Just wondering if any of you have ever been to Playa del Carmen and what your experience was like there. I have friends that are trying to talk me into going for a week in March. However, I am saving my money for 2 weeks on AC next August and am not convinced any of my AC money should go to this Mexico trip. It's hard to tell what Playa del Carmen is like from the web info and message boards I have seen. Anyways, would appreciate any comments/reviews. Thanks. mobunny

We've been there on a few day trips over the last ten years. It used to be not much more than the golf course complex, a pier and a few shops. Some friends used to go there every year because it was so quiet and laid back. I don't think that is the case anymore. We popped up there for a day from Akumal last year and I couldn't believe the change. Same beautiful beach and water, but it looked more like a downgraded Cancun. Resorts, bars along the beach, parking problems, and a whole pile of t-shirt shops, tourist traps going back a few blocks from the beach, and drunken young folks. If you are more in tune to the atmosphere of AC, you probably couldn't take it as an enjoyable interlude.
Just my opinion, of course.

Thanks Bobber, I kinda thought it would be like you described. I love the atmosphere in AC and don't really think I'd enjoy Playa Del Carmen. (Although I do love beautiful beaches and water.) It will be interesting to see what my friend says about PDC in comparison to AC when she gets back. She and her husband were with us in March last year on AC and they say it was the best vacation they have ever had. Thanks again, mobunny

No problem. Enjoyed your pictures.

I just came back from PDC today. Its all of the above and more.

Silkpainter, would that be a thumbs down from you then for PDC? mobunny

I have to go to Playa about once every 2 months (to see my parole officer, just kiddin, I had you going there for a second though didn't I?). There is a 6-8 block long, first-street-off-the-beach strip, full of crappy silver shops and junk mexican/guatemalan souvenirs done up quite elegantly. Its an outdoor strip mall, and it depends on what you want out of your vacation. If you want it all inclusive, served up on a platter, then Playa is the place for you. The beach is lovely and quite often there's surf, but God forbid you sould get too close to the cruise ship terminal when boats come in herding blue haired ladies to tour busses. I like to browse the shops, but then again, I live on an island where you have to take a boat 45 minutes to buy 10 sheets of paper. This last trip to PLaya (I came back yesterday) I bought flip flops decorated with turquoise sequins, and I'm the envy of all my friends. I ate a scoop of Haagendaz ice crean ($5 U.S.-but worth it) and ate a peice of Pizza Hut pizza, a big departure from my usual rice-n-beans. I didn't find the food any more expensive than in San Pedro, and I ate at mostly local places a couple of blocks off the "strip", and never got sick. Breakfast cost me $2 and lunch typically cost around $3.50. Most people would never stray from 5th Avenue, and the all inclusive pople that stay at Playacar, never ever leave their megalithic (is that a real word?)resort. Its just so commercial, but for me its a great break from the norm. For someone else wanting a simple peaceful laid back vacation, there are way too many people for that. There are no sharks, and very little marine life in comparison to Belize. I figure they get more tourists in one week than San Pedro gets in 3 months. I spoke with Caye Caulker's new marine biologist, for the marine reserve and she said that even in Belize's worst areas of the reef, we are still in better condition than almost everywhere else in the world.

We have some good friends who go to PDC every year for a couple weeks and we have been down twice. They rent a small beach house for $2,600 a week and it and the beach are lovely. That is a lot of money, but it is a beautiful beach. After the beach, there was not a thing I liked about the place. My husband did get sick. Which seems to be the norm in Mexico. If you like AC, don't think you will like PDC.

Interestingly, Continental is flying a new route from the States into PDC. From here, it's a good jumping off place to get around the Yucatan, rather than Cancun. There are a few family-run lodging places in PDC I've found to try since we're going to be doing the Puuc ruin trail in January.

Silkpainter, Since you go to PDC so often you must have found the best way to go. Enlighten us please.

