Ocean/Pool Level, WINTER DISC 15% Family Friendly, Playa Caribe Summer Special

Wow, I just got back from paradise. I have never found a condo like this. This ground floor, beach/ocean/pool front unit has it all. It is beautifully decorated, fully equipped (even an electric portable bbq),has filtered clean running water, exquisite beds, sheets and towels, security, daily maid service and the friendliest staff I have ever met. There is truly no way any vacationer with or without children would not rave about this unit. Yes, this is the needle in the haystack that we are all always looking for and thou I rarely right reviews want to share my good find with all the other travelers out there looking for that ideal spot to e-mail home about. Akumal is about 1 hour south of the Cancun airport in the heart of the Yucatan. The town itself is a hidden jewel boasting of 2 beautiful sand lined bays filled to the brink with crystal clear, clean, warm water that makes you feel like you are snorkeling in an aquarium. The Playa Caribe Complex is located at the apex of Half Moon Bay which allows you not only a beach front view but the Caribbean Ocean is literally a few steps away off your back patio. We spent endless hours discovering the sea life both big and small but brag about swimming with the turtles, touching an octopus, and joining in with a school of parrot fish just to name a few. The bay allows both water lovers and non lovers to enjoy the experience. For all of you out there that enjoy great fresh food right on the beach with the ocean sound as your backdrop and the absence of crowds or long lines then this is your eden. For those of you that like to venture a bit the abundant activities of the Yucatan including: Tulum, Hidden Worlds, Xcarat, Golfing, Horseback or ATV riding, boogie boarding, etc, etc., oh yea and shopping in Playa De Carmen are all within a 30min or less drive. I am home now and having the pool and the beach steps from my patio door are just a memory but my husband still makes me an occasional margarita. Enjoy and Live everyday!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful family get-away. My husband, two kids and I needed a relaxing, tropical paradise to end the cold school year in Colorado. We truly felt at home in this condo and with the beach or pool just steps from our door, everyone could be together and yet enjoy whatever they wanted. The condo itself was in a great location and was very nice with everything we could possibly need. We slept great and played all day long. It was a short but great walk to a couple of restaurants and we also enjoyed staying at at our cozy condo and making fresh guacamole and tacos.....perfection. We will be back!!!!

Our family of 5, 1 yr to 57yrs all loved the Flakes condo. We arrived after dark and meandered the small windy road to the condo. Our first impression in the dark of Akumal was quaint, quiet & wonderful. On the way to the condo we passed a restaurant and people walking around. Felt totally safe to do the same the instant we were unloaded so we walked back to the restaurant and ate outside oceanfront. Cannot remember its name but can't miss it. It was as close to a relaxed feeling one can have after all day travel. We just sat & decompressed and were soooo happy to be there. We missed the grocery stores-saw them but didn't see how to get to them until we passed them so kept driving to Akumal thought we'd figure it out the next morning. Well Joyce who was a gem saved us with a welcome basket of snacks of fruit & coffee & a few other items so no problem. Right across the street was a little tiny establishment where we bought beer. We were set & hit a store the next day. First impression of condo was expressed by my daughter in law but felt by all " I LOVE IT!" As I said Joyce was a gem & made EVERYTHING easy! We had an amazing time. Condo exactly as it looks & CLEAN! Had maid(?) come to just clean floor of sand but she obviously takes pride in her job & kept cleaning till whole thing was good as new! Read complaints about a ruin next door. Evidently it needs torn down but what a shame. We loved it also. Gave us something to dream about. Buying it & refurbishing lol! The reef is rocky but once you pick your way out snorkeling was fun. We didn't see alot of fish but in the bay out front (half moon bay) & the next bay (Akumal bay) we swam with turtles. We snorkeled Yal-Ku lagoon. It would be no problem walking to it but with a one yr old and since we had a car we drove. Saw alot of fish, a jelly fish, barracuda..Sounds like some were unhappy there-not us. Great time! Not much shopping but enough to keep busy half a day maybe. We were only there for three nights two days but they were action packed. Went to Tulum for groceries. Went back the next day & drove the beach road. Shopped & ate on the shore at a very good place. There were lots of restaurants so take your pick. Driving was fine! Not the horror stories of reviews. We ate at 4 restaurants in Akumal. The others were by the arch one to the right one on the beach. 1 across the hiway. Breakfast w/locals! All yummy! Laid back town. Go there to RELAX & EXPLORE safely! Thank you Joyce!

