Papaya Playa anyone??

[Susan&Mike]

Hi there, still cabana hunting...going alittle crazy:eek: . was wondering if any of you pros have stayed at Papya and if so would you reccomend it. Also if any of you have any comments on El Paraiso as have found most of the reviews very mixed. Thanks

[Gale in KY]

I haven't stayed at Papaya Playa, but next door at Copal. Papaya Playa was much more rustic than Copal and didn't appear as clean or landscaped etc. I believe most of the cabanas are shared bath, with a couple that have private baths..and these are WAY overpriced for what you get imho..there are much nicer places at lower or equal prices. I understand they are under new management and hopefully they will improve on the accomodations there..the place has alot of potential. I did have a couple of drinks at the above the beach bar, with several young backpacking kids that were very overserved..that was a trip report experience all on it's own!:D

I am not sure they replaced the cabanas at El Parasio after Emily wiped them out..although the hotel rooms were still there. The beachclub changed hands and is now more upscale than it used to be, I am not sure about the little hotel rooms though.

Papaya Playa's website looks WAY better than the actual place. I would only stay there if things have improved vastly over what I saw there in early 2005.. I don't mind rustic in the least, in fact I prefer it..but dirty and unkept are a different story.

[dcap]

Like Gale we stayed next door to the south at Copal in June. I walked through the place and was not impressed. There were probably about 25 or so cabanas there but were very rustic. I think they have some with baths but the main showers and bathrooms are in the middle of the complex, some cabanas not so close to the restrooms. They looked small which is fine with me but just a step above camping. They have a small resturant and bar overlooking the beach built up like a deck. I think for what you get they are over priced. Most were empty I would say about 5 had people in them. The beach is nice there better than Copal's. We would opt for something else in the area.

[Gale in KY]

I am guessing that Papaya Playa is upgrading since new management took over, when I was at Copal, none of the cabanas at Papaya had private bath, only the villa. It was January, high season, yet the place looked deserted. I had to track down the bartender to get a drink at the boat bar..yes, the beach is a bit better than Copal..but if I wanted to stay in stick cabanas with shared bath, I would opt for Zazil Kin too..the beach is spectacular, there is always activity going on and the price is so much better for what you get. I enjoy getting away from crowds, but I do like to see some people..I just got a weird vibe from Papaya Playa..it didn't feel comfortable and it looked less than clean and well kept.

Zazil Kin is camping..only you don't bring your tent or camper, they provide the hut with a bed. I have heard only good things about Zazil..and mostly bad things about PP. No comparison. Zazil Kin wins.

[Susan&Mike]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have emailed Zazil-kin, so will see if I get a response. (Thanks to donkadonk for email address!!!). From everything I hear from this forum and various other sources the beach in this area sounds so awesome. We are not that fussy of people and as long as it is clean and has a private bath and is close to the dive shop that is where we want to be....even thought that little prissy girl in me is saying "what no blow dryer/flat iron how will we survive if we go out!!" I will just tell that priss to stuff it. lol :p

77 days till I am hittin the beach...woohoo