Trip Report Non Diving May 3rd 17th
ACOMMENDATIONS: Have stayed twice at the Wyndham Sabor last year but didnt want an AI this trip. Rented a 1 bedroom condo at the Residencias Reef next door to the Wyndham for 2 weeks at a cost of $1500 US. Couldnt be more happy with this choice. Great view of the pool and ocean (located on the 3rd floor in building 4 next to the Wyndham Aura). Maid service is provided daily except for Sunday if you want it. 2 pools, 2 flat screen TVs with cable (think it was Dish), full kitchen, large bathroom and shower, free calls to the US, free internet access and a washer and dryer (cut down on the amount of clothes we had to bring). All you needed to provide is the food, drinks and you. A short 5 min walk to the Wyndham pier for dive pickups. They also have rinse tanks and shower by the pool for dive equipment. Maybe the off season but never more than 4 people on the beach or 8 at the pool unlike the Wyndham beach. Most of the time it was empty. Like having your own private resort. They also have a safe in the bedroom closet that you set your own code too.
View from balcony
Pool View
TRAVEL: We lost one day because our plane broke. Woke up at 3:45 AM for a 6:40 take off from Huntsville, AL flying American. Boarded plane at 6:15. Out the window I could see the co pilot waving over maintenance personal to look at something. Not a good sign. Flight cancelled. Couldnt make a connecting flight to Cozumel so had to come back the next morning and try again. This was the first time out of the US for my GF so upgraded us to first class from the flight from DFW to Cozumel for $150 each. What can I say - she is worth it. She had not flown in years so didnt want a window seat. Now its window seats from now on after looking out the window from DFW to Cozumel. All the immigration forms AA had were in Spanish thankful my GF knew someone on the plane (a patients daughter who was fluent in Spanish go figure) so we had everything filled out correctly before landing. There was 1 other plane that had landed before us but all their passengers had cleared customs by the time our bags came off.
Both of us got the green light and were on our way within 30 mins of landing. Took the airport shuttle to ISIS and our vacation begins. Had changed dollars to pesos at my local bank before leaving which made it easier. In fact my bank charged me $5 for the transaction but gave me a lower rate which turned out okay since the dollar had dropped some since the exchange.
RETURN: Arrive at airport at 12:30 for a 2 pm flt. Long line took 20 mins to check in. By the time we finished there was no line. So maybe next time wont arrive until 1 hr before flt. Flt full and arrived DFW after 2:30 hr flying time. Going through immigration and customs took 50 mins from the time we left the plane. A real surprise after my last visit last Aug which took 1 ½ hrs. Hung out at the airport until our connecting flt to Huntsville. AL. Flt took off 15 mins late for a 1:25 min flt. Arrived home safe but sad.
CAR RENTAL: Once again booked with ISIS. A 4 door VW with A/C. So glad we decided for the A/C. What a wonderful person Margarita is. Took less than 15 mins and we were on our way. We left the car at 6 am one morning at her shop to catch the ferry to PDC and upon our return 2 days later the car was waiting for us (no charge for these 2 days). While we were gone she told me her husband didnt like the looks of the tires so all 4 were changed. If there was space in front of her shop we would park there while visiting the square. Sometimes they would even move a car or scooter to make room for us. Each time we left the car we would head over to the Zermatt Bakery and buy her a coffee. Even offered to give me pesos when I went to the bank to exchange US dollars for pesos and forgot a copy of my passport. Said just come back tomorrow to pay me back after I did the exchange. How wonderful is that. When we left we gave Margarita all our left over booze and some other items we didnt use and didnt want to haul back. Thought this was a better idea than leaving it for the maid who we only used 3 times during our stay. She was surprised and very grateful. Never had any issues with the local police. Did have 1 person on a dive trip state he was stopped for speeding at 7 pm south of town when he knew he wasnt. Said he would go the police station to pay the fine. Officer let him go.
FOOD: We ate all local food except for some Skippy PB. We are not big eaters so take this in consideration.
