If you had to pick one tour/excursion to take while vacationing in Playa Del Carmen, what would it be and why?
Mar 19th, 2001, 10:14 AM
#1
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If you had to pick one tour/excursion to take while vacationing in Playa Del Carmen, what would it be and why?
My husband and I will be vacationing in Playa Del Carmen in May and wanted to find out what the best tour / excursion is to take. I've read a few good things about Xcaret, Xel Ha and Hidden Worlds. What are your experiences with any of these. Is it worth a day trip? <BR> <BR>
Mar 19th, 2001, 12:52 PM
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If you're staying in Playa del Carmen, you won't need to take an excursion to Xcaret. It's very close to PDC - we just took the bus there and caught a cab when we were ready to leave. I definitely thought that our day there was worthwhile - we really enjoyed it. <BR> <BR>I haven't been to Xelha, but I think you could do that on your own as well. <BR> <BR>I usually don't like to take organized tours, especially when it's so easy to do the trips on your own.
elha. Ruins:Chichen Itza. Eco tours- Friends of the Sian Khan Biosphere. Shopping:Cozumel. Eating: Limones. Overall get a Fodors travel guide at the bookstore.
Mar 19th, 2001, 04:25 PM
#4
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The trip to Coba is very interesting if you like ruins. It is much closer than Chichen Itza. Coba is a less developed area and archaeologists are still uncovering mounds at this site. It is quieter because it is too far from Playa del Carmen for the cruise ship traffic. Smart tour guides take you to Coba first and Tulum late in the afternoon when the cruise ship people have already left to get back on the ship. <BR>Another good day trip is the Cenote snorkeling trip. It is a full day and takes you to three different dive sites ending up with a "sacred jump". <BR>You don't have to be an experienced diver to snorkel in these locations, you don't go into deep caves, and you can always see daylight. The water is cool but you get used to it quickly and the fish and limestone caves you will see are worth it.
Mar 19th, 2001, 06:06 PM
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Xcaret: I loved, loved, loved 'eesh-ca-ret'. Susan is right, don't bother with the excursion offered but just go on your own by cab. Go early and be there when the gates open and there is no one in the park. You might want to do the underground river swim first before the crowds get there and/or book your swim with the dolphins. If you do the river swim, this gets you to the other end of the park and then you can explore the 6 different ruins area in the park and make your way back to the front where the butterflies are. Or you can just pull up next to a gorgeous lagoon and relax. Have some dry clean clothes ready in the locker (you wear the key around your neck and it's safe) and shower and change for the spectacular evening show and before that you might want to have dinner in one of the many restaurants and do some shopping in the gift shop. This would be my one choice as the activities are what I would want to do in one day. <BR> <BR>Xel-ha: longer cab ride but again something you can do on your own rather than by 'excursion'. Not as extensive as Xcaret in what's offered but a beautiful swim or float down the river! Not much to see snorkelling wise but lots of wonderful places to just sit and think or admire the view! <BR> <BR>Cozumel: definitely for the shopping but you can also get some ruins in by visiting San Gervasio and there is some great touring around the island, the lighthouse, the awesome beaches on the Atlantic side (for looking, not for swimming), snorkelling at Playa Corona, Chankanaab Park. The sunsets...sigh..... <BR> <BR>Coba: we actually did the Coba excursion offered by the tour rep and it was great (I'm not much into ruins but my husband is). We left early in the morning and there was only 7 of us in the van and we got through the place (he climbed the pyramid) before the crowds got there. Stopped at a roadside spot for a delicious lunch and then at a cenote for a refreshing dip. Quite a day and we were all quite lulled to sleep on the way back to our resorts! <BR> <BR>Hmmm, I haven't been much help have I? <BR> <BR>
Mar 19th, 2001, 06:58 PM
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I would vote for the Tulum/Xel-Ha trip. <BR>The best way to do this excursionis to rent a car and do it yourself. We saved about US $100 by doing it on our own. (My husband,myself and two daughters (12 and 14). We made the mistake of renting our car inthe morning (line ups at the rental booth). So .. rent it in the evening,get up early and head for Tulum. When you get there hire a tour guide. The ruins are beautiful without but ever so meaningful with a guide who knows what he is talking about. We shared our guide with another couple so it cost us $15 each. (we added an extra 5 for a tip he was so good!). Then after taking all the pictures we wanted (Oh the admission price is only 30 pesos each and another 30 pesos if you want to take movie pictures. Then we headed to Xel-Ha. It was pretty crowded but we through all of our belongins into the lockers and headed out with water shoes and snorkels and masks (no fins). <BR>Upon entering the water we saw a gorgeous sting ray. Made our way around the park and took the tube ride back down. Lots of fish to see especially around the floating bridge where they were HUGE! <BR>Great day, and even better knowing that we had saved so much by doing it on our own.
