Hello Everyone!

[kimierich]

I am new to the forum. My family and I are heading to the Riviera Maya in Jan for 11 days. We are staying at La Via Laktea for 2 nights then moving on to our timeshare at the Mayan Palace for 7 days and finally 1 night at the Blue Pearl Suites in Playa De Carmen.

I have been reading a little about La Via Laktea and am wondering how far the treck is to get food and drink.

this is the first time that we have not gone all inclusive. We've been to Mexico twice before once to Manzanillo, Blue Bay Club and to the Riviera Maya where we stayed at the Sandos Gala Plyacar.

We are very excited - this will also be the first time using the timeshare. If anyone one has any helpful insight on the Mayan Palace or La Via Laktea that would be wonderful

[minniemex]

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Avitars/welcome.gif to the board!!

I have put a few links in here that might answer some of your questions ~

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1789&highlight=laktea

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=1451

Hope this helps!!

We don't know too much about the AI's, we all pretty much frequent the smaller hotels,cabanas along the Tulum beach.

I would be very interested in how you like the rustic Tulum vs the AI ~ check in with us when you return!!

[kimierich]

minniemex - I will definately do that. I am quite excited about our stay in Tulum and think that it will be the ultimate in relaxation. I have a feeling that once we experience it and then move to the big resort we are going to wish we were still in tulum.

[TnTWalter]

Welcome!

playa.info has some information on Mayan Palace.

just type 'mayan palace' and scroll through the results to learn about it.
here's a recent thread http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/42951-anything-new-mayan-palace.html

Sounds like a nice long vacation!!
:beerchug:

[kimierich]

Thanks! I can't wait. It'll be the five of us. My husband and I and our 3 kids, ages 10,7and 5

[beachreader]

Wait, you're putting 5 people in a room at Via Laktea? I thought those rooms only had one king-sized bed in them.

To your question about food, a short walk up the beach will bring you to Las Ranitas. They put out coffee at like 6:30 a.m., the earliest you'll find along the beach, and breakfast starts at 7 or maybe 7:30 (most places don't start until after 8), so that's a plus. From Las Ranitas, the next large place north is Suenos Tulum, and that kicks off a stretch of places with restaurants: Suenos, Ocho, Om, Casa Violeta, Amansala and La Zebra. But that's all a little bit of a hike.

Will you have a car? If so, the world is your oyster! :)

[kimierich]

We will have both the top and bottom cabana and an extra cot.

I have had some major trouble just finding this available for two nights only - if I would have known - We would of flown out earlier and added an extra day.

The majority of everything is booked up. . . trust me. . . travelling with 3 kids. . . doesn't make it any easier.

Yes, we are going to rent a car.

Just think of the story we're going to have to tell.

[pepper]

It sounds like you really want to stay in Tulum, why don't you take a loss on the first night at Mayan Palace? Since it's a timeshare, it won't matter that much will it?

[kimierich]

Pepper - believe you, I have thought of it already. We are supposed to be meeting my hubbies, sister and family there. This is there first time to Mexico, let alone to Cancun/Riviera Maya area.

I just know what we'll definately be doing next year.

[pepper]

Ugh! In-laws...what a whip!!
:eek::mad:

Can't they suck it up for a day so you can get your 3 nite minimum? I mean Mayan Palace should be a breeze for noobs, no?

[kimierich]

Pepper - You would think so. . .

I would love to say a bit more. . . but fear I should keep quite in case someone else decides to stumble across this forum. . . :o

[heenan]

kimierich - minnie provided a link to my trip report of LVL from February. there are restaurants close enough to walk for breakfast or lunch. In addition to Las Ranitas which has breakfast and dinner, Dos Ciebos was good for lunch and is a bit closer to LVL. Dos Ciebos is smaller and probably does not have as extensive a menu, but the staff was very nice. Both Las Ranitas and Dos Ceibos are north of LVL. I do not recall what is next on past Las Ranitas to the north. On the beach road, there also is a convenience store to the north that is in walking distance if you need something. let me know if you have any questions. you'll love the beach at LVL! heenan

[kimierich]

heenan - thanks! That makes me feel better, I was beginning to wonder how far the walk was and thought if we had to walk to to far with kids . . . lets just say might not went over too good. 10 and 7 yr old not too worried about but the 5 yr old gets tired fast - although she did pretty good the last time in Playa De Carmen and she was only 3.5. Can't wait - if anyone is down there around the same time Jan1 and 2 (don't fly out to the 11th so we'll be at the Mayan Palace till then) we'll be the family lounging by the surf at La Via Laktea, with a cooler full of cervasias as the kiddies play in the surf. (sorry the cooler won't be totally full - I guess we'd better save some room for drinks for the kids).

[alnath]

Your lodging choices for a first time visitor are certainly diverse! I've stayed at Via Laktea--you absolutely need a car to be down that far. You can arrange breakfast there if you need to, but there are places close by to get your morning coffee...and climb into your car and go into the pueblo to eat.. .as for using the upper and lower floor--I'd worry about your little ones on those stairs---I loved the upper rooms, but even as an adult, I wasn't ready to take the rickety climb--you could kill yourself! So I hope you're not showing up late at night---it is blacker than black down there!

[kimierich]

Our lodging choices are certainly diverse but don't ya think it's gong to make for a very interesting and exciting vacation ( La Via Laktea 2 nights, Mayan Palace 7 nights, Blue Pearl suites in PDC for a night) wheres your sense of adventure. . . Yes, we are renting a car. . . I am not too worried about us or the kiddies on the stairs . . . it's not like we'll be stumble'n around from too many cervaisas with kids on vacation. I am sure we will be fine. No we are not showing up at night . . . we should get there at 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. . . I guess I'll make sure to pack a flash light or two. . . but I thank you for your concern.

[beachreader]

It's all good, you're going to have a great trip.

I have hiked up those steps to the upper units at Laktea, though, and while it was the middle of the day and I was stone cold sober, I still found them intimidating. I was literally using my hands almost like it was a ladder! I'm sure you'll all have fun with them, but they are not your average stairs, and I personally wouldn't want to have to climb them several times a day.

You're all probably a lot more athletic than I, and your kids will climb them like monkeys. :)

[kimierich]

Thanks Beachreader - I think the upstairs room will only be used for sleeping and gazing at the sunset.

I have been noticing in everybody's posts when they walk somewhere nobody actually gives distance in the time it takes to walk to the different restaurants and locations on the beach. . . I know people aren't concerned about time etc. . . your on holiday but I thought it would be helpful for us newbies trying to judge distances. . .

I love the forum and the all the info one can get from it. . . I am another one of those people that like to be well informed of where I am going before I get there . . .all is good. 88 days and counting.

[Gale in KY]

It's not as far from one place to another as it seems..lol.

Here's a map with approximate distances.

Welcome to the forum!

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2034