Punta Allen or Biosphere worth it?

[scar]

We usually stay in Akumal each year and day trip once or twice during the week to the Tulum beaches. we travel with another family and have 2 teenage girls (13 and 15) and 3 teenage boys (15 and two 17's) in our group. Kids love the Tulum beaches and parents love all the little beach bars up and down the beach.
This year we are staying in PDC for 4 days and on the Tulum beach for 4 days. Rented a villa - Casa Tranquillo, and are staying beach front.
We always rent jeeps as the kids love the no top method of travel and we are very adventurous and not afraid to go anywhere and have stories to prove it.

so................ with only 4 days in Tulum:

1)is it worth the drive to head towards Punta Allen when we enjoy the beaches so much in Tulum?

2) Is a tour of the biosphere recommended? More info please -

2) is there anything to stop and see/do on the way?

3) what is there to see/do in Punta Allen?

4) What about Coba? Took the 5 kids to the ruins in Tulum about 5 years ago and after 15 minutes they begged to leave as they were having to much fun swimming,snorkling and running around at the Akumal Beach Resort.

Any info/advice would be appreciated!

[minniemex]

1)is it worth the drive to head towards Punta Allen when we enjoy the beaches so much in Tulum?

Punta Allen would be a whole day trip ~ you would have to decide if you wanted to give it that much time. The ride alone is around an hour and a half at least, with out any stops along the way. I loved Punta Allen and the snorkeling there is great. I do believe you need to take a boat out though.

2) Is a tour of the biosphere recommended? More info please -

I can't answer, as I have never taken a tour. It is on my agenda, just haven't done it yet. I have read many trip reports saying it was excellent.

2) is there anything to stop and see/do on the way?

There are deserted beaches galore. You just can't beat the sights.

3) what is there to see/do in Punta Allen?

It is interesting to see how things really are in Mexico.

4) What about Coba? Took the 5 kids to the ruins in Tulum about 5 years ago and after 15 minutes they begged to leave as they were having to much fun swimming,snorkling and running around at the Akumal Beach Resort.

Ok, that was 5 years ago. I would do either Coba or Muyil. I think the fact that they can climb on the structures will make it much more interesting for them.



It is really hard to answer such specific questions not knowing you or your children.

I would say probably overall, no to Punta Allen, or maybe just those who are interested go. I would do a ruin though. Like I said, they are all 5 years older and can maybe appreciate the Mayan.

[tbpeaceful]

Not an expert here by any means :wave: but why not go for a beach walk with the kids and head to the biosphere. They can play and snorkel all the way and you can eat~snack~drink all the way down and back. (realizing the good snorkeling is supposed to be far out from shore unlike Akumal, but it would still be fun to check out what is under that beautiful water.)

There is so much to see and the beach is just gorgeous for playing and dawdling the day away. The hike isn't all that major if you are even a tiny bit adventurous.

Four days will go so fast it is a shame to spend it all in the jeep/car. (That's why we are going back just to chill this time.:))

I do have to say that we enjoyed the Coba ruins much more than the structures at Tulum, as they were interactive ~ (climbable) ~ and the beach and water at Tulum was too big a distraction to appreciate the actual ruins, for us.

Sign me ~ a teenager at heart. :rolleyes:

[chamba]

Tulum can be seen quickly and then you are off to do something else.
Coba is very different, it is a long walk in the beautiful jungle with different locations to arrive at. you can also rent bikes, and that can be fun for the kids. if you get bored quickly, you are close to Punta Laguna monkey reserve. plus for the drive to and from there are shops and food along the way. there is a great Batik shop, and also the Cenote(dont know the name) I have heard is beeeeeutiful.
it is a short drive from Tulum to Coba.
Njoy

[pepper]

Coba is more interesting than Tulum ruins. Renting bikes is alot of fun - cruising around the ruins in the jungle is awesome. Lots to explore - very expansive.

I still haven't made it all the way Punta Allen. We went as far as Xamach and that was a nice stop for a beer. Write to Xamach Dos and see if they mind you popping in for a drink and possibly checking out what may be worth exploring on foot near there.

[manitou]

This year we are staying in PDC for 4 days and on the Tulum beach for 4 days. If only spending 4 days in Tulum, I would opt for chilling, taking walks along the beach, and well, chillin' some more. But, that's just me.

[beatfarmer]

4 days does go fast----I think 7 goes fast! Wish there were enough time for two weeks off in a row!

I was on the Coba road to the ruins a few years ago---and if I remember right, their were a cenote' or two along the way...Anyone ever try these? are they underground?

Also, some "mom and pop" roadside shops along the way/ Anyone ever stop? what's for sale, and are there bargains to be had?

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:I've watched a lot of families come and go on vacation, and the ones that have the best time, don't do much. If you are staying at Casa Tranquilo, there is a lot to do right there. 4 days just isn't that much. I say most people don't really relax until after 3!

Yes, Punta Allen and the Biosphere are awesome, but it is a lot to do in one day. I usually recommend people spend 2 nights in Punta Allen and then you won't even touch all there is to offer. Punta Allen is a look into what a real fishing village is like, real families, living the life. The tourism part of town is pretty separate from the lives of the people there. But if you do go, make sure you take a boat tour.

If you want to do something active with the kids, maybe Cesiak kayak trip or something like that, it isn't that far from Tulum, is in the Biosphere, and they'll learn and see a lot about the nature of the area. Or just go up and have dinner and see the sunset over the lagoon.

Muyil also has nice ruins and you can climb on the ruins there, and do the lagoon, cannal tour as well. Not as big or as grand as Coba, but not as far and it won't take as long to get through it.

