Hi friends,
I wanted to do a quick report back of my recent trip. Be warned the seaweed is bad. Its the worst I have seen and I have been travelling to this area since the 90s. Playa del Carmen is wrecked. Sea is brown and massive amounts of seaweed washing ashore. Mayakoba does their best by putting up a floatining barrier and raking up. However, masses of seaweed collect just at the barrier and leaves the water darker and with a greenish tint. Not the color I am used to. If you are coming for the beach, do not stay in Playa and reconsider Mayakoba for later in the year. Luckily, we spent time in Playa Mujeres at the Dream Playa Mujeres (review to follow), which had a wonderful beach.
Had fun none the less. Did the snorkeling excursion via the Mayakoba dive center. Friendly staff and guide. 15 minutes via boat to Punta Maroma. 1hr snorkeling. 15 minutes back. Coral was bleached in places but still alive and plent of fish. 79 USD pp. Was glad I had gone with Mayakoba. There were other boats their packed with people. If you want to go snorkeling, go with the Mayakoba dive center. The guide really worked hard to show us cool stuff.

If you are sans kids, walk down to the Rosewood and have lunch a the beachfront Aqui mi Quedo. Food and drinks are good and the spot is really chill and beautiful.Tuna tostada at Cocina Milagro at lunch was my favorite meal at Andaz.

For breakfast, the staff still serves you from the buffet but no more plastic barriers. I prefer this as it is much more sanitary than all those hands touching the tongs and spoons. Also no more omlette station. If you want fresh eggs/omlettes, you have to order it directly from your waiter.

As I said earlier, we also visited the Dreams playa mujeres. The beach is beautful and the resort is quite something. Waterpark quality waterslides, lazy river, massive tiered pool complex with live bands during the day. Drinks were bad but food was surprisingly good. Plusses and minuses. Will post a full review soon.



The barrier


Playa mujeres beach