m andrews

i would like recommendations on best and least expensive hotel to stay at. i would also like to know best tours to take, best resturants, and entertainment spots. my estimated departure in mid july 1998.


thanks!!

Juan Perez

Cancun has no "tours" worth a flip, and the restaurants are typical tourist contrivances. Entertainment is third rate. If you want the above go to Orlando. Cancun does have the best beach in the world. Try Club Med. It beats all others there. The food is good, and activities the best by far. Good value.
Remember, several short years ago Cancun was an isolated uninhabited beach. Everything has been uilt from the sand up for tourism.

Heidi

I am going to Cancun on March 15 and am looking forward to it very much. I have to disagree with the previous posting although I've never been there. If it was that bad like they say, they would close up and call it a day. Cancun has many repeat visitors, many of which I have talked to regarding my trip. I am staying at the Solymar Hotel, and plan on going on the Tulum/Xel-ha tour, which is ruins at Tulum, and snorkelling in Xel-ha. Let me know if you want info when I get back - March 22nd, I'll be more than happy to tell you about my great time out there.

RobertQuirk

I think most long term travellers who travel to Mexico for a reason other than nightlife, bars, beaches and honeymoons all find Cancun obnoxious. I've been to the Yucatan twice now and have only spent one night in Cancun with the sole aim of nightclubbing, shagging and getting pissed. Cancun serves these requirements very well but it is never going to give even a sniff of what Mexico is which is a pity because Mexico has nearly every conceivable interest you can think of.

susan

if you leave the tourist zone and go to Cancun City (take the bus, cheap) there are quite a few good restaurants that are "authentic". Los Allmendros is frequented by families and is quite good and cheap. La Habichuela is excellent and has great service and decor. Also, go to Isla Muheres by ferry. The beach restaurants are great and very cheap. 2.lb lobsters, grilled, for $20 for two. Rent a car and drive to Akumal, after your visit to Tulum, and enjoy a beautiful undeveloped beach and a fine lunch there. We visited Cancun in Jan. for the first time. We took no organized tours and ate our evening meals out of the hotel zone. This is the way to enjoy the best Cancun can offer! We stayed at the Cancun Caribe and highly recommend it for the breakfast buffet and beautiful quiet beach. It was the most relaxing vacation we can remember and we would go back!

Caresse

I was in Cancuun last April. There is a good nightlife, and
the locals can usually tell you what bar is good on what
night. The cover can be pretty pricey at some places or
on some nights, ie. $20-$40. The first nighl we got there
it was ladies night with no cover , no line and free drinks
for the ladies! So definitey ask around, the transportation
system is very easy to use, we had a bus go by our hotel
about every 30 second, very cheap and all the clubs are
pretty much along the same strip in town. All of the tours
are pretty much rip-offs, I would venture out on your own
and explore the nearby islands of Cozumel, or Isles Myheres (spelling ??) If you want to get out of the tourist
trap of Cancuun try a day trip to the interesting little city
of Playa de Carmen is nice.. Cancuun has pretty much no Mexican culture, it is absolutely overpriced and westernized. The beach has nice sand and water, but
the snorkeling off of the main beach is nonexistent and
the strong undertows pretty much qualm any thoughts of
swimming or fun in the water. If you have money and want
to party hard and be a beach bum, then you'll have a great time.
Caresse

JK

that person IS dead wrong.

Jim Dowd

I am going to Cancun for a week w/ 3 other single guys starting on 4/18/98. I am definately interested in opinions on the best ruins to visit, nightlife, dining, and other tours which are worthwhile (Isle Mujeres?, Playa del Carmen?, Xel-ha?,Cozumel?)

Please reply.

Katie

Well, I am not the experienced traveler, but I went to Cancun on my honeymoon in May of 1994. We loved the weather and the beaches are beautiful! A close family friend recommended the "Fiesta Americana Condesa" and it was the best bit of information we could have got! This hotel is so beautiful and tropical. Our favorite spot was the pool area which was completely amazing with waterfalls,a bridge,swim up bar, everything. The hotel zone is where almost all the hotels are located in a row, one right after another. I will tell you most of the hotels we say down the zone looked like a hotel anywhere else. The Fiesta Americana Condesa, on the other hand, was soooo tropical!!! It is true, Cancun is very "touristy" and commericalized. But, if you find the right place to stay and enjoy the weather, tropical drinks and lovely beaches, you will truly enjoy!!!

