Day 7! Our last full day in Playa del Carmen. Cry!
Funny that this was well over two weeks ago on February 11th! I’ve been enjoying reviewing my photos and writing these recaps. I like having this sort of thing documented, even if it’s only interesting to me. Ha ha. Anyway…
I think this was Steven’s favorite day in Mexico, because… we spent the morning driving a dune buggy in the jungle!
One time when I was running in Playacar I saw a bunch of people drive by on dune buggies and was all “OMG I NEED TO DO THAT.” I got back and told Steven about it and he had the same reaction. Luckily, we were able to get a tour booked for our last full morning in Playa del Carmen!
Similar to our snorkel adventure, we didn’t really know what this excursion included (or, when it would be over). We read this blog review of it the night before and freaked out – in a good way and a bad way. Good because, we’d get to see a cenote! We had no idea the tour would include that when we signed up – we had been trying to figure out how to visit a cenote, and here was our answer! And, bad because it sounded like an all day excursion, including a visit to a village to hand out candy (???), and stopping at a place for lunch that did not serve vegan food (heaven forbid I miss a meal!).
It was very clear on the website that your clothes were going to get trashed, and that you’d be muddy and want something covering your face. I was worried about this, because I stopped to get bandannas before the trip, but couldn’t find any. Happily, the tour guides had bandannas and goggles (which they pronounce “googles,” hee hee, because they were French) for us. And fortunately, we found out the tour would be over by 1:00 (because I wanted to spend our last afternoon at the beach!!!).
This business is run out of the owners’ home in Playacar. The husband leads the tour from one buggy with an assistant, and the five other buggies follow him. We happened to be on a tour with a family from Canada – the mom and dad, and their three kids and partners. What a fun trip to take with your family (to Mexico) and what a fun excursion to do together. We found out they had been to Playa del Carmen many times before. I can see why people keep coming back!
For the first part of the tour, we drove on the highway to get gas. It was amusing to be driving a little dune buggy on the highway! I wonder if the other cars think it’s odd, or if it’s just another normal commute sighting?
After we got gas, the tour guide (how awesome that I never caught his name… oops) did tell us we’d be stopping in a Mayan village and that he likes to buy a few things to hand out to the people there. He said he likes to do it because the people don’t have much, and, as a thank you for us driving through their village each day on his dune buggy tour.
It felt odd to us. Especially to have people come rushing up when they see you show up, so you can hand things out. But we did participate. And really, we probably spent the equivalent of $6 on some noodles, oatmeal, and beans. But, it was never about the money. Just feeling put on the spot, really. Anyway.
It was eye-opening to see the conditions the families were living in. No plumbing. No electricity. I guess I got to see a real part of Mexico that I wasn’t ready for. Or expecting.
After that, we were on our way to the cenote. I was happy for the goggles and bandanna. It was dusty! Oh, and they came in handy when we drove through this:
Sigh. That water was so, so cold. Hence, the squealing in the video. And guess what doesn’t come out of your clothes? Jungle dirt, apparently. Ha ha! No worries. We knew we were going to get muddy!
Which made going in to the cenote all the more refreshing!
Ahh. I am just… so pleased we got to experience one of these. Apparently, this region of Mexico has tons of centoes (sink holes turned fresh water caves and underground rivers!). The water is clear, so you can see almost all the way to the bottom!
It was really neat when the sun beams shined in through the water!
We wanted to visit a cenote but so many of them around the area we were staying in were part of, for lack of a better word, amusement parks. We had looked for one in a natural area/park we could visit on our own, but came up with nothing. Luckily, that is exactly what our tour guide took us to – some random one in the jungle that the locals showed him and not many people know about! I can see why it’s gone unnoticed – it’s hidden! We walked on a rocky hilly path for awhile, then all of a sudden, it appeared!
We spent an hour or so there. Our tour guide brought snorkels and goggles, and we enjoyed exploring the water. I was also brave enough to climb in to the back of the cave and jump off one of the lower rock formations – but only once! Ha ha!
I didn’t realize it, but I had water on my GoPro lens (duh, make sense), so most of my photos didn’t turn out (the low lighting didn’t help, either). But I did get a short video of what it was like inside:
Such a cool space. That might be my favorite part of the trip, and I didn’t even know we’d get to do it! Wouldn’t it be amazing to live near one of those? We talked with a local there, who used to live in Washington state and missed cenotes while he was there, so he makes a point to visit that one every morning.
