EASY DAY TRIPS FROM PLAYA – PART 1- THE BASICS 

There are lots of options for easy day trips from the Playa del Carmen area.  So, let’s look at four popular destinations that you can turn into full day excursions that you can easily make on your own.  Tulum, Cobá, Chichén Itzá, and Ek Balam.  Each one has its own merits; all are impressive and make for a memorable experience.  If you have your heart set on being able to climb a pyramid, Ek Balam will be your only local option. In Part 1- the basics, we will look at transportation options and planning your day trip.

The best way to visit these four iconic destinations is on your own.  Yes, you can hire a Tour from the Fifth Avenue or any of the Local Tour Companies, but they are structured with strict time limits in each location. Structured tours, offer transportation, admission fees, sometimes a light lunch and most the obligatory stop at an Artisan area.  Tours are a lucrative business here so choose wisely and ask questions as to what exactly is included.   I prefer a more leisurely approach and still give a boost to the local economy hiring Local Guides and visiting Local Artisans and Restaurants of your choice.  ADO does provide bus service to many locations but again you are restricted by scheduled arrival and departure times.  ADO is point to point so the carrier will not stop at any other destinations you may have in mind on the way to or from your destination.

Set Your Mode of Travel

If you are like me, and own a vehicle here in Playa, setting up a great itinerary for the day is easy.  Another option is to rent a vehicle for the day.  If you have a large family or lots of friends visiting the ideal way is to rent a van and driver for the day.  I have done trips out to Cobá and Chichén using all the above methods.  However, the best I have found is with a vehicle where you can set up your own private itinerary and spend as much time as you like at each destination.  The last trip I made out to Chichén was with a van and driver.  The driver was at our disposal for the entire day, it was less stressful and made the trip much more enjoyable since we could all sit back and relax while someone else did the driving.  Having a driver at your disposal is awesome yet it requires you to have some basic knowledge of what you plan to achieve.  On my recent excursion with a group, Chichén was our first stop.  When we were finished there, I directed him to a restaurant in Pisté, then off to Valladolid, where I took over and took my group to a Cenote in town for drinks and a short walk around town to see some sights.

Plan Your Activities

If you are planning a day trip out to Cobá, for example most structured tours will also combine it with a stop at the Tulum Ruins as well.  Although it is possible to do both, your time at both sites will be limited.  Plus, you will miss out on additional stops and other recreational activities that you can easily fit in.  Chichén is usually combined with a visit to a Cenote and a stop in Valladolid on the way back to Playa.  Ek Balam is not quite as far as Chichén and is usually coupled with a visit to Valladolid or a nearby cenote or Las Coloradas or Rio Lagartos.  Way too much to really enjoy in the short time allotted for each.   Remember, archaeological sites have daily hours and many sites set their last entry time at 3 pm.  How well you plan the day will give you the best value for your time and money.  Being realistic is the key to what you think you can accomplish remembering to be flexible.  Have an alternate plan as a backup.   You may have had an unplanned stop, a longer stop for lunch, etc. and be very mindful of closing times and the drive back.  However, you decide to plan your day, consider bringing a small cooler with you for drinks and snacks especially if you are budget conscience. Stopping for refreshments not only adds cost but eats into your activity time.  Plan in rest stops and bathroom breaks.  Restrooms can be found at most Pemex Stations while you are on the road.  Remember to bring small change (moneda) as many will have an attendant to tip or their will be a small fee to use the facilities.