimba and watch out for your coke.

**sctx** · 08-29-2004

set guide fee is $200 pesos I believe, and you can get a bike taxi as well... large site, lots of walking , get there early in the morning to avoid some of the heat and humidity

Winny · 08-29-2004

My husband and myself took the bus from Playa to Tulum a few years ago, and all worked out fine, we are hoping to be able to do the same to Coba, not sure if we can, but I would rather take the bus than rent a car.

angella · 08-29-2004

moved

**james** · 08-29-2004

We're glad that our little tours have become so popular. Sorry that we cannot accommodate everyone, but that is part of their charm, and we are expecting a little one around September 20th, so we need to have our priorities.

Michael · 08-29-2004

As you know James and Anna will be very busy in the 2nd half of September.

I would also recommend renting a car and driving to Coba. As Playa is easily accessible by bus you may not want to bother with an airport rental car pick up. Arrange for a shorter rental and pick the car up in Playa. And while many of the rental car company offices are in town. The cars are in lots on 307 (the main highway) and so you will not have to deal with Playa’s traffic (no big deal to me but some people may find driving in town a bit intimidating). You can pick up and drop off you car on the highway, and the car rental people will probably take you back to your hotel if you ask.

In one (long) day trip you could visit both Coba and Valladolid. An overnight stay in Valladolid would be even better. And if you do decide on an overnight stay then, you could even do Ek Balam, Valladolid and Coba in one two-day adventure.

JAH · 08-29-2004

James - I'l be in town that week - just in case you need a temporary, very experienced abuela for rocking and walking the floor!

08-28-2004	#1 (permalink)
SLC-LV_Cpl sandflea Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 7	Big Bummer... My wife and I have been lurking on this board for almost ten months in anticipation of our September 23 trip to Playa (without a single post… kind of weird don’t you think?). We love this site. We use it almost everyday to get our Playa fix. The comments and discussions in the forum almost single handedly convinced us to stay at one of the smaller hotels in Playa (La Tortuga) rather than one of the big AIs. We have ordered the maps from MapChick and have booked our day on the FatCat… And yes, we have our playa deal card. But then… to our utter dismay , James and Anna’s tours will not be offered on any of the days that we will be there (We arrive on Thursday afternoon and leave Tuesday morning.). We were so looking forward to the Coba tour… I understand that this is due to our lack of planning and that I cannot possibly blame James and Anna for having a life outside of this site and the tours (Especially with a new baby on the way). I do appreciate all that they have done in keeping the board up and bringing us live (sometimes ) web cam pics of the beach. So our dilemma is this… Since we will not be able to go on one of James and Anna’s tours, we are suddenly left with a gaping void in our trip. We would love to see some of the places around Playa (Coba, Tulum, etc.). Is there another tour group that anyone would recommend?

08-29-2004	#4 (permalink)
JoanieBlon añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,817	Coba Guides..... We have the same problem with going on a James and Anna tour....not there on the day/s they normally schedule them. We have already arranged for a rental car and plan on driving to Coba and Tulum ourselves. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for the "customary" amount to pay a guide there? Gracias! BTW...I forgot what types of beer James prefers. If we have room in our carry-ons, I hope to tuck in a couple of locally brewed <a href=http://www.floridabeer.com/> *Florida Beer Brewing Company</a> micro-beers and drop them off at Posada Freud when we go to pick up our Playa Card....*

08-29-2004	#8 (permalink)
angella into ruins Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: edmonton, alberta canada Posts: 74	moved Last edited by angella; 08-29-2004 at 10:41 AM. Reason: wrong area :)

08-29-2004	#9 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,747	We're glad that our little tours have become so popular. Sorry that we cannot accommodate everyone, but that is part of their charm, and we are expecting a little one around September 20th, so we need to have our priorities. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image!

08-29-2004	#2 (permalink)
Nerak936 Cat-Lovin Nerak Bead Lady Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,638	That is a bummer, SLC. But not to worry. I'm sure someone with more experience in Playa than I will post a recommendation for you of an agency in PdC where you can book a fun day out of town! Booking the Fat Cat was a great move - it's a blast and a "must do" for David and I every year. And, congrats on becoming a former lurker! Looking forward to reading your trip report when you return (which you HAVE to do since you're now an official poster, ya know)!

08-29-2004	#3 (permalink)
sctx political anarchist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 27,793	Rent a cheap car and do the tour yourself, guides are available at the gate, there are a couple of good places to have lunch in Coba (El Bocadito is pretty good and clean), and there are some good cheap stores to pick up trinkets in both in Coba and a couple little villages on the Coba Road... the local people along the way are just incredibly nice and there are a few cenotes you can stop at for a quick cool down swim. Hardest part of the trip would be dealing with the traffic in Playa and from there it's an easy drive

08-29-2004	#5 (permalink)
Beachnutt719 añejo Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,972	We were not able to hook up with James and Anna either, bummer here too. Fat Cat is definitely worth it. It was great fun and one of the highlights of our trip. Give my love to Captain Kimba and watch out for your coke.

08-29-2004	#6 (permalink)
sctx political anarchist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 27,793	set guide fee is $200 pesos I believe, and you can get a bike taxi as well... large site, lots of walking , get there early in the morning to avoid some of the heat and humidity

08-29-2004	#7 (permalink)
Winny into ruins Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 71	My husband and myself took the bus from Playa to Tulum a few years ago, and all worked out fine, we are hoping to be able to do the same to Coba, not sure if we can, but I would rather take the bus than rent a car.

08-29-2004	#10 (permalink)
Michael añejo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley, California Posts: 4,162	As you know James and Anna will be very busy in the 2nd half of September. I would also recommend renting a car and driving to Coba. As Playa is easily accessible by bus you may not want to bother with an airport rental car pick up. Arrange for a shorter rental and pick the car up in Playa. And while many of the rental car company offices are in town. The cars are in lots on 307 (the main highway) and so you will not have to deal with Playa’s traffic (no big deal to me but some people may find driving in town a bit intimidating). You can pick up and drop off you car on the highway, and the car rental people will probably take you back to your hotel if you ask. In one (long) day trip you could visit both Coba and Valladolid. An overnight stay in Valladolid would be even better. And if you do decide on an overnight stay then, you could even do Ek Balam, Valladolid and Coba in one two-day adventure.

08-29-2004	#11 (permalink)
JAH reposado Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,309	James - I'l be in town that week - just in case you need a temporary, very experienced abuela for rocking and walking the floor!

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