Our audience is highly targeted, consisting of motivated US and Canadian travelers with immediate plans to visit Playa del Carmen (18% of our readership book hotels and airline tickets within 24 hours of visiting our site).

Hotel operators will find it easier to gain visibility than on online booking engines as Expedia and Orbitz. For other types of businesses, SeePlaya gives you an alternative to local advertising and walk-in traffic that will bring customers who actively seek you out during their trip.

Traffic Information

• Over 15,000 unique visitors per month
• 97% from U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom
• The average reader stays nearly 6 minutes on our site
• 14% of readers are repeat visitors

To receive a rate card, please inquire at info@seeplaya.com.

Location

The Riu Palace is located in Playacar, about a 20 minute walk (or a 5 minute cab ride) from the shopping area on the end of 5th. If you walk for 10-15 minutes further down 5th Avenida, you'll reach the downtown party scene which is highly recommended if you'd like a change of pace from the packaged entertainment you'll find at the resort. Late at night, you should take a cab back as you'll walk through some dark side streets to reach the resort.

Common Grounds and Beach

When you enter the Riu Palace for the first time, you might be shocked at how beautiful and stunning it all is. The grounds are immaculate and the lobby is decked out with beautiful chandeliers, art, and woodwork. It truly feels like you've entered a vast palace and as the Riu has 434 rooms, in a sense you have.

The lobby opens out into a sprawling courtyard which is lined with fountains, palm trees, and garden greenery. The majesty of the grounds is hard to believe unless you see it (take a look through our photos to get an idea).

It's a healthy walk out to the beach and pool area. The pool area is well maintained and you can, of course, get drinks served to you while you swim. Of course, some people prefer the beach area which is usually gorgeous and well-maintained, but we have heard reports that it can occasionally become a bit of a mess, especially after rain storms. There are two things to watch out for. The first are peddlers - the Riu Palace is located in Playacar and the locals know that well-off Americans often stay here. Expect to be solicited to buy things many, many times while out on the beach. The second thing to be aware of is that the beach area is owned by the Federal government and topless sunbathing is allowed. Watch out if you have kids.

Rooms

The rooms are clean and immaculately maintained and there are few complaints (as should be expected from a resort in this price range). There is always good water pressure and plenty of hot water, but be aware that the water isn't suitable for drinking or brushing your teeth. You should always use bottled water for these purposes. Also, the beds are very hard here, but you can always request a mattress pad for no extra charge.

Service

The Riu Palace has a reputation for great service. The staff will bend over backwards to accomodate your every need. Tipping is graciously and discretely accepted, but it isn't pushed upon anyone.

Food and Liquor

One advantage the all-inclusives have over the hotels in town is the wide variety of top-notch food you can enjoy, all of it included in your nightly rate. The Riu Palace provides the best culinary choices perhaps of any all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen, boasting eight restaurants to choose from. Among them are Brazilian, Japanese, French, Mexican, as well as a steakhouse. The restaurants typically offer expensive dishes once a week, including lobster and proscuitto.

In contrast to the wonderful dining options is a poor selection of alcoholic beverages. You'll be forced to choose from a selection of inferior wines, Corona, and weak mixed drinks. This is not a slight on the Riu Palace, however. It is unfortunately common practice in Mexico for all resorts to serve a limited selection of weak alcohol in order to keep costs down. The only solution for this is to take a trip into town and visit some of the many fine bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.

Entertainment

The Riu Palace offers four bars, including a piano and sports bar. There are plenty of activities to keep guests and their families happy, including ping poing, crafts, scuba lessons, wind surfing, volleyball, bingo, and so on. They also offer nightly bands and shows which wind down around 11pm.

There is also a gym which can be used by any guest, however it is small and there isn't a lot of equipment. You will find it very crowded between 5 and 7pm (it closes at 8).

Who Will Like It

The Riu Palace, as wonderful as it is, isn't for everyone. Those looking for a worry-free vacation where someone else takes care of all the details will enjoy it, especially if they have young children and don't mind the pricey nightly rate. On the other hand, those looking to experience Playa's vibrant nightlife will probably be bored after a few days here and would be better off staying in a downtown hotel instead.

Traveller Tip

If you're looking for a quieter experience, request a room on the Riu Yucatan side of the hotel.

Caribbean beaches are some of the hottest places in the world and your skin is going to be exposed to both the sun as well as the gaze of your fellow travellers, so it's definitely worth the time spent getting ready for a change in climate.

Get some self-tanning location from the pharmacy. A few days before you leave, apply it according to the directions; twice a day for two to three days is usually enough. Be careful of the elbows, knees and ankles so they don't get extra dark and streak, and moisturize heavily before applying. You will be as brown as you want when you hit the beach, but you should still wear sunscreen.

Northern climates give a lot of people rough elbows. Smooth those rough spots out with an alpha-hydroxy lotion and a thick cream containing wax or paraffin. Rubbing vaseline on your elbows right after taking a shower for a few days is quite effective as well.

