Mayan Riviera

[FunSeeker27]

I'm heading down to the Mayan Riviera next month for a long awaited one week vacation! (it's been a looooooong year) Just wondering if anyone's been down there and has any tips for outings? Any of those tours worthwhile? I know I'm gonna do the trip to see the Mayan ruins but other than that - what do you guys 'n gals recommend??

And what are the good party bars down there?

 

[emvee]

In the MR, most of the party action is in Playa del Carmen - lots of bars there. If you are north of PdC, you may even want to venture into Cancun but it will probably cost you a ton for a taxi. You can always party all night, take the collectivo in the morning, and then sleep on the beach back at your resort.

Tulum is also a fast growing place and there are a few bars there - not sure what the action is like.

There is also a big dance bar at the Hacienda Dona Isabel at the entrance to the Bahia Principe just south of Akumal. Ususally these hotel type discos suck but this one gets alot of people since the Bahia Principe is such a big property and there's lot of other resorts close enough for a cheap cab ride.

The tours I've been on have been really good and a lot of fun. You may want to research them on the web before you go down.

 

[FunSeeker27]

Oh that sounds perfect....cuz that's EXACTLY where I'm stayin!! Thanks for the info. Did you stay at that resort??

 

[danmand]

I just came back from Bahia Principe today. It is a monster big resort, but very well run. Restaurants are great. There are lot of europeans there, but mostly entirely couples.

 

[healer677]

I got back from Bahia Pricipe Tulum, I stayed at the Diamond club. I was with my SO and it wasn't bad. Nice property, good food, limited action unless you luck out on two women travelling together.

Playa Del Carmen is ok -at least there's a Senor Frogs there but.... MR is more for relaxing, downtown Cancun is more for "other" activities. A cab from PDC is about 60 USD one way. Just rent a car if you want to go into Cancun -shop at Wal-Mart for souvenirs, alcohol or smokes (I'm not kidding). No haggling there.

Tulum ruins are free on Sundays and take a collectivo (white vans). Xel-Ha is nice but no sunscreen while snorkelling. What else do you want to know? PM me. I've been a fixture in Cancun since "the good old days".

 

[gabeti]

Share some pics with us.

 

[FunSeeker27]

Thanks everyone. I'll get some pics together when I get back! So for those of you at the Bahia Principe's - how was their bar/disco thingy???

 

[healer677]

The bar / disco thing at the Hacienda is just there -but, should you get good and lubricated, almost anything can be fun.

 

[The Bandit]

Beware, there's still a double murderer down there somewhere.....

 

[LancsLad]

Beware, there's still a double murderer down there somewhere.....

Is OJ in Mexico now????

 

[danmand]

Beware, there's still a double murderer down there somewhere.....

So you don't believe it was the two chicks from thinder Bay? The Barcelo resort is 10 km north of the Bahia.

 

[FunSeeker27]

Beware, there's still a double murderer down there somewhere.....

Great...thanks for that reminder! Now that'll be in my head for the next 2 weeks while I'm waiting to get down there!

 

[secret_touch]

50% Off Fall Sale! - Mayan Riviera

Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa - 6 Days/5 All Inclusive Nights With Air!
A 30 Minute Swedish Massage Free

http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/specialAvailability.jsp?pacID=912&WT.mc_id=shermlux1026&glizda=off

 

[Sparky69]

If you are in to ruins then the trip to Checien Itza is worth it, although it is a long day. Bus ride will be about 3 hours each way from whre you are staying.
Coba is closer, and supposed to be an even larger pyramid. Only discovered about a decade or two ago and only opened to public in recent years. As Coba is not as developed as other sites they also have other stuff as part of the tour including zip lines. The Checian Itza tours give you more historical information. Every few years now they have been making more progress in decyphering some information, and there is not only more info now, but some of what they thought has since been changed by the new info. Quit interesting.
Xcaret is a great day if you are with SO and/or friends and/or kids. Don't bother with the tour to Xcaret. Just take a cab and buy ticket either there or before you go through your travel agent at the hotel. Stay for the night show - it isdefinately worth it. Also recommend you get the dinner package for the night show. Do the underground river and cenotes first thing, especially if you can get in before a the bus loads show up. Very cool, and the water is quite cool too. Tons of other stuff in Xcaret I won't bore you with here. They do have a website where you can even buy tickets in advance before you leave Canada and ata small discount.
The ferry from PDC to Cozumel is usually fun, but Cozumel sustained so much damage from the huricanes, they are still not totally back to what it was. If you do go to Cozumel, neat little 'Bavarian' bar near the square and beer only $1 US. Great place to take a little break. In PDC there are a couple ofrestaurants right on the beach that ae cheap and clean. Can't remember the names. Just check the washroom and you'll know if you are in the right place. (some are really bad and you don't want anything there unless it comes in a can or bottle.)
Especially with our stong CAD$ it is really attractive to go there these days. I don't care for Cancun, as I am not in to the party/bar scene, so I cannot really comment fairly. I have read that Cancun is a little better than 50% back to running normal. Some hotels have to be torn down and completely rebuilt.