Another idea is a snorkel tour from Tulum, you can get a guide to take you out in a boat at the beach at El Mariachi restaurant, which is near the ruins and so you can see them from the water, great photo op!

And yes, there are several Cenotes near Tulum on the Coba Road, also on the road to Chetumal, and I think they are worth it, a great way to cool off and play in the water. Take your snorkel stuff, what is underwater will surprise you!

If you are looking for more action than just swimming in the cenotes, there is Dos Ojos and Hidden Worlds just north of Tulum that are kind of a cross between a water park with the wonderful cenotes as the water.

When I managed Xamach, a lot of families would spend their vacations driving in and out to go to the area attractions, then come home late, tired and CRANKY, which would still be true the next day. The kids really just wanted to play.

TAKE A VACATION FROM HAVING TO BE ENTERTAINED EVERY MINUTE! Good thing to teach the kids too.

[beachreader]

I'm with everyone else, try to chill a bit.

With that said, I would definitely recommend a tour from CESiak in the biosphere. Close to Tulum, excellent guides, fun to get out on the water (you can do a kayak tour or a boat tour, check their website www.cesiak.org (http://www.cesiak.org)), a beautiful beach and good food. It's a great way to see what the biosphere is all about without spending all day.

If you really want to see ruins, you can go to the Tulum ruins first thing in the a.m. (by 8 if you can), get a guide and you'll be done in an hour and a half or so and can have the rest of the day for the beach. The location is beautiful and the proximity can't be beat. It's not as large or important as Coba, but it's so close and much cooler, temperature-wise.


With only four days, I wouldn't do anything more than that.

[susan]

So I am going to go against the flow here. I have 2 teenage boys and we take active vacations. My kids love to see and do new things. It may be 4 days in Tulum but you will also have other beach time. We did a trip to punta allen trip with a boat/snorkeling tour. It was fantastic. With 4 days I would spend the first on the beach, the second doing a tour and the last 2 days "relaxing" or more likely throw in a trip to muyil or coba- each of those can be a half day trip. Everyone relaxes in different ways. For me to relax is just getting a way from work where I cannot be easily reached if at all. So if you know your group is going to get antsy or wants to be more active then go for it.

[dorado dave]

Coba is a great day trip with better (cooler) weather this time
of year. Casa Cenote in Tank-Ha has a nice cenote behind the
resturant and very interesting geology/snorkeling off the beach.
Kayaks are availible. Tons of fish, eels, coral and apex predators.
Punta Allen is a hump if the road is bad. Not for everyone, my wife included. Trips into the pueblos you may find interesting. Akumal,
Puerto Adventuras have some good places to eat and a taste of the
living conditions for local workers. Explore and enjoy.
Do you fish? I know some of that in the area.
Dave

[Grasshopper]

Hey - I think pretty much I agree with everyone...the relax as much as you can then pick one good day trip to entertain the kids!

Friends of ours took their 17 year old son and a friend down this past spring for the "senior year trip" Just the dad and the two boys... we gave them our maps, and lots of advice...upon their return the son's favorite part of the whole tulum experience was Hidden Worlds and the Jungle Tour... They went ziplining, ATV's through the "jungle" underground cenote... the whole deal he said was the "Bomb". The stayed right at Cesiak and did enjoy that too, but for entertainment wise... hidden worlds rocked! Right from a 17 year old.

the Biosphere is great and so is Punta Allen...fun day trip too!

Good luck!

[HhowieE]

Lotsa opinions, lotsa ideas but ot not going to Punta Allen for a day and doing the guided boat trip with snorkling is not one of my opinions. I have come down this way a bit and the boat trip is still one of my best memories after 4 years of Tulum vacations. I loved Punt Allen and the drive, actually still do, after a coupla trips, up and down the road I still enjoy it!
Ron

[dorado dave]

Got to agree about Punta. How crowded is su casa?
La Playa?

[dorado dave]

Some good people inhabit the road. just talkin' about
exploring some things off 307. P.A. & XD are for you.
I have the best memories of pushing cars,trucks and
other assorted debris out of my way to explore your
paradise after hurricanes. You are always a mentor
of paradise. Salud.
P.S. Don't get your panties in a bunch.:beerchug:

[scar]

we have done much of the advised as we have gone 7 years out of 8. last year we needed something new so went to Puerto Rico.
we have done the cenotes - casa, grand,crystalino, and lots we found on our own driving down 307 or on unmarked jungle paths. we have done the tulum ruins, snorkeled in akumal, been to the pueblos, been to the big water parks for snorkling etc.

I think for the kids sake we will pass on Punta Allen but are very interested in a Cesiak Kayak trip and maybe Coba but that one is doubtful. We will take much of the advice from all of you and just chill for 3 of the 4 days, especially after 4 hectic days in PDC.
we will save Punta Allen for an adult only trip someday.
Thanks again!

[Steve O]

If you have teenage kids, they like excitement. Put them in a Jeep and drive down to the end of the road. The Jeep is rented so beat the Hell out of it. Hit those pot holes or even let the kids try to drive. Just don't hit anything. I don't think your car insurance will cover you on a non-paved road. You don't have to stay all day. Turn around and come back after having lunch. You should be able to make it down there between and hour and an hour and a half. It's a fun trip.

[chamba]

Cesiak, and Coba sounds like my kinda fun!!!!!!!

[itsjustme]

We stayed at Casa Tranquillo this past March for a week. This is a great place to chill and do long beach walks. We did a day trip fishing to PA....very long day!! See trip report below.

You have the right idea. Just chill and do a Cesiak tour one day.

Safe travels to you.