• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Cancun trip questions

S

snoopdoug1

Platinum Member
We're planning to take a trip to cancun(or rivera maya or playa del carmen) and we had some questions...

1) Is it usually better to book the day trips(Xel-ha + mayan ruins) now, or would we be better off to wait until we got down there. Is it cheaper to do it there?

2) Is it better to stay in cancun, playa del carmen, or rivera maya? They all seem fairly close to each other.

Also, if anyone had any suggestions on what we should(and shouldn't) do that'd be great!

Thanks!

edit: We're looking to basically lay on the beach and take a couple day trips(hopefully xel-ha and the ruins). Not really big into the party scene.

UPDATE:

1) In looking last night we noticed that it appears to be cheaper to stay in cancun vs. the other places... by about a couple hundred bucks for a 4 or 5 day trip. Is that the norm? You still think it's worth it?

 
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
We're planning to take a trip to cancun(or rivera maya or playa del carmen) and we had some questions...

1) Is it usually better to book the day trips(Xel-ha + mayan ruins) now, or would we be better off to wait until we got down there. Is it cheaper to do it there?

2) Is it better to stay in cancun, playa del carmen, or rivera maya? They all seem fairly close to each other.

Also, if anyone had any suggestions on what we should(and shouldn't) do that'd be great!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Personally, i always research the places i want to see before i get there. I then have a good knowledge of what places will be the best, who to use (tour wise) and will know i am not getting screwed by locals. Use the internet. it is your friend. You will be able to find numerous companies (that usually have contacts for referral and questions) that will do what tour you want when you want.

Enjoy yourself. When we saw them this past january, it was amazing! something we will never forget!

ruins

and these are not even that large!
 
1) It's like $120 to go to Tulum (ruins). You ride on a bus and they let you go on a tour there. BRING WATER WITH YOU. It's very hot and it's a jungle on the coast. You will be thirsty. No shade. I am unsure if it's cheaper.

2) We do not stay in Cancun. I recommend Playa Del Carmen. PDC is about 20 or 30 miles south of cancun. Cancun is going to be nothing but high dollar tourism. I like the "2nd world" feel of PDC.

3) Xel Ha was the water park thing. That was pretty cool. I would definatly do this. You put on your snorkel and look at the same big fishies over and over. I had a blast though.

I would go all inclusive so you can drink margarita's. Take a girl with you, they are fun.



edit.. Had my places mixed up sorry.
 
It's pretty easy to book your trips once your there, usually the hotel will have a desk where you can do it. When we went to to Kantenah, Mexico (Riviera Maya), we booked some stuff in advance, and then decided we wanted to do something else when we got there. We actually got a better price on the trip we booked there than we had found online when we were planning.

Riviera Maya includes the area along the strip from Cancun all the way down to I guess Tulum, although I've heard it includes areas further down. So yea, you could say that Cancun is close to the Riviera Maya. 😀 Playa Del Carmen is about 35 minutes from Cancun. If you are going as a couple I would say further down, near Playa Del Carmen. We stayed at the El Dorado Seaside Suites in Kantenah and it was great. Away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. If you are going to party though, Cancun is your spot.
 
Originally posted by: LolaWiz
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
We're planning to take a trip to cancun(or rivera maya or playa del carmen) and we had some questions...

1) Is it usually better to book the day trips(Xel-ha + mayan ruins) now, or would we be better off to wait until we got down there. Is it cheaper to do it there?

2) Is it better to stay in cancun, playa del carmen, or rivera maya? They all seem fairly close to each other.

Also, if anyone had any suggestions on what we should(and shouldn't) do that'd be great!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Personally, i always research the places i want to see before i get there. I then have a good knowledge of what places will be the best, who to use (tour wise) and will know i am not getting screwed by locals. Use the internet. it is your friend. You will be able to find numerous companies (that usually have contacts for referral and questions) that will do what tour you want when you want.

Enjoy yourself. When we saw them this past january, it was amazing! something we will never forget!

ruins

and these are not even that large!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply lola. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. We wanted to do the ruins and the Xel-ha day trips. I was just trying to figure out if it's good to book them now or later... sounds like you say now 🙂
 
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
We're planning to take a trip to cancun(or rivera maya or playa del carmen) and we had some questions...

1) Is it usually better to book the day trips(Xel-ha + mayan ruins) now, or would we be better off to wait until we got down there. Is it cheaper to do it there?
Click to expand...

It's a scam no matter when you do it. The trips can be fun - don't get me wrong, but they're all overpriced no matter how you book them. Someone in this thread will invariably tell you how they negotiated a deal with some local, but that's just a testament to the negotiating skills of the local who made the tourist feel like he got something cheap when he didn't.

