LocoGringo Forums

Hotel + Flight Packages

Akumal and PDC?

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Riviera Maya] >> Akumal & Riviera Maya Forum >> Akumal and PDC?

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Akumal and PDC? - 1/26/2013 6:13:49 PM

KmbRN84

Posts: 124
Joined: 1/26/2013
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

Hello, my mother and I will be heading to Mexico from May 6-16. I have been ro the RM before about 4 years ago (stayed at the Grand Sirenis) and we both went to Cancun about a year ago. When I went to GS we went to Xel-Ha and Garaphone (sp?). That's it. When we went to Cancun we did an AI and never left the resort. This time around I want more. I want to feel like I went to Mexico, not just a resort you could plop down anywhere in the carribean.

We are thinking we will split the trip in half. Staying May 6-11 in Akumal at the Hotel Akumal Caribe, which we have booked. and the staying May 11-16 in PDC, most likely at Xaman Ha. My question to all of you is what should we do while there. We love the beach but do not like to lay on it all day long. We like to go see/do something cool in the morning/early afternoon before it gets too hot and then spend the hottest part of the day swimming/bobing in the ocean. We LOVE nature, both land and sea.

Some things we are considering; Coba, Tulum, going to the monkey sanctuary, going to Sian Kaan.

Sorry for the long post! I just really want this trip to turn out nice.

Post #: 1

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/26/2013 8:58:57 PM

zeppelinman

Posts: 118
Joined: 6/5/2009
Status: offline

go to coba via collectivo and ado bus..

make sure and have a beer at ultima maya in the akumal pueblo.

go to tulum and then walk south from there and stroll and along the tulum beach..

go to a cenote!!

Post #: 2

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/26/2013 10:26:54 PM

9KrazyCats

Posts: 1152
Joined: 10/2/2008
From: LM, Calif.
Status: offline

Go to Xcaret and watch the show at night. Spend the day there if you can. Excellent buffet there.

_____________________________

Post #: 3

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/27/2013 7:10:55 AM

Jamie

Posts: 2577
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline

Just FYI, you need reservations for the Jungle Place, at least 3 months in advance. There are also monkeys (have not been yet) at Punta Laguna which is somewhat close to Coba, but think you need a rental car to get there, or hire a taxi for the day if you do not want to drive. Coba is really cool, get there early and take lots of water, we walked around but coming back from the main pyramid, we took the pedi-cabs (100 pesos and tip well, it is hot, hard work). Have fun

Love Hotel Akumal Caribe, stayed there many times, staff is great, security is good.

Post #: 4

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/27/2013 7:25:37 AM

bunrab

Posts: 105
Joined: 4/29/2009
From: TN
Status: offline

Take the ferry to Cozumel for the day and rent a re-engineered VW bug and drive around, snorkel, and enjoy! It is a lot of fun and beautiful! We have enjoyed the monkey palace, Coba, and Tulum (both the pueblo and the beach). Also loved Ek Balaam and the cenotes are breathtaking!!!!
Have fun! We love Mexico and counting down till our next adventure

_____________________________

Post #: 5

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/27/2013 4:11:19 PM

KmbRN84

Posts: 124
Joined: 1/26/2013
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

The more I look into PDC the more I am unsure that it is for me. The reason I originally picked to go there was for the many dining options and I hoped I could find some yummy vegan food. It just feels so crowded...Is 10 nights too many to spend in Akumal?

Also, is the moneky palace truely a sanctuary or is it a zoo claiming to be a sanctuary? Thanks for all the tips so far!

Post #: 6

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/27/2013 4:59:36 PM

LocoDuk

Posts: 271
Joined: 1/10/2012
From: St.Albert, Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

10 nights too much in Akumal? NEVER!!! hehehehhee

PDC is very crowded. Restaurants are great but there are alot down in Akumal and Tulum also. More laid back too.

And no, 10 nights is not too much in Akumal. You would be oh so relaxed after that.

Cheers!

Doug

_____________________________

[/url]

Post #: 7

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/27/2013 8:05:39 PM

KmbRN84

Posts: 124
Joined: 1/26/2013
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

How long does it take in normal traffic to get to the airport from Akumal?

Post #: 8

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/28/2013 3:31:35 AM

LocoDuk

Posts: 271
Joined: 1/10/2012
From: St.Albert, Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Hmmm, I'd say a good hour. More or less.

_____________________________

[/url]

Post #: 9

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/28/2013 6:36:18 AM

coralfan50

Posts: 458
Joined: 12/4/2008
From: Northern Minnesota
Status: offline

10 nights in 1 place is not that long. Advantage is you unpack once & you don't waste better part of a precious day of your trip moving around. You can visist anywhere from 1 central point. Wife & I do it all the time. We both agree moving around is not for us. We enjoy day trips to Akumal / PDC / Tulum Beach & have taken the ferry to Cozumel before. For us we will go into PDC 1 or 2 evenings for dinner & stroll around looking at all the people / shops. However PDC is to crowded for us to want to stay there. We enjoy peace & quiet.

_____________________________

Be the Change You want to see in the World

Post #: 10

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/28/2013 12:30:01 PM

TomKatWpg

Posts: 573
Joined: 8/26/2010
From: Winterpeg, Canada
Status: offline

10 days in Akumal would be great for us. Other than going to the restaurants, I have seen enough of PDC.
It's probably easier to go to dinner in PDC by collectivo and save the parking hassles.
You will have a great time if you start your excursions early. There have been a number of good options so far.
Make sure you try some of the smaller restaurants in the pueblo's.
You'll probably run into quite a few LG's while you are there as your dates coincide with the tail end of AASB. (check the parties section of the forum)

Post #: 11

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/28/2013 1:06:07 PM

el gran chico

Posts: 366
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: Toronto, ON CANADA
Status: offline

quote:

The more I look into PDC the more I am unsure that it is for me.