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Aug 13th, 2001, 10:09 PM
#8
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I would recommend on taking the ferry to Cozumel. Go on a daylong snorkeling trip on a Galeon style boat called the "Jean Lafitte" They serve unlimited drinks and take you to all the great snorkel sites. 100 times better than Xelha and Xcaret. Been there 4 times and always go on this snorkeling trip.
Jan 19th, 2002, 04:13 PM
#9
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We are to play de carmen and we would like to know if renting a car is expenssive and if anyone has gone on the jungle tour. If the Xcarte charges extra to horseback ride, sea trek and the snuba . If the Tres rios is a good place to go. Thank You Teri
Jan 19th, 2002, 05:26 PM
#10
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We did the jungle tour to the Maya village on the same day as the Trip to Coba. We stopped at a great little restaurant for the most delicious Sopa de Limon (Lime Soup). The village is very interesting as it is a protected habitat and home to Spider Monkeys.
Jan 19th, 2002, 07:34 PM
#11
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Xel-Ha hands down if your into snorkling at all. It is truly snorkel heaven. I adored it, just be sure not to wear sunscreen, but buy theirs and cover your back with it, 
I had such an amazing time! Get the all inclusive pass to get drinks and meals. <BR><BR>The underground river at Xcaret is amazing as well, but the snorkeling isn't near as good. <BR>Brandi
I had such an amazing time! Get the all inclusive pass to get drinks and meals. <BR><BR>The underground river at Xcaret is amazing as well, but the snorkeling isn't near as good. <BR>Brandi
Jan 20th, 2002, 11:20 AM
#14
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I concur with the others...if you're staying in PDC, venture out on your own to view the beauty of Xelha, Xcaret & Tulum. The beaches our out of this world. If you're looking for a chartered day trip, book a trip to Chichen Itza..amazing history & I believe ECO(?) tours offers a great Mexican lunch with Mariachis & Folklore Dancers.
Jan 20th, 2002, 06:16 PM
#15
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Mew, Cat -<BR> I'm torn between recc'ing the trip to Coba and the cenote/lagoon snorkeling tour - both are terrific in their own way. I guess it really depends on what you're more into. BTW, we have been to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Uxmal, the Pu'uc route, and a newer site near Merida called Xtampu, and we feel Coba is the most "intense"-feeling site - a matter of vibes, probably.<BR>ja
May 7th, 2002, 09:59 AM
#16
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XelHa float down the river. Much better than the underground river at the other place Xcharet. My favorite of all. Ruins are fun too but very hot in M ay. Have photos of all of it on my website www.wolfcalls.com
May 7th, 2002, 04:23 PM
#17
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I'd vote for Xel-ha too.We were there 2 weeks ago LOVED IT!But forget the cabs,we took collectivo's every where we went.They are large white vans that run up and down the main highway for tourist's and locals.All you have to do is stand on the side of the highway and wave and they'll pick you up.from our hotel,Barcelo Maya,a cab to PDC was 140 peso's,the collectivo's are always 10 pesos!no matter where you go.They park on 2nd ave north in PDC it's as far north as they go and we took them as far south as Tulum.Yes you have to walk in from the highway,Xel-ha was about 5 min tops.Go early you'll have the place to yourself till about noon when the bus tours show up.We did the A.I. for 52$US restaurants were great,buffet not,coronas great!! enjoy
Jun 3rd, 2002, 06:11 AM
#19
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My vote would be scooters around Cozumel, and then Xel-ha.<BR><BR>We had a great time riding our scooters around Cozumel. They have beautiful beaches - some were very littered, but others were great. Once you get out of the town it is very deserted and quite -you can find many beach areas that you will have all to yourself. <BR><BR>We did the Xel-ha / Tulum tour and had a great time also. I would highly suggest this tour. We did Tulum in the morning when it was a little cooler, then hit Xel-ha and cooled off. If you do Xel-ha make sure to walk out to the lighthouse - it is great and the natural pool is beautiful.<BR><BR>We also went deep sea fishing one morning and that was a blast.<BR><BR>You will have a great time no matter what you choose!
