Hi there,
we will be in Cancun from the 13th of Jan for 3 nights. ( We also have 3 nights in Playa )
I have read about the above excursions / tours and am wondering if anyone has done them???
The dolphin excursionis at the Interactive aquarium in La Isla.
Is the ATV good for seeing the jungle, beaches etc?
We have never been to Mexico and are wondering whether we need to book ahead during this period.
Thanks in advance
Donna

Any ideas???????????
Donna

Any ideas?????

Hi Lordy,
Sorry there hasn't been much info for you. I'm familiar with Playa but not so much Cancun. One thing about the dolphins, and one reason you may not be receiving any replies, is that their treatment and living conditions are not always the best. I wouldn't recommend any dolphin experience because of the stress placed on them. If you would like some ideas on Playa let me know. I'm going down on Thursday for a few days and live there part time. I'd be happy to help on that end.

Dear Colokid,
I would love to hear your must sees and dos for Playa.
I would also be interested in restaurants and shopping.
We will be staying at the Magic Blue Boutique, which is supposed to be in a good position.
We are from Australia and want this to be special part of our holiday.
Look forward to your suggestions.
Thanks
Donna

Hi Donna,

Magic Blue is in a nice, central spot. It's located on 10th Ave which is one block over from 5th Ave (which is the pedestrian road) and two blocks from the beach. There are many restaurants on 10th or the side streets. If you want the tourist ambience then the restaurants on 5th are for you. For people watching on 5th I like to have coffee and sit outside at the coffee place opposite Siesta Fiesta. Or sit at the Tequila Barrel and have a drink. For restaurants I like Carboncitos (Calle 4 between 5th and 10th), El Fogon (Constituyentes between 25th and 30th, Babes (5th Ave), HC (Constituyentes between 25th and 30th, Il Pescatore(10th Ave and the corner of 24th). The north end of town is generally quieter than the south end. You're hotel is in the middle. The streets(calle) are laid out running east to west and jump in number by 2's. The avenues run north to south or parallel to the beach and jump in numbers by 5's. So if you're walking back from the beach the first block in is 1st ave, then 5th, then 10th, and so on.

Donna,
I also forgot...for a lot more info on Playa look at the website www.playa.info. They have all kinds of info on ideas for activities across the top of the screen on trip planning or directory, plus you can see a real time webcam on the multimedia tab, and the forums have a lot of discussion.

Forgot one of my other favorite places:
La Fragata
on Calle 26 between 1st and 5th ave. The special of the day includes a choice of one of two appetizers, one of two entrees, one of two desserts, and a drink for around 7.50 USD

Dear Colokid,
thanks so much for your detailed info.
I write all of your recommendations into my diary.
Where do you recommend for shopping?
Are there markets around?
Is it best to use $US or pesos?
I would love to hear any other tips you may have.
What is the best way to get from Cancun to Playa?
Thanks again
Donna

We went to Cancun for the first time last January. We usually go to Costa Rica for a much more remote, noncommercial type trip, but were surprised to enjoy Cancun very much.

Tips and things we enjoyed:
-Take the ferry to Isla Mujueres! But, take the local bus for 70 cents into the downtown ferry terminal, it is less than half the price than the ferry from the docks on the "tourist/hotel" strip road. Ten minutes tops into town, clean, new, safe buses. One price to ride as long as you like.

-Isla Mujueres, get a golf cart ($45 day)and drive around the island, maybe two hours to do the full circle.

-I skipped the dolphin thing though it was something I really had wanted to do. Expensive (I thought) at $150 or so, and the one I saw was a fenced pen area off a dock/pier. Looked depressing for the animals so I wanted to leave them be.

-Do yourself a big favor, AVOID the timeshare 90 minute presentation!!! Folks will offer you anything free, tickets, meals, transportation, etc.
Nothing is ever free.
We finally caved in one night. Guy picked us up next day, (but across street from our hotel-he couldn't be seen taking 'their' guests), took us to the middle of nowhere new resort south of Cancun.

The 90 minutes starts after the free breakfast-which they talk you through and prolong. Then the hard sell!

They even had staged "owners" strategically placed to chat with us,coincidentally they are in the same professional, from the same home state, etc.

Then it gets real ugly toward the end. Finally, we had to wait about an hour for the taxi to get us out of there.

If you have the fortitude and the time, you could negotiate "freebies" this way to cover most all of the extras!

-We loved the Pirate Ship dinner/show. I know it looks corny, but the actors do a great job.. Ask to sit up top, unless you want to be part of the act.

-A lady online has published a great annotated map. It was worth every penny, try "Mapchick".

Cozumel/Playa del Carmen is a doable day trip using the buses from the downtown terminal it's about $3 each way. Again, we were very impressed at how modern the service was. Same for the ferries, not what I have seen in otheer parts of Mexico at all.

We did not book anything ahead.

Dear fitzpowell,
thanks for your ideas. I enjoyed reading your reviews and will not book anything until we get there.
We will have 3 nights in Cancun and 3 nights in Playa.
Where do you recommend for eating out and shopping?
Should I have US dollars or pesos?
Any other tips would be appreciated.
Thanks again
Donna