Destination: Playa del Carmen

Sandy Lyon, one of our friendly Holiday Vacationeers, shares about her timeshare vacation to Playa del Carmen:
Recently, I went to Playa del Carmen and stayed at the Sunset Fishermen Resort, a Gold Crown resort right on the beach, but within walking distance to town.

I had friends who had stayed at this resort and really liked it, so I thought I would give it a try. More importantly, I really wanted to go to Playa Del Carmen for a change, instead of Puerto Vallarta, which is my favorite place in Mexico. I did an exchange using RCI Points. It was very easy through RCI’s online Points Exchange Web site.

There are so many things to do in the area. The ruins at Tulm are a must! We also went to Xel Ha which is a huge all natural water park, where we snorkeled and did the “lazy river floating on tubes” thing, which wasn’t so lazy . . . we had to paddle for an hour! We also spent the day at Puerto Adventuras, where we swam with the Dolphins. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. The shopping is great. Lots and lots of small shops to buy just about anything you would want in a tourist destination. We even had necklaces in silver personally made with our names spelled out in the Mayan language.

The town of Playa del Carmen is small and wonderful. The main part for tourists is about 18 blocks long and 5 blocks wide, so you can just walk to everything. You can catch the ferry to Cozumel from there also. There are many great restaurants, some are very chic, some serve authentic Mayan food, and many are Italian–definitely something for everyone’s appetite.
Many of the restaurants and pubs have entertainment, from old Rock and Roll, to authentic Mariachi, to music from Peru and Brazil. We were sitting at the Blue Parrott one night when all of a sudden a fire dance show started, 4 men and 4 women twirling fire batons. It was exceptional. We were also very fortunate that while we were there, they were having their 5th Annual Jazz Festival on the beach, which included George Benson and Tower of Power.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are exceptional. Very nice white sand that doesn’t burn your feet. You can swim in the ocean and really enjoy the water there. I highly recommend this destination for anyone wanting beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, magnificent ruins, great shopping, lots of entertainment, good food, and a very small, personable town with lots of ambiance.

Vacation Tip: If you plan to go to Playa del Carmen, most of the resorts are all-inclusive, so you do have to pay all-inclusive fees, and they do vary per resort, so you need to check this information carefully. If you want to be close to town, make sure the resort is right in Playacar or Playa del Carmen, or you will be miles from town and have to take a taxi. When getting to the airport in Cancun, be sure to ask for a shuttle, because a cab is very, very expensive from the airport to Playa del Carmen.

Visit Sandy’s Page

“Mancation” Timeshare Getaways

Men have long gathered with buddies for camping, fishing and hunting trips. It’s just in recent years the term “mancation” was coined to describe these testosterone-filled getaways. Why should girls have all the fun, anyway?

Timeshares make great mancation bases. Bunking together in a two-bedroom unit makes the vacation affordable. You can keep beer cold in the kitchen’s full-size fridge. And many timeshare condominiums come with outdoor grills for simple dinners—just throw some steaks on the coals.

Ideal men-only timeshare destinations can be found throughout North America and Mexico. Here are just a few ideas for your next mancation:

Las Vegas
It’s the quintessential city for bachelor parties. Good food, good drink, gambling, and plenty of ways to play in Sin City, if you’d like to go that route. But don’t forget, for every off-the-Strip club, there’s a hiking, biking or skiing trail just outside the city limits. Las Vegas is actually a nature-lover’s playground with Lake Mead, Mt. Charleston, and Red Rock Canyon easily accessible for a day of outdoor activity.

Cancun
This big-city beach destination is filled with fun bars and festive restaurants—and Cancun’s nightlife extends way into the wee hours of the morning. Day trips include deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Plus, if hitting the links is your thing, you can choose from dozens of scenic golf courses.

California
Forgo the Bud Light, and tour Napa Valley’s wineries. (Hey, a pair of guys did it in Sideways.) Or plan a mountain biking or other off-road adventure in the state’s many national parks. Then there’s fishing at Lake Tahoe or skiing in the surrounding mountains. Take surfing lessons off the coast of Southern California, or hit the thrill rides at Magic Mountain or Universal Studios.

Canada
Okay, so it’s a big, vast country. And it can be cold. But Canada is also full of options. Get cultured in the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto or Montreal. Hit the stellar ski slopes of Whistler. Banff is a year-round mountain resort, with skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter, as well as high-altitude golf courses and tennis courts on site or near many timeshare condominiums.

5 Timeshare Destinations for Your New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. What are you resolving to do in 2008?No matter what your New Year’s Resolutions are, timeshare locations can help you meet your goals. Here’s how:

“I want to lose weight.”
Spend a week hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding in Arizona, while preparing healthy meals in your timeshare unit’s kitchen, and you’ll likely return home from your vacation weighing less than when you left. After all, hitting the trails and exploring the state’s natural wonders won’t feel like exercise when your “fitness center” is glorious red-rock canyon country.

“I need to give up smoking.”
Hit the beaches of Hawaii if you really want to stick to your resolve to give up cigarettes. The state bans smoking in all public places, including restaurants, airports and malls. It’s illegal to light up in any partially enclosed area, or within 20 feet of doors and windows of public buildings. Snorkel in the Pacific, learn to hula, sip mai tais by the pool, and say aloha to a healthier vacation without nicotine.

“We want to spend more time together as a family.”
Myrtle Beach has something for all ages—miles of beaches, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, a NASCAR speed park, aquarium, amusement parks and water slides. Plus, there’s championship golf courses and mini golf for the munchkins.

“My spouse and I need some time alone.”
If it’s romance you’re craving in 2008, you can’t beat a getaway to the Caribbean. Spice up your love life by walking hand in hand on the beach at sunset, sharing a hammock under swaying palms, or dancing until dawn to the beat of reggae or calypso.

“I’d like to save more money.”
Purchasing a timeshare anywhere in the world is one way to save some serious dollars on your annual vacations. Read these “Timeshare Basics” to learn how vacation ownership is more cost-effective than seeking out “discounted” trips each year. Enjoy more money in the bank, as well as incredible flexibility and freedom, with a timeshare.