Questions on Cancun
 

Going 3/5 for a week. Thinking about renting a car for a day or two to do trips to Chicken Itza, Tulum, Xel-Ha, Xcaret. Usually don't rent cars-we use the local buses. Wondering how expensive cars are to rent, rent now or when we get there, do you need special/extra insurance in Mexico? Also, anyone having gone to the places mentioned, how would you rank them as to must see. Any other tips etc appreciated. Also, any comments on the Omni hotel? Thanks to all!

Janice, we're making our first trip to the Yucatan in March, too, and we plan to rent a car. Although we haven't made the arrangements yet, we're probably going to make them through a wonderful Web site we discovered - it's locogrinco.com -- neat site, lots of good info on the Yucatan! And a place with info about rental cars, all sizes and varieties. <BR>We're staying an hour south of Cancun, near Tulum, in a tiny place, Zamas bungalows, right on the beach - sounds wonderful, I've never been the Yucatan before so am looking forward -- Hope your trip goes well! <BR>Judy

Ooops, sorry Janice - the website is locogringo.com <BR> <BR>Haste makes waste and all that! <BR>Judy

Of the four you listed, I would probably rank them in the order you listed. I have been to all but Xcaret. From what I know of Xcaret, I would think it is very similar to Xel-Ha, but larger. I wouldn't go to both on one trip. Maybe take a daytrip to one of the islands - Cozumel or Isla Mujeres - go to Playa del Carmen, or visit the ruins at Coba if you find you really like the ruins. The buses are great for all the places you mentioned. A car would be better for Chichen Itza if you want to start out very early. For Coba a car or a taxi would be my choice.

I WOULD MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW...WITH SOMEONE YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY AHEAD. ONCE THERE YOU CAN BARTER WITH OTHER CAR RENTAL PLACES, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE AT THE AIRPORT WITH PRICE QUOTE IN HAND TO BARTER WITH. YOU CAN END UP GETTING AWAY DIRT CHEAP, MIDSIZE W/A/C FOR ABOUT 300USD WEEK. I WOULD GET THE INSURANCE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT! CHICHEN ITZA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SITES AND REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE FULL DAY TO SEE IT ALL, OR MOST OF IT ANYWAY. YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY AND STAY FOR THE NIGHT SHOW. IT IS ABOUT TWO HOURS ON THE TOLL ROAD FROM CANCUN. THERE ARE SOME NICE HOTELS ON THE BACKSIDE (BY THE BACK ENTRANCE). ANOTHER HOUR FURTHER AND YOU CAN HIT THE PUUC ROUTE WITH MANY MAYAN RUINS, ESPECIALLY, ANOTHER OF MY FAVORITES, UXMAL. THERE THEY ALSO HAVE A NIGHT SHOW WHICH IS WONDERFUL! IF YOU GO TO UXMAL THEY SELL TOURISTS T-SHIRTS OUT FRONT FOR DIRT CHEAP (ABOUT $3.00US EACH). THERE IS A WONDERFUL FAIRLY NEW HOTEL RIGHT AT THE FRONT GATE (PREVIOUSLY CALLED MAYALAND) ROOMS ARE WONDERFUL, SWIMMING POOL, A/C, ETC. <BR>OR THE CITY OF MERIDA (CAPITAL OF YUCATAN) IS ONE HOUR AWAY FROM CHICHEN ITZA. IT TOO IS A WONDERFUL TOWN WITH A MARKET PLACE AND LOTS OF HISTORY. THE BEACHES ARE WONDERFUL IN CANCUN AND THE SITE AT TULUM HAS A PRETTY SETTING (BUT I WOULD PREFER CHICHEN ITZA BY FAR). <BR>BEST WISHES. <BR>

The Omni hotel is great. At least it was the last time I stayed there (6 years ago). Nice, big rooms with marble floors. Pink hotel that sits way up on the cliff; long driveway. You can't do wrong if you stay there. However, my favorite is Fiesta Americana Condesa. <BR>

The Omni was a great hotel. The pool was big and the grounds lovely. There is a beach bar which can be hard to find that is nice with hammocks and all. I've stayed at tha Omni and Fiesta Americana Cancun. The Omni is nicer but the FA Canacun has more of a spanish flavor. Car rentals are not cheap in Mexico. We took the guided tours to Chicken Itza, Tulum and Xel-Ha. We took the deluxe tour to ChickenItza and had great seats in a lovely air conditioned tour bus. It's approximately a two hour ride. Chicken Itza is definitely a must see. Tulum and Xel-Ha were great combined as a one day excursion. There are not located as far away from cancun.