Playa Del Carmen, Mayan Riviera, Riu Playacar Resort Last December we spent two very enjoyable weeks in the Riu Playacar Resort in Playa Del Carmen . It had been thirty years since we drove all over the Yucatan, camping in our Econoline van with a bed, a Coleman stove, and a portapotti. The whole Mayan Coast in those days was a swampy jungle. With the support of the Mexican Government, developers were in the early stages of building the first resort hotel in Cancun. Worldly know-it-alls that we were, we laughed at the Mexican government's naiveté to think people would go all that way to a resort. So we went back last year to eat our humble pie. We stayed in the newly opened Riu Playacar. -- all inclusive, 5 star and all that luxury. (we went there because they had a special opening price for December) The rooms were immaculate, the staff was attentive and charming and the endless food was comparable to our cruise experience. We could lounge on the beach and watch swimmers, parasailers, windsurfers, pelicans, and an assortment of boats and cruise ships between our beach and distantly outlined Cozumel. The Riu is Spanish-owned. We found the larger proportion of the tourists was from Europe and we struck up some interesting "ships that pass in the night" friendships. You can taxi back and forth the ten-minute ride into the little town of Playa to shop for souvenirs or take the ferry to Cozumel. But we chose to walk the forty-five minute walk to the town along the paved walkway past the other resorts along the oceanfront. You can take tours to Chichen Itsa, Uxmal, Tulum, Coban, and many other archaeological sites. You can snorkel and dive in the ocean rivers and cenotes. You can take bus tours or rent a car or a bike. It's a wonderful place to go, especially for the first time. Having said that, we have to admit the choice of activities was somewhat overwhelming for a couple of seniors. We are past the stage where we could take full advantage of all the amenities, activities and unlimited booze this type of resort offers. All we wallowed in was the two large freeform pools, the warm ocean, and the food. Every night there was a performance in the semi-outdoor theater. Some entertainment by the staff and some by professional performers. In the afternoons there was Bingo, translated into Spanish, German and Swedish. And target shooting on the beach. And organized activities in the children's playground. We spent much of our time around the pools, listening to Mexican folk music alternating with disco, content to watch the aquasizers and the pool volleyball, and the dance lessons going on between the pools. On the beach, we amused ourselves watching the antics of cute topless young women, and macho fat-gutted middle-aged men flaunting their flabby assets bulging out of thong bathing trunks. We were impressed at the sensible lack of vanity of topless big-boobed European women sunning themselves in comfortable abandon. For us personally, although we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we really didn't make the most of what was offered us. Our adult children would have had a ball there. So, for people who want to dance up to their ankles in sand at beach barbecues, take Latin dance lessons by the pool (and maybe show off and participate on the entertainment stage in the evening), work out in water and on the beach, dive and snorkel, windsurf, parasail, eat and drink all day, play golf next door, and climb up pyramids in 90 degree heat to see spectacular views, it's a great place to go and be a tourist and I heartily recommend it. As for us, remembering our first trip along this coast, back in the days when we were travelers, not tourists, we miss the adventure it used to be. But I must confess I am now at the stage where, no way, would you get me to spend a week driving along a swampy, mosquito infested jungle road and sleep on the roadside in a low van furnished with a bed and a hassock that turns into a portapotti. This time I was very happy to find the beautiful Riu Playacar waiting for me at the end of the road. . ~Daphne Wilson |
This page was last updated on: 28/1/02