The condo maid provided a service to prepare dinner. Cost of food plus $8 US per person. Cost us $400 pesos for the food. At first I thought it was too much. But had a sampling of Mexican food with 3 different entrees, rice, beans, etc., and enough to feed us for 3 dinners and 3 days of lunch. Well worth it the money for the convenience and home cooking.
Wet Wendys: Went for drinks numerous times (strawberry, peach, and mango margaritas), but only ate once. Listen to live music on two nights with the owner playing one night. Chips and salsa with drinks. Had the soft chicken tacos. Enough for the 2 of us to share. Thought the prices were high before I saw the portion size of the plates of people around me. We tried the peanut butter chocolate margarita. A great after dinner dessert drink. At first offered a 11.5 exchange rate but dropped the second week to 11.
La Choza: (10th Ave between Calle 3 and Rosada Salas) First had drinks and then walked around the square before returning for dinner. Had 1 beer and a margarita. Had chips and dip included with dinner and split 1 entrée. Forget the name of the entrée but it was a slow roasted pork dish in a red sauce. Service with both corn and flour tortillas. Very good. Also lemon soup that came with the dinner. Also very good. Cost before tip $24 US.
Parrilla Mission: (30th Ave between Calles 2 and 4 norte) Had 1 beer and a margarita with the combination plate and charcoal grilled pork chops (3). Chips and 2 kinds of dip included with dinner. Cost before tip $26 US. Excellent food and a great price. We walked away stuffed. Our favorite restaurant for dinner.
Del Sur Argentinan ( Corner of 5 th Ave and Calle 3) Went twice for dinner. Once brought back to condo the other went and sat in the square and people watched. Tried the following empanadas: spinach (our favorite), cheese, bacon and plum, tomato, cheese and basil (they give you a small container of basil and oil for dipping) and the apple cinnamon (like eating a small apple pie). Made fresh to order. Cost was between 15 and 20 pesos each if memory serves me right. If you are taking them home make sure you place some napkins under them to soak up the excess oil. They are to die for.
Casa Denis: (1/2 block north of the square) 4 beers and 2 strawberry margaritas and the Mexican combination plate. More than enough food for 2 people. Cost before tip $42 US. Ate on a Sunday night. Great for people watching as folks make their way to the square. Also had lunch on our departure date. We had cheese empanadas (3 to the order and they were awful), chicken quesada (4 small triangles so so), side of beans, 1 beer and a strawberry margarita. Cost before tip $22 US. Our worst meal of the stay. Will skip eating here on my next trip.
Combination Plate
Zermatt Bakery: (Corner of 5th Ave and Calle 4), 2 buildings down from Isis. Had been buying pastries at Mega until we tried this bakery. Sampled numerous items and extremely reasonable priced. Breakfast each morning was taken care of. Would buy 2 days worth each visit. Favorite was a custard filled bun and a flat pastry - chocolate filled. Dough isnt sweet like in the states. It was trial and error. Some we didnt care for - others we really liked.
Went to Coconuts for drinks 1 day. Great view. Watch the bill. Tried to over charge us.
Stopped at one of the bars on the south side of the square. Advertise 2 for 1 drinks for $5 US. Drinks okay but very small (both together would not fill a normal margarita glass) and salsa was so hot we couldnt eat it.
Dont know the name: (Ave 30th and Calle 4 norte, you will see the chickens roasting). 1 chicken and 2 sides with corn tortillas and a green sauce. Easily enough for 2. He cuts up the chicken in front of you after taking it off the spit. Sides are in little plastic bags. Watch out for the green sauce it will light you up. Took the chicken off the bone and had left overs for sandwiches. Very tasty. Cost $80 pesos.
Blue truck: (At the light at the international pier make a left about 1 block down). Had 4 soft tacos for 10 pesos each. Chicken, fish, beef and ham. Each taco came with 2 corn tortillas and each had enough filling to divide - so ended up with 8 tacos. They wrapped them up after we added the condiments provided and then took them to the square to eat and people watch. Favorite was the beef and fish.