All of that said, book early so you don't get blocked out of the ones you want. And the exception to the above are "dolphin discovery" excursions. You can usually find a much better deal on those.

2) Is it better to stay in cancun, playa del carmen, or rivera maya? They all seem fairly close to each other.
Click to expand...

What do you want to do? If you want the active bar scene filled with tons of yankees in wife beaters, Cancun is your best bet. If you wanna lay on a beach at a resort, stay in Playacar (Playacar = the resort community adjacent to PdC). You could also stay very far south down near the ruins of Tulum / Puerto Aventuras - there are a couple of nice resorts out that way, but they dont have good beaches and they are an hour+ removed from the action of Cancun.

Also, if anyone had any suggestions on what we should(and shouldn't) do that'd be great!
Click to expand...

What you should do is too dependent on personal taste. I'll warn you that a lot of planned excursions to Cancun (from remote resorts) are sponsored by retailers as a way to get you in their stores. It's a tradeoff (free ride for your patronship).

And just about every resort/tour company will invite you into an info session that can last as long as 6 hours in exchange for some kind of perk. It is up to you whether you want to sit through it. Be aware that they are trained to deliver high pressure sales techniques (especially the timeshare folks).

Also, for resort reviews, I found RonsMexico.com to be extremely helpful. Pay attention to the dates of reviews because conditions and policies at the resorts change seasonally. And really ask yourself what you're looking for and do pick a place that has whats high on your list, and dont fall for any marketing.
 
Originally posted by: tranceport
1) It's like $120 to go to Xel Ha. You ride on a bus and they let you go on a tour there. BRING WATER WITH YOU. It's very hot and it's a jungle on the coast. You will be thirsty. No shade. I am unsure if it's cheaper.

2) We do not stay in Cancun. I recommend Playa Del Carmen. PDC is about 20 or 30 miles south of cancun. Cancun is going to be nothing but high dollar tourism. I like the "2nd world" feel of PDC.

I would go all inclusive so you can drink margarita's. Take a girl with you, they are fun.
Click to expand...

1) I heard Xel ha was an AI trip... they'll have water there right?

2) That's the second time someone told me to stay outside of cancun due to the high tourism now.

I'm taking a girl 😀
 
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
 
Originally posted by: trmiv
It's pretty easy to book your trips once your there, usually the hotel will have a desk where you can do it. When we went to to Kantenah, Mexico (Riviera Maya), we booked some stuff in advance, and then decided we wanted to do something else when we got there. We actually got a better price on the trip we booked there than we had found online when we were planning.

Riviera Maya includes the area along the strip from Cancun all the way down to I guess Tulum, although I've heard it includes areas further down. So yea, you could say that Cancun is close to the Riviera Maya. 😀 Playa Del Carmen is about 35 minutes from Cancun. If you are going as a couple I would say further down, near Playa Del Carmen. We says at the El Dorado Seaside Suites in Kantenah and it was great. Away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. If you are going to party though, Cancun is your spot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, sounds like we'll be better outside of cancun. We're not really going to party, going as a couple. Thanks again.
 
Originally posted by: trmiv
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather do that too. Seems like a lot of people really like Xel-ha and they liked having all day there.
 
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather do that too. Seems like a lot of people really like Xel-ha and they liked having all day there.
Click to expand...


Yea it's nice if the weather is nice. When we went it poured rain and was windy all day. Since the area you snorkel is an inlet fed partially by fresh water the water is colder there. And since it wasn't that warm out due to the weather, it made for a miserable day. It would be a great place to be on a sunny day though.
 
Originally posted by: TheAdvocate
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
We're planning to take a trip to cancun(or rivera maya or playa del carmen) and we had some questions...

1) Is it usually better to book the day trips(Xel-ha + mayan ruins) now, or would we be better off to wait until we got down there. Is it cheaper to do it there?
Click to expand...

It's a scam no matter when you do it. The trips can be fun - don't get me wrong, but they're all overpriced no matter how you book them. Someone in this thread will invariably tell you how they negotiated a deal with some local, but that's just a testament to the negotiating skills of the local who made the tourist feel like he got something cheap when he didn't.

All of that said, book early so you don't get blocked out of the ones you want. And the exception to the above are "dolphin discovery" excursions. You can usually find a much better deal on those.

2) Is it better to stay in cancun, playa del carmen, or rivera maya? They all seem fairly close to each other.
Click to expand...

