Homework Needed - What's Your Question?

[AdGuy]

Hey Gang,

Well, with just a few days left till we head to paradise, I thought I'd ask the magic question...

What do you want me to explore, take pictures of, check out, or otherwise investigate while down there?

We'll be staying on the beach (Tita Tulum) for eight days. Since we have a rental car and incredible wanderlust I know we'll be doing several day trips. Some of the possibilities include:

Sian Ka'an Biosphere (both organized trip and on our own)
Ek Balam
Spider Monkey Reserve (Pac Chen and/or Punta Laguna)
Valladolid
Cenotes (Ik Kil, Koopiox, Kantun Chi, X-canche, or others)We'll also be spending time in town and on the beach (so many beach bars, so little time) :D . Let me know by Tuesday, December 5, what you want me to check out (please limit one item per member) and I'll try my very best to get photos and information on your subject. In return, please offer any advice, tips, or information you can provide to enhance our time in paradise.

Okay...ask away! :)

[Steve O]

When you are in the Sian Ka'an make sure you climb the observation tower.

Valladolid....Buy some conchinta pibil from one of the vendors in the square. Go see Cenote Zaci and Diznitup cenote. Definately go to the mercado. I believe it is on calle 37 a couple blockes from cenote Zaci. Lots of good shopping in Valladolid.

If you are going to Ik Kil cenote you might as well go to Chichen Itza if you haven't been. It's only a few minutes away. Also take a tour of Balanchanche Caverns.

Koopiox is outside the town of Coba. Not much of a cenote but the zip line is fun. Talk the guys down at the entrance to $20 pesos.

Tulum....stop at Los Pepe's for me and have a shrimp cocktail. I can't really give you directions but it is a couple blocks west of 307 about a quarter of the way into town. Stop and ask someone. It's the best local seafood place in town.

[Susan&Mike]

Will definitly wait for your return to hear your words of wisdom:D . thanks so much for all your help. I sure you know what I am looking for from all our PM's. For others here....I wanted to know about Paraiso as it looks so nice in pics and hear great things about the beach but...soooo many terrible reviews on trip advisor. Wanted to know if it has cleaned up its act or what.

[AdGuy]

stop at Los Pepe's for me and have a shrimp cocktail. I can't really give you directions but it is a couple blocks west of 307 about a quarter of the way into town. Stop and ask someone. It's the best local seafood place in town.

Steve O,

Thanks for the all great tips!:) I had never heard of Los Pepe's (nor read anything about it) but love the 'off the beaten path' places where the locals hang out. I'll do my best to track it down!

[Susan&Mike]

I'm pusing it I know....but do I count as one member and Mike as another????:) If so then "Mike" would be oh so grateful if on your travels you could have a glance at Papaya Playa for him. :) "MIke" saw that Zazil and Papaya are the same price so would love to hear which you would prefer.
Thats it I promise....really Mike is so demanding....don't know why I put up with him really....good thing he is so cute. :cool:

[Gale in KY]

Lee, if you find yourself wandering down the Boca Paila, check out some of those places we never hear anything about..I am dying to know about this Camping Oasis that is close by to Ana Y Jose's.

Hamaca Loca..all of a sudden this place is being asked about quite alot..I did find a short video of it on youtube, but it doesn't show a lot of the grounds etc.

Have a great time, shed a tear for us poor smucks who are stuck in the rain, ice and snow while you are enjoying paradise!:p I will be having a margarita on the rocks in your honor!

I am curious about Tribal Village, if it still there or not, first place on the left when you turn south on the beach road, just north of Papaya Playa,curious about upgrades there too. Wave hi for me to Copal as you drive by!

Don't miss out on the Pan Bakery's pastries in town..they are to die for..best breakfast I had..took some back and had them with coffee on the beach at sunrise..it doesn't get any better than that!

The Argentinan Steakhouse in town gets good reviews too..check that out if you get a chance.

[lianne]

I ask only that you have an incredible time and share many photos and a trip journal with all of us when you get back. I'm sure our trip in March will be much enriched by your experiences! Thx in advance for sharing, and have a margarita for us, but most of all.......ENJOY!!!!!

[AdGuy]

...and have a margarita for us, but most of all.......ENJOY!!!!!

