mattiedread
Guest
I just booked a trip to Playa Del Carmen/Riveria Maya (Thank You Natasha) for Feb 24. I have never been there, what is it like. Got a great deal, couldn't turn it down.
Playa Del Carmen/Riviara Maya
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Tom
Contributor
Playa is a fun place to stay. North of the docks are several smaller "resort type" places. Not real fancy, most don't have pools and large entertainment staffs, but they are on the beach, have all the chairs and umbrellas and such, and friendly staffs. Beach front restaurants and bars. In the evening they close the main street ( a block off the beach ) to vehicles and everybody heads up there. Almost a carnival atmosphere with all the shops and restaurants, street vendors (never have bought a street though)(but they'd probably sell it to you). South is mostly the larger typical resorts, some have made thier beaches private so I haven't wandered that way to much. Got chased out 'cause I didn't have an arm band.
Lots of smaller dive operations with tiny open boats, they make you haul your stuff out through the surf (which wasn't huge - but not very convienient) and flop it over the side of the boat. Don't know much more about them, we decided not to dive with them.
We took the ferry over to Cozumel to dive. $7 US one way. Sure added up by the end of the week. The new boat is about 35-40 minutes, smooth ride, airconditioned, highback padded seats and armrests, snack bar, big screen TV (if you like cartoons in spanish). 2 older boats take 65-70 minutes, wooden benches, seasick bags, same price. Check the schedules to get the new boat.
Playa is probably a better place to stay than Cozumel if you have non-divers in your group or you are not diving every day. It's a quick $5 cab ride to Xcaret. About the closest you can get to a theme park without rides. Mayan dances, a strange ballgame (I forget what it's called - but fun to watch), music, trapeeze acts, scale models of all the famous ruins, aquariums, turtles, monkeys, all kinds of stuff. They have an underground river for snorkeling but I'm not going to bother next time. To crowded, no fish (well - actually one). Then you have to carry your gear all day. You can rent a locker but fins don't fit in it.
Rent a car and see some ruins. Tulum is about an hour away.
Great place. Chichen Itza is a couple hours the other direction. Probably a better place but we were stupid and went on March 21st. The spring equinox, when the snake comes down the steps of the temple. 200,000 people were there in a place designed for a few thousand. Most exhibits closed, nowhere to move, drink vendors sold out, bathroom lines from here to Nebraska. I do believe it would be worth the trip on another day.
Like any other new vacation spot, you'll find a lot to like about it, probably a few things you don't. I'll be there again in March.
Tom
can't believe I talked that long
Lots of smaller dive operations with tiny open boats, they make you haul your stuff out through the surf (which wasn't huge - but not very convienient) and flop it over the side of the boat. Don't know much more about them, we decided not to dive with them.
We took the ferry over to Cozumel to dive. $7 US one way. Sure added up by the end of the week. The new boat is about 35-40 minutes, smooth ride, airconditioned, highback padded seats and armrests, snack bar, big screen TV (if you like cartoons in spanish). 2 older boats take 65-70 minutes, wooden benches, seasick bags, same price. Check the schedules to get the new boat.
Playa is probably a better place to stay than Cozumel if you have non-divers in your group or you are not diving every day. It's a quick $5 cab ride to Xcaret. About the closest you can get to a theme park without rides. Mayan dances, a strange ballgame (I forget what it's called - but fun to watch), music, trapeeze acts, scale models of all the famous ruins, aquariums, turtles, monkeys, all kinds of stuff. They have an underground river for snorkeling but I'm not going to bother next time. To crowded, no fish (well - actually one). Then you have to carry your gear all day. You can rent a locker but fins don't fit in it.
Rent a car and see some ruins. Tulum is about an hour away.
Great place. Chichen Itza is a couple hours the other direction. Probably a better place but we were stupid and went on March 21st. The spring equinox, when the snake comes down the steps of the temple. 200,000 people were there in a place designed for a few thousand. Most exhibits closed, nowhere to move, drink vendors sold out, bathroom lines from here to Nebraska. I do believe it would be worth the trip on another day.
