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Cancun & Cozumel Hotel, Resort & Villa Reviews
Iberostar Tucan Playa Del Carmen 01/23/2004
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
Iberostar “Tucan” Playa Del Carmen
By http://www2.wcoil.com/~shawnee1/
January 11-14 2004
Where to start? First, this was one of the best resorts we have been to in the last 10 years.
In contrast to last year, Apple Tours flights were not only on time but the service was first class. We arrive in Cancun on time at about 6PM – I would like to see them have an early morning flight giving us more time at resort. Advise – walk right by all the booths straight to the front of the airport after you verify your name with the Apple Representative as you depart the airplane. The booth people are selling side trips. You can book them at the hotel. They were very persistent – keep walking!!
The ride from airport was very smooth – and you are the second to the last resort so the last one off the bus about 50 minute ride if not a lot of drop offs. On the return they pick you up second and stop to pick up other resorts going to airport. We were in 1300 block- 3 story close to beach. We were on third story – I didn’t see any elevators. Great room – two double beds a trade off to get closer to the beach. We had a wet bar which was taken care of daily especially if you leave a 2 buck tip the first day. This is the only time we tipped.
The buffet was very good!! The only downside to the food – we could only get into specialty restaurants ONCE. The seafood was great – shrimp, smoked conch to mention a few. They had oysters one morning for breakfast in the buffet. Tip! Look over the list of specialty restaurants and book them the same day you arrive or the next day before orientation.
The shows were outstanding! The entertainers always did a kid show first – the Muppet theme music sneaks back into my brain at the oddest times. The little kids were very cute. “HOLA” Great singers – full 9 piece band – large screen video and always dragged people from audience to be part of the show – very funny and tasteful. This compares with the Sandal’s Negril shows.
The beach was “European” at least at our end of the beach – the kids hung out at what we called the baby pool. The teenagers hung at the main pool. Unlike the Dominican Republic – no mosquitoes, temperatures high 70’s low 80’s during the day… high 60’s at night bring a sweater or light jacket for the evening or a light windbreaker rain jacket. Many wore shorts and sweatshirts or sweaters. Get down to the beach by 7AM to stake out a shaded area with a chair. They go quickly especially on a warm day. Don’t lose your beach towel card $10.00 fee. You leave your card at towel place.
The bar was great – no Jack Daniels, but a “Very Old Canadian Bourbon”. We ended up drinking Tequila shots to ward off any “evil spirits” (smile). A downside – we wore plastic bracelets which were a little annoying. We got them at check in. Barb lost hers in the shower had to get a new one. The Sandals swims up bars have spoiled us. Swim up bar just OK.
The jungle in the middle of the resort was a unique high light! We watched the monkeys eat leaves and the various birds (Including live pink flamingos). The jungle paths were very well done. We loved that the buildings were ONLY three stories and the back side room door opened to the jungle. We are not high rise resort fans. This resort was just the right size for us.
We did not dive tooooo much to see the first time. Waves were rough and had significant wind while we were there. Wind surfers were really moving on their boards. We did rent scooters at resort to go downtown probably a 20 minute walk, but some upscale shops about 10 minutes away. The bikes were fun. Six-Eight dollars an hour for a peddle bike and I think I paid $28-3 hours for a scooter (two riders). Driver had to wear a helmet which had a locked storage area on bike so you didn’t have to carry it. Downtown had many shops and haggling price is usual. Tequila shot $4US, small Cuban cigar $7US for the men – women silver (look for engraving) and clothe goods everywhere. One of the hotel quests spent two hours looking for a thong swimming suit… not an easily found item.
I spent some time talking to a real estate agent moved there from US 15 years ago. I went in his store front (avoid condo dealers very annoying) and asked about preconstruction prices for a 2 bedroom condo 3 blocks off beach. The price was between $150,000 preconstruction 175-200 thousand after construction. Rent by day or week bringing in about $15,000 US a year after paying rental agents. Playa Del Carmen is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico. BTW – the bank holds your condo as a trust fund which you have for 50 years and can pass it to your heirs for another 50 years according to this realtor. I did this instead of shopping!
The trip went very quickly!! Would I return – absolutely! We had to leave the resort by 8AM to catch our 11:30 AM flight. We need 6 days arriving earlier and leaving later.
Great staff – food – beach – and room!! 1-day sun, 1-day partly cloudy, 1-day very cloudy...
Final TIP ! Emergency rows on USA 3000 are 11 and 12 – Some people had to check carryons while others did not….Airport liquor right at departure gate – Gentleman Jack Daniels $22.00 a fifth - $40 in the US!! You can take home 2 bottles each.
Another great adventure…
Shawnee1@aol.com
Shawnee1
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