Sharon

When we were in Cancun in June there were tons of kids there with groups celibrating their graduation from high school. So many of them were drunk, rude and an embarassment to us as Americans. It is a shame that the parents if those children couldn't have seen them for themselves. Why not let your daughter go on a tour of Europe with her friends? P.V...My girldriends daughter went there for her grad party with a group from school and was shocked by the actions and attitudes of her fellow classmates. Also, the locals see them coming and they are prey walking into the lions den! Please think about this!

Bruce McGovern

A different perspective of this question. I have never been to Cancun. I do spend about one-fourth to one-third of my time in Mexico, and would rather have honey poured in my body orfices and be staked to an anthill, than visit tourist places, which may not be especially relevant to this discussion. <BR> <BR>However, we do co-own a house in DF (Mexico City). Rich boys from DF fly out to Cancun for the weekend for the specific purpose of seducing American women, who have the unfortunate stereotype in Mexico of being, er, easy. <BR> <BR>In the last two weeks, I have been in communication with two young women who had close calls with these bums, and felt they were in love. <BR> <BR>So, if the girls go, make sure they know the story on handsome, well dressed young men who speak of commitment and marriage. It simply aint' so. <BR> <BR>My opinion, for what it's worth. <BR> <BR>

dan woodlief

I had the same experience as Sharon in June '98, and believe me it is not a pretty sight. I would send them somewhere else.

Sue C NYC

I'll be honest with you, I am big lover of Cancun have been down 5 times and will be making our 6th trip in November. I don't feel it's a place for young folks on their own. Parents for get it is a different country. And believe me as much as folks complain about Cancun being touristy. I KNOW I am not in America once I get off that plane. I love Cancun for her beaches and all that there is to do on Cancun and the proximity surrounding her, the ruins, the Islands etc. But young kids when they come down aren't interested in any of those things. If they were maybe it wouldn't be so scary to send them down. But 18 is a subjective age. I had my own place when I was 18,so the number is not what matters it's the mental age. Off my soapbox I go.

Noah

Please listen to all of the previous who have warned against allowing your daughter to take such a trip. <BR> <BR>It is essential to remember that there is almost noone who is not susceptible in some way to peer pressure. There are many people who on their own would not do certain things but in the company of many other people their age who were doing it, would sucuumb to the pressure. <BR> <BR>All of this talk about "trusting" your children is misguided. Human nature dictates that you cannot trust teenagers and yes, 18 is still a teenager. <BR> <BR>I am sure it is very likely that your daughter is mature and responsible for her age but even the best people can lose themselves and sucuumb to tempation and peer pressure. <BR> <BR>Remember, "Better safe than sorry" and "Better to lose to a minute in life than a life in a minute". <BR> <BR>Any situation where teenagers are of the opposite-sex will have such easy access to each other is a recipe for trouble, plain and simple.

Noah

Please listen to all of the previous posters who have warned against allowing your daughter to take such a trip. <BR> <BR>It is essential to remember that there is almost noone who is not susceptible in some way to peer pressure. There are many people who on their own would not do certain things but in the company of many other people their age who were doing it, would sucuumb to the pressure. <BR> <BR>All of this talk about "trusting" your children is misguided. Human nature dictates that you cannot trust teenagers and yes, 18 is still a teenager. <BR> <BR>I am sure it is very likely that your daughter is mature and responsible for her age but even the best people can lose themselves and sucuumb to tempation and peer pressure. <BR> <BR>Remember, "Better safe than sorry" and "Better to lose to a minute in life than a life in a minute". <BR> <BR>Any situation where teenagers of the opposite-sex will have such easy access to each other is a recipe for trouble, plain and simple.

Noah

I know, I know, some of you will be saying, <BR> <BR>"How ridiculous! What about when kids go to college? What would you say that they shouldn't go?!" <BR> <BR>To which I answer that I would urge everyone not to let their children stay in college dormitories. It is well-know that college dormitories are dens of iniquity where casual, liscentious, sleazy sex is the norm. <BR> <BR>If your children can't live at home, then arrange for them to stay with people of fine character who will supervise them.

Noah

At least for their first year or two. After that, they should at least share an apartment with responsible, moral roomates.

Chris

I'm a single male. Thanks for all the wonderful info.....I'M GOING TO CANCUN!!!!!!!!!!

Noah

Chris, <BR> <BR>How do you feel about risking creating an unwanted child? <BR> <BR>Does a child deserve to be aborted or to to be raised in anything less than a stable, 2-parent home, just because you want to exploit teenage girls to pursue your lust and ego-gratification?

