wildcats

Hi everyone,

I am planning a 7 day trip to cancun around Christmas time 20-27, (I know I am already late ). We have never been to mexico before and was hoping you can help me with some questions.

I am planning on not renting a car, and NOT going to do AI for the hotel ( we are vegetarians, and i am not sure if going AI is worth it for us), with that in mind, which part of the hotel zone would be ideal and any recommendations? ( i am hoping to be in the 150-200$ range for the hotel).

Also, how is easy it to get around in cancun without a car? for shopping, eating out and stuff.

We are planning to do 2-3 day trips to the ruins, can we just go there and book a day trip and should we make reservations upfront?

Thanks in advance!

suze

I wouldn't pick Cancun actually, if you don't want to do an All-inclusive resort and want to be on your own for "shopping, eating out and stuff". Cancun really is a strip of Miami-beach styled resorts where people mostly stick to them, except for maybe organized tours. For what you request I'd look instead to Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Akumal, maybe Cozumel.

Yes you are kind of late for wanting to go right at Christmas time. Mexico vacations are extremely popular and things book up early. You might start in a general way just by checking airfare, and contacting various hotels to see what kind of availability (and prices) you find.

wildcats

Thanks for the reply suze and for the suggestion to skip cancun. do you have any recommendations for hotels in PDC? Also, I am assuming day trips to chichen itza and tulum are equally accessible from there too.

qwovadis

www.betterbidding.com great deals for me in the past bidding

priceline.com Westin my fav in the past from $50 join

spg.com free upgrades I like the hotel zone without a car.

lots to do not remote easy to walk all over

Presidente is nice also Fiesta Americana

happycow.net great veggie food info

www.hotellaspalapas.com ecotulum.com remote nice to veg out

Book quickly might also check www.mexico.bookit.com if things

are already booked...

Have fun,

wildcats

Thanks qwovadis, will checkout all the recommendations.

RAC

Very easy to get around in Cancun without a car--where the bus won't take you, a taxi will.

On our honeymoon, we splurged and stayed at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, and loved it. But, it's a bit beyond your stated price point (and ours normally).

Casa Rolandi is a good Italian place, and should have some vegetarian options.

KVR

I agree with Playa del Carmen if you don't want to do AI. Check out the boutique hotels on locogringo.com

http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/lo...cfm?area=Playa del Carmen&type=Hotel/Resort

Many are within walking distance to 5th Avenue. Tons of restaurants and bars to choose from.

You can book tours at your hotel once you get there or on-line. We have used the following companies to book tours with no problems:

http://www.playa.info/tours-anna-james-tulum.html

http://www.playadelcarmentours.com/

We have been to that area for the past 10 years and absolutely love it.

wildcats

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. Looks like I have some research to do tonight . I am starting to lean more towards Playa del Carmen. I will probably book the tickets in a day or two and then start worrying about where to stay.

suze

Sorry I am no expert on that side of Mexico (I go to Puerto Vallarta) so no hotel suggestions for Playa del Carmen.

I am somewhat familiar only from friends' trips, LOTS of reading on travel forums, and enough to know the basic 'lay of the land' over on that side. And that PdC is more suited for independent travelers wanting a good selection of local places to eat, hotel choices other than mega-resorts, etc.

PdC is closer to Tulum than Cancun is. Definitely no problem doing day trips from there.

Little_Man

Love Cancun, went in August... What a beach! For that price range, the Marriott Casa Magna is very nice. And actually there are lots of excellent places to eat in Cancun...