05-26-2002
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#3 (permalink) |
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sandflea
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2
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Hi Debbie,
I am staying at Mayan Palace from 6/7-6/16. How is it construction wise? Is it very distracting? Is there a grocery store around the area. I am new to the area so I have no idea where to look. Any side trips that we really have to do? There's 3 of us going. All females ranging from 27-36. Any suggestions? Thanks so much, Karen |
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05-26-2002
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#4 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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Hello!
1. Rooms-We were in room 3065, which is closer to the temporary lobby than the pool. It was very quiet, with the occasional exception of something that sounded like the moving of furniture. We did not have any problems with construction noise. If you want a quiet room, get something on the second or third floor, with a higher number (3000 or higher). 2. The beach-yes it is rocky, but you can walk 15-20 minutes in either direction and swimming is no problem. 3. Transportation-We took buses, taxies, and vans everywhere we went, so I can't tell you anything about auto rentals. If you need more info on buses, etc., please let me know. 4. Construction-yes, there is still a lot of construction going on, but it did not bother us. We used the MP basically as a home base, but we did eat some meals there, and did use the pool. Although I did not have time to take advantage of the spa services, some are already available (massage, etc.) Two restaraunts are open. They do have a laundromat (self service or they will wash your clothes for you). The golf course, tennis courts, etc. have still not been completed. 5. Timeshare selling-yes, they are pushy-we simply signed up for a tour, and the night before, left the phone off the hook. After that, we had no problems. 6. Pictures-We didn't take very many pictures of the hotel itself, but it wasn't bvecuase of the hotel, it was becuase we simply forgot! Hopefully, I'll be able to post pictures in about a week. 7. Altournative-this was one of the best tours I've ever taken (and I've taken quite a few!!). We took the Nohoch tour. We snorkled in cenotes (one of which was in a cave), lay in hammocks on a beach, kayaked and snorkeled in the ocean, etc. If you take this tour, be prepared for a somewaht physically exerting day. I'm not in the best physical shape and had no problems doing everything, but one other person did have some problems (there were only 8 in our group). 8. Swimming with the Dolphins-this was another great experience! We did the one through Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel. It was well worth every penny. The rooms, pool, food, and customer service are all terrific. The only problem we had with service involved the language barrier in getting a pizza made by the MP delivered to our room (they had a hard time understanding my southern drawl and only put fresh tomatoes on half the pizza and left off the extra mozzerella cheese we requested, but they didn't charge us for either of these toppings). If you have any more questions, please don't heisitate to ask!! Debbie |
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05-26-2002
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#5 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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Hello again!
One other item I forgot to post-MY has a small convenience type store on the premises, which was expensive. We went to Playa Del Carmen for snacks, sodas, etc. We went to a grocery store called San Fransisco. Once you get into Playa, ask any police officer (they have several walking the streets and it made me feel very safe) and they can tell you where it is, as my sense of direction is the pits! There is also a store similiar to Wal Mart, but we did not go to it, and I cannot remeber its name. Once again, ask a police officer where it is. |
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05-28-2002
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#7 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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Hello!