Do not go to a tanning booth -- you can get severe sun damage that will eventually show up on your skin. While this makes great business for a dermatologist in your future, it is not in your best interest.

Get your supplies at home

Beach supplies in Playa can be as expensive as water in the desert. Sun tan lotion costs upwards of $18 a bottle and they're now selling aspirin in packets of two for $3 to clueless tourists who forgot to plan ahead. Why needlessly waste money when you can buy these things at home and bring them with you?

Stock up on the following:

• Sun tan lotion
• Aloe Vera lotion (you'll need lots of this)
• Band aids
• Cold medicine
• Insect repellent
• Aspirin
• Motion sickness tablets (especially if you plan on going boating)
• Antibacterial handsoap
• Lip balm with sunscreen

For the truly prepared, the following should be kept in a beachbag in case of jellyfish sting (see below):

• Meat tenderizer paste
• vinegar
• baking soda
• rubber gloves
• tweezers
• hydrocortizone cream (this is actually quite inexpensive at the local pharmacies)

Don't forget these common items for the kids:

• 2 swimsuits per child
• 2 towels per child (one will always be wet)
• Beach toys: frisbee, paddle ball, football, crayons, travel games
• Baby powder
• Baby sunscreen
• Baby wipes
• Diaper rash ointment

Beach Goods:

• Cooler (optional with adults, but nice to have if travelling with kids)
• Inflatable Beach ball
• Inflatable floating lounge chairs - great to have if you're staying in a quiet hotel
• Boogie Boards - these are a lot of fun in Playa. They are especially cheap at home but expensive to rent.
• Inflatable Party Lounges - hang out with a few friends in the ocean.
• Towables - these inflatable tubes hold up to 3 people and are meant to be towed through the water. Lots of fun if you plan on renting a boat.

Make sure you pack all sun-tan lotions and other gels in your check-in luggage. US regulations prohibit carrying more than 3 ounces of liquids in carry-ons and airport security will throw them away if they find them (which is pretty likely).

Know the Dangers

Now the chances are you are going to have an absolutely incident free vacation, but it's good to be aware of the possible dangers that you can face on Mexican beaches.

Debris on Beaches

The better beaches in Playa are raked clean every morning, but because they are owned by the Federal government, the local hotels don't always take care of them like they should. Check your beach area carefully for rocks, garbage, glass, and sometimes metal rods sticking out of the sand. If you find anything, let the hotel staff know about it and insist they remove it if it presents a danger. (This is especially true if you have small children running around)

Beach Flags

Mexico beaches have a flagging system to indicate the current safety conditions on each section of the beach, based on weather, tides, wave height, and water quality.

A black flag is the highest warning level - it indicates dangerous conditions and you should not enter the water under any conditions. The other flags you may see are:

Red Flag - Dangerous conditions, swim with extreme caution

Yellow Flag - No immediate danger, but use caution while swimming.

Green Flag - Water conditions are safe and swimming is ok.

You may see others swimming even when the flags indicate it is not safe to do so. Do not join them - chances are they are unaware of the meaning of the flags.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are a relatively common aquatic creature in Playa. They are easy to spot and avoid in the water, but you should also stay clear of jellyfish on land, jellyfish parts, or dead-looking jellyfish, as their poison can still be potent.

Jellyfish stings can cause mild discomfort and skin irritation, to severe pain and swelling and/or lesions of the skin, with a vague feeling of sickness, to a life-threatening condition. Jellyfish reactions depend upon a number of factors, such as when and where the sting occurred, the type and size of the jellyfish itself, and one's own natural immunity.

If a trained lifeguard is available, s/he'll know the protocol and have treatment on hand. When you're on your own, get the stung person out of the water and make sure the affected area is as still as possible. Before the jellyfish's tentacles are removed from the body, its stinging capsules, a.k.a. the nematocysts, located at the tips, need to be inactivated. This is important to do in order to prevent further release of the jellyfish's toxin. To help accomplish this, thoroughly rinse the affected region with vinegar (preferably) or seawater.

Myth Alert: Urinating on jellyfish stings doesn't help and can actually make the sting worse. It's also embarassing - don't do it!

Next, carefully and completely remove the jellyfish's tentacles with protective gloves, tweezers, or another object, such as a shell, while avoiding direct contact with the jellyfish. Then, the stung skin needs to be liberally covered with vinegar or a paste of baking soda or unseasoned meat tenderizer (or seawater if none of these substances is available), for at least 30 minutes or until symptoms improve. If you use meat tenderizer paste, an item some people in high jellyfish areas carry in their beach bags, apply it for no more than 15 minutes. This also helps inactivate any remaining venom.

If the affected skin has open sores, clean the area, treat it with antibiotic ointment, and cover the skin, several times a day, until it's healed. If itchiness continues, apply 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and/or take an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine. For pain relief, taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen, applying an ice pack to the area, and/or using a topical anesthetic, such as benzocaine or lidocaine hydrochloride, can help.

Have the stung person see a medical provider right away if the victim experiences weakness, headaches, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, chest pain, or any other sign of allergic reaction.