Exactly our feeling! We go to Tulum instead if we feel the need to get out of Akumal for a day or evening.

_____________________________

Returned from Akumal, Feb.12 to Feb 20, 2013 (14th trip to MEX, 11th to RM, 7th to HMB)

Post #: 12

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/29/2013 11:54:59 AM

longing4sun

Posts: 465
Joined: 12/12/2006
From: St. Louis, MO
Status: offline

10 nights is NEVER too long in Akumal!! I'd say if you're curious about PDC, make it a day trip and be done. You won't regret not staying there. In my experience, it's pretty touristy. Devote your time to Akumal and south...explore Soliman Bay, Tankah Bay, Tulum (beach and pueblo). You mentioned monkeys...years ago Aktun Chen had spiker monkeys, as well as other animals. they also now have zipline tours from what I understand. Another do-able day trip would be Valladolid and the ruins at Ek Balam.

Enjoy!!!

_____________________________

Post #: 13

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/29/2013 6:05:12 PM

bunrab

Posts: 105
Joined: 4/29/2009
From: TN
Status: offline

The monkey palace is run by a couple that treats many of
their rescues like their children. They are very particular about
Not having any chemicals (sunscreen and/or bug spray) on your body
when you visit....the monkeys have a horrible reaction I am told.
When we went they allowed 4 people to go Into an enclosure
with several of the females for close interaction. It was sooooo
funny cuz the monkeys groomed us and they loved my
blond hair :) they took tons of pics for us but I don't know
how to post them. Sorry :( We enjoyed it a lot. We still laugh about
it (I think it was 2009) One of the monkeys took a nap in my DH's
lap......so sweet!!!!

< Message edited by bunrab -- 1/29/2013 6:08:10 PM >

_____________________________

Post #: 14

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/29/2013 6:34:05 PM

KmbRN84

Posts: 124
Joined: 1/26/2013
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

Glad to hear people confirming my thoughts about not staying near PDC. I am also hear that the sanctuary really is one, I love seeing animals up close but not if they were ripped from their wild homes. I sent them an email yesterday and hope to hear from them soon.

_____________________________

Post #: 15

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/29/2013 10:39:31 PM

Solo

Posts: 1353
Joined: 1/13/2006
From: Hudson, Wisconsin
Status: offline

If I had the choice, I'd rather spend 5 days in two different places than 10 days in Akumal.
Akumal is a little slow for me (let the flaming begin

) for a week.
We actually like PDC, and we like Puerto Aventurus, but both are different than Akumal.
Seems wherever we are, we spend a day at the other places.
and with the collectivo you can spend a day or two anywhere from your home base.

_____________________________

Post #: 16

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/30/2013 6:55:56 AM

crunch

Posts: 25860
Joined: 2/23/2005
From: Dreaming of my next vacation to paradise......
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: KmbRN84

Glad to hear people confirming my thoughts about not staying near PDC. I am also hear that the sanctuary really is one, I love seeing animals up close but not if they were ripped from their wild homes. I sent them an email yesterday and hope to hear from them soon.

They are all monkeys that others have abandoned for many different reasons. At least that is how it used to be. Unfortunately it seems there is a limitless supply that are unable to return to the wild and need caring for. That was how it was back when we went many years ago. I would love to hear about how things are now if you go.

_____________________________

Nothing wrong with me that a margarita on the beach wouldn't fix.......................

Post #: 17

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/30/2013 7:28:58 AM

Jamie

Posts: 2577
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline

Hope you have a great trip, personally I do not care for Playa, just too built up for my taste but many folks love it. Just a matter of personal taste I guess.

Post #: 18

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/30/2013 4:23:08 PM

Lori from KC

Posts: 383
Joined: 8/16/2004
From: Shawnee, KS
Status: offline

Have you looked into Puerto Morelos for the last few days? We really like staying there before the trip home as it is close to the airport. Nice, safe area with good restaurants and beach.

_____________________________

Post #: 19

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/30/2013 4:49:11 PM

OmahaBruce

Posts: 189
Joined: 12/15/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jamie

Hope you have a great trip, personally I do not care for Playa, just too built up for my taste but many folks love it. Just a matter of personal taste I guess.

Bingo! It idefinitely is a matter of personal taste. Let your conscious be your guide - if you prefer seclusion then you might not enjoy PDC. However, depending on where you stay, seclusion is still possible even in playa del carmen. Last time we were there we stayed at The Royal (AI) on the back side. It was very quiet. There were people on the beach but it never felt crowded to me. Some people prefer beaches similar to Tom Hanks' experience in Castaway, but that's not me. Neither do I like the loud music and packed atmosphere of some of the more popular clubs beachside or on 5th. You know, you can also stroll a few hundred yards up or down the beach and find a relatively quiet spot to bury your toes as well.
I loved PDC. Unfortunately, this year the group chose Cancun and I am anticipating that might be even more of a crowded party atmosphere. So, wife and I are heading to Akumal for both of our "free" days.
I can hear the surf calling me through the webcam .

_____________________________

Post #: 20

RE: Akumal and PDC? - 1/30/2013 5:52:23 PM

KmbRN84

Posts: 124
Joined: 1/26/2013
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

My gut feeling tells me that Playa may not be for me and my mom, at least not for long. We plan to make at least on trip there during our stay to see if it is a place we might want to visit in the future. Are there days of the week that tend to be a bit less crowded?

_____________________________