I have a couple time share resorts available in Playa Del Carmen. Just wanted to gather opinions on them. The first is Mayan Palace Riviera (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d295766-Reviews-Mayan_Palace_Riviera_Maya-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html)
The second is Grand Mayan Riviera Maya (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d569579-Reviews-The_Grand_Mayan_Riviera_Maya-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html)
I’m trying to pin down there exact location as many of these resorts have similar names. Are they both in the Playacar area and if so how far and convienent is it to get to the clubs down on Avenida Cinco? Also do they allow guests in the room?
They are the same. Same entrance, same grounds. The Grand Mayan has a couple of perks, special pool area and a few top of the line restaurants not open to Mayan Riviera guests. The Mayan Riviera is great. The Grand looked a little too rich for my blood. The Resorts are on MEX 307. About 18 miles south of Cancun. Puerto Morelos is 7 miles north of the resort and Playa del Carmen is 12 miles south of the resort. Playacar is 15 miles south. Everything is right off MEX 307, easy, safe drive. Guests in the rooms should not be a problem. The Grand Mayan may also have priority tee times on the golf course. I do not golf but the course runs throughout the grounds.
Hello i would appreciate some help planning my trip to Yucatan from California. My spouse and I (both in our early 20′s) will be arriving in Cancun on January 6th and will be staying within the Yucatan Peninsula for three weeks. I need help with recomendations on places to visit and things to do, hotels to stay in while visiting, and places/things to avoid while visiting Mexico. Here is what we have planned so far and are hoping to expand:
6th –
- check into hotel
- check out town
- night clubs in the evening
7th –
-see downtown cancun
- hang out at hotel
- check out night clubs again
8th –
Leisure beach day
9th –
Leisure beach day
10th –
Take a ferry to see isla mujeres.
mayan ruins
Captain dulches museum
11th –
- take bus to playa del carmen
- check into hotel
- eat lunch
- tour city
- hang out at hotel
12th –
- take ferry to cozumel
- spend the day site seeing in a dune buggy
13th –
- check out the natural tres rios park
- tour surrounding areas
14th –
- take bus to xcaret eco park
- spend all day there
15th –
-drive to tulum and check into hotel
- tulum ruins
- chill in the city
16th –
-spend the day seeing ruins in Coba
- hang out around town
17th –
-take bus ride to Valladolid
- visit Chichen Itza ruins park
- check out Chichen itza/ Valladolid town
18th –
Take bus to merida
Venture around town
Check out the Anthropology and history museum
19th –
Check out the Dzibilchaltun Ruins park
Afterwords come back and relax at hotel.
20th
Take bus to see the Mayapan Mayan Ruins
Visit the plaza grande
22nd – next destination until the 29th at which we need to return to Cancun to depart back to the states.
FYI Tulum is only a tiny pueblo. It is less then 3/4 mile long and one block wide on each side of the main road (as far as tourists are concerned. There are local housing and businesses beyond that, of course.) There are several eateries. My family loved the BBQ chicken at El Pollo Bronco for lunch, but there are pizza places, Mexican eateries (duh), etc, and each will give you a taste of Mexico (at very reasonable prices).
Hotels in Tulum were not obvious, but if you found one through your research, that is good. {We were staying at a nearby all-inclusive resort.} The small shop owners were very friendly, and it is interesting to see the goods and produce for sale that are not in the typical U S store.
Definitely go to the Tulum ruins. Pay for the ride to and from the entrance/exit and hire a guide (explainer – as you cannot get lost). If you are energetic, take the 150 steps down to the water and splash around.
There are also some Mayan ruins west of Tulum that my adult kids enjoyed going to, and seeing. [I might be referring to Coba; idk.]
Chichen Itza is an all day tour. My wife and friend went, and were really glad they went.
Take some pesos, and get more as you need them {concierge or ATM machine.}
Hello, my wife and I will be spending five days in Playa Del Carmen then driving to Merida for two nights. We watched several HGTV shows about Merida and are truly captivated by it. We have been to Mexico before, but never Merida. If Merida is anything like it appears on TV we want to buy a vacation home there, hence the visit.
