bhmhrex

Hello,

My wife, myself and a other couple are going to be staying at the Excellence Riveiria Resort in mid September and are wanting to do a couple of the parks like xcaret and xplor. We were wondering how to go about booking? Here are our details:

We booked through funjet
Would it be better to book on our own prior to our trip to get the discount the parks provide? Or:
Would it be better to book once we get to the resort?
If we book on our own, how do we handle transportation?

Since we are traveling in mid September can we expect the parks to be busy or no, if not does it really matter what day we decide to go to the parks? We are looking at doing both the above parks on separate days.

Also, we are possibly wanting to visit one of the ruins, either Tulum or Chitzen Itza. Which one would be the best?

We are cruisers and have never done an all inclusive before so any tips / tricks etc would be wonderful!

Christina

When I go to that area, I just book package day tours that handle everything. I haven't been to those xcaret or xplor, though, just various ruins.

Tulum and Chichen Itza both have their merits, hard to say which you should pick. I'd just look at schedules and prices to decide.

I have book things just from brochures I got locally, but last time I used this website which was very good
http://www.cancun-discounts.com/tours/riviera-maya/

Prices are usually reasonable for all day and what they include IMO. HEre is XPLOR for example
http://www.cancun-discounts.com/tour...xplor-tour.htm

So compare that price to park ticket only but then you'd have to figure out the transportation, it's nice just to book the package, makes it easy. YOu'd just have to check wit them to make sure they pick up at your resort, probably do (under Cancun or Riviera Maya option).

I know Olympus Tours has options, also -- I have only used them for airport transfer which was handled very well, but I can't speak to their tours. And then there is the aggregator Viator which I haven't used there but have in other places, it's a good one-stop shop.

jamie99

I've only been to Xel-Ha, but both Xcaret and Xplor are located just south of Playa del Carmen. No need for a tour, just take a taxi and buy your tickets at the gate. If you book online, what if it rains or you don't feel in the mood that day? You may or may not be able to change the date.
I've also been to Tulum and Chichen Itza as well as Coba and Ek Balam (I far preferred the latter two, since you can still climb the pyramid there). Tulum again you can take a taxi. Chichen Itza you might want to book a tour. We had a rental car always and visited that way, never had a problem with being stopped and have visited the area over a dozen times.
The outfit Christina mentions may be good but they are a reseller and do not operate their own tours. The owners do not even live in Mexico. Try Yucatreks or Edventure. A couple of the transfer companies like USA Transfers and Canada Transfers also do both private and group tours.
Oh and pay the taxi in pesos, they give a very poor rate for USD, like 10-1 (rate is 18-1 now).

maried11

I've been to all and would just go on the day of. We take colectivos, but you are coming from P. Mujueres, so would be tough. A taxi would be expensive, but still worth it IMO to be able to decide when you come and go and don't have to stand inline with the other 40 people on the bus, or even 15 on the van. I would skip Xplor unless ziplining is really your thing. Xel Ha is for swimmers and if you like being in the water, it is wonderful (my favorite). You can also swim with the dolphins there or at Xcaret if you would like.
For Tulum or Chichen Itza, I have done both and they are very different. If you don't mind spending a few hours on the bus or van to CI and want to see it, I would definitely do it with a tour. Just because it's a long way in, but worth it. If you don't want a 12 hour day, just do Tulum and maybe Coba (you can still climb Coba) and you can do that on your own for much cheaper, no need for a tour.
If you have any questions, ask away

kja

As others have noted, Tulum and Chichen Itza are quite different from each other. Chichen Itza is much larger and, IMO, has much more refined architecture and a wider array of architecture. Tulum is stunningly situated and offers an opportunity for a visit to the beach (with swimming). Both can get extremely hot; be sure to take water and sun protection.

Hope that helps!