Of course, you are paying for the privilege. If instead you book through a discount site, you will pay between 30-50% less, but you won't have nearly as much recourse should something go wrong. And if you need to change hotels or your travel dates, you will be subject to heavy penalties.

The idea is simple: purchase your vacation through discounted sites and invest part of the savings in travel insurance. If you save 40% on airfare and lodging and invest 5% back into travel insurance, you're 35% ahead. That could be hundreds of dollars on a one-week vacation. (Note: If you're unclear on how this works, see our step-by-step guide for complete instructions).

Not only will you save money, you are ensured that your overall trip cost isn't going to unexpectedly grow out of control.

Trip Cancellations and Interruptions Are Covered

In our experience, we experience a change in travel plans about one in every three trips. For instance, on the last dozen or so trips, all of the following have happened to us:

• We arrived late at the airport and missed our flight. We were charged $380 to get a seat on the next flight.
• We missed the connecting flight because of bad weather and had to stay at a hotel overnight.
• We wanted to stay an extra day, but couldn't because the airline wants to charge us $500 for the last-minute change
• Our luggage arrived 24 hours after we did, so we had to buy extra clothes and toiletries.
• We had to cancel our trip completely and lost our non-refundable fare.

Travel insurance covered us in all of these situations (except in the third case... we admit it, we don't always get insurance). Most airlines charge $100 + the difference in fares, so a single incident like these will pay for several trips worth of travel insurance.

Other Advantages

A reputable supplier of travel insurance will also cover costs associated with lost passports, emergency prescriptions, cancellation fees due to illness, hotel closures due to storm or terrorist activity, and even bankruptcy. If anything goes wrong on your trip, you have a phone number you can call 24 hours a day to get help.

Cost

Travel Insurance is very inexpensive. It starts at around $30 and goes up depending on the length of your trip, where you are going, and other factors. A good rule of thumb is that travel insurance tends to run no more than about 5% of your total vacation cost, so a $3,000 vacation will require no more than $150 of insurance (and if you're in that ballpark, you could get an annual policy for just a little more ... well worth it).

Suppliers

There are a number of travel insurance suppliers. Travel Guard writes about 6 million policies a year and it's who we use on our personal trips. If you want to shop around, Travel Insurance Center has an automated quote tool that will give you quotes from a number of different carriers.

• Call from the hotel room
• Telephone from the hotel room using your credit card
• Use an Internet phone service
• Use a discount calling service
• Dial from your cell phone
• Use a pre-paid calling card

Let's run down typical costs for each:

Call from the hotel room

Don't dial direct from your hotel room - that's the first lesson for any visitor to the Riviera Maya. A quick call can cost you $25 or more. Local calls are offered from $1 each, but long-distance is a different story. Expect to pay between $3 and $10 per minute for an international call back to the US, or even more to other countries. A 20 minute call could easily end up costing you over $200.

Since many US based phone services offer international service, it can work out great to have people call you at your hotel - but be sure to check to make sure you won't be charged for incoming calls first.

Dial using your credit card

Credit cards are usually less expensive than the hotel phone rates, but you'll generally get hit with hidden fees. In addition to your per-minute rate (which ranges from $.75 - $3.00 depending on the card), you'll also pay a connection fee from your hotel, international tax, and possibly an additional connection fee from your credit card company. You'll also pay any interest charges (9-15% annual) if you don't pay your balance off by your billing date. In the end, you'll save money over using your room phone, but you'll still pay a hefty premium.

Internet phone service

Using an internet phone service such as Skype is absolutely your cheapest bet, but you most likely will not find an internet connection in Mexico that is fast enough to support it. The best place to find a high-speed internet connection is one of the many local internet cafes. The cost is only about 60 pesos ($6 US) per hour, so it's extremely affordable. Unfortunately most will not allow you to connect your own computer equipment and you'll probably not want to lug your laptop around 5th Avenida in 90 degree heat anyway.

Discount Calling Services

Don't be fooled by stickers you'll see around town advertising discounted calls to US. Despite what they claim, they usually charge exorbitant rates, connection fees, and additional fees for collect or third-party calls. These services can end up being comparable to the price you would pay using your credit card or calling from your hotel room.

Cell Phone

What could be more convenient than using your own cell phone? Coverage has gotten better in Playa over the past few years and more than half of the town gets good reception now. Believe it or not, you can get pretty good prices if you plan ahead.

First, call your cell phone company and tell them that you would to have international calling added to your plan. The way these plans work is that you pay a flat monthly fee in exchange for a reduced per minute charge. For instance, Cingular charges $5.99 a month, and in exchange your rate drops from $.30 per minute to only 6 cents. That pays for itself if you make more than 24 minutes of international calls within the month. Remember to cancel the plan when you get back - if you forget, you can end up paying this fee month after month, which defeats the purpose.

