Bahia Principe Coba

Bahia Principe Coba - Cancun

The Bahia Principe Coba , Bahia Principe Akumal , and Bahia Principe Tulum form a huge resort complex on the Riviera Maya about 35 minutes south of Cancun .

Relax in the Bahia Principe Coba lobby in the evenings with friends and flaming coffees – Spanish, cappuccino, espresso, etc. Although many guests at the Bahia Principe Coba never venture out of the resort, and are content with just hanging around the pools and beaches, Akumal Bay (10 mins. $10Usd) has an outstanding art gallery (Lamanai Gallery), nice restaurants, and good snorkeling from the beautiful beach. Xel-Ha is a water park just 15min south of the Coba resort. Cost is $75 US for a full day. This includes food, booze, snorkel mask, fins, and towel.

There is an Internet cafe at the small shopping plaza (Hacienda Dona Isabel), which is central to the Coba resort. If you discover that the clock used to time your usage is inaccurate and you are overcharged, complain to the cafe operator and he will adjust your charge (another “Gringo Tax”). Playa del Carmen is about 20 minutes up the highway but don’t take a taxi. Take the local transport at the entrance to the resort for $2.00. There is a meeting area in Playa for your return trip. Fifth Avenue is a well-known shopping district in Playa, but everything’s over-priced.

Upon arrival at the Cancun airport , you’ll be greeted by many men and women with official looking “Information” badges (Sharks) who’ll be trying to sell you everything from time shares to tours – don’t even pause, just walk directly to exit where you’ll find buses to your resort.

Swim with the dolphins? At $149Usd why not buy one? Do the same thing for Tulum . The collectivo is $2 bucks and the entrance fee $5. Get a tour guide if you want, but hate getting led around. Use your guidebook to fill in the history yourself.

Taxis offer an all-day rate. If you arrange for the day, you can leave your stuff in the trunk (if snorkeling for example). Split it four ways and use the money you save to splurge on a night out for dinner on the beach in Playa del Carmen. Getting out of the airport can be a bit tricky. You will want to bypass all of the bag carriers and the guys in blue shirts offering to find our arranged transportation. Head for the exit. Your transport is right outside, and you’ll soon be on your two hour ride to the resort.

The larger activity pool has daily entertainment and music, a huge fountain in the middle, a swim-up-bar, a kid pool area and many grass thatched palapas for shade. There is a snack buffet by this pool serving nachos, kid-friendly food, fresh fruit, pretty desserts as well as coffee and tea. The staff here was always animated and ensure that the contests and games stay within the boundaries of “family fun.

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