Maya Rivera in April?
Dec 4th, 2010, 05:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maya Rivera in April?
I usually research trips in detail for a long time before going, but this one will be different. Totally different that what DH and I usually do.
It’s going to be with my MIL, just the 2 of us, for 7-10 days. We would like a warm destination in April, so we are thinking Mexico. We would like to see the Maya ruins, but this will not be a beach vacation. One of my concerns is that after seeing a couple of them, we would not be interested in more. So what else to do there? Any interesting towns to visit? Should we look for a different destination?
Another concern: we will not rent a car, so how feasible is it to take day trips to the ruins, from wherever our ‘base’ will be?
She generally goes on tours, but I’ve never been on one, and actually, I don’t think I would like one. DH and I are slower travelers, but maybe I should consider a tour this time? I am only aware of Globus and ABC tours, any other out there?
I guess I just need some ideas, to help me start planning – plus, April is not that far away, I usually plan waaay in advance, so this scares me, too. Thanks a lot
It’s going to be with my MIL, just the 2 of us, for 7-10 days. We would like a warm destination in April, so we are thinking Mexico. We would like to see the Maya ruins, but this will not be a beach vacation. One of my concerns is that after seeing a couple of them, we would not be interested in more. So what else to do there? Any interesting towns to visit? Should we look for a different destination?
Another concern: we will not rent a car, so how feasible is it to take day trips to the ruins, from wherever our ‘base’ will be?
She generally goes on tours, but I’ve never been on one, and actually, I don’t think I would like one. DH and I are slower travelers, but maybe I should consider a tour this time? I am only aware of Globus and ABC tours, any other out there?
I guess I just need some ideas, to help me start planning – plus, April is not that far away, I usually plan waaay in advance, so this scares me, too. Thanks a lot
Dec 4th, 2010, 07:06 PM
#2
Most people go to the Mayan Riviera specially for the gorgeous beaches. If you don't want to rent a car, aren't interested in the beach, and only want to see a couple ruins... I don't think this is the destination for you.
How about one of the inland colonial cities instead? San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato, maybe Guadalajara?
How about one of the inland colonial cities instead? San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato, maybe Guadalajara?
Dec 5th, 2010, 04:59 AM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
in addition to excellent suggestions above might also
consider www.visitguatemala.com cheap flights into
GUA on www.spiritair.com
www.aroundantigua.com
www.jaguatikal.com
www.lacasadelmundo.com
make for a great varied non beach experience.
www.mayantraveler.com
or further afield very eco-dense and natural with Andes/Inka
Ecuador www.guangultagua.com even add a Galapagos visit/cruise
perhaps if budget and time permit www.galapagosXpeditions.com
Happy Journey,
consider www.visitguatemala.com cheap flights into
GUA on www.spiritair.com
www.aroundantigua.com
www.jaguatikal.com
www.lacasadelmundo.com
make for a great varied non beach experience.
www.mayantraveler.com
or further afield very eco-dense and natural with Andes/Inka
Ecuador www.guangultagua.com even add a Galapagos visit/cruise
perhaps if budget and time permit www.galapagosXpeditions.com
Happy Journey,
Dec 5th, 2010, 05:04 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.affordabletours.com/Destinations/Ecuador
if you like group tours they also do Guatemala
Personally prefer to book direct with locals.
of quality like www..guanguiltagua.com Eva
usually save up to 50% and have a better more
personal experience.
Happy Journey,
if you like group tours they also do Guatemala
Personally prefer to book direct with locals.
of quality like www..guanguiltagua.com Eva
usually save up to 50% and have a better more
personal experience.
Happy Journey,
Dec 5th, 2010, 06:11 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We never rent a car in Mexico and always take tours. We enjoy being taken to the area we want to see with a guide and lunch is usually included. For people who want to see all the riuns and don't like tours, I highly suggest Yuca Treks (f/n/a James and Anna)
http://www.playa.info/tours-anna-james-tulum.html
They pick you up are your hotel, take you the ruins and cenotes for swimming and give you lunch. Group are small.
If you are willing to pay extra, you can always set up your own private tour with just your party and a guide.
We have also used http://www.playadelcarmentours.com/ several times with no issues.
April is still considered high season, so expect higher prices and lots of families. If you want until the 2nd or 3rd week of May prices and crowds go down significantly.
What type of accomendations are you looking for? There are several boutique hotels on 5th Avenue in Playa or on the beach. Close to resturants, shopping, bars and entertainment. There are tons of AI hotels if interested in those.
http://www.playa.info/tours-anna-james-tulum.html
They pick you up are your hotel, take you the ruins and cenotes for swimming and give you lunch. Group are small.
If you are willing to pay extra, you can always set up your own private tour with just your party and a guide.
We have also used http://www.playadelcarmentours.com/ several times with no issues.
April is still considered high season, so expect higher prices and lots of families. If you want until the 2nd or 3rd week of May prices and crowds go down significantly.
