Situated about 60 kilometers south of Cancun, "Playa" is the center of what's now called the Mexican Riviera. For years, it was called "The Tourist Corridor" but that probably wasn't sexy enough.
The beach at Playa ... where you'll find plenty of thongs and the
occasional topless effect.
You can pay the big bucks for an upscale hotel or, do as we did, and part with $45 US per night, including a custom-made breakfast. The hotel grounds (below) are on the beach (above).
The Mayan ruins at Tulum -- the only ruins that front on the ocean -- are about 40 km. south of Playa. Parking is 20 pesos, entrada is 30 pesos per person.
For 15 pesos, there's a jitney to take you from the tourist welcoming area
(shopping) to the ruins. Otherwise, it's about a ten-minute walk.
Nearby, the tourist park called Xcaret (pronounced Ish-Ka-Ret).
Complete with
jungle -- the jungle walk is not recommended for the lame,
the halt, or those who have recently had hip or knee replacement surgery.
In addition to parrots and flamingos, other forms of wildlife are up close and personal, including dolphins.
Swimming with the dolphins costs $80 US, and must be paid in cash.
The park includes a number of small Mayan ruins.
The small Myan ruin, in this photo, is NOT the one sitting on the steps.
To the north of Playa is a new eco-adventure park called Tres Rios.
Near Tulum is Xel-Ha ("Szel-HAH) where there's great snorkeling in cenotoes.
Keeping with the wild life theme, Playa is rich in restaurants and we were on a quest to find the absolute best Margarita.
Here it is, at Don Pepé.
The bar itself looks like a snake. Way cool.
Unfortunately, Don Pepé had disappeared by our next visit.
If you stay away from Señor Frog's and Dominos (yes, they do deliver) there is fabulous food just waiting to be found.
And here's Pancho's Fifth Avenue. Probably the prettiest (and most expensive) spot to stop in Playa.
They win the #2 prize for Best Margarita.
If "Mexican" means Tex-Mex to you, food-wise,
there's the OTHER Pancho's where the Tex-Mex is excellent.
and the entertainment factor is high.
For the truly adventurous, a trip to Sian Kian to see the most beautiful place in the world is worth it.
Even for someone who writes for a living, I'm still speechless every time we leave the jungle roads to cross the bridge.