ACOMMENDATIONS: Have stayed twice at the Wyndham Sabor last year but didnt want an AI this trip. Rented a 1 bedroom condo at the Residencias Reef next door to the Wyndham for 2 weeks at a cost of $1500 US. Couldnt be more happy with this choice. Great view of the pool and ocean (located on the 3rd floor in building 4 next to the Wyndham Aura). Maid service is provided daily except for Sunday if you want it. 2 pools, 2 flat screen TVs with cable (think it was Dish), full kitchen, large bathroom and shower, free calls to the US, free internet access and a washer and dryer (cut down on the amount of clothes we had to bring). All you needed to provide is the food, drinks and you. A short 5 min walk to the Wyndham pier for dive pickups. They also have rinse tanks and shower by the pool for dive equipment. Maybe the off season but never more than 4 people on the beach or 8 at the pool unlike the Wyndham beach. Most of the time it was empty. Like having your own private resort. They also have a safe in the bedroom closet that you set your own code too.
View from balcony
Pool View
TRAVEL: We lost one day because our plane broke. Woke up at 3:45 AM for a 6:40 take off from Huntsville, AL flying American. Boarded plane at 6:15. Out the window I could see the co pilot waving over maintenance personal to look at something. Not a good sign. Flight cancelled. Couldnt make a connecting flight to Cozumel so had to come back the next morning and try again. This was the first time out of the US for my GF so upgraded us to first class from the flight from DFW to Cozumel for $150 each. What can I say - she is worth it. She had not flown in years so didnt want a window seat. Now its window seats from now on after looking out the window from DFW to Cozumel. All the immigration forms AA had were in Spanish thankful my GF knew someone on the plane (a patients daughter who was fluent in Spanish go figure) so we had everything filled out correctly before landing. There was 1 other plane that had landed before us but all their passengers had cleared customs by the time our bags came off.
Both of us got the green light and were on our way within 30 mins of landing. Took the airport shuttle to ISIS and our vacation begins. Had changed dollars to pesos at my local bank before leaving which made it easier. In fact my bank charged me $5 for the transaction but gave me a lower rate which turned out okay since the dollar had dropped some since the exchange.
RETURN: Arrive at airport at 12:30 for a 2 pm flt. Long line took 20 mins to check in. By the time we finished there was no line. So maybe next time wont arrive until 1 hr before flt. Flt full and arrived DFW after 2:30 hr flying time. Going through immigration and customs took 50 mins from the time we left the plane. A real surprise after my last visit last Aug which took 1 ½ hrs. Hung out at the airport until our connecting flt to Huntsville. AL. Flt took off 15 mins late for a 1:25 min flt. Arrived home safe but sad.
CAR RENTAL: Once again booked with ISIS. A 4 door VW with A/C. So glad we decided for the A/C. What a wonderful person Margarita is. Took less than 15 mins and we were on our way. We left the car at 6 am one morning at her shop to catch the ferry to PDC and upon our return 2 days later the car was waiting for us (no charge for these 2 days). While we were gone she told me her husband didnt like the looks of the tires so all 4 were changed. If there was space in front of her shop we would park there while visiting the square. Sometimes they would even move a car or scooter to make room for us. Each time we left the car we would head over to the Zermatt Bakery and buy her a coffee. Even offered to give me pesos when I went to the bank to exchange US dollars for pesos and forgot a copy of my passport. Said just come back tomorrow to pay me back after I did the exchange. How wonderful is that. When we left we gave Margarita all our left over booze and some other items we didnt use and didnt want to haul back. Thought this was a better idea than leaving it for the maid who we only used 3 times during our stay. She was surprised and very grateful. Never had any issues with the local police. Did have 1 person on a dive trip state he was stopped for speeding at 7 pm south of town when he knew he wasnt. Said he would go the police station to pay the fine. Officer let him go.
FOOD: We ate all local food except for some Skippy PB. We are not big eaters so take this in consideration.
