I doubt that all of the poverty is the "Real Mexico" wannacrewz is referrring to. I am guessing he is thinking more of something beyond highrises and chain stores. There are lots of different poverty levels in Mexico like anywhere else but fortunately in the area the cruise ships will be taking him most residents are able to have jobs and maintain a standard of living higher than a lot of the rest of the country. It is always interesting to see the straw huts on the side of the road with satellite dishes on top. The ability to speak English is these people's ticket to a better life because then they can get jobs in tourism. Knowing that tourism is largely the only thing going for the economy of the Yucatan and much of Mexico people are mostly very happy that the tourists are there. the last few summers we have spent some time there. Last year we were told by a guide that we've dealt with a couple of times that the reports of corruption (tourist extortion) in Playa had gotten so high that the new government in the area had outlawed traffic fines so that the police could not stop tourists. They lost half of their police force over the following month but they were looking out for the tourists. We have driven there for years and it has gotten more clear and safe every year. We were stopped in 1993 for going the wrong way on an unmarked one way street but there was no effort at extortion and they didn't even ticket us or anything else. Just turned us around.
If I had one day in Playa I would (get a Spanish dictionary just in case) rent a car. (Know that it is expected that you drive on the shoulder if there are cars trying to pass from behind and that traffic both ways pass in the middle at full speed. be careful pay attention and you'll catch on quickly.) I am far less comfortable in New Orleans traffic with the DH at the wheel. I would travel south on Hwy 307 to the Coba Hwy. Stop at the Grand Cenote on the right about a mile up the Coba Hwy. Swim, snorkel whatever and check out this amazing natural feature unique to the yucatan. there are lots of them but from our exploring the Grand is sort of the best one stop taste of many features. You can see the Cave formations, Easy in and out access. It's not intimidating to get to (Some of them are down LONG rough roads that beat your rental car to death.) Then if time pernits I would go to Coba. These are the type ruins that really give you a taste of what the mayan civilization really was. We have been fortunate enough to ride bikes on ancient Mayan roads (sacbes) and climb the pyramids built hundreds to thousands of years ago. this is an amazing adventure. get a guide at the ruins they will enrich the experience. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself check with a tour company called alltournative in the area. I am not sure they can fit cruise ship times in with their schedule but if they can they are a great way to get to the heart of the Yucatan. Lots of Mayan heritage to cover. It's a somewhat adventurous day and not for everyone but you wll have had an adventure unlike any other cruise ship passenger when you get back. We got great info from a map we found online called mapchick (I think). The mapmaker sends the map on the honor system. We loved the great coverage so much that we have all of the maps she does now.
"REAL MEXICO"
in Playa Del Carmen/Calica
Posted
I doubt that all of the poverty is the "Real Mexico" wannacrewz is referrring to. I am guessing he is thinking more of something beyond highrises and chain stores. There are lots of different poverty levels in Mexico like anywhere else but fortunately in the area the cruise ships will be taking him most residents are able to have jobs and maintain a standard of living higher than a lot of the rest of the country. It is always interesting to see the straw huts on the side of the road with satellite dishes on top. The ability to speak English is these people's ticket to a better life because then they can get jobs in tourism. Knowing that tourism is largely the only thing going for the economy of the Yucatan and much of Mexico people are mostly very happy that the tourists are there. the last few summers we have spent some time there. Last year we were told by a guide that we've dealt with a couple of times that the reports of corruption (tourist extortion) in Playa had gotten so high that the new government in the area had outlawed traffic fines so that the police could not stop tourists. They lost half of their police force over the following month but they were looking out for the tourists. We have driven there for years and it has gotten more clear and safe every year. We were stopped in 1993 for going the wrong way on an unmarked one way street but there was no effort at extortion and they didn't even ticket us or anything else. Just turned us around.
If I had one day in Playa I would (get a Spanish dictionary just in case) rent a car. (Know that it is expected that you drive on the shoulder if there are cars trying to pass from behind and that traffic both ways pass in the middle at full speed. be careful pay attention and you'll catch on quickly.) I am far less comfortable in New Orleans traffic with the DH at the wheel. I would travel south on Hwy 307 to the Coba Hwy. Stop at the Grand Cenote on the right about a mile up the Coba Hwy. Swim, snorkel whatever and check out this amazing natural feature unique to the yucatan. there are lots of them but from our exploring the Grand is sort of the best one stop taste of many features. You can see the Cave formations, Easy in and out access. It's not intimidating to get to (Some of them are down LONG rough roads that beat your rental car to death.) Then if time pernits I would go to Coba. These are the type ruins that really give you a taste of what the mayan civilization really was. We have been fortunate enough to ride bikes on ancient Mayan roads (sacbes) and climb the pyramids built hundreds to thousands of years ago. this is an amazing adventure. get a guide at the ruins they will enrich the experience. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself check with a tour company called alltournative in the area. I am not sure they can fit cruise ship times in with their schedule but if they can they are a great way to get to the heart of the Yucatan. Lots of Mayan heritage to cover. It's a somewhat adventurous day and not for everyone but you wll have had an adventure unlike any other cruise ship passenger when you get back. We got great info from a map we found online called mapchick (I think). The mapmaker sends the map on the honor system. We loved the great coverage so much that we have all of the maps she does now.