Walking About Playa

[John]

I've been to Coco Bongo in Cancun 4 times. The first time was enjoyable because I was actually able to watch the performances. The 2nd time was less enjoyable because the crowd was bigger; however, I did get to see a bit of the performances.

The 3rd and 4th times... quite miserable. I had to fight my way to the bar, and wait 10 minutes for a drink, only to have half of it spilled on me while I attempted to find a safe place to drink it. Our group never found a spot big enough to accomodate everyone, so I ended up being pushed through the crowd for the remainder of the 2 hours I was there looking for my friends.

The size of the building here appears to be 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the one in Cancun. I imagine the crowd density will be as bad, if not worse, than the scene in Cancun. Some people might actually like that. I'm sure that'll be fine for the young crowd that likes to get intimate with hundreds of their closest friends.

I just hope they don't build the same series of stupid platforms like they have in Cancun. I really hate the 1 foot drop-off when you leave the VIP bar. Drunk people and platforms without railings... what a great combination!

[Laura Mapchick]

the performances is what I was talking about, they do put on some good shows
Perry was telling me about the new one he saw the last time with Queen, he thought it was pretty good.
But, I'm with you John, I hate the crowds. They let too many people in there.
I felt the same way in La Santanera.
You should always scope out the exits in those places in case you need to get out in an emergency!

[claudiadeplaya]

Originally Posted by Laura Mapchick

Claudia got dogs? She didn't tell me this!

Si, si, I got puppies, Jan wanted one and I wanted dogs to protect the house, they are learning how to bark when someone is at the door and they are muy muy bonitas, and yes, very spoiled.
If my calendar is right please tell Perry
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS
I hope he is celebrating and very happy

[adw]

Last weekened we flew into Terminal 3 with Spirit and upon going down the hallway there is a huge poster framed advsertisement hanging for Coco Bongo that takes up a whole wall and on the sign it says Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. I looked at my fiance and said theres a Coco Bongo in Playa... since when? Obviously we never seen it but it must be coming eventually.

[Dan-0]

Coco Bongo? Noooo!!!! Can drunken Spring Breakers be far behind? I hope Playa doesn't become the "new Cancun" but, unfortunately, I see it headed that way. Some of the older, less expensive hotels in Cancun are converting into condos and timeshares. They're not even technically hotels anymore. Casa Maya is an example of this. Cancun seems to becoming a destination for the super-rich. Hopefully, this new Coco Bongo is just an isolated incident of "Cancunization" in Playa!

[John]

I've been to Señor Frogs and Carlos 'N Charlies in Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. Playa's chain party bars don't even compare. Squid Roe, another chain party bar, lasted about 9 months here in Playa. It'll be interesting to see how a Coco Bongo fares.

Honestly, the placement of Señor Frogs and Carlos 'N Charlies is poor here in Playa. They are by the ferry pier in Paseo del Carmen. That area starts to shut down around 11pm. Coco Bongo will be located in fiesta alley, Calle 12 between 10th Ave and the beach. That area starts happening around 11pm.

[Dan-0]

John- I sure hope you're right! I have seen people lined up down the street to get in Coco Bongo in Cancun. I have nothing against young people having a good time, but I would like to see Playa keep its small-town ambience, that's all. I guess it's all progress.

One thing that struck me the last time we were in Playa was the number of domestic tourists and Latin American tourists who were there. And they love discos as much as anybody, so maybe they're aiming toward that crowd- who knows? It will be interesting to see how it fares.

[Bluespicker]

Originally Posted by Michele

Not to worry. I imagine it will go the way of TGI Fridays, Hooters and Squid Roe. We just don't have the numbers of clientele to support the profit margins required by their corporate offices. I'm more interested in what it will be AFTER Coco Bongo.

I agree. Playa ain't Cancun and I doubt it will ever be.

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Dan-0

John- I sure hope you're right! I have seen people lined up down the street to get in Coco Bongo in Cancun. I have nothing against young people having a good time, but I would like to see Playa keep its small-town ambience, that's all. I guess it's all progress.

One thing that struck me the last time we were in Playa was the number of domestic tourists and Latin American tourists who were there. And they love discos as much as anybody, so maybe they're aiming toward that crowd- who knows? It will be interesting to see how it fares.

There aren't many places where real locals (i.e., Mexican hospitality workers) can go in their free time. Like Coco Bongo and Dady O's in Cancun, I think they will rely on this niche to pay the bills. A Cancun style Spring Break is impossible in Playa. There are not enough hotel rooms in the town to house them. You need big box hotels, like the Oasis, to sustain that kind of action.

[Tony&Cheri]

On the issue of whether or not Playa can suport big clubs like Coco Bong...when Coco Bongo was thinking of building on 5th near 26th (around the corner from us) they announced they would be bringing in customers from Cancun by bus and fill the local bussinesses with spring breakers...like that was gonna make us happy! Luckily they could not get permission because of a City rule against having a nightclub within one block of a hospital (the 10th Ave emergency care faciltiy was on the same block). It will be interesting to see if the bus idea is still their plan.

[popeye]

Well, I'm certainly glad it's NOT going in on 5th and 26th but personally, I'd think you may need a health care facility nearby!

[Bluespicker]

I'm kinda surprised that the Mexican government hasn't built a resort city ala Ixtapa on the Maya Riveria.

[Libby]

On Saturday, we walked to the Peanut Pet Shelter for their weekly wash day. The shelter is located in the Ejido, a neighborhood on the west side of the highway. The word ejido means land belonging to the people or community land. In the past, in other parts of Mexico, some foreigners have lost their money when they unknowingly invested in ejido land, and later found the land could not be titled. Here in Playa, my understanding is that ejido land is being titled only to Mexicans. After land has been titled to a Mexican for a certain period of time (a year I think), the title can then be transferred to a foreigner. More information about ejido land.

The Ejido neighborhood in Playa is very diverse, and these photos are by no means representative of the entire area. Just a little glimpse.

Tortilla shop near the shelter.




Still lots of unpaved roads over here.


Seems like everyone has a pick-up truck.


Pretty flowers.


Wow, what a statement!


Walled off.




Typical apartment building.


Typical graffiti


A little change from all the white and pink.


This thing was humming along pretty loudly as we walked by.


Along the highway:



Need to rent a crane?

[Libby]

The recently renovated Fire Department (Bomberos).



Cool Talavera shop on the highway just south of Calle 34.




Now, we're walking east of the highway in the Gonzalo Guerrero/Zazil Ha neighborhoods.

Another pink house.


I found this house really interesting. The design is not typical of this area at all. It has a bit of the Spanish colonial look that you're likely to see in cities like Merida.


This house style, down to the 2 color paint job, is very typical of the area. But as money flows into the area, many people are adding on additional levels and redesigning facades to look more modern.


It's hard to tell, but this is an above ground pool right in the middle of a nice, quiet neighborhood.


Local school


The old Super Maz is now Soriana Super.

[redhairgirl1]

I am so loving this! I loved that pink house Great pic's!

[Cosmo]

Why don't you marry it then...

Originally Posted by redhairgirl1

I am so loving this! I loved that pink house Great pic's!