6 cents a minute sounds too good to be true, and of course, it is. We pulled out our phone bill from our last Playa trip and here are how are charges looked on a per-minute basis:

International call charge - $.06
International tax - $.08
Roaming charge - $.59
Total: $.73/minute (+ $5.99 for the month)

Ok, so $.73/minute isn't so bad, but it certainly isn't the $.06/minute that they led us to believe it would be. To be fair, most of that money ($.59/minute) went to the local Mexican cellular carrier, but this example shows you that you can end up paying more than ten times what you thought you would if you simply believed everyone's advertising hype.

Pre-paid calling cards

Your best option is to buy a pre-paid phone card and make all phone calls from it. Even then, it's best to call from the hotel lobby or a public phone to ensure you won't pay a connection fee, which is common in Mexico even for toll free calls.

The advantages to having a good pre-paid card are numerous. They will work at any pay phone, you avoid roaming and connection charges, and you have a backup for when your cell phone battery dies at just the wrong time. You also know exactly how much you are spending ahead of time, so there won't be any unexpected surprises later.

Smart travellers know all this and so the phone card industry has become big business, especially in Mexico. As a result, many phone card companies have sprung up to fill the need. Buyer beware - a quick google search will turn up thousands of calling card sites advertising 5 cent/minute rates to Mexico. Don't believe it. Generally, these phone cards work in only a few places in Mexico and you will not be able to connect with most of them from Playa. Most will charge hidden connection fees ($.89 per call is typical) as well.

The absolute best phone card to use is the one offered by Mexico's telephone company, TelMex. The Telmex Traveler card works everywhere in Mexico and there are no connection fees or hidden charges. The price is $.50 US (5 Mexican Pesos) per minute to anywhere in the US or Canada. Do not be fooled by other companies' flashy advertisements - this is the absolute cheapest rate you can get.

It's a good idea to purchase a few $20 cards before you ever cross the border. Each card gets you 40 minutes of connection time which can be used not just from Playa, but also from the Cancun airport or anywhere else in Mexico. Also, many local stores do not carry the TelMex card and will try to convince you that all calling cards are the same. The reality is that the stores get paid more for selling competing cards (that's where those hidden connection fees end up).

To use the Telmex card, you call a toll free number and enter your PIN #. You then dial your number as usual to connect. The toll free number works from any phone in Mexico.

You can purchase the Telmex Traveler Phone card here. You will receive your PIN via email in just a few minutes.

Process for Getting a US Passport:

You will need to get a new passport if one of the following is true:

• You have never had a passport.
• Your passport has been expired for more than 5 years.
• Your passport is damaged or mutilated.
• You were a minor (under age 16) when your U.S. passport was issued and are now over 16 years of age

There are two ways to get a new passport:

If you do not need a passport for at least 90 days:

To obtain a passport, you need to go in person to a passport acceptance facilities with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. The entire process should take less than 4-6 hours.

You will need to download and complete this form. Do not sign this form until you are in the presence of a passport official.

You will need an official birth certificate (with raised seal), Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.

If you do not have the above, there are a number of alternative forms of documentation that may be acceptable, but as the requirements are currently in flux, you should consult with the passport office to determine this.

You will also need proof of identity, such as a state issued driver's license or a previous passport (damaged is acceptable).

Finally, you will need two identical, recent 2"x2" photos of yourself.

Total fees are $97 for adults, and $82 for minors under the age of 14. If you require expedited service (ie: you require a passport within 3 months), you will need to pay an additional fee of $60, and you may also need to pay an additional fee for overnight service (strongly recommended)

If you need a passport quickly:

You should work with a commercial passport agency to expedite your order. You will pay about $100 over and above the necessary government fees if you can wait between 4 days and 2 weeks. If you need emergency turnaround (48 hours), expect to pay about $150 over the standard government fees. You can get same-day service in a few major US cities, but it will be very expensive if you can get it at all.

The price you pay for a commercial service is well worth it. Not only do you get your passport quickly, the firm will review your application to ensure everything is in order. They also hand-deliver it to the US passport agency so you don't have to stand in line. It's one less thing you need to worry about.

Quick recommendation: we use a company called Official Travel Documents for our families and employees. They provide online passport services and have provided headache-free service to us in the past.

Joshua Hinsdale has written an excellent travel guide devoted to the Riviera Maya, at least for those looking for something more substantial than the nod most guide books give to the regional towns surrounding Cancun. This well-written book devotes a full 78 pages exclusively to Playa del Carmen and includes coverage of hotels, shops, ruins, nightlife. There are plenty of pictures to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there, as well as lots of gray sidebar articles full of fascinating information which will enrich your enjoyment of the region. While this is by far the best and most comprehensive print guide to Playa del Carmen, it still falls short in some areas. The hotel reviews are short and non-descript and probably won't be of much help in choosing a place to stay. The restaurants section is somewhat out-of-date (for instance, the Beer Bucket is listed as a restaurant and has the wrong address) and the guide is conspicuously missing some newer gems, such as Tango Taco. Despite these shortcomings, this is by far the best print guide to Playa you can purchase.

