Oh Playa, how I love thee. And not just the beach playa, but the town Playa as well. I love it all. Except when there’s a hurricane. Then it’s a little tough to love you. But who am I kidding, I still love you, even then.
Our trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico this year was full of new experiences. From buying over-sized sombreros for the first time, to surviving our first “hurricane,” and coming through the storm to enjoy all that the town had to offer. While stepping over fallen palm trees at the same time. And did I mention buying sombreros?
We booked this vacation through Expedia and everything went smoothly. We stayed at The Reef Coco Beach hotel in Playa del Carmen, and the location could not have been more perfect. We wanted all-inclusive (when you drink by the pool all day it can add up quickly!), and Playa doesn’t have a lot of options close to town. The Reef is literally three blocks from one end of 5th Avenue, which is the Place To Be. Everything is on 5th Avenue, including some of the best shopping and restaurants in the area, the sombreros, and tequila shots. We had our fair share of all of the above.
After purchasing said sombreros, we could not walk down 5th Avenue without being stopped by every merchant looking to make a quick buck. Nothing screams “AMERICAN TOURIST” like a sombrero on a white dude. Luckily, we were able to talk these boys out of the Lucha Libre masks.
They didn’t let that put a damper on their vacation. Before the storm hit, we were able to get out and play some beach volleyball. Then we spent two days in our hotel room hoping that the roof stayed on the hotel! Which, in case you were wondering, did in fact, stay on the hotel.
The storm may have brought 40+mph winds and buckets of rain, but it also brought pretty views and quality time (QT) for my husband and I. So really, I can’t complain. Two days of rain won’t bring us down! He, however, might say it was a little too much QT. Is there any such thing?
The hotel grounds were beautiful, and even more so than I had expected. Being that we like to travel on a pretty cheap budget, you never really know what to expect from your hotel. Ours was perfect for us! Pretty views, great staff, and lots of beach room! Too bad the storm brought in all the seaweed, or it would have been even better.
When the sun finally decided to grace us with it’s presence, we got right back out there to enjoy it. We spent all our days by the pool, lounging with a Miami Vice in hand. Reading, playing pool games, and taking crazy photos. Seriously, we are crazy photo-people (if you didn’t already figure that out).
You have never completed your vacation until you take a “jumping” photo. So in true Vacation Ending mode, we went out to the sea and jumped to our hearts desire. Because one photo wasn’t enough, apparently.
Until next time Playa! Adios!
I just spent a week last month at Wyndham Viva Maya. All inclusive. I booked it through RCI. Unbelievable experience. I think it was Rivera Maya. All inclusive is the way to go. We were able to dine at the Wyndham Aztec restaurants at no extra charge.
Oh I completely agree. We only travel non-all-inclusive (new word) on Christmas break, because the prices at the all-inclusive s are crazy high. Isn’t Riviera Maya beautiful!?
Oh let me tell you, it phenomenal. The only place better, is Costembar in the Dominican Republic. You can sit down to a wonderful meal of Parrot fish.
Where exactly in the DR is that? We went to Punta Cana last year, it is BEAUTIFUL!
Costembar is a gated area in Puerto Plata. It is a slice of Heaven. In the morning when the tide was out, we would skim for lobster. Lobster and scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Awesome!
We stayed at Reina Del Mar for seven days for only 77,000 Wyndham points. Through RCI. Did you know that you can buy Wyndham points on line? I bought 1.3 million points for $2500 dollars on ebay.
I went to Denver once.
Colorado has stupid gun laws.
Hahaha!
Nice!
Cute pictures. Especially the jumping photo!!!
Hahaha thanks! Other people probably think we’re crazy!
Glad you survived the hurricane and that it didn’t ruin your vacation!
Thanks to Joy at, https://styledwithjoy.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/tag-post-a-quote-challenge-3/ – She just reminded me of the best quote: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
What a coincidence, because I just nominated you for the 3 Quotes in 3 Days Challenge over on my blog! 🙂
Really…big somberors??? I thought I taught you better than that.
You definitely did teach me better than that. But you didn’t teach Kevin.
I love your photos – love that you can see your crazy happiness! Makes us smile too.
Thank you!!!! We try to not take ourselves too seriously! 🙂
I love the color of your photos! You are the best at photo editing. It helps when you have such a beautiful view to start with too!
Thanks doll! Maybe next time you should come with us!
amazing shots with so much spirit. now i need a holiday, lol
http://www.artbecomesyou.com
Haha thanks! You should go!
You guys are so cute! It looks like you had so much fun. These pics are amazing some don’t even look real! 🙂
Thank you! We definitely had a great time as you can tell! Haha! 🙂
looks amazing and really fantastic photos!
Thanks!!! It was a great time! 🙂
Great photos and Wished we could have been there
However we know we can’t jump that high anymore!
These photos are perfection!! I’m jealous. I want to go there. I’ve never traveled to that part of Mexico. The water looks sublime!
PS. you’ve really mastered the jumping photo 🙂
Thank you! I mean, who ever said white girls can’t jump? 😉 – And you should go Mexico! Tulum supposedly has the best beaches, we haven’t been yet. It’s only about 45 minutes from Playa though, so you still get the pretty beaches.
wooo
I am planing for Playa del Carmen, next month I’ll go there , I am very excited about my journey
Cool!! I hope you have a great trip. Make sure to spend some time on Fifth Avenue! 🙂
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! What type of camera do you use? I love your travel posts!
http://acrossthepondksheehy.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much!! I either use my iPhone or my Canon point and shoot! It’s the editing that makes them all cool! Haha. I either use an app called Snapseed, or the online site Picmonkey. Thanks for visiting!
What lovely photos! Crazy about the 40+mph winds though! The front of the hotel/pool looks beautiful as well, it looks like such a relaxing trip!
Thank you!!! It was so crazy there! For two days we were stuck in the room. But we still had such a good time! 🙂