Hi I have four friends arriving here in a week for about 10 days I am curious what are some fun local places to take them... I have heard a lot about cenotes lately but what do they cost approx and are there some you would reccommend more than the others? What about free places like great beaches? or a jungly area to explore? Any suggestions are welcome.. I know they arent coming with a whole lot of money and want to save the bulk of it for a couple of wonderful days, so I would like suggestions on how to fill the others nicely. They do plan on going out to the clubs one night but I was thinking I should find a nice place to grab some beers a few nights without the club scene, something more local and a lot cheaper.. Thanks in advance for your help!
Do you have a car? Drive up to Isla blanca and take them to Pirata Morgan. It's a total dive, but the beach there is one of the best around.
If you've got a car, I can recommend some great out of the way places. Head south. Look for signs that say "cenotes". There are several near Puerto Morelos down the road to Selvatica. I prefer the ones even further south (Selvatica is great, but $$). If you go past Playa del Carmen, you'll see a lot of cenote parks, if you want to pay the money you can hit Kantunchi or Aktunchen or Hidden Worlds. If you're looking for something more "local", try Cenote Azul (just south of Kantunchi and only 50 pesos instead of $50 USD). Spend a hour or two there then go south a tiny bit more and visit the best beach in the Riviera Maya (in my humble opinion), Xpu Ha. There are signs for "La Playa" beach club, you'll go down a little road (pay to get past the rope blocking the drive but remember to keep your bill from the beach club, if you present it on the way out you get your rope money back). Xpu Ha is heaven on earth, the clearest water I've ever seen. I would also recommend Yal Ku lagoon in Akumal for some fantastic snorkeling. Crococun Zoo near Puerto Morelos is a great way to spend an hour. Casa Cenote near Tankah is cool (20 pesos entrance), it's right across from the beach so you can do two for one (though the beach is rocky and "shell-y"). We liked the Punta Venado beach club just south of Playa, free entrance to a pretty remote beach club with good food and drinks. Puerto Morelos beach is great, go behind the Ojo de Agua hotel and you can get service on the beach or just bring your cooler and umbrella and enjoy a nice day with great people watching. I could go on and on I realize, we love exploring the cheapie, out of the way places! Have fun with your friends!
Thank you guys. I do have a car so those are definitely some great ideas. I have been to Akumal as well as Isla Blanca so those are two places I know for sure we will be visiting.. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks again! Any great places for a few cheap beers? Also has anybody been to "Yesterday Bar" I am very interested in Beatles night which I read about awhile ago.. Anyone know if that still goes on and what night it is? Also where it is I am still not familar with Cancun and for some reason I cannot figure out an address.
I'm not 100% sure what goes on at Yesterday bar. I know it's usually the above-30 crowd and the music is pretty good, usually with stuff from the 80s and earlier. It's in Plaza del Angel (a small, yet nice shopping center on Avenida La Luna, across the street from the Soriana. Near where La Luna intersects with Nichupte.)
For some beers I like to go to Guanatos at Plaza de Toros. It's a unique atmosphere, and very relaxed. The prices aren't bad either. Diablitros (on Avenida Nader) is one of my all-time favorites. They have some of the best bar food around, plus great drinks and some live music/DJ. The outdoor atmosphere is really relaxed and cool-looking. (You'll see people of all ages hanging out here.)
How is the road north from Akumal? I will likely head down there next week, but don't want to beat up the car with to much off road.
Last I was there it was paved and had a couple of easily avoidable pot holes. That was a while ago. But it's the only way in and out so they cannot let it get too bad.
