We're considering a trip to Cancun and definitely want to avoid spring break, so we're looking at a week between Jan. 15 and Feb. 10.<BR><BR>Here's my concern: has the spring break thing become so massive that it affects the ambience in Cancun even in January?<BR><BR>I've read that after the "peak" spring break period there are high school groups etc. partying in Cancun in May and June.<BR><BR>Has it become a year-round party scene, or will we find a reasonably quiet atmosphere during the period we're considering?<BR><BR><BR>

It's all relative. It's never quiet in Cancun, except maybe after a hurricane. It's not just the spring breakers that have ruined the ambience on Cancun, it's the massive amounts of tourists PERIOD that go there. I would not use the word "ambience" when talking about Cancun. It's party-time there 24 hours a day--think Las Vegas. They do have nice beaches and some good restaurants, but I just don't see what else it offers that draws so many people. I guess it's the cheap package deals. However, mid-January to Feb. shouldn't be too bad, and it all depends on where you go. Stay at a nice hotel, stay away from the discos or the types of places that the kids would go to (which is hard to do because they are everywhere). I went there one day last week because I had to buy something I couldn't get in Cancun and almost got thrown up on twice on the bus by drunk kids. I couldn't get out of that place fast enough. Get some info from locals about some good places to eat in town and away from the tourist zone. Cancun is actually a big city with some fantastic restaurants and most tourists don't even know that the city exists because they never venture out of the "hotel zone". <BR><BR>If you want a more quiet vacation, you might consider Cozumel. It's where I live, I came here on vacation in 1990 and moved here a few years later, I've been here ever since. It's safer, more relaxed, quieter, with great beaches, some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, nice hotels, restaurants, everything Cancun has but on a much smaller scale. <BR><BR>Hope I didn't burst you bubble about Cancun...but you asked! This is just my opinion (and I'm not alone) but there are others who will tell you it's a wonderful place to vacation, and for them maybe it is. Have fun wherever you decide to go.<BR><BR>

ambience...sorry, i had to chuckle when i saw this word. definitly wouldn't put cancun & ambience in the same thought. <BR>beautiful beaches though

As long as you avoid the peak spring break times you'll be fine. Of course, there's always going to be unavoidable party crowds any time of year. I would agree with Annie about looking into staying on Cozumel. You could also look at staying on Isla Mujeres or South of Cancun on the Mayan coast where there are many exclusive hotels. Theses areas are much more tranquil. If you stay on the hotel zone stay away from the North end, that's the party zone. Consider the Hilton at the Southern end. We stayed there in May 2001 and it seemed to attract a more mature group of people. It is more isolated than the other hotels in the zone.

All of this goes right along with what the posters in number 39 were stating.<BR><BR>The young people who show every inch of their bodies in a drunken stupor and then wonder why they are approached by the locals for sex.<BR>How stupid are these kids. They think they are cute. They go to the clubs and do everything you can (or can't) even imagine. <BR>

We were in Playa del Carmen in the middle of spring break (end of March beginning of April) and found it to be quite pleasant. I think it depends more on the property you choose than the time of year.

Wonder how it will be next week.<BR>Staying at Intercontinental<BR>