Let's Go Mexico on a Budget

This tomb of a book has an incredible amount of information, but sadly, only 5 pages focus on Playa del Carmen. The reviews are short and limited to only the most touristy places. Not a bad buy if you are exploring more of Mexico than just Playa del Carmen.

Frommer's Mexico 2007

The Frommers guides are perhaps the most well-known and reliable guide books available. However, the 2007 edition of their Mexico guide contains only 12 pages on Playa. There is some good, but short, general information about such topics as driving to Playa from Cancun, as well as tips that first-time visitors will definitely find helpful (including "avoid timeshare salespeople"). The reviews are good, but unfortunately there are only 8 hotel and 10 restaurant reviews. Nightlife gets a mere nod, with only three clubs. This guide is geared more towards casual tourists who are just passing through.

Fodor's - Cancun, Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula 2007

The Fodor's series is well-known and readily available at most bookstores. However, we recommend you pass on this one. It devotes only 9 pages to Playa and as can be imagined, there is little of value to be found in so few pages. The reviews include 13 restaurants, 24 hotels, and 8 bars, most with little more than just a single sentence. Curiously, the book devotes an entire page to XCaret eco-adventure park. Can you say "paid placement"? Leave this on the shelf for the next guy.

Hidden Cancun & The Yucatan

Whether you already have a good idea of where you want to stay, or whether you’re one of the few who are starting from scratch with nothing more than the idea of visiting Mexico, you’re in luck. We’ve brought together reams of relevant information for you, including this guide to saving money on hotel bookings written by a former travel industry executive.

All travel sites operate in basically the same way:

• Advertise heavily to get you to come to their site
• Give you hotel reviews and availability
• Heavily promote all-inclusive resorts (because they make the most money)
• Book your reservation and charge the hotel operators a commission

However, as in most things, the devil’s in the details. Each site has a twist that you should be aware of before you book:

• Orbitz – is owned by a major airline group and consequently has the highest prices in town. However, they also have the best customer service. For the extra money, you’ll get lots of special features, travel reminders, and of course, 24/7 customer service. Orbitz pushes primarily all-inclusive resorts.
• Hotels.com – as the name suggests, this is a premium site which focuses on hotels. They primarily push all-inclusives, but have a good selection of smaller hotels if you dig a little deeper into their search results.
• Expedia – Expedia was one of the first internet travel sites, and is known for having some of the lowest prices around. They heavily promote the all-inclusives, and while they do promote some smaller hotels, you may have a hard time getting price quotes online.
• Travelocity – Travelocity is a direct competitor to Expedia, and the same description applies.
• Priceline – Priceline lets you name your dates and price range, and they choose the hotel for you. You can get some incredible deals if your plans are flexible.
• Hotwire – This site specializes in last-minute travel. Again, you name the dates and price range, and they will pick the hotel for you.
• CheapTickets – Cheaptickets searches the inventory of the other major travel sites. There are often great deals here, so it’s worth checking out. The customer service is generally not as good, however.
• Kayak – Kayak searches a number of smaller sites (many of which you have probably never heard of) and displays their results on a single page. This is a terrific site if you don’t mind buying from a smaller company.
• SeePlaya – We have partnered with a small Mexican company that provides reservation services with many smaller hotels. The prices are very low (often 50% of what you can find elsewhere) but you should be aware that customer service is quite limited. Because this company does little more than place your reservation for you, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance (see below).

Why Prices Vary So Much

Ultimately, your reservation ends up at the same place – the hotel. Regardless of where you book your stay, the hotel generally makes the same amount. So many people are surprised to find out how much difference in price there is across sites. It’s not unusual to find rates that vary by as much as $200 or more per night. Why is this?

The primary reason for this is because some sites advertise very little, while others spend millions in promotion (the cost for this is passed on to you). Another reason is that the more expensive sites generally provide better customer service than the discount sites.

Is It Worth Paying More at a Premium Site?

There can be several advantages to spending more at a larger site. Generally, you will have fewer restrictions on your booking. This means that you’re covered if something unexpected occurs and you may have lower cancellation fees. It also means that you’ll have access to more responsive customer support if something goes wrong.

The cost for these privileges can be high… as much as 50% of your nightly rate. Fortunately, there's an alternative.

Travel Insurance – The Great Equalizer

If you want to save money, but also want to be covered in case something goes wrong with your trip, you’re in luck. There is an entire industry built around this need: travel insurance.

For a low fee (about 5% of your trip cost), you receive protection against:

• Loss of non-refundable pre-payments if you need to cancel or change your plans
• Unexpected medical expenses that may not be covered by your health insurance
• Additional expenses for accommodations for travel delays
• Lost or stolen baggage

The protection you receive from one of these plans is far superior than that which you’ll receive through any travel site.

The idea here is simple: save 25% or more on your total trip, re-invest 5% of that in travel insurance, and keep the rest for yourself.

One of the major providers of travel insurance is TravelGuard (underwritten by AIG).

Be Careful of Back-End Service Fees

Here’s the low down on the travel industry’s dirtiest little secret: back-end fees.

