Cancun 7 day trip advice needed
Jan 13th, 2016, 03:28 PM
#1
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Cancun 7 day trip advice needed
Planning a trip during spring back with 2 boys 10 and 8. Here is my tentative plan. Looking for feedback and suggestions.
day 1 - Flying into Cancun, Stay in a hotel (not All Inclusive but close to restaurants that offers take out), since we will be traveling a lot for the next 3 days. Any recommendations?
Day 2 - Isla Mujares
Day 3 - Chichen Itza (and Ik Kil cenote). planning on taking an early departure organized trip that combines the cenote as well. Any recommendation on this is welcome.
Day 4 - Scaret or Xplore (Any help in choosing one will be helpful)
Day 5, Day 6, - Stay in an All inclusive resort hotel(4 star) and enjoy the beach and activities/kids program offered in the hotel.
Day 7 - Check out and head to airport after lunch.
Thanks
day 1 - Flying into Cancun, Stay in a hotel (not All Inclusive but close to restaurants that offers take out), since we will be traveling a lot for the next 3 days. Any recommendations?
Day 2 - Isla Mujares
Day 3 - Chichen Itza (and Ik Kil cenote). planning on taking an early departure organized trip that combines the cenote as well. Any recommendation on this is welcome.
Day 4 - Scaret or Xplore (Any help in choosing one will be helpful)
Day 5, Day 6, - Stay in an All inclusive resort hotel(4 star) and enjoy the beach and activities/kids program offered in the hotel.
Day 7 - Check out and head to airport after lunch.
Thanks
Jan 13th, 2016, 03:32 PM
#2
Are you sure you want to change hotels, with only a 7 day trip? Seems like that would be kind of disruptive and waste most of day 5, packing up, checking out, waiting to check in to new place, etc.
Jan 13th, 2016, 04:07 PM
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You may want to look at the Westin Lagunamar. It is across the street ( the street that runs through the hotel zone, parallel to the beach) from La Isla Mall. That makes it easy to head over to the outdoor mall ( which is on the lagoon) for quick meals or take out at the restaurants on the lagoon in the mall area. Also, the Westin LagunaMar has studios and larger one bedroom villas that have full kitchenettes or kitchens, so you can make breakfast, etc.
Otherwise you will be hard-pressed to find a hotel that is worth staying in which has access to take out food. The hotels in the hotel zone are not accessible to dining outside the hotel, unless you take a bus or cab. And that takes awhile.
Another thought is to check out the Other Westin resort in Cancun. It is at the end of the hotel zone closest to the airport, and if you stay in the Royal Beach Cluc you get a fantastic breakfast spread in the club and also free drinks ( wine, mixed drinks, beer) and hot and cold apps between 5 and 7 pm each night.
There are hotels in downtown Cancun, but those areas are less predictable. There is a Four Points hotel in the centro which is a few blocks from the beach. It is new, about $100 a night now, and gets good reviews. But I dont know about the area it is in, you would need to research that re food options nearby, safety, etc. maybe ypu could try something like that the 1st few days, then switch to another nice place in the hotel zone. There is a Club Med next to the Westin Cancun resort ( not the Lagunamar) that has good kids activities.
Otherwise you will be hard-pressed to find a hotel that is worth staying in which has access to take out food. The hotels in the hotel zone are not accessible to dining outside the hotel, unless you take a bus or cab. And that takes awhile.
Another thought is to check out the Other Westin resort in Cancun. It is at the end of the hotel zone closest to the airport, and if you stay in the Royal Beach Cluc you get a fantastic breakfast spread in the club and also free drinks ( wine, mixed drinks, beer) and hot and cold apps between 5 and 7 pm each night.
There are hotels in downtown Cancun, but those areas are less predictable. There is a Four Points hotel in the centro which is a few blocks from the beach. It is new, about $100 a night now, and gets good reviews. But I dont know about the area it is in, you would need to research that re food options nearby, safety, etc. maybe ypu could try something like that the 1st few days, then switch to another nice place in the hotel zone. There is a Club Med next to the Westin Cancun resort ( not the Lagunamar) that has good kids activities.