Now that's an assignment I can really sink my teeth into...or at least my liver! :D

[lianne]

Hi Lee, my husband wanted me to ask you and Jennifer to check out our lodgings if you are near Tankah Bay. It's called Freedom Paradise, or, if you don't get to Tankah Bay, perhaps you could ask around, since you appear to be good at "interviewing" other travelers. THX BUNCHES, and again, have a great, safe and memorable trip!:cool:

[AdGuy]

Hi Lee, my husband wanted me to ask you and Jennifer to check out our lodgings if you are near Tankah Bay. It's called Freedom Paradise, or, if you don't get to Tankah Bay, perhaps you could ask around, since you appear to be good at "interviewing" other travelers. THX BUNCHES, and again, have a great, safe and memorable trip!:cool:

Not sure if we'll be there but will definitely ask around. :)

[AdGuy]

Tulum....stop at Los Pepe's for me and have a shrimp cocktail. I can't really give you directions but it is a couple blocks west of 307 about a quarter of the way into town. Stop and ask someone. It's the best local seafood place in town.

For those wondering, I was able to track down where Los Pepe's is at...

Los Pepe's Seafood - One block west of Tulum Av. locate Cenote Dive Center across from HSBC Bank... A true Mexican fisheria with a local atmosphere and good quality seafood.

We'll try our best to get there and take photos of the place and their menu as well. :)

[Userbe3231@aol.com]

Ok, heres my tip, go to Buenos Aires the restraunt in Tulum and get a steak and a salad and two glasses of wine, the house wine is very good! You can split that with your sweetheart, and have a wonderful fairly cheap dinner!

We just got back from Tulum on Friday, but going back again on the 20th of December!

I think you guys should drive to the capitol city of the Yucatan, Chetumul? I think thats the name, and tell me how long it takes...:) !! Take a picture if you go, ive never been there!

O, be careful driving on 137 because theres some new speed bumps and two areas of construction where you have to go off the road onto a dirt detour. And lots of people crossing the highway under new construction pedestrian bridges that arent finished yet!

Have a good time, and if you get time go check out my house end of the town! You can rent it from me for a great price right now since there still building!

Andy
ps have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve O]

Lee...I never leave Tulum without stopping at Los Pepe's. The directions you have don't seem right. It's more than one block west of 307 and it's not down as far as the bank. You'll find it if you drive back and forth on a few of the streets. It's totally a locals place and you will enjoy it.

Here is an old photo so you know what you are looking for. The roads and potholes get pretty bad back in town and you won't see any tourists. Not to worry. Everyone is nice.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/tulumlospepes.jpg

[Steve O]

Userbe....The drive to Chetumal from Tulum takes a little over 4 hours. It's a big city and not really what I like. I prefer Majahual, Xcalak, or Bacalar. The free zone before you cross over into Beilze is fun also.

I'm curious as to what you consider a good price for your condo? I am bringing a vehicle down in February to leave on Cozumel. I'll be down for a month or so and haven't decided where I want to stay yet. I do want to be in Cozumel for Carnaval but the rest is open. I usuall rent a house on the island for around $350 to $400 a month. Two bedroom, kitchen, and fully furnished. You can PM me if you want.

[Userbe3231@aol.com]

Hey Steve, Thanks for the info on Chetumul, I want to explore that direction maybe this summer. Well we are still furnishing our house of course, so we are not completly done. We are also still reserching a price thats fair since its really not finished yet ( no pool, and construction going on ) Thats a pretty great price for a house on Cozumel. I think the electric bill alone on our house with air conditioners running is going to be about 200 dollars a month! So I am in a "learning curve" for sure! Anyhow, lets talk more about it, I was thinking around 400.00 a week so it sounds like you have better connections than Ive seen! I think I would rent it for a 1000.00 per month. Thats low for what I have researched, anyhow, sounds like you know your way around pretty good so any advice is much appreciated!!!! Its a big house three bathrooms, sleeps like, 6 easy. Anyhow, big learning curve!!!!!!
Andy

[Steve O]

Userbe....I don't know if you bought your condo for rental income or just to use yourself but I highly doubt you will get those rates for another 5 years. I can rent a place on the Tulum beach with hot water and toilet seat for under $1000 a month. Also includes maid service. I don't use air but I think your bill will be much lower than $200 per month unless you run it 24 hours a day. I have many friends on Cozumel that have houses with air and Cozumel has the highest rates for electricity in Quintana Roo. Their rates are a lot less than that.

Is your condo set up in a trust or as a corporation. Makes a difference if you want to rent. Tax issues.

I would have to say that 95% of the people I know with rental property lose money. They can't even cover their expenses. I hope it works out better for you.

If I can help you out in any way, let me know.

[Gale in KY]

I too give a vote to the Argentine Steakhouse..it was very good, service was friendly and attentive.

