Playa Del Carmen

[XOXO]

We have booked a family trip the first week of January to Playa Del Carmen/Hacienda Tres Rios.

I just ordered a book and wondered if anyone has any suggestions. What I am looking for is a Pam Gaffin type book, Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive, for the Riviera Maya.

Any ideas?

Gina

[Terry]

We rented a jeep from our hotel in Cancun and drove down to Playa and further south to Xcaret, but it was 15 years ago. Akumal had a great snorkeling spot (at the end of the road) and is a quaint sort of village. Xcacel was nice and remote. There is a turtle hatching farm there. There was also (before the hurricane) a nice mom & pop restaurant there with great food. Not sure if it's still there.

Things were different, much different down there than they are now. It is much more developed. I've also heard that it may not be as safe to four wheel drive off the beaten path. I have F,F and 4 wheel drive book and it's a one-of-a-kind. Mexico is much different from St. John.

We just used a Fromer's sort of guide book as I recall. Enjoy the resort and the snorkeling should be pretty good.

[Ron in South Texas]

We've been to Cancun and the Riviera Maya several times and we always use maps from http://www.cancunmap.com/. These maps are very well put together and have a lot of information about the area. I highly recommend them.

[XOXO]

Thank you Ron and Terry. Someone on this forum recommended Akumal as the destination and not a day trip. It was tempting so I am really interested in checking it out. We aren't going to rent a car. I got the book:Playa del Carmen, Tulum & the Riviera Maya: Great Destinations Mexico: A Complete Guide, Second Edition and I am looking forward to learning a little about the area.

We have been to Tulum on a day trip from Cozumel. At that time I really wanted to go to Chichen Itza Ruins but it was too far. We ended up loving Tulum. I am hoping to learn a little more from the book to decide between Tulum, Chichen Itza, or Cobra.

That is just an example.

Thank you Ron for the link!

Gina

[lprof]

another website

http://www.locogringo.com/

[PA Girl]

We will be in Xcaret next Thanksgiving so I am ready to over-eduacte myself on the region. Let me know what you think of that book, I may pick it up.

[minnjim]

Locogringo.com is an excellent site for anything on Akumal. Be sure to check out their forums.
Playa.info is the site for Playa....info.

[KTinTX]

The beaches we saw near the resorts and around Playa were nowhere close to STJ...but we took a catamaran day sail with "Fat Cat" and had a great time. Yes, the boat was pretty full, but there was still plenty of room. The snorkeling was pretty good and the beach where we stopped for a swim was really nice, too. I don't know how old your kids are, but there was a fair share of drinking that day on the boat...as well as chumming off the rear!

[Lovermont]

It's been a few years now, but my husband and I visited the ruins at Coba while staying at P del C. We rented the bikes when you enter the ruins, and zipped all around the area, climbed the main ruins, and had a really good day. We then stopped at Zamas on the beach road in Tulum for lunch - excellent! The beach just south of the Tulum ruins is beautiful.

Have a great trip.

Lovermont

[bubblybrenda]

Lovermont: Do you mean Playa Maya?

I was there last Christmas. Had a massage on the beach just like in the magazines. Rented a palapa for the day...the beach was practically deserted. Paradise. Not STJ paradise but it was great for Mexico standards.