What do you want to do? If you want the active bar scene filled with tons of yankees in wife beaters, Cancun is your best bet. If you wanna lay on a beach at a resort, stay in Playacar (Playacar = the resort community adjacent to PdC). You could also stay very far south down near the ruins of Tulum / Puerto Aventuras - there are a couple of nice resorts out that way, but they dont have good beaches and they are an hour+ removed from the action of Cancun.

Also, if anyone had any suggestions on what we should(and shouldn't) do that'd be great!
Click to expand...

What you should do is too dependent on personal taste. I'll warn you that a lot of planned excursions to Cancun (from remote resorts) are sponsored by retailers as a way to get you in their stores. It's a tradeoff (free ride for your patronship).

And just about every resort/tour company will invite you into an info session that can last as long as 6 hours in exchange for some kind of perk. It is up to you whether you want to sit through it. Be aware that they are trained to deliver high pressure sales techniques (especially the timeshare folks).

Also, for resort reviews, I found RonsMexico.com to be extremely helpful. Pay attention to the dates of reviews because conditions and policies at the resorts change seasonally. And really ask yourself what you're looking for and do pick a place that has whats high on your list, and dont fall for any marketing.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the info. I'll definitely check out the site. Seems like most say book ahead...
 
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: tranceport
1) It's like $120 to go to Xel Ha. You ride on a bus and they let you go on a tour there. BRING WATER WITH YOU. It's very hot and it's a jungle on the coast. You will be thirsty. No shade. I am unsure if it's cheaper.

2) We do not stay in Cancun. I recommend Playa Del Carmen. PDC is about 20 or 30 miles south of cancun. Cancun is going to be nothing but high dollar tourism. I like the "2nd world" feel of PDC.

I would go all inclusive so you can drink margarita's. Take a girl with you, they are fun.
Click to expand...

1) I heard Xel ha was an AI trip... they'll have water there right?

2) That's the second time someone told me to stay outside of cancun due to the high tourism now.

I'm taking a girl 😀
Click to expand...


Ahh do what you like but dedicate one day to just hanging out at the resort. Drinking all you like while sitting on a beach talking. Take a few swims. Grab a bite to eat. Walk around etc. As long as you are two people who can enjoy talking to each other you will enjoy this.



Ohh don't by anything at the flea market place with the guys who spin down the totem pole. I forget where this was.... Might be the ruins.



You may look into places near Punta Brava.
 
Originally posted by: trmiv
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather do that too. Seems like a lot of people really like Xel-ha and they liked having all day there.
Click to expand...


Yea it's nice if the weather is nice. When we went it poured rain and was windy all day. Since the area you snorkel is an inlet fed partially by fresh water the water is colder there. And since it wasn't that warm out due to the weather, it made for a miserable day. It would be a great place to be on a sunny day though.
Click to expand...

When did you go? I'm guessing it'll be colder in January... which, of course, is when we're looking :disgust:
 
Originally posted by: tranceport
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: tranceport
1) It's like $120 to go to Xel Ha. You ride on a bus and they let you go on a tour there. BRING WATER WITH YOU. It's very hot and it's a jungle on the coast. You will be thirsty. No shade. I am unsure if it's cheaper.

2) We do not stay in Cancun. I recommend Playa Del Carmen. PDC is about 20 or 30 miles south of cancun. Cancun is going to be nothing but high dollar tourism. I like the "2nd world" feel of PDC.

I would go all inclusive so you can drink margarita's. Take a girl with you, they are fun.
Click to expand...

1) I heard Xel ha was an AI trip... they'll have water there right?

2) That's the second time someone told me to stay outside of cancun due to the high tourism now.

I'm taking a girl 😀
Click to expand...


Ahh do what you like but dedicate one day to just hanging out at the resort. Drinking all you like while sitting on a beach talking. Take a few swims. Grab a bite to eat. Walk around etc. As long as you are two people who can enjoy talking to each other you will enjoy this.



Ohh don't by anything at the flea market place with the guys who spin down the totem pole. I forget where this was.... Might be the ruins.
Click to expand...


We'll definitely have AT LEAST one day of sitting on the beach 🙂 I'm almost scared to ask, but why not buy from the guys who spin down the totem pole?
 
TheAdvocate is right. Cancun and surrounding areas have become a ripoff due to so many tourists and guests. If you don't want to pay their inflated fee or price then they will wait, and then next sucker will think he got a "great deal." There's certainly a beloved patriot tax as well around there.

I wouldn't worry about any of that unless you are really wanting to see the true Mexico. If you are, then certainly forgo Cancun, and you should look at staying in an area with less tourists. The money of tourists causes massive inflation for other tourists, and even the locals to a degree.