First…Joyce is a wonderful and attentive owner and the property Playa Caribe was maintained and managed beautifully. We were charmed from the time we arrived and truly enjoyed a bit of Paradise during our stay. The condo was beautiful and well equipped, the beds comfortable, the beach relatively quiet. There were excellent restaurants nearby and more than enough activities in the vicinity to entertain our teenage daughter and son and companion. We hope to return in turtle season!

We have rented this condo 5 times from the Flake's over the last 10 years and have never been disappointed. Our son was 9 on our first vacation and wouldn't miss out on a trip here, even at 19! This year our friends rented the condos on either side of us and we had a fantastic 10 days. The staff are great from Augustin who manages everything to the maids and security guard Jose who will wake you at night if there are turtles hatching or laying. We have eaten at every restaurant in Half Moon bay and Akumal and our favorite for breakfast is Turtle Bay Cafe, dinner La Lunita, Que Onda for pasta, La Cueva Del Pescador for fish, La Buena Vida for happy hour, LoHa for pizza and drinks on the beach. The best is Teresa's "hole in the wall" across the street from Playa Caribe, she made us Ceviche and fish tacos with the barracuda and Mahi Mahi we caught when we went fishing and it was fantastic. We BBQ when we don't eat out and do our grocery shopping at the Chedraui in Puerto Morelos which is 30 mins drive towards Playa Del Carmen. Over the years we have visited all the theme parks and this year went to XPLOR which was a lot of fun, get there early to do the Zip Lines first before the crowds arrive. The snorkeling in Half Moon Bay is like swimming in an aquarium, we also love snorkeling in Akumal and watching the turtles feed off the grass on the sea bed. Akumal town is within walking distance and very safe to walk at night. We always rent a car so we can travel to different beaches but it's not absolutely necessary. Joyce Flack has been a wonderful resource over the years and given us so much advice and information on where to go and the rules and regulations when visiting Mexico. We will be back and I'm sure our friends will be joining us again.

My husband and I have stayed in Playa Caribe a few times, this was the first in this unit. We loved being on the first floor with the pool and beach steps away. The condo was perfect and had all the amenities anyone could ask for. There was a small amount of seaweed, but it did not impact our trip at all - in fact it was a pleasant surprise after all the bad news we had heard about it. Joyce was very helpful and easy to work with. The staff at the condo are all helpful and wonderful. We did not do a lot of touristy things this trip, just enjoyed the beach and local hangouts in half moon bay and Akumal. We especially enjoyed breakfast at Turtle Bay and dinner at La Buena Vida. Weather was great. It rained one day so we drove south of Tulum and explored some different areas. Highly recommend this condo.

My daughter and I stayed here for close to a week in Unit 3. It was big and spacious and had everything we needed as far as cooking, towels etc. We loved that we could walk out right to the pool and the beautiful view of the ocean. We were able to walk on the beach, or street side either direction, to go to a restaurant to eat. You could walk 20 minutes towards the little village of Akumal and eat at Turtle Bay Bakery, or enjoy the shops there and the spa. You could also enjoy the beach in that area as well. This condo was in a perfect location, but private enough to enjoy. I think you might be able to rent a golf cart or bikes in the area somewhere to use during your stay. There were lots of turtle eggs on the beach, but every time there was a hatchling we were gone exploring the sights! Hopefully next time we can witness that. The staff at the condo is great and very helpful. Joyce Flake, one of the owners is a gem and will answer any questions you have. I had many via email before our arrival and she was very informative! This is one of the best privately owned places I have stayed at in a long time!

The condo is located right on the beach and by the pool. It was great to have that convenience. We really enjoyed snorkeling in the bay and seeing coral and small fish. My family and I enjoyed exploring the Half Moon Bay area and restaurants. We ate at La Buena Vida, La Lunita and the Turtle Bay Bakery. All were very good with great atmospheres. It was wonderful to hear the waves crashing every night as I fell asleep. In addition, the staff at the complex was really helpful and friendly. I would definitely come here again and will recommend it to friends and family!

The building is very nice. Probably the nicest looking in the area with its thatched roof, open roof foyer and more authentic architectural style. The pool was lovely and our kids (7 & 9) had loads of fun in it. Unit 2 was very spacious and bright. We loved the ground floor with beach, garden and pool right off the patio. The kitchen was well equipped with everything apart from a kettle and sharp knife and/or knife sharpener but we managed. It was very clean and comfortable. We loved being able to drink the water and make ice - a total bonus! The shower/spa baths were a little odd and the steps in are quite high and hard on bad knees. The beach was perfect with the best snorkelling straight out front with coral and every fish imaginable, rays, barracuda (only 1 turtle). A bit rocky getting in and out but there are a few smooth clear areas to walk on. We usually had shoes or fins on so no problem. Overall this place was fantastic and we had a great time!