You’ve spent hours researching and are ready to book the vacation of a lifetime. You are about to submit your order, when you’re hit with a bad case of sticker shock! The price is 25% higher than you thought! What gives?

In addition to the commission that the travel sites charge hotel operators, they also tack on a fee at the last step of the order process. By this point, most people are so committed to their order that they go ahead and order anyway. The fees typically range from 15-25%. Part of this covers local taxes (about 13%) while the rest is pure profit. This is the money you pay to book your trip through that site.

All of the sites do this, so there’s little you can do about it other than be a better shopper. The important thing to realize is that at the end of the day, you are simply placing a reservation at the hotel itself, and there are plenty of sites to choose from to do that.

Step 2: Choose Your Top Hotel Picks Before You Shop

Most people wouldn’t go into an auto dealership without having some kind of idea of what kind of car they want to buy. Doing so would leave them vulnerable to being price-gouged.

Yet, most people are trained to do this when buying a high-priced vacation online. They log on to their favorite travel site and take their pick from whatever hotels are recommended to them (this is why the high-priced all-inclusives are always presented first on nearly every travel site!).

Doing things backwards like this can cost you dearly, so take our advice: do you research and pick a few hotels you like before ever start shopping.

We’ve organized this site to make this step easy. There are two ways to do this. If you have no special requirements, start by clicking on the hotel reviews along the left-hand side of every page.

The second way allows you to customize your parameters. Here’s how:

1. Go to our advanced hotel search page
2. Select your travel dates
3. Select only the SeePlaya checkbox at this time.
4. Enter your amenities and desired atmosphere. This will allow us to make better hotel recommendations.
5. Click on the “Read Review” links to see our hotel articles, taking care to note any problem areas as well as the photos.

For this first research step, it's only necessary to check the "SeePlaya" checkbox.

We’ve personally visited each property, so take advantage of our research. This is not your standard hotel fluff brochure – you’ll find both the good and bad here, so read carefully!

Step 3: Comparison Shopping – The Quick and Easy Way

Armed with your top hotel picks, it’s time to proceed to the final step of comparison shopping. This step takes most people the better part of a day to complete, but if you’ve been following along so far, you’ll be done in no time.

First, print out this hotel comparison worksheet. This is one of the times that it pays to be organized and this will be where you keep your notes.

With your worksheet printed out, proceed to our advanced hotel search and get ready for some power-shopping. What this page does is submit all of your information once to every site and opens the search results in new windows. You only have to enter your information once, and the other pages will load in the background … no more waiting!

Print out this worksheet to make short work of comparison shopping

Once you're there, following these instructions:

• Check the boxes next to the travel sites you’re interested in searching. You can search up to five at a time.
• Turn your popup blocker off (either add us to your “allowed sites” list, or in Internet Explorer: go to Tools->Popup Blocker->Turn Off Popup Blocker). We are a safe site – we will never serve unwanted popups to you.
• Press “go” and each of the sites will load up their hotel inventory in a new window. This can take up to 60 seconds depending on the speed of your connection.
• On each page, look for one of your three hotels. If you find it, enter the relevant information on your worksheet. For the most accurate pricing, you may need to proceed to the checkout page in order to reveal the back-end fees. You may also want to factor in about a 5% fee for travel insurance if you choose to go with a smaller website.
• When you’re done, return the advanced hotel search page and repeat the process for the other search engines you would like to search.

For this step, you'll check off up to five travel sites to search at once.

This whole process should take less than 20 minutes. When you’re done you’ll have a grid that has all of the information you need to make a well-informed decision.

Congratulations! You’re now a “Playa Insider”!

Editor’s Note: Did this article help you save money? Please let us know at info@seeplaya.com.

This and Bali are two of the hottest places to be after 11pm. You should expect a long line, an expensive cover charge, and a big crowd. Santanera attracts mainly young visitors from all over the globe, so come prepared to meet people and have fun!

The coolest time of year falls between November and January. During these months the daytime temperatures are very comfortable and warm, but the air tends to cool off at night. There is some rain, but not constant or overwhelming.

From February to May the weather is at its most pleasant. The sea is calm for swimming and there is very little rain. Flowers come out to bloom and tourists arrive in droves.

From June to August the weather becomes very hot. The sea is calm and the air warm even through the night. The sun can be very powerful at this time of year so wearing a hat to shield from its rays may be a good idea. There may be storms from time to time at this time of year, but usually the afternoon thunderstorms don’t last. There are sometimes torrential downpours late at night which come and go very quickly.

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin (which accounts for hurricanes on the Caribbean shore of Mexico) starts June 1 and ends November 30. Maximum activity is between August and October, with the peak activity generally being in early to mid September (as determined by the U.S. National Hurricane Center). A hurricane or tropical storm can occur anytime in this period--Emily occurred in July 2005 and Wilma in October 2005. The 2005 hurricane season was the worst in 154 years. However, it was an anomaly and is not expected to be repeated soon. The vast majority of hurricanes do not make landfall. The majority of those that do reach land strike the coast north of Playa del Carmen but in any case, travelers visiting Playa at this time of year should keep a close watch on the storm warnings and consider travel insurance just to be safe.