Like any other new vacation spot, you'll find a lot to like about it, probably a few things you don't. I'll be there again in March.
Tom
can't believe I talked that long
kyleterry
Contributor
Ever do any cave diving?
Great places in the Yukatan Jungle. 40+ miles of under water caves that are spectacular. Contact Javier at Scuba Cancun. He is a great guy and has done over 1700 dives into the caves. It is fresh water and 600 ft visibility. I just got back from a week of dives there the lost week of January. I highly recommend it.
Great places in the Yukatan Jungle. 40+ miles of under water caves that are spectacular. Contact Javier at Scuba Cancun. He is a great guy and has done over 1700 dives into the caves. It is fresh water and 600 ft visibility. I just got back from a week of dives there the lost week of January. I highly recommend it.
Yep, the fresh water caves (called "cenote", pronounced, "Say Note Tay in Spanish) are unique and I second Kyleterry's suggestion. And do skip accross the channel to Cozumel to look around...the ferry is really convinient and you can even take dive gear with you if you can arrange an afternoon dive. I think the diving is better on Coz.
Also, there are lots of services that will take you to Chichen Itza and it is a very worthwhile non-scuba activity. You can rent a car or ask the concierge at your digs to help you with a guide service.
Whatever you do, try the LIME SOUP (Sopa de Limon). It is a Maya/Aztec/Toltec form of chicken soup that is splendid--one of my favorite local dishes.
Also, if you take the ferry to Coz, try eating at the French Quarter--it is located on one of the street parallel to Avenida Mergal, the main street in Coz, and not too far from the ferry dock. A cab ride will probably cost $2.00-3.00, but you can easily walk it if you can get directions better than I can give now.
Have a great time!
Also, there are lots of services that will take you to Chichen Itza and it is a very worthwhile non-scuba activity. You can rent a car or ask the concierge at your digs to help you with a guide service.
Whatever you do, try the LIME SOUP (Sopa de Limon). It is a Maya/Aztec/Toltec form of chicken soup that is splendid--one of my favorite local dishes.
Also, if you take the ferry to Coz, try eating at the French Quarter--it is located on one of the street parallel to Avenida Mergal, the main street in Coz, and not too far from the ferry dock. A cab ride will probably cost $2.00-3.00, but you can easily walk it if you can get directions better than I can give now.
Have a great time!
Natasha
Contributor
I don't think there is going to be much need to take the ferry across.
The resort Matt is staying at is a 5 star resort with it's own dive shop on the grounds.
I'm pretty sure the captain will take you and your wife to several places to dive without and ferry charge.
But I do agree be sure to ask for the Cozumel dives like Columbia and Palancar reef. I also like San Francisco wall. I've only dove this Playa side once on a day stop from a cruise ship. The caves and caverns are so cool.
Can't wait to hear your take on all of it.
:sunny:
The resort Matt is staying at is a 5 star resort with it's own dive shop on the grounds.
I'm pretty sure the captain will take you and your wife to several places to dive without and ferry charge.
But I do agree be sure to ask for the Cozumel dives like Columbia and Palancar reef. I also like San Francisco wall. I've only dove this Playa side once on a day stop from a cruise ship. The caves and caverns are so cool.
Can't wait to hear your take on all of it.
:sunny:
got4boyz
Contributor
I didn't think the diving was that great in the Playa del Carma area so I'd definitely go to Cozumel to dive! I always wanted to do a Cenote dive so if you do let us know what it is like.
Chichen Itza is awesome but if you don't want to go that far then at least go see Tulum and maybe even Coba (that is if you don't mind wandering around in the jungle).
Chichen Itza is awesome but if you don't want to go that far then at least go see Tulum and maybe even Coba (that is if you don't mind wandering around in the jungle).
OP
mattiedread
Guest
I've actually been down there before, but only did a few dives (wasn't certified, did a resort class for the third time). Anyway, I've been to Tulum, beautiful, but I wouldn't go back, same with Xcaret.
