Just wondering if anyone has a spa suggestion for Merida, as we are using it as a base for a vacation in the Yucatan next week...<BR><BR>Fave restaurants, other suggestions also welcomed! I have read the other posts on this forum for Merida and the Yucatan...

Right, a few practical questions also: is it possible to catch a bus straight from the Cancun airport (which we're flying into) to Chichen Itza? If not, is a taxi the most convenient way to get from the airport to the bus station? And finally, are the bus schedules posted online anywhere? I have not found anything in my internet wanderings...

You cannot catch a bus from the airport to Chichen Itza. You must go downtown where they run constantly from the bus station. A taxi would be the most convienient way to go although I doubt taxis are allowed at the airport as they are partial to transfers. Talk to your agent about getting to a Cancun hotel where you can catch a taxi. There are two types of buses to Chichen Itza: first and second class. First class buses are quite luxurious with American movies. Second class buses travel more often but you must share it with goats and chickens. Here is the schedule for both from Cancun bus depot:<BR>http://www.wohlmut.com/Maya/Cancunbus.htm

We've flown into Cancun a few times and then gone to the bus terminal. You can catch a shuttle at the airport. It will go through the hotel zone dropping off people staying at the big hotels. The driver will eventually get you to the bus terminal where you can catch your bus to Merida. <BR><BR>We did that a few weeks ago. We were heading to Puerto Juarez to catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres. Several people got dropped at their hotels, a couple got dropped at the bus terminal and we finally ended up at the ferry!

You're going to love Merida. I did. My wife's family is from there so we spent 10 days there. Couple of excursion suggestions if you have the time. 1. Head to Celestun, about 3 hour bus ride to the west of Merida. The lagoons there are the breeding grounds for all the flamingos in the Caribbean. It's beautiful there. 2. Head for Progreso, a port town about 30 miles north of Merida. The water isn't particularly nice but they have some amazing seafood restuarants along the water. Neat little town.

Gracie<BR><BR>Hacienda Katanchel, and Xcanatun have spas for their guests. Hacienda Katanchel is great but it is about 40 minutes away from Merida.<BR>The Hyatt Regency and Fiesta Americana are great, they have all the services and they are right in the middle of the city.

Thanks, everyone--we are heading out Tuesday and your responses are much appreciated! Kenneth--went to Oaxaca a few years ago, and did indeed share a bus with the chickens and goats...quite an experience! Susan, thanks for letting me know that the hotel-bound buses do also hit the bus terminal. Sant--we are planning to go to Celestun; I'm not sure whether we will have time for Progreso (what did you think of the Mayan site w/ museum , Dz--- maybe? that's close to there, if you went?). And finally, Renata, thanks--I could use a little pampering like you wouldn't believe right now...