Tropical storms can occur during the same time period. Tropical storms are substantially smaller and less intense than hurricanes. They usually do not cause much damage but simply bring wind and heavy rains over the span of a few days. Regular rain storms during the same period (Playa's "rainy season") are usually of short duration. They may cool things off for a few hours, but soon the temperatures rise and the sun comes out again.

A note on using credit cards: If you plan to use your credit card while in Mexico, it is a good idea to inform your credit card company before you travel. Many credit card companies will freeze activity on a credit card if unexpected foreign transactions begin showing up.

For medical emergencies dial 065 from any public phone. This number will connect you to the Red Cross emergency service that will send a free ambulance.

Prescription Refills

It is generally very easy to get refills of most prescription drugs in Playa. There are pharmacies on nearly every block of 5th Avenida. They can look up the name of your drug and provide you with brand name or generic refills. You do not need a prescription for medical drugs (narcotics are illegal and can not be purchased, however). The best pharmacy in the city is located in the local Walmart. Not only do they carry more brands in stock, they are generally cheaper than anywhere else in town.

Let's start with some generalizations and then get into the details:

AIs are generally good if ...

You don't want to do much planning. They are generally higher priced than hotels because you are getting all meals, activities, and alcohol included. However, the food and activity choices can get tiresome, and the liquor is almost always heavily watered down.

Hotels are generally good if ...

You are a little more adventuresome. You will pay less on average but will need to make arrangements for food, activities, and alcohol yourself. You will get a more authentic Mexican experience, but the quality can range anywhere from luxury to "dump".

Now let's get into the details.

Food

Obviously, meals are included at AIs while they are extra for those staying in hotels. AIs generally have limited choices and unless you go for the very expensive resorts, the quality of the food can range from very good to almost inedible.Most AIs have a main dining room where meals are served buffet style and a small choice of "ala carte" restaurants on-site available for little or no extra charge. Reservations are usually required for the ala carte restaurants and can be difficult to get. It is not unusual for those who stay at AIs to report that they get tired of the food choices by the end of their stay.

On the other hand, most Playa hotels have limited menus, meaning you'll either have to go grocery shopping at the local Walmart or eat out at the surrounding restaurants. The quality and prices of the restaurants is all over the place ... but our recommendations will help you quickly find the best ones.

Drinks

All-inclusives include alcohol, which is one of their main selling points. This is unfortunately not as good of a deal as it sounds. In Mexico, the same brands of liquor are available in different "grades", where each grade carries a different level of alcohol. The liquor you find in the all-inclusives is generally of the lowest grade, meaning that you can generally drink all day and you won't feel anything. Some people might prefer this, but you should be aware that you are not getting any thing close to a "deal" when it comes to included drinks.

If you stay at hotels, you will generally purchase your drinks at local bars, restaurants, or the mini-bar. The prices for the liquor differs according to location, but you are generally assured of quality. If you really want to save money, take a trip over to Walmart and stock up on the cheapest liquor in town!

Activities

Most AIs have a variety of activities tailored to their clientele: sports, exercise classes, dance classes, arts and crafts, and games are common offerings. It is less common for hotels to have these available.

One problem with AI-sponsored activities is that these resorts tend to draw a very mixed crowd depending on the resort. We stayed at an AI once and were the youngest couple in a 50+ biker crowd. While there's nothing wrong with the biker crowd, we did feel feel out of place and had nowhere else to go because we were far outside of town. We've also heard of tourists accidentally ending up in very risque resorts, so be sure to do your research when staying at an AI, because you will generally spend most of your time there.

Family-friendly

Although parents should always know where their children are, the set-up of an AI may allow parents to give children more freedom than they would get in a hotel that has a lot of casual traffic. This can be a big plus for AIs when parents and children have different ideas of what activities they are interested in. Again, parents should never get too lax with their children's safety while on vacation.

Convenience

Many people like the convenience of not having to carry money to pay for meals and activities. This is a nice perk of AIs.

Rooms

There is a wide range of room quality at both AIs and hotels. If having a very nice room is important, you should make sure you do your research carefully. Don't make the mistake of thinking that an AI will automatically be nicer than your local hotel ... the quality of both varies greatly and there are many very nice hotels in Playa, just as there are a number of AIs which are real "dumps". Our reviews will go a long way here.

Cost

Although many believe that AIs are cheaper than hotels, this may vary depending on the vacationer and what kinds of activities they do while on vacation. Travelers who spend most of your time at the resort and partake in the free activities will probably find that an all-inclusive is the more economical choice. Vacationers who plan to take several tours and spend a lot of time outside the resort, will probably find that the hotel is the lower-cost alternative.

Still not sure? Here's a helpful rule of thumb: if you have read this far, it means you like to do your research and should almost certainly stay at a local hotel.

