| Playa Sonrisa All You Need Is Your Smile! A Casual Paradise for Couples Caribbean Costa Maya, Xcalak, Mexico |
| Traveler's Tips |
| Back to Interiors |
| Driving Directions |
| Car Rentals |
| Day Visitors |
| Back to Rates |
| Bus Service |
| Security Advisory Click here> |
| Playa Sonrisa is an easy 4.5 ~ 5 hr drive from the Cancun airport. Don't forget to add about 2 hrs for processing through Immigration, baggage claim, Customs & car rental. Check In Time: 2:00 pm (after the lunch kitchen closes for siesta) Breakfast : 7:30 ~10:00 am Lunch: 12:00 noon ~ 2:00 pm Happy Hour: 6:00 pm Dinner : 7:00 pm The Bar (includes a snack box) is open on the Honor System from 7:30 am ~ 10:00 pm Kitchen is closed 10:00 am - 12 noon & 2:00 - 6:00 pm Check out time: 11:00 am For Delayed Departures see "Day Use" below Driving after dark is not advisable NOT because of 'Banditos' - this part of Mexico is very safe and tourist friendly, but because we share the highway with slow moving bicycles, livestock, wildlife and an occasional drunk driver. And it's just easier & less stressful to travel unfamiliar roads in daylight. Click the link below for more driving tips and directions. Topes: Watch for "Tope" road signs - which means "speed bump" and are found in every town. And believe me - if you don't slow down for the first one, you will for the next! Gasoline: PEMEX gas stations are NOT found in every village (nor in Xcalak). > Recommended to top off your tank in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. < A new Pemex is now open in Mahahual (but may run out of gas) and Bacalar has 2 Pemex's and 2 ATM's. Car Rentals: A taxi from Cancun will cost ~$400 US one-way to Playa Sonrisa, so most guests choose the comfort & convenience of a rental car. Click the Car Rental link below for more info. Bus Service: There is twice daily bus service to Xcalak. Not very convenient schedules, but if you are adventurous and speak a little Spanish it is a very economical way to travel. Another factor to consider is our location 7 km north of Xcalak, but there is only 1 (undependable) taxi in the village. Click the link below for more info on Bus Service. Communications: Our phone and computer are not available for guest use, however feel free to give our email address playasonrisa@yahoo.com to family, friends or bosses for emergency contact and we will be happy to deliver important messages. We have a wireless router so you MAY be able to connect your laptop (no promises). There is a public phone and a public internet kiosk in the village. Power & Water: See "Room Interiors" for info on our electric power & water limitations. |
| The Weather Jan-Feb-March is "High Season" here not because the weather is "perfect" but because it is far from perfect up north and many snow-birds want to escape from the cold. We are "in the Tropics" but at latitude 18° North it is our wintertime also - so us tropical wimps can sometimes get chilly. But "chilly" is a relative term, and with winter daytime highs typically in the mid-70's to low-80's & overnight lows in the 60's or 70´s it may not be "bake your bones" warm, but is certainly pleasant enough to enjoy both the beach and water activities. The best weather of the year is late spring (April & early May) - which curiously enough coincides with a low number of visitors. Early summer is nice also, late summer gets hot & humid (this is the tropics) - although it is quite tolerable if you stay casual next to the refreshing Caribbean Sea. And what better time for a beach vacation than summertime? (best scuba diving too). "Rainy Season" is August thru October. But that doesn't mean steady rain and/or tropical storms. Even in rainy season most days are predominately sunny with occasional showers, not days on end of pouring rain unless a tropical storm or hurricane is visiting. Statistically there is only about a 5% chance of a tropical storm or hurricane disrupting your particular week. October is the least pleasant weather - tropical hot, humid, and the mosquitoes can be bothersome, although we usually enjoy a fresh offshore breeze which keeps the insects seeking refuge in the jungle. But during autumn months you will enjoy Low Season rates, similar good deals on airfare & rental cars, and we guarantee NO crowds. (Not that we ever have big crowds, but in low season you may feel like Tom Hanks in 'Shipwrecked' - with king beds & margaritas!). Just bring a lightweight pair of long pants to cover your legs in the evenings (sweats or jammies - after all, it's a casual place) and some insect repellent. (Our giftshop "SMALL*MART" carries almost nothing, but it does have spray bottles of bug repellent for only $40 pesos - almost free today ! ) And when the rains go away in December so do the bugs. But it's the weather - and who can predict it?!? We have gorgeous days all 12 months of the year, also some days that aren't quite perfect. But we can guarantee you won't be shovelling snow or scraping ice from your windshield! |
| Cash is King: Outside of the busy tourist zones very few places accept credit cards Traveller's Checks are NOT widely accepted outside of Cancun nor at Playa Sonrisa. Playa Sonrisa does not accept credit cards onsite ~ CASH ONLY We accept Visa/MC and PayPal for lodging only IN ADVANCE of arrival. (For Payment methods see link on Rates Page). Please bring CASH for onsite meals & beverages We accept Pesos & Dollars at the current rate at a "good" Casa de Cambio (not the airport rate). Also be sure to bring plenty of cash to cover gasoline, Meals, beverages & activities such as scuba, fishing, massage on the beach & shopping. There are NO unusual security issues with carrying cash on your person, provided you use common sense as you would anywhere. US Dollars are widely accepted, but shops & restaurants give a very poor exchange rate. So if you convert part of your cash to Pesos at an ATM you will in effect get a 5% ~ 10% "discount". AVOID the 'Caseta de Cambio' at the Airport - you get a better exchange rate anywhere else. The BEST EXCHANGE RATE is from ATM machines. Most common bank networks work here just like home. (Consider contacting your bank to raise your daily withdrawal limit) There is NO Bank, ATM or Casa de Cambio in Xcalak so bring plenty of cash for gasoline, meals, drinks & activities such as scuba diving, fishing & shopping. Convenient ATM's: Tulum (HSBC Bank); Felipe Carrillo Puerto (@ Pemex in center of town) |
| Day Use: Playa Sonrisa allows Day visitors ~ Naturist Couples Only ~ see link below. *Departing Guests > Check out time 11:00 am No charge for use of beach until 12:00 noon. Day Use Fee applies for departures after 12 noon. |
| One Last Thing: Sorry to be repetitive but many people frequently underestimate their capacity for fun so be sure to bring plenty of cash ! You don't have to spend it, but don't limit your vacation fun for lack of cash. BEST TIP: Bring half as many clothes and twice as much cash as you "think" you will need. |