Meggsy76

Hi would really appreciate opinions of taking the young kids, 10 & 6 yrs to see the ruins. we originally thought to stay in PDC and do day trips to the ruins but as we want to go in late Sept, hurricane season it may be best to travel around, rather than stay put. We have a week and i have read other ideas about going to Merida for a few days and maybe Vallodolid, then end the last few days at a beach resort? Kids are happy as long as they have a pool at the hotels so we don't have to spend all week at a beach. I want to see a bit of the real Mexico and the historic sites. we are coming from Australia so it's a once in a lifetime chance. How easy it to get transport to each city? I don't want to hire cars, but also would prefer not to take public buses as too hard with kids and luggage. Am I asking too much?? Thanks in advance!

kja

With only a week, you have a wealth of opportunities, some difficult choices, and -- from what you say -- some interesting challenges.

Merida is, indeed, well worth seeing - its a great colonial city with interesting places to see (the excellent small archeological museum even has a children's section, as I recall) and LOTS of public activities, at least if you time it right (Friday night through Sunday). I'm not sure what your options for getting there would be if you don't take a bus....

You are, I trust, aware that intercity buses in the Yucatan have exterior side compartments for luggage? (or at least, they used to!)

From Merida, one can see the stunning ruins of Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc, but here's where your preferences begin to create challenges: It is possible, but difficult, to see Uxmal by day-trip from Merida. IMO, it really is best to rent a car and spend a night in/near Uxmal itself (e.g., at the delightful Flycatcher Inn, which has a fun "nature walk" through its property). That would give you time to see the vast and spectacular ruins of Uxmal, visit some smaller sites along the Ruta Puuc (you may have some of them all to yourselves!), and visit the Loltun Caves, too. BUT again, only if you are willing to deal with a rental car for a couple of days.

Valladolid is another colonial city that I really enjoyed, but some people find a bit too gritty (I did not!). It might be a great base for you, because it to only has some wonderful colonial elements, but moreover, you can use it as a base for day-trips to Chichen Itza, Ek' Balam, and the gorgeous Cenotes Dzitnup -- all of which can be seen by public transportation.

Are your children accustomed to snorkeling? If not (and even if so), you might want to consider Puerto Morelos for your beach time -- the MesoAmerican reef is about as close to the shore and surface as it ever gets right there, the waters and reef are a national park, I believe that access is limited to those who work with licensed guides, and the guides are accustomed to taking novices out for their first (or other early) snorkeling experience. (Or at least, that's how it was a few years ago!) Puerto Morelos is a more "authentic" Mexican town than many places along the Quintano Roo coast -- fewer resorts, etc. Definitely reachable by public transport.

For your purposes, you might want to see if you can get hold of a Moon Guide to the Yucatan, or if you can't find that, a Rough Guide.

Hope that helps!

Meggsy76

Wow. That information is fantastic. If driving is not too difficult we could consider it if that's the best way. Would it be too rushed to do 2 nts Merida, 1nt uxmal, 1nt valladolid, then 3 nts beach? Is it easy to get cheap flights to Merida from mainland usa?

Fra_Diavolo

Agree with kja's suggested itinerary, but just wanted to note that our group of five followed a similar route without a car by hiring a driver who took us from Merida to Uxmal (we stayed at the Mayaland resort -- good pool). The next day we hired a hotel driver to take us along the Ruta Puuc and the caves. Yet a third car and driver took us to Chichen Itza. We used a bus to get from Valladolid to Playa and another to get from Playa to Tulum for a day trip. The expense was not great though I can't recall it exactly.

RAC

You could start in Merida, see Uxmal, then to Valladolid for Chichen Itza, and then to the Tulum area for beach us the ruins of Coba and Tulum. You can also stay on-site at Uxmal and Chichen Itza.

Although, to be honest, I think Mexico's best Mayan ruins are in Chiapas (Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak).

jamie99

You'll probably find cheaper flights into Cancun rather than Merida but it depends where your departure city is, Houston I think used to have a nonstop to Merida.
I like RAC's suggestion although not sure how many ruins the children would tolerate vs beach time.

Rohelio

Lots of excellent points and suggestions here.

