Is Cancun for us?
 

My husband and I have vouchers we need to cash in for airline travel and are considering Cancun. We have a two and half year old and a newborn (who will be about four months when we travel). We don't like big resorts and laying around at the beach, but we are interested in the ruins and nature (like jungle). Cancun seems like it could be a fit because it would offer a "civilized" base (for the kids) but be close to the things we like to do. Thoughts? Advice on where to stay (smaller places, preferably with more than one room)?

We just got back from Cancun -- our first time. We are a couple in our thirties, so I may be off in my answer, but it seems to me if you don't like laying around the beach, Cancun is not for you. It is mostly big resorts, and there is jungle and ruins, but you have to travel to both. We visited Chichen Itza (major Mayan ruins), which was awesome, but a two hour trip to get to. Sounds to me you might enjoy a rainforest vacation in Costa Rica more. Can you use your tickets overseas? I would highly recommend renting a villa for a week in the Tuscan region of Italy and renting a car to visit all the towns. Good luck.

Cancun wouldn't be high on my list if beautiful beach wasn't a high priority. You might look further south on the Yucatan peninsula, Playa del Carmen is pretty touristy, but much smaller than Cancun and there loads of smaller hotels, some with more than one room and kitchen facilities. There are also loads of big all inclusive resorts in that area. Also some condo rentals which might be good for you. And the Tulum ruins are only an hour or so away and can be done with a partial day. Chichen Itza is huge and a couple hours away from either Cancun or PDC. With two small children, Tulum would be much more managable.

I agree with job 186 and JeanH.
Cancun is full of very nice big resorts and the beach is great , with white sand and blue/green water.
But it will be hot for your two little kids.
Chichen Itza is very nice but a long trip and you have to doa fair amount of walking .
Likewise for the Telum Ruins on the MAyan Riveria side of Cancun.
Cancun is great but I do not think I would want to bring,the two toddlers there.( they would be at risk for sunburn and fatigue from the heat).
But let me tell you Cancun is a nice place.
Percy

thanks for the info. I guess we're back to the drawing board with these vouchers. We'd love to go back to Costa Rica, but it's a really long flight and the logistics to even get a rental car would be hard with two little ones.

Monica, have you considered Belize?

I'd love to go to Belize or Costa Rica again, but traveling with two very small children requires so much luggage that anyplace even remotely "rugged" is out until they are about 2 and 4 respectively. Then for sure I will be heading for the jungle!

I also would not recommend Cancun as a place that fits what you are wanting. The Playa del Carmen suggestion might be a good one for you. It has become a bit touristy also but not like Cancun--you can still find many nice smaller hotels and the beaches are very nice. You are also closer to the ruins and nature at Playa!