I am very interested in the fresh to salt water cave dives and would love to hear more about them. Several years ago there was an instructor that hung out at my then local watering hole and he raved about those (he did a ton of travel with dive groups).
On a small boat, how long does it take to get to the Coz dives? The trip was reasonably priced, so if we had to book a night or two in a hotel on Coz, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but, we just got back from three weeks in Thailand where the intra-vaca travel was somewhat heavy (spent a week backpacking in the jungle, then headed down and hit dive sites, beaches and a liveaboard).
I guess I can figure it out when I get down there, I haven't even looked at a map so I don't know where we are in relation to Coz... north/south? We are going specifically to dive and will hopefully be doing 3 dives a day plus an occasional night dive (where are good night dives if we are based there) Nice thing though is our flight out isn't until 8:30pm, so we may be able to hit Chitzen Itsu on the last 'deco' day. Any thoughts? I've always wanted to go there since I was a kid and saw the movie Against All Odds...
I am very interested in the fresh to salt water cave dives and would love to hear more about them. Several years ago there was an instructor that hung out at my then local watering hole and he raved about those (he did a ton of travel with dive groups).
On a small boat, how long does it take to get to the Coz dives? The trip was reasonably priced, so if we had to book a night or two in a hotel on Coz, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but, we just got back from three weeks in Thailand where the intra-vaca travel was somewhat heavy (spent a week backpacking in the jungle, then headed down and hit dive sites, beaches and a liveaboard).
I guess I can figure it out when I get down there, I haven't even looked at a map so I don't know where we are in relation to Coz... north/south? We are going specifically to dive and will hopefully be doing 3 dives a day plus an occasional night dive (where are good night dives if we are based there) Nice thing though is our flight out isn't until 8:30pm, so we may be able to hit Chitzen Itsu on the last 'deco' day. Any thoughts? I've always wanted to go there since I was a kid and saw the movie Against All Odds...
Natasha
Contributor
Hey Matt,
As you know Cozumel is an Island. Play Del Carmen is actually west of it and part of the main land. It's a very short boat ride across. The dive shops there pretty much 'share' the Cozumel dive sites. If you ask when the boats to Akumal leave, for those sites you'll find the caves and caverns.
If you are not a certified cave diver I highly recommend you do not do cave dives. The caves are slightly south of Playa and Coz.
Chichen Itza is offered as a day trip for 83.00 a person. This includes entrance fees and a buffet lunch. You can buy it as an optional tour once you're there.
Think of me when you're climbing the 91 steps! And bring bottled water.
:sunny:
As you know Cozumel is an Island. Play Del Carmen is actually west of it and part of the main land. It's a very short boat ride across. The dive shops there pretty much 'share' the Cozumel dive sites. If you ask when the boats to Akumal leave, for those sites you'll find the caves and caverns.
If you are not a certified cave diver I highly recommend you do not do cave dives. The caves are slightly south of Playa and Coz.
Chichen Itza is offered as a day trip for 83.00 a person. This includes entrance fees and a buffet lunch. You can buy it as an optional tour once you're there.
Think of me when you're climbing the 91 steps! And bring bottled water.
:sunny:
gjenks
Registered
Remember if you go up those steps you must come down those steps. I had no trouble going up the steps then I turned arround....
BetterLateThannever
Contributor
Boy do I feel old.
Natasha, funny you should mention the one day of diving in COZ from a cruise ship as that is exactly what I will be doing in October.
That will be my first ocean dive. I should be arriving at 9:00am and departing at midnight on the 13th. I will be too late for the morning diveboat departures, so what do you recommend I do and who should I do it with?
Remember....think "NEWBIE"
Jimbo
Natasha, funny you should mention the one day of diving in COZ from a cruise ship as that is exactly what I will be doing in October.
That will be my first ocean dive. I should be arriving at 9:00am and departing at midnight on the 13th. I will be too late for the morning diveboat departures, so what do you recommend I do and who should I do it with?
Remember....think "NEWBIE"
Jimbo
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