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Frequently Asked Question
Playa Sonrisa


Is Playa Sonrisa as remote as it sounds?
Yes - and that's the allure of it. If the hustle & bustle of high rise hotel-condo mega resorts with discos & franchise restaurants & para-gliders & persistent beach vendors & tee shirt shops & throngs of tourists are your thing, we suggest a vacation in Cancun. But if that sounds too much like the everyday Rat Race that you really need a break from, the peaceful tranquility and solitude at Playa Sonrisa should be just what the Doctor ordered.

Where in the World are you, and how do we get there?
Playa Sonrisa is 7 kilometers (4.25 miles) north of the tiny fishing village of Xcalak (Ish-ka-lac) which is only about 10 miles north of the channel separating Mexico from Ambergris Cay, Belize and which connects the Caribbean Sea with the Bay of Chetumal.

Until the new Costa Maya Airport at Mahajual (Ma-ha-wal) is operating (soon!), to serve the new Cruise Ship dock, (operating now) the best access is to fly in to either Cancun or Merida. In addition to the many major airlines offering service check with charters like Sun Trips, MLT and Apple Vacations for cheap air only tickets. From there you can rent a modest car quite inexpensively, or nicer ones for reasonably higher, and travel the modern highways & new roads to Playa Sonrisa in a little over 4 hours. Or you can catch a connecting commuter flight to Chetumal (AeroCarribe) which is about 2 hours drive time. We can arrange for a shuttle to pick you up, but from Cancun or Merida this would be more expensive than renting and having the freedom of your own vehicle if there are only two of you. 2 or 3 couples sharing a shuttle is an economical option. Private planes can fly directly to in to Majahual or Xcalak.

I'm nervous about renting a car & driving in Mexico, is it safe?
If you are driving in Tijuana or Mexico City, you should be nervous! But the main roads and highways in the Yucatan are very well constructed to modern standards, normally carry very light traffic, and the other drivers are generally more courteous than the average American driver. Keep an eye out for bicycles sharing the road, and it's a good idea to plan your trip to arrive before dark, otherwise it's no different than driving in the States. And what a great way to explore and learn about the people and culture, away from the Americanized tourist zones.

We're not too sure about this "Euro Beach" swimsuits optional thing.
Most Americans share your uncertainty until they see it in practice. Throughout much of Europe and the Caribbean topless sunbathing is normal and casual nudity at beaches is not uncommon. We are a small Family Oriented Resort where guests may or may not choose to get an all-over tan. But we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any type. (If wild toga parties or hot tub encounters are what you are looking for we suggest you try the all-inclusive clubs in Jamaica). Keep in mind that "optional" means that you decide for yourself to wear as much or as little as you want - your comfort and relaxation are all that count. Just like scuba, fly fishing or kayaking, some guests will, some won't participate in Naturism. But with our wonderfully deserted beaches and only six Guest Suites, it brings up that puzzling philosophical question...If a tree sunbathes in the forest without it's trunks, but nobody is there to see it...do it's cheeks still get red?

But if you are still uncomfortable with the idea of "swimsuits optional" just let us know when making your reservation. With only 6 Guest Suites - rarely full - we can manage our bookings accordingly. Conversely, if your vacation just wouldn't be complete without practicing Naturism, also let us know. That is what we do as a "Boutique Resort" - provide a custom vacation experience to each and every one of our Guests. At Playa Sonrisa we'll do all we can to make your vacation special.

What about families with kids?
Although we cater to adult couples and small groups, kids are always welcome at Playa Sonrisa. However, please consider that very young children may be difficult to entertain here, and will require your constant supervision since our grounds, beach and dock are not "kid proofed".

We target mid-May thru June as Kid's Season mainly to increase the chances of peer encounters. During this period American Style beach practices prevail.

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updated 8/23/2001
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