Off of the beaches you can also find in the town a number of gyms where you can get in some exercise, aerobics, weight training, yoga and more. The sports center, called the Unidad Deportiva in town, has facilities for those who would like to take in a game of tennis or shoot some hoops. The Playacar Golf Club is an all-inclusive golf resort where your green fee includes the cost of your food and beverages, both from the traveling refreshment carts and from the 19th Hole cafe after your round has finished

Tip #2: if you see something you like, don't buy it right away. Many of the stores have the same items and the prices are different in all of them. Shop around a little and don't consider purchasing anything until you've priced it out at least three places (or can't find it anywhere else).

Tip #3: Most stores do not price their items. You can ask the clerk and he'll quote some price (usually off the top of their head). You can easily talk them down 20-30% without breaking a sweat. Start by lowballing the price ... they expect you to do this and will make quite a fuss about it. Don't worry about hurting their feelings, they know that this is how the game is played, and they are certainly much better at you than it!

Tip #4: Don't fall in love with anything and be careful before spending too much. The quality of many items you buy in Playa is questionable, and you have no recourse should something break.

Tip #5: Beware of exchange rate scams when paying with US Dollars! Know the current exchange rate, as most shops will short change you. For instance, if the exchange rate is 11 to 1 and the shopkeeper insists on 10 to 1, you end up paying 10% more than you thought. Stick to your guns!

Last Tip: Finally, have fun! If you go shopping with the right attitude, it can be a fun part of your trip!

Related Articles:

Do you need to learn Spanish?

In the Yucatan today there are over 3,000 cenotes, with only about 1,400 of them actually studied and registered. Many of these cenotes are easily accessible to the public. Most are privately owned and there is a minimal fee (up to $10 US per person) for admission. In addition, many “adventure” or eco-tours offer cenote trips. The cenotes listed here are some of our own favorites.

Both are located on Highway 307 directly across from the Barceló Maya Resort, about 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Both have small signs near dirt roads that lead back to the cenotes. An admission fee is charged for each. Both cenotes are very large and can be quite deep. As the water is crystal clear, the snorkeling is very good. However, the sea life is very limited. Cristalino has a rock overhang from which the brave can jump into the waters below. Both places have a beautiful tropical jungle setting and both places are popular with locals as swimming holes. Snacks and restrooms are available.

In the same general location you will also find three other cenotes: Chikin Ha (Meaning "Water from the West" in Mayan), which is a group of three cenotes; Kantun Chi (Meaning "Snake over There" in Mayan) and Eden.

Cenote Angelita

This dive site is must do for advanced divers who are looking for something a little different. The name means "little angel" in English and there may not be a better way to describe this magical dive site. The setting is perfect as you walk a short distance through the jungle to the rather large hidden away cenote. To describe it simply this cenote does nothing else but go straight down 200 feet. Fresh water with unlimited visibility makes up the first one hundred feet and salt water the other half is separated by a mystical layer of hydrogen sulfate. This layer in the middle appears as a dense cloud from the top and strange colored hue from the bottom. Bring your dive lights, as you will need them if you are going to penetrate through to the bottom. There are not many dives in the world where you can dive in the clouds at 100 feet and see trees, but this is one. The deepest point of this cenote really is at 200 feet so go with the proper gasses in your tanks but more importantly the right guide showing you the best and safest dive possible. www.cenoteangelita.com

Gran Cenote

The Gran Cenote is one of the largest open air cenotes in the area. More the size of a small lake, it offers great swimming and snorkeling in clear water plus decks to sit on and of course the beauty of a tropical surrounding. The shallower areas lead through an open cave to a smaller jungle pool. Very pretty. Off Highway 307 on the turnoff to Cobá (near Tulum). Admission Fee. Snacks and restrooms. After a hot day or tour at Cobá, Gran Cenote is a great place to cool off. For information about this cenote, see www.grancenote.com.

Aktun Chen

A park featuring walking tours of an underground cave system. From walkways, visitors can see spectacular caverns filled with colorful stalactites and stalagmites. The reflections of crystalline pools create amazing optical effects. Easily handled by elderly and children, there are also easy walks through the jungle and supervised interaction with local wildlife (think parrots and monkeys). The guides are informative and the cave pools and rock formations mysteriously beautiful. On 307 just south of Akumal. See www.aktunchen.com for times and admission prices.

Hidden Worlds

This park offers snorkeling and/or diving through underground caverns. The tour is guided and follows a rope path which is well lit with underwater lighting. They provide all equipment needed, including wet suits and life jackets. This is a spectacular tour in which you feel as if you are snorkeling through the Grand Canyon. This park was featured in an IMAX theater production. We love this place. On 307 north of Tulum. See www.hiddenworlds.com for times and prices.

General Information

Please note: in order to keep these natural treasures free of contaminants, only wear biodegradable sunscreen, don’t wear insect repellent when swimming, and don’t pee in the pool.

The cenotes listed above can easily be reached by taxi, rental car, or collectivo bus from Playa Del Carmen. All are on the way to or near Tulum, so a visit to the ruins at Tulum combined with a stop at one or more cenotes makes a great day trip.