Photos are from October 2006
Looking down towards the ocean with the Royal Porto Real on the left and the Gran Porto Real to the right. Walk down the street to the pier and the beaches look like the picture below.
The pictures above are of the beach area of the Gran Porto Real. From the pier end and from the south end looking to the north through the pool entrance.
The construction on the condos behind the Gran Porto Real are going slowly but you can see how the view of these backside Jr Suites is effected.
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A good place to stay in Playa del Carmen for first timers. It used to be quaint enough that you could get rooms European plan. Now it seems they want to be all-inclusive. Try and get your room above the second floor and ocean front to assure the vista view. Near the back of the hotel is a nice little rooftop lounge area. It is private and has a bunch of hammocks and lounges. It's a great place to relax.
Pictures below are from the Gran Porto Real taken in 2002.
The rooms to the backside of the hotel are smaller and more like a traditional hotel. There is a nice little pool and bar near the rooms and it is a quieter part of the hotel. It is closer to 5th avenue if you want to break out and do some shopping and it is right above the spa area so you can drop down for a sauna or massage.
I loved the roof top patio with the hammocks and quiet areas to relax. It overlooks the northern side of Playa del Carmen and is private and open enough to catch a lot of the sun. Since 2005 the jungle area to the north is occupied by the new Royal Playa del Carmen.
The GPR hotel has many little quiet patios where you can sit and relax and reflect on the ocean views. Bring a book and enjoy a restful time while he watches the cable TV and CNN.
The beach in front of the hotel is rather sparse but it is easy to go to the north of the pier in front of the Royal Playa del Carmen resort and enjoy the expanse of white sand there. Go a bit further north (500 feet) to Las Mamitas, Kool beach club or Las Palapas resort if you want to lounge in their excellent beach area. A small daily fee and relax away from the hotel crowd. Here you will find rentals of cats, jet skis, etc. There is no reef to protect you from the waves so if the wind is just right get out the boogie board.
If you need to be close to the drinks you will find plenty of places to lounge close to the hotel or by the pool at the GPR.
Go to the south and walk past the downtown beaches of Playa and past the ferry dock for Cozumel. A bit further and you are bumming around into the Playacar area.
Beach to the north stretches for miles. You can always find a quiet place to lay in the shallow water and get your suit full of sand. Stay alert in the unpopulated areas for groups of youth who might be opportunistic and go for a "snatch and grab".
In 2003 the beach in front of the Gran Porto Real was quite different. The ocean takes but also returns the white coral sand. Rocks are covered and uncovered. Guests express frustration or joy. But the true hazard are the boats driven through the swimming area by inattentive operators.
Last update was on 10/16/2016
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