Mary

Has anyone stayed there. If so, how's the food. Any problem with food poisoning? Are the rooms nice? Can you rent a vehicle if you wanted to? How much is it to rent one? Which is better to see Tulum or Chicheniza? How much is the ferry over to Cozumel? We're planning a day trip there.

debbie

Not at this particular resort but did stay at the RIU Yucatan which is in the same general area. <BR> <BR>Your chances of getting food poisoning on your RESORT are just as minimal as getting it from your local hamburger joint. STOP WORRYING ABOUT THIS FOLKS! Resorts in Mexico are no different than here - they know they have to have certain standards in the kitchen to keep their guests from getting sick because they simply cannot afford to lose business over this type of situation. Geez, I got the runs on the last day of our trip but it was because the food was just too darned good - two weeks of rich food, wonderful cappucinos, tonnes of fresh fruit and veggies - it was bound to happen! And if you go to a local restaurant don't drink anything called 'en jarra' - the rich combination of coffee, chicory, chocolate, etc will keep you on the toilet, oh 'bout a 1/2 hour or so - but will clean ya out real good! <BR> <BR>Okay I've said my peace on that subject! Yes, most resorts have vehicle rentals available. We just used cabs and always checked at the front desk for what we should expect to pay between points. <BR> <BR>Chichen Itza is a 3 hour drive (one way) away versus Tulum which is just down the road about an hour or so. My husband found Tulum fascinating (me - yawn!) and wants to see Chichen Itza next time we're down there (oh thrill) but figures he'll just do the excursion out of PDC where they fly you in ($100. as I recall - more thrill - $100. I could use shopping!). So either one would be fine depending on your time allowed. <BR> <BR>The ferry over to Cozumel is $12. U.S. return trip (about 108 pesos) . It's about a 45 minute ride. <BR> <BR>

Sandi

I am a travel agent, sent some clients there when it was brand new, did not know anything about it, but a great price..they LOVED everything and are VERY fussy!!! Any questions just e-mail me and ask

Laura

Hey, bringing this back to the top because my friend and I leave in 3 weeks! We are booked into the Club Viva Azteca. Any advice about the beach, the food, the water and the surroundings? What two side trips can anyone recommend? Do we use pesos or American dollars? How about the election day liquor ban? Anyone know if this ban includes the all-inclusive resorts or is it just the restaurant/bars in town? What about the safety of the drinking water and food, both on the resort grounds and in town? The weather--is it as humid as I've heard? Sorry--1,000 questions!! We are SOOO excited!

xxx

Laura,<BR><BR>Sorry can't comment on the resort but I felt, Cozumel, Tulum, Xel-ha and Chitzen-itza all very worth it. As with the poster above, we flew to Chitzen-itza. If we had driven I'm not sure I would have felt the same way. There is no comparison between Tulum and Chitzen-itza. CI is huge and it is very intersting. Tulum is quite small and basically same info as CI. However, the beauty of Tulum, being the only such place on the coast is spectacular. If you like to snorkel, or would like to try, Xel-ha is outstanding. We went to Cozumel for a day and wandered around on our own. It's a little too "Americanized" for me but Carnival was ending on the day we went and there are lots of people in the streets dancing and putting on various cultural displays. It was wonderful. Although we didn't go, many people at our resort also raved about the Xcaret trip.

lisa

Laura, please report back on your trip to Club Viva Azteca. We plan to go there in June. Or, you can write me at [email protected]<BR><BR>Thanks!

Laura

Lisa, Yes, I will try to report back on our trip, We get back on the 22 Feb. Also, if you go to the web site www.playaguide.com you will find a link<BR>to the Viva Azteca--then click on the link to the message boards to that particular hotel. You will find a trip report written by "Michelle" that is long, descriptive and mosly flatering. MANY helpful hints! If you can't find it email me and I'll email you the page.

Jennifer

Went to this resort when it was new in 98. The beach is great, food was good, not alot of children there (2 maybe). Resort nice, don't worry, just have fun. It is about a 1 hour drive from Cancun airport though. There is a shopping center down by riu that has an internet cafe, was great.

Laura

My friend and I have just returned from this resort and were VERY PLEASED!!! A great value, enthusiatsic staff with plenty activities to keep busy (but no harrassing to join in) Great food, close to PDC (five min cab ride) Anyone wanting more details feel free to email me! Thanks--Laura