Lianne..Freedom Paradise aka Maya Tankah is an All Inclusive on Tankah Bay..it is gated, so Lee won't be able to go in and inspect the property without actually staying there. I haven't stayed there myself, but I do get the impression that many who do have not done their homework and expect this All Inclusive to offer all the glitz that one would find at much more upscale places, and thus, are disappointed at what they find when they stay at FP/MT. I know a few people who have stayed there, knowing what to expect and really enjoyed the place for what it offers. The rooms aren't fancy, but they are beachfront and very close to the water. The food isn't gourmet, but you can find something to eat that satisfies. THe reef, like Akumal, is close in to the beach and the bay provides some good if not great snorkeling ops. Quiet and secluded..not much else to do on Tankah Bay but relax..it is close enough to walk to Blue Sky for an upscale dining experience or to Casa Cenote for a GREAT margarita and snorkeling of the cenote there..but other than that, you really need a car to explore the area. Tankah Bay is primarily privately owned villas and casitas, not much going on here but relaxing on the beach and playing in the water.

I have never found the AI to be a good value, primarily because I don't drink alcohol much except for enjoying a good margarita or two..and I like to enjoy authentic Mexican/Mayan food when I there..AI food for the most part is too Americanized for me...If I want pizza, hamburgers etc. I can stay home and find a good selection of that stuff. I don't really get into the shows, don't need a pool with the Caribe at my feet, etc.

But if I was going to choose an AI..I would probably give FP/MT a try..because it is so laid back and relaxed, Tankah Bay is a beautiful beach and it is close enough to Tulum to go for some good authentic food if I tired of the AI fare.

If you are looking for luxury, you won't be satisfied with FP..but if you are looking for seclusion and relaxation with the convenience of AI, food and drink included etc..it probably won't dissappoint. With the rooms so close to the water than you can almost reach out and touch it..and can enjoy that awesome sunrise from your bed, patio or deck..I wouldn't be at all disappointed with Freedom Paradise!

[Gale in KY]

Lee..one more request then I will leave you alone to enjoy your vacation;) I can't seem to get a good answer on whether or not Caleta Tankah is open or closed for good..I know you probably won't get to Tankah Bay..but, would you mind asking when you are in town as to the status of this place..it was the best afternoon of sleeping on the beach and enjoying a margarita I have had..really a neat place. They had damage with Wilma and closed..nobody seems to know if they are open. I have been told they are sold and condo's are going in..others say no, they are remodeling and will reopen..very confusing. I think any of the waiters wherever you eat might know for sure..or even the staff where you stay might have an idea..

Drink one for me too..Margaritas on the beach in Tulum..that's my idea of paradise!!!

[AdGuy]

O, be careful driving on 137 because theres some new speed bumps and two areas of construction where you have to go off the road onto a dirt detour. And lots of people crossing the highway under new construction pedestrian bridges that arent finished yet!


Andy,

Thanks for the tips...by the way, do you mean Highway 307 (the main drag between Cancun and Tulum)? I'm not familar with 137.

[AdGuy]

Lee...I never leave Tulum without stopping at Los Pepe's. The directions you have don't seem right. It's more than one block west of 307 and it's not down as far as the bank. You'll find it if you drive back and forth on a few of the streets. It's totally a locals place and you will enjoy it.

Here is an old photo so you know what you are looking for. The roads and potholes get pretty bad back in town and you won't see any tourists. Not to worry. Everyone is nice.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/tulumlospepes.jpg

Steve O,

Thanks for the photo...it will help to track this down. Even though we have a rental car, we'll likely park it and hike up and down the back streets of Tulum to get a better flavor of the place. I'm pretty confident we'll find it but your picture will definitely be worth a thousand words!

Thanks again for all your help,

[AdGuy]

Lianne..Freedom Paradise aka Maya Tankah is an All Inclusive on Tankah Bay..it is gated, so Lee won't be able to go in and inspect the property without actually staying there.

Ahh...a challenge! :) You obviously have never bought fake AI wristbands on ebay! :D :D

[minniemex]

Fake ID's - on ebay?? are you kidding - anyone ever use them??

[dcap]

Only in High school, got caught trying to get in to a "club" in Reno, didnt come from ebay some friends made them I thought they looked pretty good the bouncers thought otherwise.

[dcap]

Adguy I hope its not to late, But could you get a photo or 2 from the beach side of Tierra Del sol & the property to the North? This property was For sale in June, and was wondering if there has been any improvemnets. Thanks Dave
Have a wonderful Vacation. :)

[AdGuy]

Adguy I hope its not to late, But could you get a photo or 2 from the beach side of Tierra Del sol & the property to the North? This property was For sale in June, and was wondering if there has been any improvemnets. Thanks Dave
Have a wonderful Vacation. :)

Not a problem Dave...especially after you posted those great Copal breakfast shots, it's the least I could do! :)