The easy part is getting to Playa's Bus terminal, where you can take buses all over the place (Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc.). Buses and taxis stop across the street from MP on a frequent basis. The buses we took from MP to Playa (Mayab and Playa Express) were only 8-10 pesos each. Taxis are expensive for the most part (ususally around 150 pesos total to get to Playa del Carmen). However, you can bargain with them. We found one taxi already on his way to Playa and got there for only 20 pesos total! We found another and went straight to Xel-Ha from MY for 200 pesos total! Sometimes, you will also be fortunate enough to get a ride from something similiar to a collectivo (van) for around 25 pesoseach to Playa. We also got a ride for free from a couple who worked at MP and learned a lot from them-I guess they felt sorry for two women standing on the side of the road! Buses also pick people up at the very front entrance to some of the attractions. Taxis are always available. The big trick is getting back to the MP from the bus terminal in Playa, especially after 7:00. One night, my girlfriend and I were told by 3 separate bus terminal employees to get on a specific bus. We did, and the bus wound up dropping us off at the Tulum City bus station-it was going the wrong way! We were a little nervous, as no one spoke English at this station (someone on our bus spoke English and translated to the bus driver where we were supposed to go. The bus driver, in turn told the bus station attendant in Spanish, who wound up laughing his head off-we had to wait another hour before a bus going in that direction showed up). We should have been back at the MP by about 9:15 that night, but didn't get back until 12:15 in the morning!!! However, we used the Playa bus terminal the very next day to get back to the MP and employees went out of their way to ensure we got on the correct bus-we had no further problems. Be sure the bus is either Mayab or Playa Express and that its destination is Cancun (Rivera also goes that way but makes no stops). This little incident appeared to be a joke that made its way up to the top, and apparently, the top didn't think it was very funny, so I doubt you'll have any problems. If you don't feel comfortable taking the bus to return to MP, you may want to check the bus terminal anyway, and see if anyone there has a MP wristband. Then, see if they're willing to share a cab with you. Cabs can carry up to 4 people, and the fare is the same as if they carried one person. If you have any further qestions, please let me know! Debbie |
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05-28-2002
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#8 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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One other way of getting around-the MP has its own vans that go to Cancun and Playa. The one to Cancun leaves from the MP at 11:30 and picks you up in Cancun at 6:00. The round trip cost for the van is $12.00 (U.S.) per person, and is available on weekdays only. There is a similiar schedule for Playa, but I'm not sure of the cost.
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06-04-2002
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#10 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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Hi!
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. To get to Playa, which is where the grocery stores are, we took bus, collectvo, or taxi, depending upon the day. If you stand on the side of the road outside MP, there are always taxis available; however, they try to charge you an arm and a leg (150-180 Pesos to Playa, which equals approximately $15 to $20 USD for a 15 minute ride!) However, you can try to bargain with them. One cab we took was already on its way back to Playa and we got him to take us for 20 Pesos! Buses and collectivos are less frequent, but cheaper for the most part (10-20 pesos per person). For US goods (Pepsi, Nabisco brand, etc.), the price was significantly higher than in the US (I think I paid about $4.50 for a 12 pack of Coca Cola!). However, the fruits, vegetables and locally created goods were much cheaper. The store similar to Wal Mart is also in Playa Del Carmen (approximately a 15 minute drive). We did go into Cancun's hotel zone through the Mayan Palace shuttle. It leaves at 11:30 and picks you back up at around 6:30, every weekday, if I remember correctly. Round trip is $12.00 per person. They also have a shuttle going into Playa, but we did not take it, as the times were very restricting. We did not rent a car and got around with very few problems. All the problems we had involved getting back to the MP (sometimes it took an hour for a bus to show up at the Playa bus station that was going to MP). Check the bus very carefully. It should be a Mayab or Playa Express and it should be going to Cancun (not the Rivera bus, as this is a non-stop bus to Cancun). We found this out the hard way, and there was some major miscommunication-we wound up in Tulum City at 9:30 at night, when all we wanted to do was to go back to the MP!!! Usually, if you get a ride back to MP from Playa by 7:00, you'll have no problems (I talked to several others who had taken the bus system and all agreed). If it's later than that, though, check the bus terminal anyway for people with MP wristbands. We wound up splitting a cab with a couple of other people, and cabs here do not charge rates based on per person, only based on where you are going. We also caught a collectivo back from Xel-Ha to Playa for 10 pesos each. The only issue was the first 3 Xel Ha employees we asked could not tell us where to catch a bus or collectivo. We finally found two employees whom we walked with to the very front entrance to the park. Five minutes later, the collectivo was there! I hope this helps. If you don't have kids and don't mind an occasional wait, I'd stick with buses or collectivos. If you're in a rush, cabs are always available and sometimes you can bargain with them. The MP also provides a shuttle to Playa and Cancun for a fee. Debbie |
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06-11-2002
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#11 (permalink) |
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sandflea
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4
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Thank you for all your bus info! I had no intention of renting a car so that info is really helpful! Is there a spa at the MP? Did you eat there or would you recommend going to Playa to eat meals? How did you get to/from the airport? Can you give me some suggestions for things to do? My mom tells me (she's actually in Mexico now) that I'll be able to find a lot of books at the airport, but I'd kinda like to have a game plan!!! :smile:
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06-11-2002
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#12 (permalink) |
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very sparkly
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 28
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Hi!
