December 2008

Part III - Playa Maroma, Yucatan, Mexico

Catalonia Playa Maroma proved to be the best bang for the buck so far when compared to our previous Caribeean vacations: gorgeous white sand beach and turquoise water, great entertainment, great services, close enough to Playa del Carmen in order to feel less claustrophobic within the resort.

14 glorious days at half price when compared to Riu Ocho Rios in Jamaica which kind of makes you feel better during these crazy tough economic times flooded with ponzi schemes, crappy car manufacturers and bloodsucking banks bailouts.

Including Christmas day celebrations with great festive cocktail and dinner, mariachi and unlimited spanish "cava" (bubbly) that makes mariachis sound so much better.



Setting of the hotel buildings is absolutely great within a natural mangrove; walking towards the beach and back thru the mangrove is a great relaxing experience; new age music emerging from within the tropical lush vegetation enhances the experience.

Best spot to be after a hard day's work laying on the beach is at a table on the terrace by the pool enjoying french style pancakes and a Sombrero (Kahlua + tequila, cream and crushed ice mix). All this seasoned with cha-cha / salsa dance lessons ("un-dos-tres - colata, cinco seis siete - colita") and ending up with tropical sunsets.

Three animation teams - one from France, one from Italy and one from Mexico are doing their best to keep you entertained the whole day (though sometimes a bit overwhelming especially the chief Italian entertainer Ms. Valentina Tosta whose unmistakeable voice follows you everywhere you go, beach, pool, bars, lobby, show, disco, name it, the girl is really everywhere).

Very little conationals from Canada, most guests are from Italy and France, so animation is very often in French, Italian or Spanish; therefore not too inviting for Americans but it suited us perfectly.

Absolutely great walks on the beach on both sides of the resort, you can go and get back for a total of more than 2 hours to the right towards the Eldorado Maroma resort, with pelicans, crabs, iguanas, horseback riding tourists, marina, etc. to keep your eyes busy while strolling along the incredibly beautiful beach. Did I mention the beautiful sunset on Christmas day ?

Twice a day Playa del Carmen shuttles take you to the busy Quinta Avenida where you can have a rather pricey dinner and obscene wine prices in a beautiful and perfect people-watching setting at a balmy 25 degrees C feeling more like over 30. Kind of nice when coming from the North Pole.

Some of the Playa del Carmen highlights: Mexican wedding in the beautiful small basilica at the corner of Avenida Juarez, mariachis everywhere, usual moon over the Caribeean, bar on the shore next to the Cozumel ferry terminal where on a special tune (oldies) there is the usual waterhosing of the guests - seems to be quite americanized which is not necessarily bad.

More highlights: Surfing the internet on a terrasse while mexican kids come and sing for you Christmas carols, friendly policeman of the "policia turistica" stopping and waving so that you can take his picture, North-American imported Santa Claus on Quinta Avenida.