The condo maid provided a service to prepare dinner. Cost of food plus $8 US per person. Cost us $400 pesos for the food. At first I thought it was too much. But had a sampling of Mexican food with 3 different entrees, rice, beans, etc., and enough to feed us for 3 dinners and 3 days of lunch. Well worth it the money for the convenience and home cooking.
Wet Wendys: Went for drinks numerous times (strawberry, peach, and mango margaritas), but only ate once. Listen to live music on two nights with the owner playing one night. Chips and salsa with drinks. Had the soft chicken tacos. Enough for the 2 of us to share. Thought the prices were high before I saw the portion size of the plates of people around me. We tried the peanut butter chocolate margarita. A great after dinner dessert drink. At first offered a 11.5 exchange rate but dropped the second week to 11.
La Choza: (10th Ave between Calle 3 and Rosada Salas) First had drinks and then walked around the square before returning for dinner. Had 1 beer and a margarita. Had chips and dip included with dinner and split 1 entrée. Forget the name of the entrée but it was a slow roasted pork dish in a red sauce. Service with both corn and flour tortillas. Very good. Also lemon soup that came with the dinner. Also very good. Cost before tip $24 US.
Parrilla Mission: (30th Ave between Calles 2 and 4 norte) Had 1 beer and a margarita with the combination plate and charcoal grilled pork chops (3). Chips and 2 kinds of dip included with dinner. Cost before tip $26 US. Excellent food and a great price. We walked away stuffed. Our favorite restaurant for dinner.
Del Sur Argentinan ( Corner of 5 th Ave and Calle 3) Went twice for dinner. Once brought back to condo the other went and sat in the square and people watched. Tried the following empanadas: spinach (our favorite), cheese, bacon and plum, tomato, cheese and basil (they give you a small container of basil and oil for dipping) and the apple cinnamon (like eating a small apple pie). Made fresh to order. Cost was between 15 and 20 pesos each if memory serves me right. If you are taking them home make sure you place some napkins under them to soak up the excess oil. They are to die for.
Casa Denis: (1/2 block north of the square) 4 beers and 2 strawberry margaritas and the Mexican combination plate. More than enough food for 2 people. Cost before tip $42 US. Ate on a Sunday night. Great for people watching as folks make their way to the square. Also had lunch on our departure date. We had cheese empanadas (3 to the order and they were awful), chicken quesada (4 small triangles so so), side of beans, 1 beer and a strawberry margarita. Cost before tip $22 US. Our worst meal of the stay. Will skip eating here on my next trip.
Combination Plate
Zermatt Bakery: (Corner of 5th Ave and Calle 4), 2 buildings down from Isis. Had been buying pastries at Mega until we tried this bakery. Sampled numerous items and extremely reasonable priced. Breakfast each morning was taken care of. Would buy 2 days worth each visit. Favorite was a custard filled bun and a flat pastry - chocolate filled. Dough isnt sweet like in the states. It was trial and error. Some we didnt care for - others we really liked.
Went to Coconuts for drinks 1 day. Great view. Watch the bill. Tried to over charge us.
Stopped at one of the bars on the south side of the square. Advertise 2 for 1 drinks for $5 US. Drinks okay but very small (both together would not fill a normal margarita glass) and salsa was so hot we couldnt eat it.
Dont know the name: (Ave 30th and Calle 4 norte, you will see the chickens roasting). 1 chicken and 2 sides with corn tortillas and a green sauce. Easily enough for 2. He cuts up the chicken in front of you after taking it off the spit. Sides are in little plastic bags. Watch out for the green sauce it will light you up. Took the chicken off the bone and had left overs for sandwiches. Very tasty. Cost $80 pesos.
Blue truck: (At the light at the international pier make a left about 1 block down). Had 4 soft tacos for 10 pesos each. Chicken, fish, beef and ham. Each taco came with 2 corn tortillas and each had enough filling to divide - so ended up with 8 tacos. They wrapped them up after we added the condiments provided and then took them to the square to eat and people watch. Favorite was the beef and fish.