I take an early morning water taxi from Caye Caulker to San Pedro, then the earliest flight (8:30 I think?) from San Pedro to Corozal (150 bzd round trip). When I arrive in Corozal, I never use a cab at the airstrip (they will try to rip you off), I walk out to the main road, and can usually get a cab to take me across the border to the main bus terminal in Chetumal, for about $20 U.S. I catch the first class express but up to Playa ($14.00 each way) and am there by 4 p.m. usually. This trip I didn't fly there, I took the bus all the way, and it was cheap torture. I left on the 7:30 a.m. boat to Belize City, took the 9 a.m. express bus up to Chetumal ($7 U.S.) then 20 minutes later an express bus left for Playa and I arrived at 7 p.m. Flying from San Pedro to Corozal and cabbing it over the border took about 3 hours off the trip. If I lived in San Pedro I would just fly always, but because I'm on the next island over and have to add a water taxi ride to the trip, I thought I try it totally by bus this time, and in my opinion, it wasnt worth the few bucks I saved.
I usually stay at Casa TOucan, which is about 2 blocks down and 2 blocks over from the main bus terminal. Its only $25 U.S. a night. Very clean and secure, private bath, ceiling fan and desk in the room, plus a pool (which I never swim in) There is a nice restaurant right on site, although, you are steps away from everything.

Henry and Mark from Menzies Travel and Tours (422 2725 or 3414) work from the Corozal airstrip and have always been excellent to us. US$30 for two of us to wherever in Chetumal, and they will pick you up if you're coming the other way. We don't speak Spanish and they always help us through immigration and customs which I have seen first hand helps financially and time wise. They will also collect goods for you from Chetumal/Playa/Cancun when going & bring them back to Belize and put them on the plane for collection in San Pedro, for anyone interested.

playa del carmen is a hopping place, with that throbbing busy mexico feel. the vibe is completely different from any place in belize. when i crossed the border on the bus from playa del carmen to belize the first time, i immediately sensed the change in atmosphere and had a sense of relief. i would have to be in the mood for PDC to go again and i tend to be more in a mood for the belizean atmosphere, it seems.

that said, in some ways i like PDC. there are lots of cute shops, restaurants, bars and hotels with very arty, well-planned, clever decors. conversely, there is also that high pressure trinket shop feel, with guys badgering you to shop as you pass, and a different kind of music blasting from every doorway in clamourous competition. that's the mexico i know from youthful trips to tijuana. bleh. the beaches can be beautiful or wasted, depending on your perspective. i was not much impressed with my cozumel and PDC area snorkeling excursions in comparison to places i have been in belize, hawaii and australia.

the nice, inexpensive place i have always stayed is hotel maya bric on the main drag. it's about $25 a night in low season, with a security gate & guard at night, parking lot if you have a car, garden, pool and communal lounging area. it's right next to a smoothie and waffle shop. it must be in every german guide book printed because sometimes i am the only person from the us staying there.

the disgorging of cruise ship passengers is a real menace and i shudder to imagine the eventual impact cruise ships will have on belize.
i have friends who moved to PDC and opened a launderette that serves mostly local residents. i'd go back to PDC to visit them but i'd hate to trade time in belize away to do so.

gogo

mobunny, Playa is sweet!!!!! We just relocated here actually, we spent 8 months in Ambergris Caye in Tres Cocos, came here for a week and fell in love with the place, the people and the lifestyle.

It so nice to be able to go to beaches again, real beaches and you can't beat the food, drinks and the prices. 5th is really nice but if you go a little farther north you end up in the Italian section, you eat as if you are in italy and we know italy!

You feel like you are on an island but yet you can drive 30 minutes and you have all the conveniences of a big city. (Cancun is 30 minutes away)

We love it here and plan to stay!

Gosh, it's always interesting to see that folks have such different opinions.

To me, Playa just keeps getting busier and more touristy and Americanized (like all of the Mayan Riveria) but I see that some people, such as Belize Water who as I recall came to Belize from the Cayman Islands, would like the buzz and the greater variety.

I do always like the Mexican vibes, but with all the cruise ships, boutique hotels and U.S. franchises before long Playa won't have any of those.

--Lan Sluder

There's an ass for every saddle.

Some saddles require bigger ones-I for one would prefer the invisible and hidden Chismera to go anywhere far away from here,IMO that would be a good start.

Seems Pedro needs a very large saddle!