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Baja Amigos
Chetumal Caribbean camping
Very scenic ruins in Tulum
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Baja Amigos
Chetumal Caribbean camping
We enjoyed seeing Playa del Carmen
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Baja Amigos
Chetumal Caribbean camping
Sunrise in Paa Mal on the Caribbean
Baja Amigos
February 11, 2016 – Our four days in Cancun were interesting, with some shopping, site seeing, eating out and more. On our arrival it was hot and humid, not so good for sleeping, better for drinking cold beverages. That did not last long and before you knew it we had clouds, rain and highs in the mid-20s C - 70s F). The Mecoloco campground was across the road from the ocean but no access to the beach. However there was access about a block away. Given the unsettled weather no one was that interested in water sports or hanging at the beach. Our first full day we did an excursion to the Hotel Zone located on a strip of land, originally an island with 3 residents, ocean on one side, large lagoon (yes full of crocodiles) on the other. There are actually two Cancuns. Mexico tourism thru FONATUR (National Fund for Tourism Development) started the tourist Cancun in the early 1970s and soon after the City of Cancun to support the tourist zone. Today Ciudad Cancun is over 500,000 people and the Hotel Zone connected at both ends can accommodate more than 100,000 occupants on any day. Our drive thru the Hotel Zone included a stop at the tourist market which including very intense sales by the vendors. Happily I was successful in getting a sticker and a tank top at a reasonable price.
The next couple of days we went in the town to the regular market area, much more relaxed, better prices and no pushy sales people. We had lunch, looked around, some did some banking and made a few purchases. We also found laundry services (12 pesos per kilo) close by and an Agua Purificada (water station) where we refill all our empty bottles. Rafael and Anita were also in need of a dentist and we also got that taken care of, also just down the road, how handy is that eh. In the mean time we did manage to have a couple of Happy Hours, not that we needed any special event to make us happy, lounging in the tropics usually manages to accomplish that in early February all by itself. For those that returned to town the second time the shopping was much more focused, Lisa on fabric for an ongoing project, Kelly for wine & water, others on other items. Later in the afternoon most headed over to Isla Mujeres for the afternoon for a look around. Our final evening at the campground (Saturday night) saw a couple of parties in the Cabanas and a Mayan Ceremony in the sweat lodge right next to Mike & Kelly’s trailer that started at about sunset and ended approximately at sunrise. Many in our group can still hear the drumming 24 hours later. I forgot to mention that this campground was part of a Mayan Archeological Site that included some small ruins, the much larger site, including Pyramid was right next door that included a 50 Peso entry fee.
Sunday morning we were southbound to the Mayan Riviera took look at 3 potential camping spots for 3 or 4 days. We had been in contact with 2 possible locations, who both confirmed they had room for all 6 RVs. One location was $300 pesos per day, the other $47.25 USD or $850 per day. When we arrived we parked at the PEMEX across the street and Rafael, Eileen and I went to see what was what. Campground 1 that we had not talked to) was a no go, just no room. Campground 2 ($300 pesos per night) had 8 RVs already and the layout was problematic to say the least so we decided on the expensive option Paa Mal RV Park. In many ways this park reminds me of Loreto Shores, expensive with the real focus on permanentes. With 200 sites, only about 20 or so remained for travelling RVs, the rest were occupied by full time residents who had built palapas around their motorhomes, travel trailers and 5th wheels. So far on this tour we have found the camping fees to be less than on Baja, Isla Aguada and Paa Mal are the exception. Not surprising that the waterfront had been occupied by permanent structures years ago, appears a low rise hotel was added not too long ago as well. The actual RV sites that were available were OK, 30 amps, fairly level, in a rack and pack fashion. The washroom available was brutal, the women’s was closed, the men’s should have been closed, and they must clean them once or twice a year. The good news was the folks we met were friendly, the beach very attractive and swimmable, a pool and restaurant that included much cleaner washrooms. I used the outside pool shower to wash my hair and soap down, I left my bathing suit on given the onlookers poolside and in the restaurant.
Just one more negative to mention, Wi-Fi was available, but only to those staying in the hotel or cabanas, no access to the internet even for an extra fee. We checked out the restaurant for dinner; the food was good, beer cold and reasonably priced.
Day 2 in Paa Mal saw many in the group take a collective to a beach further south where they could swim with turtles and rays in the sea grass. Lisa and I headed to the beach at the park with Mike & Kelly, did some swimming and paddle boarding, the sun was out most of the time with some breeze. Day 3 we started with breakfast at the restaurant then we drove into Playa del Carmen. Eileen & Rafael met her Sister & Husband were had following for a vacation, the rest of the gang just walked about and took in the sites. Lisa and I had never been anywhere on this coast so all was new. We found a small local eatery a few blocks from the tourist zone, lots of Mexicans, not many locals, very reasonable, well under 200 pesos for the two of us. Day 4 in Paa Mal many of us headed to Tulum, the Mayan Archeological site on the Caribbean, one of what is referred to as the “Big 4” (Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Tulum and Palenque). Although the site was very scenic and manicured (it seemed like a golf course) I was underwhelmed in general. Good news was no merchants on the site itself and I did find a bumper sticker thanks to Mike. Back to the RV Park for some sun, swimming and fun.