What type of accomendations are you looking for? There are several boutique hotels on 5th Avenue in Playa or on the beach. Close to resturants, shopping, bars and entertainment. There are tons of AI hotels if interested in those.
Dec 5th, 2010, 07:59 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great thoughts and suggestions, thanks.
The problem is, and you probably noticed, that I am not sure what to do. I don’t like tours, but because we don’t want to rent a car, I think it might be a good idea to go with a tour this time. Alternatively, if we figure out a good base, we could take day trips (tours or individual guides).
I think Guatemala or maybe Costa Rica might be good ideas, too. DH and I loved Costa Rica a couple years ago, and I would not mind at all to go back. Need to see how MIL feels about it…
I’ll be back with more questions, I’m sure, but for now, this is great, exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks a lot.
The problem is, and you probably noticed, that I am not sure what to do. I don’t like tours, but because we don’t want to rent a car, I think it might be a good idea to go with a tour this time. Alternatively, if we figure out a good base, we could take day trips (tours or individual guides).
I think Guatemala or maybe Costa Rica might be good ideas, too. DH and I loved Costa Rica a couple years ago, and I would not mind at all to go back. Need to see how MIL feels about it…
I’ll be back with more questions, I’m sure, but for now, this is great, exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks a lot.
Dec 5th, 2010, 08:57 AM
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're going in April, too. And although not planned, we will be there over the pre-Easter week. So far, we have been able to find reasonable rates at hotels near Chichen Itza and in Merida. I think the higher holiday rates for lodging seem to occur in the beach resort areas more than in the inland cities and near many of the ruins.
We will have a rental car, but when we're in Merida, we plan to do at least one tour of the city. There are lots of others that include nearby ruins. We will be staying in Merida for three nights, and it looks as if there will be plenty to do and see.
Also - after buying another travel guide, I checked the Fodor's guidebook out of the library and I think it has a lot of great ideas and suggestions for the Yucatan peninsula.
We will have a rental car, but when we're in Merida, we plan to do at least one tour of the city. There are lots of others that include nearby ruins. We will be staying in Merida for three nights, and it looks as if there will be plenty to do and see.
Also - after buying another travel guide, I checked the Fodor's guidebook out of the library and I think it has a lot of great ideas and suggestions for the Yucatan peninsula.
Dec 5th, 2010, 11:14 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suze, just giving another prespective for the OP to consider. 
We are heading back to Playa for our 3rd trip in a few days. This will be our 10th trip to the area. We love it there. So many things to see and do. We were researching Costa Rica for next year, but my parents talked us into an Alaskan Cruise instead, and we just booked it. But we'll get to CR after that.
If your interested we have all our vacations pictures posted. Might help in deciding on where to go and what to do.
http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn
We are heading back to Playa for our 3rd trip in a few days. This will be our 10th trip to the area. We love it there. So many things to see and do. We were researching Costa Rica for next year, but my parents talked us into an Alaskan Cruise instead, and we just booked it. But we'll get to CR after that.
If your interested we have all our vacations pictures posted. Might help in deciding on where to go and what to do.
http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn
Dec 5th, 2010, 05:02 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another nice Mayan Riveria option is the Royal Hacienda - just two miles north of Playa del Carmen
http://www.royalresorts.com/the-royal-haciendas.asp
They have shuttle service into downtown playa, as well as taxis, and a tour service with a well run Thomas Moore Company http://www.thomasmoretravel.com/app/TourListing.aspx, although I suspec tthe above tip from KVR may have more value. Teh resort itself has plenty of on-site activities. Finally, you could consider staying in Playa and doing some of the above mentioned day tours, and jsut rent a car for one day - there are plenty of fine rental companies that can make this easy for you.
http://www.royalresorts.com/the-royal-haciendas.asp
They have shuttle service into downtown playa, as well as taxis, and a tour service with a well run Thomas Moore Company http://www.thomasmoretravel.com/app/TourListing.aspx, although I suspec tthe above tip from KVR may have more value. Teh resort itself has plenty of on-site activities. Finally, you could consider staying in Playa and doing some of the above mentioned day tours, and jsut rent a car for one day - there are plenty of fine rental companies that can make this easy for you.
Dec 7th, 2010, 02:39 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks a lot for all the responses, ideas and suggestions. This was very helpful.
Since my MIL is more comfortable with escorted tours, I will go this route this time. We decided we will take a tour (my first ever) and visit the Maya ruins in the Yucatan peninsula. Actually, I am getting very excited about it. Thanks again.
Since my MIL is more comfortable with escorted tours, I will go this route this time. We decided we will take a tour (my first ever) and visit the Maya ruins in the Yucatan peninsula. Actually, I am getting very excited about it. Thanks again.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
somerville45
Mexico & Central America
7
Aug 30th, 2015 10:47 AM
