Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Fun, Family Life, Mayan Riviera , 2009

Beach Day in Paamul

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:33:00 GMT

One of our favorite spots for a quick beach fix is Paamul, the funky trailer park community just south of Playa del Carmen. With wide sandy beaches and calm waters this bay is great for families with small kids. The restaurant is right there on the beach next to a large pool that is open to the public. The snorkeling is good with the reef being quite close, and the dive shop onsite, Scuba Mex, can arrange dives for both experienced and beginning divers. Can't bear to tear yourself away at the end of the day? Check into the hotel for a few nights! While it can get really quite hectic on Sundays, during the rest of the week Paamul is rather peaceful and a refreshing change from the busy beaches in Playa. You can bring your own cooler with snacks but it's always good form to order a little something from the restaurant. The food is really delicious and the cervezas are ice cold! They will even serve them to you right on the beach. Lovely! We snuck away for an afternoon with Siobhan and Richard from Ak Lu'um, visiting educator and friend, David Barham, Aunt Jill and, of course, all of our children. The kids practiced death defying dives and flips into the pool and we enjoyed a few rum punches and enlightening game of "Shoot, Shag or Marry". Don't ask. Really.

Cole, Liam and Birdie

Cool kids

Liam, Adriel and Cole

Flippies!!

Siobhan, Richard and David

Jilly and Cole

Liam, Siobhan and Birdie

Adriel and David

It was hard to pull ourselves away after such a fun day with friends. Finally, after the sun had set, we packed it in and headed home, sandy and salty and looking forward to the next time!

Looking for Real Estate in Playa del Carmen? Visit our website www.BuyPlaya.com.

More Kid Fun at Cenote Azul

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Life has been very kid-centric lately with Birdie's friend Adriel visiting from Maine. Last week, we managed an after school trip to Cenote Azul, one of our childrens' favorite places. We packed a few towels, goggles and a picnic lunch. Everything you need for a great cenote day! Rob and I soaked up the sun while the kids explored the paths through the woods and made the leap from the big jump off point into the cold clear water. Making good use of some clear plastic bags that previous visitors had neglected to dispose of (grrr) Rob taught Cole how to bait the bags with quesadillas and catch the little fish that inhabit this watering hole. Feeding their already active imaginations, Birdie and Adriel found some small authentic ruins in the jungle as well as some more modern stelae, placed along the paths. An adventure around every bend!

The kids, sizing up the jump.

Geronimo!!!!!

My little fish

Learning to swim

Cole and Adriel

Interesting bird's nest

Lots to look at for nature lovers.

A romantic picnic.

Swim with the fishes!

Soaking up the Caribbean sun!

Cole makes a new friend.

A cormorant watches us all....

....and this big fellow came out to enjoy the sun.

Millions of little fish.....

...and this big one!

A tropical family paradise!!

With multiple easy entry points, the Cenote Azul is the perfect destination for families with children or those who are not the strongest of swimmers. This should definitely be on your list of "must sees" if you are the Riviera Maya with your kids. Admission is $50 pesos for adults $30 pesos for children. Fish food is available for purchase and I believe you can rent snorkel gear as well.

Looking for Real Estate in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Aventuras? Visit our website www.BuyPlaya.com.