Playacar queries

by **cloudy** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 07:00 am

I am going to Playacar in three weeks. Can anyone tell me the best way to take money. Is it easy to get cash from a bank?

Any info on resort would be welcome.

by **Neil The Beaver** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:26 am

there are a couple of cash machines in playacar by some of the hotels and a Santander bank in the Plaza. Found it was a bit expensive to withdraw cash. I'd suggest taking plenty of dollars especially 1,5 and 10 dollar notes (US) and travellers cheques. Anything we gained on exchange rate seemed to be lost with bank charges. perhaps check with your bank how much they'd charge for withdrawing money in Mexico. Also there are lots of cash machines in Playa del Carmen and zillions of places to exchange money. Where are you staying in Playacar i was there about 6 weeks ago cant wait to go back!!!!

by **cloudy** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 19:20 pm

Thank you.
We are staying at the Viva Wyndham Maya which seems to be near the Plaza.

Did you do trips and have you any recommendations?

by **Neil The Beaver** on Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:25 am

nice! You are right by the Plaza so you will have no probs getting to the bank there. (i think you might even have an ATM by your hotel) So much choice to do over there. Scuba diving is a big passion of mine and Mexico has lots of great dive sites for both experienced and brand new divers so thats well worth a try. A lot of people recommend the swimming with dolphins, really not my sort of thing though. Xel-Ha is excellent and so are the jungle safaris (do the one in the speedboats) There is soooo much to do and whilst sometimes a bit expensive its all worthwhile. Coco Bongos if you want a good night out. You can of course book through your rep in resort or if you walk up to play del carmen, its about a 20 min stroll (5$ in a cab) there is a shop on the 5th Avenue selling the same for less.

For culture the Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza are well worth the journey, Or the ruins at Tulum are closer and often tied in with time at xel ha.

One thing to expect though is the beach in Playacar has eroded badly after bad hurricanes in the last few years, so they are still white and sandy they are not as big or beautiful as they once were.

There is plenty to do in and around Playacar and Playa Del Carmen and trips cater for pretty much everybody. Have a wicked time. anything else ask and i'll try and remember (alot of Daquiries and Mojitos were drunk!)

PS watch out for timeshare and property touts theyre everywhere!!

by **cloudy** on Fri Apr 11, 2008 17:41 pm

Thank you Neil.
Some good ideas there. Is it quite safe to walk around and is there much to do in Playacar or would we have to go to Playa del Carman?

I did the swimming with dlphins last year in Jamaica and it was good. However I would have preferred to go to do it in their natural environment in Marsa Alam. Unfortunately the holiday is for designed more for divers and I have never done it.

by **Neil The Beaver** on Fri Apr 11, 2008 18:05 pm

felt really safe out and about, never be too careful though (money belt not carrying everything etc) Playacar has security in and out, and there are lots of police in little golf buggy things in Playa del carmen. Not a great deal in playcar, bar the beach and the hotels and the little Plaza. Playa Del Carmen has loads more shops but they are repetative ...Tat...T shirts...Tequila... repeated for about 1/2 a mile! Some good bars like Senor frogs and some great views, in the evening it ets busy down there, and hotels usually have shows and stuff going on.
Most hotels offer a free try dive in the swimming pool if you havent tried diving before. But even then most hotels do free non-motorised water sports, sailing snorkling etc which is great.

Day trips to Cozumel, you can just jump on the ferry from PDC dead easy.

Are there divers going with you?

by **cloudy** on Fri Apr 11, 2008 19:43 pm

No Divers.
I have read about the trip to Cozumel and really fancy that, Chicken Itza and Tulum.
We were in Jamaica last year and did lots of trips but didn'T have anywhere to go at night so it will be nice to wander out of the hotel or go to PLC and get a proper feel for the place. i hear they are a friendly bunch!!

by **Hils** on Fri May 16, 2008 13:31 pm

We went two years' ago and found a bank in Playa del Carmen which gave a good rate on pesos with no commission. We are going again in two weeks time and are just taking about �20 worth of dollars so we've got enough for a taxi into Playa del Carmen as we will be AI so won't need a lot of cash. Then we will change it out there cos you get a better rate.