Meggsy76

my husband does not want to drive. I've looked at greyhound buses? jaimie99, i do have to consider how much the kids can take with looking at ruins. I might look at flying to cancun and transfer to merida if it's cheaper. We are traveling around the states also,so therefore we have a few choices of places to depart from. Whatever is the cheapest and doesn't take too long. I appreciate everyones opinions. It helps immensly

SambaChula

The bus company for that region is ADO. But with the heat/humidity, the distances, short time period, awkward schedules to some ruins, all those people/tickets, possible rain, and the good roads (not counting the speed bumps and !!really easy driving!!, your husband might want to reconsider a rental car.
If you fly into Cancun, and only have a week, I'd do a smaller circle--Valladolid as a base for Ek Balam and Chichen Itza and cenotes, Coba ruins with alligators and cenotes, and on to Tulum to relax with beach, ruins, Sian Ka'an biosphere for canal float, snorkle with turtles at Akumal, and then a last day/night in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Moreles before flying out.

NewbE

What a rude Mayan.
(Is it just me who read the title this way??)

kja

"Would it be too rushed to do 2 nts Merida, 1nt uxmal, 1nt valladolid, then 3 nts beach?" -- it could be! It really wouldn't leave you much time to see anything and you would end up spending a chunk of time in transit rather than actually seeing things. IMO, it would be more manageable if you were willing to shift one night from the beach to Valladolid.

OR SambaChula offers a nice option -- though I'm not sure you can fit all of that in to your time frame, either!

(@ NewbE -- ;-) )

Meggsy76

SambaChula that does sound a bit easier. We might have to give Merida a miss. We need to think about kids and traveling distances. Plus cheaper to fly to cancun! 3 nts valladolid for the ruins in that area sound better? Then should we base ourselves in pdc for the rest to see tulum, akumal etc or stay in those areas separately?

RAC

I would skip PdC entirely and base yourself in Akumal or Tulum for the that part of your trip. They're much closer and generally more pleasant/relaxed places in general.

Rohelio

We are in Playa (condo) for a good part of winter every year and whenever we recieve family and/or friends we always plan to show them what we think would be easiest and best for everyone involved, considering how many there are. Just adults? or accompanied with kids and more importantly, the amount of time at our disposal. In your case, you have but a single week and accompanied with children (10-6). I'm sorry but you have to be realistic here. You will need to cut back. Nevermind the logistics involved here (transportation and timing, finding a room and your way around, eating, visiting) your kids will have their own agenda... These archeological sites can be very hot (need sun protection)and offer few facilities, like washrooms and water. Forgive me for saying this, but 10 and 6 is awfull young to appreciate visiting Mayan sites and culture oriented tours. They would much prefer splashing around in the swimming pool and running along the beach. Plan wisely as these trips can be quite demanding and exhausting, even when you know your way around...

jamie99

2 nights is probably enough for Valladolid if you are only seeing CI and Ek Balam.

Meggsy76

Rohelio...good points there. I think 2 nts valladolid as suggested by jaimie99 then 5 nts akumal or tulum. That gives kids time to relax. Our kids are pretty good at traveling but as mentioned they may not appreciate the history. Any suggestions on transfer from cancun airport to valladolid? (shuttle rather than public bus) then valladolid to tulum/akumal?

kja

I don't mean to make you crazy, but if you are going straight to Valladolid, then you might want to consider 3 nights, so you have 2 days there -- one for Chichen Itza and one for Ek'Balam and the Cenotes Dzitnup.

Meggsy76

Yes kja that's a good idea. Do you know much about transport to there from Cancun and then Tulum/Akumal? As mentioned earlier we are doing a big trip around the states and will be also heading to Hawaii on the way home for approx 10 nights so kids have plenty of time to relax at the end

kja

I used ADO buses and collectivos for these places (Cancun's airport, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Ek' Balam, the Cenotes Dzitnup, and Tulum), but I was there in 2008, so things could be different now. I flew into Cancun, but didn't visit anything else in Cancun itself; I spent some time in Tulum, but not Akumal. You should also be able to use ADO buses, collectivos, or day tours for many of the other places that have been mentioned in this part of Mexico.

The Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, and Moon Guides all provide EXCELLENT information on transportation. I strongly encourage you to invest in at least one. You will learn all sorts of things that you won't otherwise even know to ask! And some (if not all) of these guidebooks are available as e-books....

Meggsy76

Thanks Everyone, we have decided 3 nights at Valladolid at either Casa Quetzal or Casa San Roque and 4 nights at Akumal probably at Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach Hotel. Mexigo tours seem to offer some great day trips too from Valladolid.