OT Vacation Plans? (1 Viewer)

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Stevenson said:
We're thinking of going to Tulum next fall. Got engaged there many moons ago. Worried about safety though. @SlyPokerDog - any thoughts?
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Last May we literally drove around the entire Yucatan last May and the worst traffic of the entire trip, including Merida, was Tulum. I was last in Tulum in 2002 and I was shocked at how not only how much it's grown but how shitty it was. But this is only the main drive through town. I have not been to any of the new/newer resorts there. I do not like to be resort-bound and enjoy walking around a town. Tulum didn't seem real conducive to that.

Since it's special to both you and your wife I would find a nice resort and only stay 3 days because it's going to be very different than when you were there.

Tulum is having a war between rival cartels. But unless you're looking to purchase a kilo of something you should be fine. Even the big shooting there was at one of the resorts involved the cartels. They're not really looking to shoot tourists, lol.

Anyways, I would look to stay in Tulum for only a few days. Then move on to somewhere else. Playacar in PDC is a gated community of resorts and very nice. Only a $5 & 10 min taxi ride to Playa Del Carmen. Very safe yet you can go into town and explore the nightlife and restaurants. Either Riu Palace in Playacar is very very clean and nice.

If you're looking for some of that old school Mexico charm from when you got engaged in Tulum you should look at spending a few days in Merida. It's not on the ocean but full of history.

If you want to know more let me know.
 
SlyPokerDog said:
Last May we literally drove around the entire Yucatan last May and the worst traffic of the entire trip, including Merida, was Tulum. I was last in Tulum in 2002 and I was shocked at how not only how much it's grown but how shitty it was. But this is only the main drive through town. I have not been to any of the new/newer resorts there. I do not like to be resort-bound and enjoy walking around a town. Tulum didn't seem real conducive to that.

Since it's special to both you and your wife I would find a nice resort and only stay 3 days because it's going to be very different than when you were there.

Tulum is having a war between rival cartels. But unless you're looking to purchase a kilo of something you should be fine. Even the big shooting there was at one of the resorts involved the cartels. They're not really looking to shoot tourists, lol.

Anyways, I would look to stay in Tulum for only a few days. Then move on to somewhere else. Playacar in PDC is a gated community of resorts and very nice. Only a $5 & 10 min taxi ride to Playa Del Carmen. Very safe yet you can go into town and explore the nightlife and restaurants. Either Riu Palace in Playacar is very very clean and nice.

If you're looking for some of that old school Mexico charm from when you got engaged in Tulum you should look at spending a few days in Merida. It's not on the ocean but full of history.

If you want to know more let me know.
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Also Tulum is slamming in an international airport in Tulum, suppose to open next January. That is going to make traffic even worse during construction.
 
Super helpful, @SlyPokerDog. Playa Del Carmen was literally a sleepy fishing village that boasted a boat to Cozumel as its main attraction the last time we were there (1990, wow!)

Thanks to you, Playacar is looking like our destination now! :smiley-sun: Have you stayed in any of the resorts? The Palyacar Palace looks pretty sweet.
 
Stevenson said:
Super helpful, @SlyPokerDog. Playa Del Carmen was literally a sleepy fishing village that boasted a boat to Cozumel as its main attraction the last time we were there (1990, wow!)

Thanks to you, Playacar is looking like our destination now! :smiley-sun: Have you stayed in any of the resorts? The Palyacar Palace looks pretty sweet.
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We have stayed twice at the Riu Palace Mexico in Playacar and absolutely loved it. It's a very nice 5* resort at a fair place. I believe Riu has 5 resorts in Playacar. Some are 4 star, but they have 2 Palaces, which are their highest-rated resorts.
 
Camping and canoeing down the Willamette next weekend. Camping on a few selected islands we've scoped out that are designated or allowed for such activity.
 
We'll be staying at our FL cottage for a couple of weeks in October and are planning a side trip to the Keys. Anyone been to Key West? Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
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ABM said:
We'll be staying at our FL cottage for a couple of weeks in October and are planning a side trip to the Keys. Anyone been to Key West? Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
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Definitely hit up the Hemingway House.



Stop at Robbie's in Islamorada. Feeding the Tarpon's is insane.


If you are passing by Homestead, go to Robert is Here Fruitstand:
https://www.robertishere.com/
 
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HailBlazers said:
Rough..
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Of course Sly liked your post, "rough"!

Haven't been back to Europe since like 10-12 months before COVID hit. Used to go 2-3 times/year for several years, so I'm excited to go back. But I otherwise don't miss travel. Going to Hawaii 5-8 times/year is good enough for me.
 
We're headed to Puerto Vallarta next week for our anniversary. Never been there. Looks nice.
 
Spent an impromptu weekend in Seattle. Forgot how nice this city was. It was suppose to rain but got nice weather the whole time.
 
ABM said:
We're headed to Puerto Vallarta next week for our anniversary. Never been there. Looks nice.
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One of my favorite Mexican destinations, we keep talking about going back but keep finding new places to explore. Me and my wife have dreamt about buying a condo there. The malecon (beach walkway) is one of the best to just stroll up and down every night. You can do a few fun Zipline adventures, one in the filming area of Predator which is fun. There is a hidden beach that looks nice but we couldn't do because my wife got seasick sick on the catamaran on the way there, had to pay some locals on a fishing boat to take us back to the highway then hitched home with her head in a paper bag (it was quite the experience). The romantic zone of PVR is my favorite area but it might be a little to busy and loud for you to stay at so most people end up in Nuevo Vallarta near the nicer hotels. Romantic area has a lot of character, great restaurants and boutique hotels that worth checking out at least. Our next trip we want to go to the town of Sayulita to check out the expat scene there. You should have a great time, I would pick PVR over most Hawaiian destinations.
 
