Gatekeeperdi

Hi there,

My hubby and I are thinking of booking a trip to Mexico for November 2006. Yes I know it`s a long time yet but we have other trips to do before then.

We have had a quote from Kuoni to fly BA from London Heathrow to Mexico City where we `ll stay for 4 nights at the Fiesta Americana Reforma and then to Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret for 10 nights.

I have a back problem and have to use a stick to walk with but, I have a passion for archaeology so I`d love to see some of the wonderful Mayan ruins around there. Are there any companies that you can book private guides and transport just for me and my hubby to visit places like Teotihuacan and Guadalupe, from Mexico City and Chechen Itza, Tulum and Coba from Xcaret with that are reliable? Obviously that way we could pace ourselves more then if we were in a big group. Trying to keep up with a group can ruin my trip, as all I do is spend my time trying to get from A-B instead of being able to enjoy the sites.

Any suggestions or comments would be really appreciated.

Kind regards,

Diane Day

novj

My boyfriend and I stayed at the grand xcaret in December and loved it. We traveled through Liberty travel and they ha d arepresentative to book tours through. We went to tulum on a tour. There is awalk from the busses, but anyone who wants to pay for a tram can do so for a few bucks. I would recommend that,it's a long walk. Once inside we followed the tour guide around a little, he went very slow. Then for the last hour you can wander as you please. You wouldn't need much more time than that unless you wanted to go swimming in the beach that's right there. The second half of our trip was to a park. It was totally on our own once inside. Beaches, snorkeling etc.
definitely take advantage of the free park admission to Xcaret park from the hotel. You can walk over and spend the whole day!
Hope this helps.
julie

Gatekeeperdi

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your reply and the info about Tulum. The tram might prove to be useful if it`s some way from the coach to the main ruins.

Our tour company offer some trips from the hotels too, so we may end up booking them through them or directly with the hotel, unless anyone knows a reliable private guide in the area.

Did you get to visit Chichen Itza at all? It`s one place I definitely want to see if we can. I wondered how long it would take from Xcaret to there by tour bus?

Xcaret Park does look fascinating and I reckon we could spend more than one day in there if we wanted to keep occupied.

What was the temperature and humidity like there in December? We`re looking to go from the middle of November ourselves.

Thanks again for your help.

best wishes,
Di

novj

No we didn't get to Chitchen itza, I think because it was a further tour from our hotel. The waether during the day was great. But We were surprised by how chilly it was at night. We were not prepared!! I am always cold, but my fiance who isn't was also pretty cold there. Make sure at the hotel that you eat at the restaurant by the beach, but bring a jacket. We had nothing and brought a blanket!! ALso, we found out on the last day, but the restaurant by the beach is open for breakfast, don't miss it!
Julie

xxxx

We've been to Cancun and the Mayan Riviera twice in mid-December. We've always had decent weather with usually one day of clouds and/or rain. It's been hot during the day and anywhere from the mid-60's to the mid-70's at night. Whether or not you consider that cold is a matter of opinion. It's always humid.

We toured Tulum on our own with no guide. We went as soon as it opened so as to avoid the crowds from tour buses later in the day.

We took a guided tour to Chichen Itza. I wouldn't do it that way again. From our hotel in Tulum, it was still a 2 hour bus ride. Our tour originated in Cancun and went along the Mayan Riviera picking up passengers at many resorts. Those poor people who began in Cancun spent the vast majority of their day on the bus. In addition, we stopped for bathroom breaks--really a shopping stop, lunch (absolutely awful) and at a cenote. We were only at Chichen Itza about 2 hours. I would have loved to have had much more time there.

I know there are private tours or small group tours available. I googled for it and found quite a few. Unfortunately, I can't give you any first hand recommendations for them. I do know that in hindsight, I wish we would have paid the higher price and opted for something like that.