polly

The Mayan ruins near Cancun are definitely worth a visit. However, the "organized tours" are a rip-off and quite superficial. We took public buses to both Tulum and Chichen Itza and payed our 25 pesos to get into the ruins and were able to spend lots of unhurried time enjoying the sites. The organized tours are very pricey ($50-$70 for a day trip) and you really don't get very much. To take a day trip by public transportation, just go down to the main bus station early in the morning and you will find several different lines that go to both Tulum and Chichen. Tulum is a small site, but in a beautiful location right overlooking that incredible aquamarine water. buy a good guidebook and take yourself around. On the way home, the bus may stop at Playa del Carmen, if so take a few hours there and enjoy the town. chichen Itza is a bit farther away, maybe 2 1/2 hours by bus. but it's an entire city, well worth a visit and the price of a good guidebook. there's a coffee shop right on the premises so you can eat there, nothing special, but convenient. As far as restaurants and hotels, the Cancun beach strip is pretty tacky,but some of the hotels are really nice (I stayed at the Condesa Americana, like the last posting, which is a fine hotel, but much of the beach has been eroded away by the most recent hurricaine). One nice in-town restaurant is Rosa Mexicana -- I had a great whole fish in garlic, an orange/jicama salad that was super, and a couple of beers for under $15. It certainly is a city of contrasts, with the artificial cocoon that these fancy hotels provide. But the beaches are truly beautiful.

Brad

Heidi,

I would very much appreciate your feedback on Cancun, as I am planning a trip with three of my friends.

What are the bars, beaches, and tours like? Was it family oriented or more singles oriented? Any insight greatly appreciated..

Cathy Bodi

Heidi: <BR>Tell me about your trip to Cancun in March, I'm planning on going in a week. Did you get to go on the Tulum/Xel-ha tour? Snorkelling in Xel-ha? <BR>Anything else to see or do? Will only be there 4 days. <BR>Cathy

Doug

Cathy, <BR> <BR>My wife and I went on the Tulum/Xel Ha tour in January. We went because it was included w/ our vacation package. It costs about $50US per person. I wouldn't take the tour if I had to pay for it. Instead I would rent a car for a day and drive to Tulum. You should be able to rent a car for about $35 a day w/ unlimited milage. I think it costs about $10us for 2 people to enter the grounds and park a car. Wear your swimming suit and bring bottled water. You can swim at the ruins there is a very nice beach. When you're done go to Akumal and have lunch and do your your snorkeling at Yalku Lagoon. Much cheaper and less touristy than Xel Ha. You can probably do the entire day for $75. The tour only al1ows about 1.5 hours at each place, if you do it yourself you won't be stuck with the tour schedule.

Judy

Went to Cancun my first times on a low budget rate a few years ago and found it to be wonderful! I stayed away from the tourist trap and explored the flea markets to find deals.I found a great bakery downtown that I visited for breakfast(cheap and good)and the buses run every 5 minutes to the tourist strip.I took several of the trips and enjoyed the culture. If you can go with an adventurous spirit-you'll love it. If you go looking for a bad time I'm sure you could find that too! I took a bus trip to the ruins and I do regret no buying from the peddlers at one of our stops because their prices were the best! Go and have a great time. I am out here looking for a package to return right now.

norma

I have been to cancun 3 times and it is <BR>one of my favorite vacations.My favorite <BR>place to stay is the Fieasta Americana <BR>Condessa.It is a wonderful hotel with <BR>great food, service,and attention. The <BR>pool is fabulous. I go there to read, <BR>relax, and enjoy the sun not party.I agree with an earlier posting that Allegro airlines is the worst.I had a great experience with Sun Country. I don't do all inclusives because the food is inexpensive and I don't drink--- <BR>so an all inclusive doesn't save me anything. July will be pretty hot--my favorite time is january or May.

Michelle

I am going to Cancun on the 22nd May for 1 week and am Staying in the Blue Bay Club and Marina. Has anybody seen this hotel or have any info good or bad on it?

dan woodlief

I went to Cancun three years ago. I stayed downtown and spent most of my time outside Cancun. Would I stay there again? Only if free, but I would love to stay in Playa del Carmen. It is still not as built up as Cancun. It has what Cancun is missing but still has the bus connections that I liked in Cancun. We stayed at a hotel in downtown Cancun, and it was much cheaper than the hotel zone, closer to good authentic food, and close to the bus station. Take a look at my Web site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com for a very full report on the trip. By the way, my own interests tend toward experiencing the culture, local food, art, history, etc., but I don't mind a little relaxing on the beach. I was not very impressed with Cancun, but I loved the Yucatan. Real Mexico is all around you if you leave the city.

Robin

I am going to Cancun from 6/8 - 6/15 with one other friend. What are some of the things we must do and see. We are both 21 years old.