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What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 5:52:24 AM

Junnipper

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/12/2012
From: Atlantic Canada
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I would like some advice from seasoned vacationers about our plans for a day trip. Could I have opinions and suggestions if it's doable.

Leave Grand Sirenis take collectivo (5 people in our group) travel to Tulum Ruins ($35 pesos pp collectivo fare). Walk the 10 mins to the Ruins. Pay ?$45 pesos admission and hire a guide ($20usd). Hang out on the beach for a half an hour or so. Catch a collectivo to the town of Akumal. walk the 10 minutes towards the beach (will LoHa restaurant be clearly marked?). Have lunch at LoHa, head to the beach to snorkle (turtles should be out by the canons???) and pose for pics at the webcam

On the way back to the highway browse the shops. I guess my biggest question is, do I need a map of Akumal town, I just don't want to waste my energy walking in the wrong direction? Would it be cheaper and more convenient to hire a cab/van?

Thanks in advance for your replies LGers rock

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 6:41:12 AM

crunch

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No map needed. Once you get through the arch everything is right there. Follow the road around to the right and Lol Ha will be on your left in about 3 minutes. The road to the left leads you to Half Moon Bay.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 6:45:37 AM

coralfan50

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It is doable but sounds like a lot for 1 day. I would skip the ruins & go to Akumal Beach myself. Go early like by 8/9 AM for best snorkeling. Seeing the turtles is way better than the ruins IMO. as for finding Lol Hol when you walk thrum the white archway go a few steps further & Loki for path on right side of the dive shop on your right. Head to the beach & L.H. is on your right. You can rent beach chairs etc. We like renting a golf cart just outside the arch on right side. We take the road all the way back to Yal Ku Lagoon & snorkle here. Very nice. Then we take a slow ride back stopping off @ HMB / La Buenavida for a refreshment. Thennhead to Lol Hol for snack & hang out for remainder of the day.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 7:33:38 AM

Jamie

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From: Southern California
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Doable but rushed. The entrance fee is now 57 pesos and not sure about guide, but guessing closer to $40 than $20. I don't like the beach there (shallow and crowded), instead I would go out the back entrance and take a cab (might need 2 with 5 peeps) and head to one of the Tulum beach clubs and spend the day there. I like Ziggy's at Cabanas Tulum (2 for 1 from noon to 6pm), clean bathrooms, nice beach beds, etc. but OM or La Zebra, etc. would also be good.

Then do Akumal, HMB and Yal-Ku another day, after all, the Grand Sirenis is only about ten minutes north of Akumal. Enjoy

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 7:43:33 AM

Junnipper

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From: Atlantic Canada
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Hmmm sounds like it might have to be spread out over 2 days. I was at the Tulum Ruins back in 2007 and want to go again so our teens can experience it. If Akumal beach is as powdery soft as the beach at the ruins I may skip it. The beach sand at the Sirenis isn't as nice as Tulum and I want the kids to experience that as well.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 8:09:00 AM

snowbound

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Actully, it's very doable...

Four of us left CRT after breakfast, maybe 9:30am. Except instead of using the collectivos, we hired a cab for the day. $100 for all of us. You could do this for 6 people with one of the mini-van cabs.

Anyway, we walked to the ruins and spent a few hours and walked back out to the cab parking area. We then had him take us to one of the Tulum beach clubs to swim, walk on the beautful sand and enjoy a few cold cervesas.

After that, we went to the Akumal Pueblo and Lucy's Too (now Tequilaville) for lunch. We then went over to Akumal Bay for some snorkeling and a few more cold drinks at Lol Ha.

We were back at CRT in plenty of time to clean up and relax before dinner. We felt safe in leaving our snorkel & beach stuff in the cab while in the ruins, there were no problems whatsoever and having our own private transportation was very convenient.

Taking the collectivos with 6 people definitely means you will be split into 2 different collectivos at times, maybe even 3. No big deal for frequent visitors, but newbies might like to travel as a group.

Be sure to tip your driver and offer sodas and water.

Snow

Post #: 6

RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 9:49:54 AM

Junnipper

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My kids (20, 18, 15) would have kittens if we weren't all together. Might have to hire a cab... Is that $100 USD?

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 10:15:42 AM

reefhugger

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I would plan one destination a day, especially if you've never been to these places before. Who wants to watch the time and keep on schedule once you're on a gorgeous beach with amazing views? I'd go to the ruins, check out the beach that's right there, then when you're done with the ruins, head to one of the beach clubs on Tulum beach for lunch. If you like it there, hang out, or take a walk and check out the other places along the beach.

If your family likes snorkeling, you would have no problem spending most of a day in Akumal. Check out both Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 10:56:00 AM

SnorkelNfools

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Junnipper You could do all this in one day, but as others have mentioned it might be a little rushed and getting everyone in a collective is not guaranteed. Just a thought, but have you considered renting a car for a day or two. The driving in the area is not bad, you can all fit and you can spend as much time at each place as you want.

Enjoy - everything you mentioned is easy and fun.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 1:00:28 PM

snowbound

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As others has said, for 1st timers it could be a lot to see in one day.
We've been down there over a dozen times so we knew what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go and what time everything would take.

And yes, $100usd for the cab.
But amortized over 5 people, it shouldn't really be a "deal killer"...

Snow

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 3:53:36 PM

LocoDuk

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Ummm, maybe rent a vehicle for the day? Freedom to do whatever then.

You can get it delivered right to the resort and they can pick it up too.

Cheers!

