By this Author: mel.coker

It was very cloudy and threatening in the morning, but, we started out about 10:00 a.m. for an approximately 2 mile walk to Sam's Club. We did have a downpour on us about half way there and sought cover with some protection under trees. This is the place to buy tequila at the best possible price in Playa del Carmen. The selection is somewhat limited, but, still really good tequilas at excellent prices. As an example, Correlljo Reposado is the tequila we have purchased most often, and the price is about $40 for 750 ml in Columbia, SC. At Sam's Club the price is 190.41 pesos (about $14.22) for 1 liter. We purchased 1921 Crema de Tequila and Cazadores Reposado tequila - total of 355.65 pesos or $26.56. On our two mile walk back to our condo, we had more light rain and drizzle.

We did get a bit of beach time late in the afternoon. We then walked up the beach next to the pier for Barbara to get a 70 minute massage on the beach. Cost was only $21.

After seaching restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor.com, I came up with an interesting place for dinner - La Portena on Calle 38 at 5th Avenue. It might be best called a dinner counter with bar stools for seating. Essentially, the kitchen, sink and dining area all in about 85 square feet. We watched chef Arturo cooked directly in front of us. Barbara had a lime chicken dinner and I had rib-eye steak. Delicious, interesting and reasonable price. Here is the TripAdvisor review.

After dinner, we had the long walk back to our condo, but, stopped on the way at Calle 26 between 5th and 10th Avenues at a favorite place - Luna Blue Hotel and Bar. Our bartender friend, Jorge was there ready to make a margarita and dirty monkey. We stayed at Luna Blue for 3 nights in March 2013 - highly recommended with great owners and Alex and Jorge on hand to take care of guests and visitors.

Tuesday was another rainy and cloudy day through about mid-afternoon. We did take a taxi over to a glass shop off Highway 307. After that, another taxi ride over to Calle 30 and lunch at Bro-cheta. After lunch, we took the long walk back to our condo at Xaman-Ha.

When some clearing and sunshine arrived in the afternoon, we walked up to our favorite beach bar, Wah Wah Beach Bar Our favorite waiter there, Roberto, saw us coming and was waiting with open arms. We had met Roberto during our June/July 2013 visit and he remembered us. Wah Wah offers free beach chairs and 2 for 1 margaritas each day until 5:00 p.m. While there, we met two couples from Texas and quickly became friends. We hung out there until the early Wednesday time of 7:00 p.m. We also met Cowboy John again, another fine Wah Wah employee. Wah Wah is the place to go on the beach in Playa del Carmen.

No dinner out this night as Barbara was not feeling well. Too happy from margaritas.

We started with an early morning walk from the Playacar section where we are staying to Nativo for breakfast. We had visited Nativo on a previous trip. This place has great fruit and reasonable prices. We ordered a large fruit bowl and two large juice drinks which came to 115 pesos (about $9). Nativo is located on 30th Avenue at Calle 20.

We then walked across the street to the DAC Produce Market. We bought tomatoes, cilantro, onion and a serrano pepper to make pico de gallo. Our total cost was only $2.

The rain and clouds cleared some in the afternoon so we could get out on the beach.

For dinner, we went to Pez Vela on 5th Avenue. I had baby back ribs and Barbara had guacamole. After dinner we walked over to the Xaman-Ha ruins just across the street from our condo for pictures.

Dinner at Pez Vela

Dinner at Pez Vela

Posing on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen

We packed in the morning to leave our resort, Westin Lagunamar. This was a great place to stay in Cancun. Highly recommended.

We were picked up promptly at 9:30 a.m by Cancun Transfers for the ride to the airport. There we purchased tickets from ADO for 120 pesos each (about $9) for the ride to Playa del Carmen. This is easy and inexpensive. Avoid the taxi as that would be about $50.

In the afternoon, we walked south from our condo. This ended up being a really long walk - the Google Maps Distance Calculator shows a distance of about 5 miles total round trip distance. We almost walked to Xcaret!

This day,