That being said, there are still buenas playas to be seen, and nice ruins as well.
 
From my two times in Cancun, I say just book once you get down there. Talk to other people that are at your resort to see what they did and how it went, they liked it etc etc. My 3 favorite things I've done down there was:

1. Snorkeling. Although it's not really known for its snorkeling, we found a small company with one catamaran (sp) that took us to spots where all the other "snorkeling adventures" did not. So, it wasnt crowded, we drank tequila on the boat, saw a shark (yikes!) and overall was pretty darn pleasant.

2. Motorboat to snorkel. This one was the main real "touristy" one. I just loved driving those small motorboats james bond style.

3. Haggle with the merchants in downtown Cancun. Pretty scary seeing police officers with M16's walking around, but at least they're there. But, it's mostly same stuff everywhere, but you can get stuff for dirt cheap if you haggle right. . .had a guy call me Canadian once because I was so cheap. (I didnt even know Canadians were known for that lol).

Overall, if you have to be doing something 24/7, you're probably going to be disappointed. I just like hanging out by the beach, sipping my screwdriver, reading a book, and overall getting trashed. The night life, well, there shouldnt be a problem w/ that b/c there are tons of clubs to go to.
 
I stayed at the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and it was fantasic. $2 local bus ride into Playa for the nightlife, and a $20 cab back ... or a quick ferry over to Cozumel for some snorkelling/scuba diving.
 
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather do that too. Seems like a lot of people really like Xel-ha and they liked having all day there.
Click to expand...


Yea it's nice if the weather is nice. When we went it poured rain and was windy all day. Since the area you snorkel is an inlet fed partially by fresh water the water is colder there. And since it wasn't that warm out due to the weather, it made for a miserable day. It would be a great place to be on a sunny day though.
Click to expand...

When did you go? I'm guessing it'll be colder in January... which, of course, is when we're looking :disgust:
Click to expand...

We went in August. You will likely have better weather than we did, since we went during the stormy season.
 
Originally posted by: trmiv
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Originally posted by: snoopdoug1
Originally posted by: trmiv
Xel Ha is actually the trip we booked when we were in Mexico, we got a pretty good deal at the hotel. We did the Tulum ruins and Xel Ha separately though instead of the combined trip.
Click to expand...

I think I'd rather do that too. Seems like a lot of people really like Xel-ha and they liked having all day there.
Click to expand...


Yea it's nice if the weather is nice. When we went it poured rain and was windy all day. Since the area you snorkel is an inlet fed partially by fresh water the water is colder there. And since it wasn't that warm out due to the weather, it made for a miserable day. It would be a great place to be on a sunny day though.
Click to expand...

When did you go? I'm guessing it'll be colder in January... which, of course, is when we're looking :disgust:
Click to expand...

We went in August. You will likely have better weather than we did, since we went during the stormy season.
Click to expand...

Oh 🙂 Good!
 
Originally posted by: goatjc
From my two times in Cancun, I say just book once you get down there. Talk to other people that are at your resort to see what they did and how it went, they liked it etc etc. My 3 favorite things I've done down there was:

1. Snorkeling. Although it's not really known for its snorkeling, we found a small company with one catamaran (sp) that took us to spots where all the other "snorkeling adventures" did not. So, it wasnt crowded, we drank tequila on the boat, saw a shark (yikes!) and overall was pretty darn pleasant.

2. Motorboat to snorkel. This one was the main real "touristy" one. I just loved driving those small motorboats james bond style.

3. Haggle with the merchants in downtown Cancun. Pretty scary seeing police officers with M16's walking around, but at least they're there. But, it's mostly same stuff everywhere, but you can get stuff for dirt cheap if you haggle right. . .had a guy call me Canadian once because I was so cheap. (I didnt even know Canadians were known for that lol).

Overall, if you have to be doing something 24/7, you're probably going to be disappointed. I just like hanging out by the beach, sipping my screwdriver, reading a book, and overall getting trashed. The night life, well, there shouldnt be a problem w/ that b/c there are tons of clubs to go to.
Click to expand...

We're both certified scuba divers, so I'm thinking we'll try to do a day of that. Then maybe a day of xel-ha, then maybe the ruins for a day. Then the rest of the time will be spent on the beach maybe.

Seeing all this info is making me have second thoughts because I feel like I didn't do enough research(when I thought I did!). So back to the drawing boards for a while. I wanted to go Jan 17th, but that may be too soon.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
If you go to Xel-ha make sure to walk way around to the beach area and go through the tide pools. We had more fun doing that than we did at the main part of Xel-ha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top