*

Taking off tomorrow! Any last minute tips?

I'm not familiar with this hotel or the hotel strip in Cancun, but visit the area south of Cancun very often. Don't be afraid to explore with your car rental - Puerto Morelos, Akumal,and Tulum are all fun places for a day trip, and easy drives from Cancun. I migh consider a bus if going to Playa Del Carmen, since there could be traffic in downtown Playa. Go to locogringo.com for lots of info on the whole area.

Thank you, zootsi!

We have stayed here or at the JW Marriott next door 3 or 4 times including late Dec 2011. Yes there's the OXO store opposite for cheap snacks, drinks including beer etc.
If you click on my name you can probably find a trip report.

Rent a car for longer if possible.
Chichen Itza is such a loong day trip so start early or take a tour instead to avoid the long drive yourself.
Akumal and Tulum are both worth visiting for a day trip with your own transport.

Thank you, Sassycat! We're reconsidering Chichen Itza, trying to determine if its a 2.5 hr drive or 3.5. We'd hate to miss it and were thinking of including Ek Balam. Perhaps only the latter...

We did Chichen Itza as a day trip by car and although we had a great day I wouldn't recommend doing it that way from Cancun. It's just too far and it was dark on the journey back. We try to stick to driving in the daylight in Mexico as much as possible.

If you do go then start early (we thought 8am was early enough on vacation!)
Better to leave Cancun before 7am and get to the site before tour groups (and when it's cooler).

I've not been to Ek Balam (it's been on my to do list for many years though!).

We opted to go only to Ek Balam. It was splendid and just 1.5-2.0 hrs away. Had a brief lunch and walk in Valladolid, and back to Cancun by 4:30. Fuller report in a few days. Thanks for the help!