While planning a solo trip to Mexico, one is generally warned, “Don’t talk to strangers.” The truth of the matter is that the “strangers,” or locals as I like to call them, know all the details of what to do, and most importantly, what to eat. So when I found myself stuck on an ADO bus going to Playa Del Carmen (I missed my stop at Puerto Morelos), Alex the friendly Architect informed me of all the good stuff. If you’re like me, and love absolutely anything spicy, and constantly feel the need to put chili powder, spices, and curry into everything and anything you eat, you’re going to enjoy spicy fruit like you’ve never enjoyed anything else. The variety of fruit is generally pineapple, coconut, mango, and even cucumber. Hey, it has seeds; let’s just consider it a fruit for now. These delicious treats are sold in carts and you can find a few lined up in Parque Fundadores off of 5th Avenue in Playa. But if you’re not in that area, you can also find walking fruit vendors on the beach. Some vendors don’t speak English, so if they say “Chile?” just nod your head repeatedly. The cost for one of these is about 30 pesos.
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Mexico's Best Secret
While planning a solo trip to Mexico, one is generally warned, “Don’t talk to strangers.” The truth of the matter is that the “strangers,” or locals as I like to call them, know all the details of what to do, and most importantly, what to eat. So when I found myself stuck on an ADO bus going to Playa Del Carmen (I missed my stop at Puerto Morelos), Alex the friendly Architect informed me of all the good stuff. If you’re like me, and love absolutely anything spicy, and constantly feel the need to put chili powder, spices, and curry into everything and anything you eat, you’re going to enjoy spicy fruit like you’ve never enjoyed anything else. The variety of fruit is generally pineapple, coconut, mango, and even cucumber. Hey, it has seeds; let’s just consider it a fruit for now. These delicious treats are sold in carts and you can find a few lined up in Parque Fundadores off of 5th Avenue in Playa. But if you’re not in that area, you can also find walking fruit vendors on the beach. Some vendors don’t speak English, so if they say “Chile?” just nod your head repeatedly. The cost for one of these is about 30 pesos.
Catch the Sun
The Portal Mayan sculpture in Parque Fundadores was recently added in December 2012. It represents the end of the Mayan count calendar and the beginning of a new era. The statue is located right before you hit the beach, in front of where the ferryboat between Cozumel and Playa docks.
Touch the Sky
Papantla Flyers in Parque Fundadores perform a religious ceremony of sorts that dates back thousands of years. These days, they perform simply to keep the tradition alive and to astonish tourists. The Parque Fundadores Flyers preform during the day roughly every fifteen minutes or so to a flute and drum played by Flyers sitting on benches nearby. After the performance, one of the Flyers will go around asking for donations or tips.
