Have you read my review of the Royal Playa del Carmen? Have a look in the review part.!

Take Mexican Pesos rather than dollars as everywhere accepts them, you get a better rate for paying in pesos (even if items are priced in dollars) and it saves you paying twice the commission transfering from sterling, to dollars, then pesos.

April is a great month for weather in my opinion. The clocks change in March so you it feels as if you have more daylight hours and it's not rainy season, lovely! My personal preference is Playa del Camren over Cancun, that's only because I feel the Cancun Hotel Zone to be way over commercialised (and Americanised) as opposed to PDC which is a proper town where you can walk around and have a wealth of options around you. Especially as the Royal PDC is located in the heart of town, one of the best places to be based for ease of getting around, just a few steps from the famous 5th avenue.

Your airport tax is payable on departure only. I don't know the current rate but I paid in pesos last year. This part of Mexico has a brilliant variety of trips but it depends what you are interested in. Archaeological sites (Chichen Itza, Tulum or Coba to start!), adventure (ziplines, ATV's), diving, snorkelling, boat trips, nightlife (Coco Bongo's) with a few that you can easily do on your own. Snorkelling with the turtles at Akumal Bay is a favourite of mine and can be done on your own, on the cheap by getting a collectivo (public transport in the form of a white minivan) from Playa del Carmen to Akumal Bay, then a 10 minute walk from the main road to the beach. Swim out in front of the restaurant and hunt around in the sea grass where they feed and you will soon see one! hope this gives you some ideas to start researching, there is so much to choose from!

Thanks Denny
I have just read your fab review... makes me even more excited now

Really good information Infoangel especially the trips etc, we are glad that the Hotel is central to Playa as we have read that the entertainment isn't on for long so Coco Bongo's or Senor Frogs here we come

Any more info really appreciated.

Hi Liz, we stayed in Playa del carmen and had a great holiday. We took a 5 min taxi ride to 5th Avenue on a couple of occasions and enjoyed having a wander around and a drink.

The trips we did were a Catamaran/snorkelling trip which included drinks and snacks and the men did a horse riding/quad bike day. We didn't go to see any of the tourist sites though.

forgive me if I'm mistaken but I thought coco Bongo's was in Cancun and not Playa del carmen

Have a fab holiday.

You are right Shirley, the main Coco Bongo's is in Cancun but there is also another, smaller location in Playa del Carmen on the corner of 10th Avenue and 12th Street. i've been to both of them but in all honesty don't remember too much about either of them - their alcohol is lethal!

Thanks very much to you all.

There is a Coco Bongo's in Playa but the one I mean is in Cancun... we have the option to stay a few days in Cancun (up to 1 week to be honest if we want)... not sure if we are going to stay that long but may just do 3 nights to give it a try. It is $30 per night above what we have already paid so not too bad and the Hotels rooms are all sea view ocean front in the Royal Cancun so that makes it more tempting

We want to go to Cozumal prob haven't spelt that right.... and I believe the ferry isn't far from where we are staying.

What are the shops like in Mexico? are there any bargain shops for make-up and designer clothes etc?

Cheers

Hi Liz, the ferry to Cozumel is at the other end of 5th Ave from the RPDC - about a mile away. You dont need to prebook the ferry or anything - just turn up. The fare was 12$ when we were last there in 2010. Buy a single each way ticket though (not a return) as there are 2 ferry company's that alternate the crossing - if you have a return ticket you would have to wait until the correct ferry arrives.
There are a couple of designer shops that sell makeup on 5th. One is called Liverpool and I forget the name of the other. The street is a mix of restaurants, bars, shops. Near to the ferry is Senor frogs and more designer shops.
Coco bongos in Playa is just as good as Cancun.
If I were you I would take advantage of 'trading the nights' at the sister hotel. It's a lovely hotel, massive beach, near to a huge shopping mall, La Isla- turn left out of hotel and walk 10-15 mins, you will be amazed!!
Have you had a look at the website http://www.realresorts.com ?

Denny thankyou so much, you have helped me so much