FedUp

Noah, <BR>Again you are off topic & preaching. Wrong forum. Go away.......

tico

I am not sure Latin America is ready for four more American 18-year-olds pulsating with estrogen.

Bruce McGovern

Interesting side comment about college dorms. Unlike one person, when parents are discussing important issues, I think it's normal to digress, since it's essentially the same issue. When my daugher, now past 30, finished two years at the local community college, she wanted to attend the U of I, about 35 miles from home. I told her that I understood she was an adult, and could do whatever she wanted, but that I am also an adult, and could likewise do what I wanted. And, what I wanted to do, was to not give her a cent of help if she chose to live in the dorms. But, if she lived at home, we would give her the use of a good car to commute, as well as any other help she could not obtain on her own. Since we made too much for her to qualify for financial aid, her choices were nil. She pouted, and commuted. <BR> <BR>At the end of the first semester, she came bouncing in one night, and said, "THANKS, DAD." She had figured out what I was talking about, and was grateful I had not permitted her to live on campus. She said it made her feel really good to jump in that little car, and put on the radio, driving 65 mph away from that horrible jungle. She said it was worse than I thought. Not true; it was worse than she thought. <BR> <BR>

Noah

Thank you for sharing that Bruce. If more parents were like you, the world would be in better shape.

Jewells

Hi Pat, <BR> <BR>I was in Cancun last spring break for the first time ever. So from personal experience I can tell you that it does get wild and crazy depending on where they go at night and who is at that location. Now with that being said, I also have to admit that I had a great time while there, but I made some obvious choices to ensure my safety. <BR>My first choice was choosing to stay at Club Med Cancun. The price isn't that different from some of the other all-inclusives, the beer and wine are only served during meals so that any extra drinking must be paid for. The best part of Club Med is that it is a closed compound. You have to wear id to get into the compound and use the facilities. The beach is a public beach on one side but since it is at the end of the gulf there is only one hotel close to the location. <BR>It is one cab to downtown which between 4 girls will cost them less than 3 dollars each, or they can take a bus from in front of the neighboring hotel. <BR>The Club Med has sports and it's own disco not to mention a ton of activities that make leaving the grounds not a top priority. While I was there, there were 3 separate groups of 18 years olds that were having a great time. Two of the groups all female and the other male. We ventured into the town one night and that was with a group of about 8 who all made the promise that noone gets left behind. Noone did, even the one person who got really drunk. We all looked out for each other. I think your daughter and her friends can find people they can count on in this atmosphere, not to mention the people who work at club med who are always willing to help. <BR> <BR>I will definately be returning to Club Med Cancun if not this year then sometime in the near future. <BR>Best of luck in making your decision and if you want anymore info, please feel free to email me.

chris

I think Noah and Bruce MC are a little out of touch with reality. I also feel they are in the wrong forum. Maybe they would be better suited @ http://www.thecoffeehouse.com/ where they can find other zealots to share their thought of how the world should be.....this is a travel forum, not a Dr. laura type morality session. <BR>HAPPY TRVELLING MY FRIENDS!

Don Foster

I'm sure that your daughter and company will be fine in Cancun, provided that they use the same common sense that they would use at home. However, I think that for most people, even 18 year olds, the party atmosphere and aggressive tourism wears thin after a couple of days, particularly when cash runs low. Playa del Carmen would be a better choice for a first trip. The beach is way nicer, the local people friendlier and the food definately better (and cheaper). From Playa, there would be more options, hang on the beach, have lunch in town or take a day trip. There is more than adaquate nightlife and, in my opinion, a more interesting and diverse crowd to meet and hang with. If I wanted to hang out only with people from home, I would stay there or go to Disney! There is a bus station in Playa that runs shuttle busses to Cancun and back from early morning until 11PM. Cancun is much more fun for me as a day trip from somewhere else than as a final destination. I hope this helps.

dave

there's nothing more to cancun than partying at night and recovering on the beach during the day so that you can party again... <BR> <BR>dont get me wrong... there's a lot of cultural excursions you can do (tulum, even palenque) if you have the money but what usually happens is partying. <BR> <BR>my recommendation is to take advantage of the cheap airfare to europe and send em there. hostels are cheap and safe. a week in london or paris will give them a lifetime of better memories... and i'll guarantee you that the girls will thank you afterwards. <BR> <BR>send them to a place where they can have fun integrating with the culture and people... they'll find it much more rewarding - trust me... i've done it all and i'm still doing it! <BR> <BR> <BR>dave <BR>ps. i wish i dont ever have to deal with raising a daughter!!! <BR>