Jan 13th, 2016, 04:15 PM
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I have been to both XCaret and to Xplor. If your boys are really into adventure, Xplor is great. lots of ziplines, a few other underground and above ground activities ( dune buggies of a sort, underground rivers).
Personally we love Xcaret. It is more like a Mexican version of a cultural and fun park. It has 3 wonderful undergorund qnd above ground rivers with currents that pull you along ( along with fins or water shoes). Those are amazing. There are animal exhibits like jaguars, parrots, etc. and a wonderful beach area with restaurants. Lots of other cool exhibits ypu just come upon as ypu walk the park, like mexican dancers, singers, other performers. Great nighttime performance.
Personally we love Xcaret. It is more like a Mexican version of a cultural and fun park. It has 3 wonderful undergorund qnd above ground rivers with currents that pull you along ( along with fins or water shoes). Those are amazing. There are animal exhibits like jaguars, parrots, etc. and a wonderful beach area with restaurants. Lots of other cool exhibits ypu just come upon as ypu walk the park, like mexican dancers, singers, other performers. Great nighttime performance.
Jan 31st, 2016, 01:30 PM
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Check out the Westin Lagunamar. Right on the beach with single or multi-room suites offered. Every room has an ocean view. Best pool in the hotel zone. Close to great restaurants.
Xplor is great if you like zip lines, 4 wheel drive underground trails and underground river swims. Xel-ha if you like great snorkeling, lazy river and cliff jumping....all inclusive, even the alcohol.
Isla Mujeres is a must do trip. I always go to Garaffon de Castilla". This is a little hotel that offers day access to their private beach. Mostly locals with good snorkeling, great food and drinks for very little money. $4 (50 pesos) day use fee per person. It is right next to the Garaffon natural preserve. Just have a cab driver take you over...about $8 each way. Lots of fish that come up right to you.
Xplor is great if you like zip lines, 4 wheel drive underground trails and underground river swims. Xel-ha if you like great snorkeling, lazy river and cliff jumping....all inclusive, even the alcohol.
Isla Mujeres is a must do trip. I always go to Garaffon de Castilla". This is a little hotel that offers day access to their private beach. Mostly locals with good snorkeling, great food and drinks for very little money. $4 (50 pesos) day use fee per person. It is right next to the Garaffon natural preserve. Just have a cab driver take you over...about $8 each way. Lots of fish that come up right to you.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 05:10 AM
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Xcaret has an AI resort attached, so perhaps that would be a better option for your AI stay.
For your non-AI stay, there's an Aloft hotel near the dining and nightlife hub in Cancun, and there's a lot of food in that area, as well as a big supermarket with prepared foods next door. The Aloft doesn't have a great pool (it's on the roof), nor is it on the beach. But if you are just looking for a place to sleep it may be a good option for you.
It's across the street from the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, where I stayed last week. That's another excellent non-AI hotel that's directly on a beautiful beach if you would prefer that, but you may not want to pay the on-beach premium if you are not going to be spending a lot of time in the hotel.
For your non-AI stay, there's an Aloft hotel near the dining and nightlife hub in Cancun, and there's a lot of food in that area, as well as a big supermarket with prepared foods next door. The Aloft doesn't have a great pool (it's on the roof), nor is it on the beach. But if you are just looking for a place to sleep it may be a good option for you.
It's across the street from the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, where I stayed last week. That's another excellent non-AI hotel that's directly on a beautiful beach if you would prefer that, but you may not want to pay the on-beach premium if you are not going to be spending a lot of time in the hotel.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 05:13 AM
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Oh ... and if the water isn't too rough, the ferry to Isla Mujeres is directly across the street from the Aloft hotel.
I'd just add that unless you are drinking and eating a huge amount, an AI may not be the best value for you. The Grand Coral Beach is a beautiful resort that has excellent, reasonably priced food at the beach bar for lunch and a kids club. It may not be as lavish in the organized kids activities as an AI, but it has a vast pool complex and is very well located to eat outside the hotel.
I'd just add that unless you are drinking and eating a huge amount, an AI may not be the best value for you. The Grand Coral Beach is a beautiful resort that has excellent, reasonably priced food at the beach bar for lunch and a kids club. It may not be as lavish in the organized kids activities as an AI, but it has a vast pool complex and is very well located to eat outside the hotel.