When I was there, the spa had not yet been completed, but they were working on it. We ate there and in Playa. Food at the MP was a little expensive, but was well worth it. If you are willing to take some "risks", though, ask the bus driver or other locals where they eat. We asked a cab driver, and he gave us the name of one of his favorites, Tacos Al Pastuer (I don't know if I spelled that right), and it was somewhere near Juarez Street and the bus station. It does not hold anything as far as appearance appeal, but the food was terrific and incredibly cheap ($5.00 each, including tip, for a very tasty filling dinner, and no, neither of us got sick). There was no English on the menu and we were the only english-speaking people in there. Here's what we did while we were in the Playa area: Visited the Tulum Ruins Went to Xel-Ha Went to Cozumel and swam with the Dolphins through Dolphin Discovery at Chakaanab Park Took the Nohoch tour through Altournative Tours Shopped in Playa Walked about 15 minutes from the MP and played in the ocean (the beach there was deserted! We also spent one night in Cancun and basically just played on the beach-Cancun's beach is absolutely breathtaking! We also went to a restaraunt called La Casa des Las Margaritas-on the pricey side but the food, entertainment, and, of course, margaritas were great. Unfortunately, we took a cab both to and from the airport, as we did not understand how things worked. I've copied the info below from another Playa discussion board: Part 1. The Airport bus from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen. This is just a game. You vs the collectivos. Your challenge to get onto the 65 peso bus, the job of opposing team “the collectivos” to get you into a 300+ peso bus or taxi. Do not expect the people working at the airport to take your side and give you advice as to where the bus is located or where to buy a ticket. That would be unfair. Everyone we talked to on the opposing team were very nice and friendly in their attempts to win our business. Just keep smiling, make polite conversation and keep walking to the Riviera bus. As JAH mentioned in his posting. There is now a hallway in terminal 2 that they herd everyone through; and when you emerge, you will see the ticket counter for the bus to PDC. This of-course will change as construction dictates. When you get to the ticket counter it may not be marked, or even manned by legitimate people associated with the Riviera bus. On my recent trip it was not manned. The people that quickly moved into place were the collectivos. When I asked if they represented the Riviera bus they did not say yes but moved quickly to their sales pitch. You can probably ignore the ticket counter if you have any doubt. Turn right as you exit terminal 2 and keep walking. Along the way the collectivos will tell you all manner of tall tales in order to win your business. Our bus was due to leave in 15 minutes, the collectivos told us it would be at least an hour before it would leave. Look for the bright blue bus with the fish painted on it marked with a large Riviera logo. The bus is an air conditioned Mercedes and though it is old it is nicely refurbished, the seats have nice new covers and look just as clean as the new airplane we had flown on. The bus leaves every hour (see the schedule on this website). I have seen postings that state that they take both dollars and pesos for tickets. At the bus they would only accept pesos. There is an ATM close by, use the search page to find the posting that describes the location. The Riviera bus people may even take you to the ATM if you ask in Spanish. The crew that may normally man the ticket counter were sitting on the steps outside the terminal, but at the far end near to the bus, when we talked to them last week. And there is a discount for a round trip ticket. On this trip only six of us won the collectivo challenge and so there was plenty of space on the bus. The collectivos while friendly and good natured are an experienced team to play against and so I expect the bus from the airport never gets very full. If you have any other questions, please let me know! |
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06-12-2002
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#14 (permalink) |
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sandflea
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4
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Okay, this is really the last one...I forgot to ask about Xel-Ha...was it expensive? Will MP take you there or will I need to take a bus. Is Altournative tours expensive? I don't know about the snorkeling, but did you book that at the hotel or call them directly?
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06-16-2002
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#15 (permalink) |
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sandflea
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 8
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Any transportation information from MP will be helpful on busess,vans, etc. How many resturants are done at the resort now? Plan to travel in July, and any information is helpful. I had no luck in email to arrange for transportation from airport-undeliverabe.
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. What restaurants would you recommend? I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time in PDC. Any reasonably priced places that you enjoyed, in either PDC or Cancun? Did you go to Cozumel?
