Panama Jack’s Playa del Carmen
The Gran Porto Real hotel in Playa del Carmen has been renamed as the Panama Jack Resorts Gran Porto Riviera Maya. It is one of the limited all-inclusive hotels in the area that is situated right on the beach and is conveniently close to the Fifth Avenue. This resort has a relaxed vibe and is suitable for families. It is a pleasant place to stay.
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Although the Panama Jack Resort is conveniently situated near many attractions in Playa del Carmen, it is important to note that the Cancun International Airport is located 50 minutes away by car (no international airport in Playa del Carmen). If you are not planning on renting a car, you will need to arrange for transportation by taxi (you should no use Uber in the Riviera Maya) or purchase tickets for an ADO bus trip to downtown Playa. For day trips to destinations like Tulum or Chichen Itza, renting a car may be the most practical option.
The lobby is a spacious area with arched brick roofs and stone walls. It features tables and chairs from the lobby bar, providing ample seating options. There are several clothing and jewelry shops in the nearby corridors, making it a lively and social space.
The accommodations have a modern design that incorporates different shades of blue. They’re luxurious, but not over the top. The regular rooms have a partially private terrace with no ocean view. Other types of suites have a private balcony or terrace with a view of either the courtyard or the ocean. If you choose a family suite, it will have twin bunk beds. The beachfront walk-out suites are very impressive and offer direct access to the beach.
The Premium Oceanfront Suite comes with a designated cabana that is exclusively available to you. Additionally, you will have full access to The Royal, which is our sister hotel. The bathrooms at Panama Jack are adorned with orange marble countertops and have a roomy shower. They are also equipped with a vanity mirror, hairdryer, bathrobes, and slippers, giving them an elegant and sophisticated touch.
At Panama Jack Resort, there is a beautiful swimming pool located by the ocean. Throughout the day, the pool hosts various activities such as aqua-aerobics and foam pool parties. The pool also has a section that is shallow, specially designed for children with a pirate boat. Additionally, if you prefer a more peaceful setting, you can head to the rooftop terrace which has a pool and hot tub.
Ventanas has an international buffet and a relaxing view of the Caribbean. Viaggio offers Italian dishes and Pinchos serves Brazilian steaks, both of which are great dining options. Zarape is a colorful and lively Mexican restaurant with a more casual atmosphere. Off the Hook serves sushi rolls and seafood. Jack’s 24 is a 24-hour lounge that offers snacks and munchies.
Would you be interested in trying a steak stuffed with corn smut at Aldea Corazon, which is just a 5-minute walk away and has a mystical garden setting? Alternatively, Plank is a 4-minute walk away and offers excellent steaks in an elegant atmosphere.
Panama Jack Resort currently has four bars and will soon be adding two more, including a rooftop lounge and a coffee bar. The Deck 74 bar offers breathtaking ocean views both day and night, while Jack’s Landing has live music in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere near the lobby. In the vicinity, Almirante Pech is a trendy bar with unique cocktails and live music, just an 8-minute walk away. When night falls, Zenzi transforms into a lively lounge bar with either live rock or DJ music, only a 7-minute walk away by the beach.
To access Spa Real, you must climb up a fancy spiral staircase, which gives you a glimpse of the luxurious service you can expect. The spa’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a sophisticated European spa, and they specialize in hydrotherapy and chocolate treatments. Just keep in mind that spa services are not covered by the all-inclusive package.
The Life Fitness Center is a cozy gym that features a few strength machines, a free weights section, and strategically placed treadmills that overlook the pool area. While the equipment selection is limited, it’s still a nice little gym.
Pan Jack Resorts Playa del Carmen is situated in the center of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, just a few blocks from the Blue Parrot beach club and the shops and restaurants of La Quinta Avenida. Although the standard rooms and suites at the hotel do not have an ocean facing view, guests can still enjoy water views from most of the accommodations. Additionally, the rooms come equipped with minibars, shared terraces, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is just a short walk from the beautiful beaches of the city.
If you want to have direct access to the beach and your own private cabana, you should think about upgrading to a junior or master suite. You can also appreciate fantastic views of the ocean from the outdoor gazebo, which is a perfect spot for couples to get married or have a massage.
The resort offers many free amenities and services, including a mini golf course, access to 12 restaurants, bars, and lounges serving unlimited food and drinks, 2 outdoor pools, kids and teens clubs, as well as a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool in the spa. Guests can also participate in fitness classes, wine and tequila tastings, and cooking demonstrations. Previous guests highly recommend this resort due to excellent service and delicious cuisine, even though the beach has limited space and a rocky surface.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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