<BR>My husband and I are planning to go to Mayan Riviera (playa del carment)in February. We were interested in an all inclusive 3 or 4 star resort and have a budget of $1300 (canadian dollars)each. We are fussy eaters and want a good variety of meals in a package. <BR> <BR>Also, We wanted to orginally stay in Cancun but don't know how much rental cars are or tours from there. we want to see ruins, cities and do some kayaking,sailing and we heard it is expensive to get around. what can you tell me about hotels, and extra costs for tours or rental cars. <BR> <BR>Thanks for your input! <BR> <BR>

Hola Robyn. You covered a lot of ground in your message! I think the best advice I can give you is to give you the name of the person I used on my last trip to Cancun. She arranged some really nice tours for me but she does much more. She can get package deals together too to suit your taste or, if you just want advice, she lives there so she can certainly tell you the best way to rent cars, etc. She is very professional and an extremly sweet person. Her name is Paola Vigueras and her e-mail address is: [email protected]. I think if you contact her she can really be a big help to you! You will enjoy Cancun and if you get a chance, don't miss Chichen Itza. It is just amazing! <BR> <BR>Let me know if I can help you any other way! I have my "Cancun Folder" at my house! <BR> <BR>DeLeta

Getting around is not expensive at all. If you don't want to rent a car, take the bus. This is a good way to see the ruins or to visit other cities, such as Playa del Carmen or Merida. Second class buses are slightly cheaper, can be more scenic, are slower, and have little air conditioning if any. First class buses use the major highways, are not scenic in general, are pretty fast, and have very good air conditioning. If you are staying on the beach in Cancun, then you simply hop on one of the cheap shuttles to downtown, (these are buses that run constantly back and forth between downtown and the hotel zone), where you can take a bus from the main bus station. I guess tours are ok, but I have a hard time travelling by someone else's schedule. You can hire guides at the sites if you want more information. Most of the ruins nearby are good for daytrips, but I recommend staying overnight at Chichen Itza if possible.

Hi Robyn, go to www.skyauction.com <BR>they have all-inclusive's at what ever price you want to pay. We've used them with no problem at all and we're Canadian also, so we know that we don't get much with our dollar. Just watch the auction for a few days until you get a fell of things. Some weeks prices go higher than others, and sometimes you won't believe your luck. You shouldn't have to pay over a thousand in Canadian dollars for both of you for a week at the Allegro Playacar Resort and they also have the Royal Hideaway. Have fun!!!! <BR>

I think that two fussy eaters should avoid an all-inclusive, even if you have it on rock-solid authority that the food is superb. All it takes is a few key resignations in the kitchen to spoil your vacation. The Restaurants in Playa are really, really good(and in expensive). My girlfriend is the fussiest eater on the planet, plus she worries about "digestion" issues and the possibility of only having Mexican food to eat. Neither of us have ever had any problem on the first count and on our last trip in November, we ate Mexican only twice. Our favorite restaurant was "Le Bistro"(french). We also had Italian (northern and southern), Chinese Take Out and Argentinian, among others. <BR>I think that you are on the right track by avoiding Cancun. Playa is just a nicer, less stressful place to be with nicer people and a better beach. All of the activities that you want to do are available, and cheaper. <BR>We will be back in January, if you see anyplace on the net that you want us to check out for you, let us know. We like to check out new places when we get bored. <BR>

Don: I just booked an allinclusive vacation at the riu tequilla in playa del carmen for easter break. Check it out for me if you get a chance. It sounds good, but don't they all. Hope to hear from you. Have a great trip.

I went to Playa in May with my gal pal. First, I don't know where your going to fly into but skip flying into Cancun. We flew into Cozumel and it was a breeze. Playa is just a ferry ride across the water from Cozumel. No driving from Cancun and the airfair to Cozumel was actually cheaper than to Cancun. <BR>I cannot answer your question on all inclusive resorts, we stayed in a time share. We did eat out for all of our meals and they were reasonable price. Also, the portions are such that we would get an appetizer and share an entree. Even though we are little gals, we enjoy food and have hearty appetites and we never a restaurant hungry. There are many good restaurants and a wide variety of cuisines as mentioned aboove. Also a small Burger King if your longing for some North American fast Food. <BR>Getting around was easy and inexpensive. We rented cars on Cozumel for a day and in Playa. In Playa there are paved highways to get around once you are out of town and the road signs are good too. We drove up and down the strip with out a problem. <BR>For snorkeling go to Cozumel. THere are lots of tour groups to use. We have our own equiptment and went out on our own. One nice place on Cozumel was Corona Beach. Other wise we found a spot on the beach and jumped in! <BR>Visit Tulum. It is a beautiful location on the cliffs above the Caribean ocean. Last, Playa is beautiful, friendly, and has lots of activities to offer. Enjoy your vacation!! <BR>happy to answer any questions. I have lots of info I collected while there.

Hi Robyn - a fellow Cdn here - for $1,300. for ai in Feb, you should consider the RIU Tequila on the Mayan Riveria. Check www.sunquest.ca or .com. It's a sister hotel to the Yucatan and because it's located off the beach and across the street from the Yucatan it's a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the Yucatan for one week ai package. We use a travel agent (in Toronto) that gives us 10% off the price in addition to your early booking bonus, so if you're in the area...... <BR>Now, with all the above, this should maybe come in your budget but the pleasant part about it is that you will find with the RIU hotels in this area you are getting 5 star accomodation and services. <BR>With respect to meals - sorry but I have to disagree with Don there as the meals at the RIU are varied and good and safe! The RIU does something different in that they have food stations where they cook the entrees right in front of you so that they are only cooking enough as required and so that it's not sitting there on the buffet for longer than necessary. I took the kitchen tour and any resort that will show off it's kitchen is saying something for the place! They have their own bakery that makes 50 different kinds of breads and all the pastries for the 3 RIU hotels there, the Tequila, the Yucatan and the newly opened Palace. For fussy eaters, there is plenty of variety at each meal with at least 2 kinds of pasta served with your choice of sauces, one poultry, one pork, one beef and one fish dish at each dinner. There is also plenty of salads, veggies and fruits. And if you're still fussy after this, there is still the sublimely thin crust pizza with simple cheese topping that shows up on each lunch and dinner buffets. And if you want a set course menu one night, just reserve at the front desk for the special meal served to you in one of the other dining areas on the resort. <BR>From the resort, you can also book some excursions or try it alone by cab (fairly cheap). For example, the day excursion from the Yucatan to see the ruins at Tulum and 1/2 day at Xel-ha is $60. U.S. or so. The bus picks you up at the front door of the hotel and comes with a guide to explain everything. <BR>If you need more info on this area, please email me with your questions.

Thanks for your responses. We booked AI at Oasis Puerto Aventuras. We got a fairly good deal and heard many good things about it. Any more opinions on it would be appreciated though. <BR>We can also play at other oasis properties in the region which adds variety. We might rent a car and explore the region that way. <BR>Any other helpful tips are much appreciated. <BR> <BR>

hi- I have vacationed in this area for 12 consecutive years, and as you probably guessed from my last posting, I don't care for Megaresorts, Cancun or AI. However, I did stay at the Cancun Oasis several years ago and really liked it (and PTO Adventuras as well). It was just gorgeous and the staff was very friendly and professional. Enjoy!