After that, back on the buggies, for the real jungle adventure. Before we were on somewhat open dirt roads like this:
Then it was on to more tree coverage and even more twists and turns:
Oh yeah, and a few more puddles:
Honestly, we were driving a long time (Steven drove the entire time)! I tracked where we went with my Garmin watch, and we spent over two and a half hours driving, and went over 40 miles (top speed of 34 mph). I enjoyed it, and I know Steven did, but I wonder if this excursion is for everyone. The dune buggies are loud, and smelly, and when you aren’t moving, you get pretty hot! I may or may have not fallen asleep on the ride back, too. Ha!
We stopped once for someone to use the bathroom, a few times to fix broken down buggies, to visit some native Mayans in the jungle, then we were back in Playacar, just after 1:00. The lunch mentioned in the blog post we read was no longer part of the trip, which was fine with us (they did provide a snack at the cenote, and water, though)!
Wish I would have known our buggy had a GoPro mount on the front! I would have brought the right adapter for it!
We took a taxi back to the condo (we were kind of muddy… oops) and ate some leftovers from the second Mexican feast we made, then headed over to a beach club,
where we enjoyed drinks and fries,
and where I got a new tattoo.
We met up with Gina, Steve and Luca (they spent the day on Isla Mujeres near Cancún) and walked on the beach a bit.
I was sad to be leaving. Sad it was our last night. And… sad my stomach decided to revolt against something I consumed. Yeah. The last night there was not pretty! The five of us had one last meal out, finding a place with several options for food, since Gina and I were so over Mexican cuisine at that point (the boys weren’t though!).
Steven and I shopped a bit after dinner and got him one last marquesita, and packed. I was in agony for a lot of it due to my stomach. Not much sleep that last night, and unfortunately, not because I was out partying!
So sorry the last thing you had on your trip was stomach issues! That cenote looks like it was amazing! What a special experience. You’re making me want to take a trip to Mexico now. Anything warm beats this frigid stretch we’re having in Chicagoland!
I am happy it was the last thing and not in the middle of the trip! I was over it about three days later 🙂
Ha ha! But aren’t we having a heat wave this week with temps in the 30s?!??!? 😀
The cenote looks beautiful. What a cool experience! Now you are making me want to go to Mexico. Did you really get another tattoo? I’m kind of jealous I still haven’t got one!
Go! It’s amazing!
It was temporary ink! I’d like a compass tattoo similar to that, but not in that location and not that big 🙂 When are you gonna get yours?!
Bummer that you didn’t feel well your last night, but the dune buggy trip was very cool – and I had never heard of cenotes, so your report was eductional for me!
I had never heard of them either! One of my coworkers was like “You HAVE to visit a cenote!” And I am all “what the heck is that?!” ha ha, I see why she said it was a must-see, though!
I never heard of cenotes but that looks gorgeous, and peaceful. I’m sorry your stomach decided to revolt. I’ve been sick on vacation before and it’s not fun. You’re not supposed to get sick on vacation.
For real you got a new tattoo?
My grandparents lived in a town with no plumbing. As you can imagine I did not like to visit them that often. 🙁
I loved reading about your trip and glad you had a great time. I’ve been to that area bout 3 or 4 times but I’ve always stayed a a resort. Reading your recaps makes me want to go again but not stay at a resort.
No, it’s not permanent ink.
Oh gosh! How often do you see them?
I hope you do get to do again! 🙂
Actually they passed away in 1992. But since then there has been some improvements that includes plumbing. 🙂
Wowza!!! Will would be all over those dune buggies and I… would probably fall asleep on the way back too! Lol!! At least that’s how it was when we went four wheeling in the mountains! The cenote is sooo beautiful! I am sad your recaps are over. 🙁 Looks like it’s time for another vacay!
Ha! Funny! You actually fell asleep, too?
I still have a few more stories to share from Mexico! Ha ha, let’s face it, I won’t shut up about it for awhile 🙂
That sucks that you had those stomach issues – what an awful feeling. =( Awesome that you got a new tattoo, though! Please share the story of how you decided to get a compass?