Another tip for Puerto Vallarta is, if your hotel doesn't have its own beach areas, then pay for one of the beach club lounge chairs. Don't try and save money in the free areas. The clubs are not that much, they keep some of the hawkers off you and you get a on call waiter for beers or food on damand. Totally worth it and it always works out cheaper than expected.

Don't pay for a on beach massage from one of the Mexican ladies either. It might sounds relaxing but they usually are terrible. Instead, find a massage place downtown and do a couples massage. Places in nice shops are trained and very affordable. Expect something like $30 each an hour. Your hotel or resort will probably charge US prices for massages.
 
So back from Espana. Have a bunch of thoughts.

Ibiza was beautiful, hit up Formentera. Water was so fucking clear. The hotel was awesome.

Barcelona was great EXCEPT for the 3 incidents where they tried to rob me.

1. We were on a Rickshaw tour, I asked him to take us to a statue by Fernando Botero that was located in kind of shady neighborhood (El Raval). On the way back, the driver said we were being followed by a few guys on scooters. Apparently they had seen my watch. I had him drop me off in La Boqueria market and we lost the scooter guys there.

2. We were walking back from dinner in a nicer neighborhood (the Born). On a street, some young guys started coming up to me and tried to high five me. Then tried to stick his hand in my front pocket where my phone was. Told him to get the fuck away, and they did.

3. We were walking back from dinner the last night. A block from our hotel (it was a nice, 5 star hotel). I noticed that two guys were pacing us behind us. I kind of stopped, then tried to let them pass. He spoke some foreign language I didn't understand (I think they were North African/Morrocan) and then grabbed my watch on my wrist and tried to rip it off my wrist. Also tried to get into my pocket, which he ripped. I started swinging and he ran across the street and we ran back to the hotel.

Barcelona is shady, be careful out there!
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
So back from Espana. Have a bunch of thoughts.

Ibiza was beautiful, hit up Formentera. Water was so fucking clear. The hotel was awesome.

Barcelona was great EXCEPT for the 3 incidents where they tried to rob me.

1. We were on a Rickshaw tour, I asked him to take us to a statue by Fernando Botero that was located in kind of shady neighborhood (El Raval). On the way back, the driver said we were being followed by a few guys on scooters. Apparently they had seen my watch. I had him drop me off in La Boqueria market and we lost the scooter guys there.

2. We were walking back from dinner in a nicer neighborhood (the Born). On a street, some young guys started coming up to me and tried to high five me. Then tried to stick his hand in my front pocket where my phone was. Told him to get the fuck away, and they did.

3. We were walking back from dinner the last night. A block from our hotel (it was a nice, 5 star hotel). I noticed that two guys were pacing us behind us. I kind of stopped, then tried to let them pass. He spoke some foreign language I didn't understand (I think they were North African/Morrocan) and then grabbed my watch on my wrist and tried to rip it off my wrist. Also tried to get into my pocket, which he ripped. I started swinging and he ran across the street and we ran back to the hotel.

Barcelona is shady, be careful out there!
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I learned in the Navy to never wear nice watches or jewelry or expensive cameras when you're a tourist....it's like carrying a thief magnet around....co get a 15 dollar watch if you need to wear one but that's a good lesson for travelers. Also Lonely Planet would love to hear your story...they give travel advice daily on things to watch out for when traveling.Travelers log in and let them know what the scams and red flags are.
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
So back from Espana. Have a bunch of thoughts.

Ibiza was beautiful, hit up Formentera. Water was so fucking clear. The hotel was awesome.

Barcelona was great EXCEPT for the 3 incidents where they tried to rob me.

1. We were on a Rickshaw tour, I asked him to take us to a statue by Fernando Botero that was located in kind of shady neighborhood (El Raval). On the way back, the driver said we were being followed by a few guys on scooters. Apparently they had seen my watch. I had him drop me off in La Boqueria market and we lost the scooter guys there.

2. We were walking back from dinner in a nicer neighborhood (the Born). On a street, some young guys started coming up to me and tried to high five me. Then tried to stick his hand in my front pocket where my phone was. Told him to get the fuck away, and they did.

3. We were walking back from dinner the last night. A block from our hotel (it was a nice, 5 star hotel). I noticed that two guys were pacing us behind us. I kind of stopped, then tried to let them pass. He spoke some foreign language I didn't understand (I think they were North African/Morrocan) and then grabbed my watch on my wrist and tried to rip it off my wrist. Also tried to get into my pocket, which he ripped. I started swinging and he ran across the street and we ran back to the hotel.

Barcelona is shady, be careful out there!
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What watch were you wearing?
 
Weather was perfect for us. Sunny the whole time, not too hot, not too cold. Got up to the high 80s and high 60s at night.

Got an upgraded room (used points for this) in Barcelona.
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Hotel balcony in Ibiza (we had a hot tub/jacuzzi tub out on the deck too!)

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Used chase points for all of that. Transferred points to Hyatt for the Barcelona and booked on the Chase Travel Portal for Ibiza.

Forgot how much Ibiza was, but I got a good deal on the Hyatt room. Only 43k points for 2 nights. The CHEAPEST rate for the hotel that night was at least $600, so this room was probably $1k a night or so.
 
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