Doug

< Message edited by LocoDuk -- 1/28/2013 3:54:15 PM >

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 6:23:08 PM

KRBNBob

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I would think about breaking this into two trips. You can spend a whole day in Tulum between the ruins, beach ,and town. Akumal is a good half day, but you can easily make a full day snorkeling, hanging on the beach
, and hitting a few restaurants for food and drinks. This way you won't be stressed about how much time you DON'T have.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 6:33:41 PM

LocoDuk

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Good points KRBNBob!

I concur!

Doug

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 7:12:37 PM

DEMPY

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From: Ohio
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I vote for this and to have a rental car delivered to your hotel.

quote:

ORIGINAL: KRBNBob

I would think about breaking this into two trips. You can spend a whole day in Tulum between the ruins, beach ,and town. Akumal is a good half day, but you can easily make a full day snorkeling, hanging on the beach
, and hitting a few restaurants for food and drinks. This way you won't be stressed about how much time you DON'T have.

Post #: 14

RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 8:39:11 PM

tequib

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From: Kansas City
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If you are staying at Grand Sirenis you should really visit Akumal. It is very close I would imagine probably $10-15 taxi each way or you could do the collectivo. We've day tripped there a few times and usually rent a couple of beach chairs from the Lo Ha for our home base, though it wouldn't be necessary.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/28/2013 11:20:10 PM

GlennAP

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From: Vernon, BC Canada
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You'll be watching your watch the whole time and never enjoying any one thing to the fullest.
Suggest:
Cab for all to Akumal ...spend the morning or afternoon.

another day:
Collectivo to Tulum. If you have to go on two collectivos, split the adults up so the kids don't freak and agree where to meet. They need some adventrue!

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/29/2013 6:15:45 AM

Junnipper

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From: Atlantic Canada
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I am getting lots of great advice. Thank you all

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/29/2013 9:10:27 AM

stwartNewfoundland

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From: newfoundland, canada
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hi there...we did a similar trip back in nov/12....4 of us took colectivo to tulum pueblo ....get off at san francisco grocery store...make sure to tell driver where you want to get off....( san francisco is a little past turn off to ruins and is a terminus for collectivos).....visit itours mexico for coffees and drinks and get to meet alma and marco ( indespensible advise) ....great folk....its across the street from collectivo stop...look for ITOURS
there is not any collectivos down to the beach hotels/bars on the boca paila road. you must take a taxi...alma and marco can call taxi for you.
we went down to OM for pics of the famous chair then walked up beach for mojitos/drinks at le zebra and walked further north to ziggy's beach ...we spent an entire day on the most beautiful stretch of beach you can imagine...if your boys want to kite surf or take kite surfing lessons ....then this is the spot .took taxi back to resort.

awesome day with great people

see this vid from other lg folk...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdvBQb_fRUA

also here's a map...

http://www.todotulum.com/downloads/tulum_map.pdf

have a fantastic holiday

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/29/2013 9:41:05 AM

crazybnch7

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I have done the exact same trio as snowbound

....and found it quite doable.

I love renting a cab for the day..have done it several times in Mexico..and in Jamaica and Cuba. I find it much less stressful than the thought of driving Ina strange place and no worries about getting lost or in an accident and having to deal with everything that would entail.

The cab won't take five...so I would ask to talk to a cab driver the de prior to taking your trip and tell them you want to get a vehicle that seats five and has AC for a day...negotiate the rate....and they will arrange it for you. I did this last January for our group of six...there were cabs lined up outside the resort we were in and I just approached one of them and worked it out. It is very safe...and more times than not you get a great driver that makes your day that much more fun...they talk to you about local history, culture, life...and recommend places to eat authentic food....they know where all the good stuff is. They also tend to hang near and keep watch over you....making sure you are always safe. We paid $120 for six in a van and then gave a $30 tip because our driver was so great. I have a so. I have a son with a mobility issue and they were able to explain to the guards at the Akumal arches...they let the driver being us right to the lol ha...and then pick us up there when we were done. Normally cabs are not allowed past the arches.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/29/2013 10:02:57 AM

snowbound

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quote:

ORIGINAL: crazybnch7

I have done the exact same trio as snowbound....and found it quite doable.

Hmmm...
Vaguely remember sharing a cab with Canadiens.

Snow

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 1/29/2013 10:22:47 AM

Darren

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From: New Orleans, LA
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We did something similar last May. Hired a driver for the day, $800 pesos (approx $65 USD) who brought us to the back entrance of the ruins. Get there early, the beach is absolutely incredible if the crowds haven't gotten there, yet. We then did some shopping/lunch in Tulum. The driver was never far away and somehow managed to always be where we needed him. On the way back we stopped at Casa Cenote for an hour or so. Definitely a full day but doable. For the price we got the driver for (4 of us), it was priceless!

For this May, we're going to adjust this day slightly and opt for Chamica on Soliman Beach instead of Tulum lunch and cenote. Or not... we'll just have to see what happens.

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 2/22/2013 1:17:14 PM

stwartNewfoundland

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RE: What do you think of this day trip? - 2/22/2013 1:35:42 PM

panesh

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Whatever the cost is for the guide, it is worth it especially if it's your first visit to a site. Most of the guides will tell you that without a guide, "it's like watching a silent movie without the subtitles". The meaning of many of the symbols and use of the buildings will go right past you without a guide.
The guide will probably stay with you for an hour. You can then stay on site as long as you like and take your time. The cost is closer to $40-45.
At Chichen Itza we lucked out and got the guide that was later featured as Karl Pilkington's guide on Idiot Abroad when he went to the Mayan village to eat termites, Luis Dzitnup (season 1 episode 4). Luis spent close to three hours with us and saw me in Piste later in the day and took me for a ride on his motorbike and showed me around Piste. You never know what you might see if venture out of the norm.
Split up your trip so you won't be rushed. You might find something that really interests you and it is tough to have to leave before you are really ready.

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