3 night trip in September to Riviera Maya
Aug 7th, 2014, 12:48 PM
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3 night trip in September to Riviera Maya
My wife and I are making a "quick" discounted trip to the Riviera Maya. We'll be staying at the Fiesta Americana and wanted to hear from folks on the forum on what the area is like - any really interesting tours to take and that sort of thing.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 7th, 2014, 04:26 PM
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There is WAY more to do in the area than you can possibly do with just 3 nights, so you will have to decide which options most suit your interests. I thought the Moon Guide provided particularly good coverage.
Aug 9th, 2014, 02:09 PM
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I stayed at the Fiesta Americana (which is my favorite Mexican hotel chain) Grand Coral Beach which is really nice and has a great location which is why I picked it. They had a really good restaurant also, and an evening with a floor show (Mexican folk dance). Sounds touristy, but it was really nice, actually.
the Condesa is way down the peninsula,and is an AI. I prefer to eat in local restaurants, so don't know what that will be like. There is some modern shopping center down there as I recall. I didn't have a car so took the local buses everywhere and there were some good restaurants and shopping nearby. I must have taken the bus down to that shopping center once.
I did take the ferry to Isla Mujeres one day. Not for shopping in particular (can't imagine what they would have there that they wouldn't have in Cancun), but they have nice beaches there. I did walk around and look at the shops as I was there all day, never bought anything. I'm not a big shopper, though. I also went in to the Cancun central market once and the central downtown area, just seeing what it was like. I have been to the Riviera Maya several times so did not need to do day trips but you might want to (to Chichen Itza, for example). I would definitely do that if I had never been there. There are lots of good day trip companies.
the Condesa is way down the peninsula,and is an AI. I prefer to eat in local restaurants, so don't know what that will be like. There is some modern shopping center down there as I recall. I didn't have a car so took the local buses everywhere and there were some good restaurants and shopping nearby. I must have taken the bus down to that shopping center once.
I did take the ferry to Isla Mujeres one day. Not for shopping in particular (can't imagine what they would have there that they wouldn't have in Cancun), but they have nice beaches there. I did walk around and look at the shops as I was there all day, never bought anything. I'm not a big shopper, though. I also went in to the Cancun central market once and the central downtown area, just seeing what it was like. I have been to the Riviera Maya several times so did not need to do day trips but you might want to (to Chichen Itza, for example). I would definitely do that if I had never been there. There are lots of good day trip companies.
Aug 10th, 2014, 01:07 PM
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Hi Sarge. I think you'll like the Condesa. We were there for our honeymoon many years ago and returned in 2007. When we went it wasn't all inclusive. We paid as we went along.
They had a great restaurant on premises called Rosato. We liked the Mexican breakfast items in the general buffet restaurant. I would imagine that a lot has changed since 2007.
We stayed in an oceanfront suite in room 413. If it's available, it's a great room for a special occasion holiday. It has a separate living room, two bathrooms a large balcony spanning both the bedroom and the living room and has an oceanfront whirlpool tub on the balcony that over looks the ocean from the front and from the side overlooks the pool.
The outside pools were large but we didn't spend as much time in them as I would have liked to since it was cold and in January. I'd like to read your opinion of what the resort is like now. They had an AI option when we went but it wasn't mandatory.
If you're looking for fun stuff to do while you're there, a side trip to Chichen Itza, Tulum or Playa Del Carmen is possible. Sorry but I'm not familiar with any tour operators. You might want to do a general on line search. I've found some tours that way.
Don't forget the market places downtown like recommended above. I love to bargain (in Spanish) with the sellers. If you don't know Spanish, try to learn a few phrases before you leave. You won't need it because everyone speaks English but I thought it helped with bargaining in the market place. They seemed to appreciate the attempt. Have fun!
They had a great restaurant on premises called Rosato. We liked the Mexican breakfast items in the general buffet restaurant. I would imagine that a lot has changed since 2007.
We stayed in an oceanfront suite in room 413. If it's available, it's a great room for a special occasion holiday. It has a separate living room, two bathrooms a large balcony spanning both the bedroom and the living room and has an oceanfront whirlpool tub on the balcony that over looks the ocean from the front and from the side overlooks the pool.
The outside pools were large but we didn't spend as much time in them as I would have liked to since it was cold and in January. I'd like to read your opinion of what the resort is like now. They had an AI option when we went but it wasn't mandatory.
If you're looking for fun stuff to do while you're there, a side trip to Chichen Itza, Tulum or Playa Del Carmen is possible. Sorry but I'm not familiar with any tour operators. You might want to do a general on line search. I've found some tours that way.
Don't forget the market places downtown like recommended above. I love to bargain (in Spanish) with the sellers. If you don't know Spanish, try to learn a few phrases before you leave. You won't need it because everyone speaks English but I thought it helped with bargaining in the market place. They seemed to appreciate the attempt. Have fun!