I’ve been in a similar situation before with being put on the spot to give gifts. When I was in Costa Rica, we took a horseback riding tour. Our guide told us that everyone needed to contribute $X in tips to the stable, and then went around to everyone one by one to collect. Granted, it wasn’t a lot of money, but I thought it was awkward to so blatantly ask for tips, you know?
I have been in to compasses for awhile – I really enjoy maps and way-finding! This one is temporary (it’s almost all washed away, now). But I do want a compass tattoo. Not sure where, but definitely not that big, but it would be that style! 🙂
Gosh. That does seem super awkward! Ha ha. Why does it make me think of passing the little basket around at church for donations? LOL
We were told (years ago) that there were no above ground lakes. The cenote we swam in had absolutely NO light. They cut the lights out so we could experience that. Freaky but fun too. Also, I remember feeling sad after seeing families riding on one mo-ped with small children sitting on the handle bars. The beaches were beautiful! Your pics make me want to go back.
Yes! Go back!
Yeah, we were looking at a scuba tour to one of the underwater cenote rivers and it would have been so dark (even though the water would be clear). Not sure that was what we wanted!
omg, the dune buggy ride looks pretty awesome!! You have to be ready for that level and dirt and water though lol
The water holes are amazing! Beautiful…
I have a friend who did several mission trips in Mexico and the pictures of how everyone lives was a sad sight. We are so blessed to be here.
You really had a fabulous trip, makes me want to go!
Sorry you got sick! 🙁 At least it was the last night and didn’t interfere w/ your trip much. I’ve never even heard of a cenote until this post. They are so beautiful! So cool that you got to see one in such a remote area. The dune buggy trip does look super fun to me, even w/ the dirt!
This looked like SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. Sorry to hear you had to be sick part of the trip, but thankfully it looks like you had a ton of fun too!
What an amazing trip – it looks as though you all really took advantage of all the activities available. Too bad that you were sick, but at least it was the last night?
Yeah! I was lucky it was the last night! Funny thing is, the day before this, I said to Gina and Steven, “Can you believe no one has felt sick yet?” Ha ha. Totally jinxed myself!
That cenote is so cool! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts! It seems like you went on a lot of adventures! And it makes me really excited for my trip to Punta Cana in 2 weeks!
I like the design of that compass. I’ve actually been thinking about getting a tattoo like that but I’m still undecided on where I want to put it so I am waiting!
Yay! How long will you be there? Is this your honeymoon?
Yeah, this one was way too big, and I think I might want the NE, SE, SW, NW, too. Can’t decide where I’d really put it, either!
A whole week and yes it is our honeymoon! I am so excited! And really happy to be able to get away from the snow and cold for a bit.
I like that idea too. I think I might put a fluer de lis over North too. Maybe I’ll have to get a temporary tattoo to try it out!
Awesome! You are going to have such a great time!!!
Show me if you do! I’d love to see it!
Whoa, you got a new tattoo?? Look at you!
That cenote looks so magical. I had no idea what it was, and as I was reading, I kept thinking, “I hope she explains what a cenote is again because if she mentioned it, I either missed it or just don’t know.” It’s so beautiful inside. Was the water cold because it looks really chilly, especially because the whole pool is in the shade! I was surprised when you said the water that got splashed on you was cold, so I just imagine the cenote water as freezing.
The buggies look really fun, but you made a good point about the smelly, noisy ride not being for everyone. I’d probably get grumpy after about ten minutes of the noise. Did you drive at all, or was it all Steven being fast and furious behind the wheel?
Your trip sounds so fantastic, but bummer that the last night, which is already a sad, was filled with stomach pains. At least you documented everything so well on your blog so you can go back and re-live some of the fun, non-unpleasant memories!
Ha ha, a fake tattoo that already came off 😉 I do want a compass at some point but not that large! Similar to that design though.
I couldn’t understand what a cenote was until I really saw one, so I hope the pics help! It was magical! And it was not too chilly! We got used to the temperature very quickly! I wonder if the water that splashed us was the same temp, but it felt cold cause we were driving in an open dune buggy after it and the wind felt cold.
Steven drove the whole time 🙂 I was happy to let him! 🙂
Yeah! I am thankful it was the last night that I felt like crapola. I guess that makes coming home easier! LOL. And I have already been looking back at pics and posts! Ha! How silly is that?! It was only a month ago?! It’s so nice to have our blogs to document this stuff 🙂 Thanks for reading it!