So my question, we have rented a car before in Playa Del Carmen and driving to Tulum with no problems. How safe is it to drive from Playa Del Carmen to Merida? I’m guess it will take around five hours or so which is no problem because the sights of Mexico are truly breathtaking. I guess I might be one of the fools who have heard too many horror stories about the police in Mexico robbing tourists. So please forgive my stupidity. I don’t mean to offend anyone who lives in Mexico or owns a home there. If anything, I’m jealous of you. Any and all advice would be great appreciated.
Is the drive safe? How bad is the traffic in Merida? Is there a car rental company you would recommend? We have used Avis in the past (The Avis in Playa Del Carmen, not the one in Cancun)
We will also be in Merida for New Years, does the city celebrate New Years the same way we do in Canada?
Thanks
Steve
tattoosteve1971@hotmail.com
Forget about renting a car. Bus travel in Mexico is so superior to Greyhound in the USA or Canada. Hey, go like the common locals in Mexico. Take a deluxe coach to Merida. They leave every 30 minutes, both ways. If you want to rent a car in Merida, go ahead. . .
i stayed in the Riu Yucatan in Mexico and thought it was amazing the best hotel i stayed in and i go on holiday every year so that says something. The staff and Entertaiment team or (Animation Team) as they are known were great and really made the holiday. We may go back next year to the same hotel but if not and we find somewhere else to go we would love to stay at a RIU hotel again.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has stayed at a RIU Hotel before and i just wanted to know your thoughts?
Thanks xx
They are OK. I’ve been to a lot better. Try a different resort chain and see. But I’d advise staying away from the Riu in Cabo San Lucas. I know of two people who were raped there by employees and the resort didn’t even care. It was a horrible situation and now I refuse to go to the Riu in Cabo, or anywhere else.
I am vacationing in Merida/Progreso in July of 2007. We have already rented a car, but we’d like to also rent a motorcycle for the week. Any suggestions as to where I might find one?
In Progreso I think there are guys that rent scooters when the cruise ship is in so they might also rent for a week. I also know that there is scooter rental at the Reef hotel/resort near Telchac Puerto. Both these may be seasonal though but I doubt it since I understand the area is much busier in the summer than in the winter when I’ve been there. I’m not sure how useful these will be if you are looking for a motorcycle they may or may not have those.
Here’s a page of car rental places maybe they could help you out:
How cheap is the clothes and food in Cancun, Cozumel and Merida, Mexico?
I am going for a week for vacation. Out of these 3 cities, which one is the cheapest for buying?
What can I expect and how cheap would things be? (American Currency)
of the 3 merida is the cheapest in that there are fewer american tourists there… cancun and cozumel get more tourists who are fine to stay in the hotel zone and pay those high hotel zone prices. even cancun and cozumel can be cheap if you know where to go and how to bargain…unfortunately you have to speak spanish to really take advantage….and be paying in pesos. a lot of times, locals will charge american tourists more because they usually dont haggle… it part of the process, its expected. if they dont play the game, walk away…someone will give you the price you want to pay. cancun is the priciest of the 3 but it depends on where you go… pay less and go to mercado 28 if you want cheap seafood instead of the hotel zone. hop on the bus to cuidad cancun and ask a cab to take you there… its where the locals eat and the prices are what you are looking for.
I stayed in the Riu Yucatan in Mexico and thought it was amazing the best hotel i stayed in and i go on holiday every year so that says something. The staff and Entertaiment team or (Animation Team) as they are known were great and really made the holiday. We may go back next year to the same hotel but if not and we find somewhere else to go we would love to stay at a RIU hotel again.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has stayed at a RIU Hotel before and i just wanted to know your thoughts?
Thanks xx
Many people are getting bored of Luxury hotels in Merida in resorts that have been largely influenced by British tourism, but it can be hard to find somewhere new. Luckily the increase in cheap flights to exciting European destinations …
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Hotel del Peregrino is a colonial house that has been tastefully re-modelled into a beautiful hotel located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Hotel del Peregrino is ideal for the discriminating and frugal traveler. All of our lovely, Mexican style, private …
Mi-Esquina Guesthouse in Merida is now running a special offer of US$65 per night at one their 3 spacious, king size bed, rooms.( Breakfast is not included)
When making a reservation via their site, www.Mi-Esquina.com, you will find a contact for. In it mention the dates you intend to visit, the number of nights as well as: “I am looking for your special rate found on your blog”
This is a limited time offer and its is good for as long as it appears on this blog.
