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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: Sun4MnM]
#18228
12/27/2012 04:50 PM
12/27/2012 04:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,428 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,428
Finger Lake Region
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We stay at the Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal in the gated Playacar community just 5 min south of PDC. Beautiful jungle setting situated on a gorgeous beach within minutes of town and attractions and a very safe, quiet area. The complex is gated, and the resort is guarded so you feel very safe there evenings. And the jungle paths at night are magical. We haven't tried anyplace else because we love it there so much. Also great staff and entertainment and food. We sometimes stay in Cancun after our PDC visit to be closer to the airport and for a more cosmopolitan experience in the hotel zone. There we enjoy the RIU Palace Las Americas and the RIU Cancun next door. But Cancun doesn't compare to the Mayan Riviera for natural beauty. We would visit Cozumel and drive the island, but Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya coast is our preferred area. Just gorgeous beaches, friendly people, and beautiful natural attractions and ruins. Trying to do both Cozumel and Cancun or Cozumel and Playacar is a bit much and you don't get enough time relax and enjoy one area. But a day ferry to Cozumel is plenty as you can rent a car cheap and drive the island and see the beaches. We visited the Iberostar there and although it's neat it's not as nice as the Tucan in Playacar. Very quiet there and not the entertainment that the Tucan offers. Take a look at the Tucan, there's a site that has pics, videos, and reviews, I believe it's www.ib-board.com/boards/index.php/index.php, just select the link and scroll down to the Ibero resort you want to look at.
Last edited by crmoores; 12/27/2012 04:57 PM.
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life β and travel β leaves marks on you.β -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: crmoores]
#18229
10/09/2014 07:59 PM
10/09/2014 07:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 14
mayjong
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 14
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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: mayjong]
#18230
12/29/2014 04:24 AM
12/29/2014 04:24 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 119 Switzerland
EuroSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 119
Switzerland
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Having just revisited the Mayan Riviera after a 16 year gap, I would suggest to avoid PDC as a base. IMHO, the place has been ruined by cheap bars and restaurants (a la Senior Frogs), crappy souvenir shops, and loud mouthed tourists. Very much following Cancun in this way, which is sad, as it used to be a fantastic little town full of character.
In fact, badly regulated tourism development has turned the entire coast from Cancun down to Tulum into an endless strip of mega resorts and "eco adventure" sites (many of which don't give a damn about being eco friendly).
I know I may sound overly negative, and apologize in advance. But having visited the place a number of times in the past when the coast and its Mayan culture and history were still relatively intact, laid-back and treated with the necessary respect, it was rather sad to see the negative impact of rampant, mass tourism development.
Amazingly, go a little inland, and the Yucatan reveals itself again as a place of rich history, culture and a lingering sense of mysticism, with friendly people, and honest and good food. Places like Valladolid, ruins like Ek Balam and Coba. And for the coast, go south of Tulum!
But if you're looking for all night fun, sleeping it off on the beach, visit a few totally overrun ruins and pay top dollar for a few cheap eco thrills, by all means stay in PDC.
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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: EuroSailor]
#18235
01/06/2015 06:30 PM
01/06/2015 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475 PDC, Mexico
bugambilias
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
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EuroSailor said: the area directly around the Tulum archeological site has been turned into a cheap theme park, it saddens me somewhat. Sailor, Good news. There is no reason to be saddened. There is no such development. The theme park to which I think you are referring is probably Xplor/Xcaret (see above and far from cheap) and is about 20 miles away from The Tulum Archaeological Site. Please check Google Earth to re-orient yourself and cheer up.
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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: bugambilias]
#18238
01/18/2015 09:26 PM
01/18/2015 09:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475 PDC, Mexico
bugambilias
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
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bugambilias said:Tulum Archeological Site EuroSailor said: the area directly around the Tulum archeological site has been turned into a cheap theme park
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Re: Playa del Carmen vs Cozumel
[Re: bugambilias]
#18243
07/07/2015 06:22 AM
07/07/2015 06:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,428 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,428
Finger Lake Region
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We love staying at the iberostar Tucan resort which is set in a jungle on a gorgeous beach and located close to Playa in Playacar. Easy access to runs and natural sites. disagree a bit with previous poster, Playa is growing and becoming a very diverse place. But still very Mexican, and an excellent base location. We're building a home just north of Playa to take advantage of the excellent infrastructure and medical system, yet we can drive to so many areas including Belize. Yes 5th Ave is a busy spot, it there are excellent restaurants to enjoy, and the North end (Little Italy) is a very nice area to stay in. For a nice, boutique hotel on the north end where you can walk everywhere consider Aventura Mexicana.
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life β and travel β leaves marks on you.β -Anthony Bourdain
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