What city should we book?
 

my friend and are wanting to go to mexico to see the ruins, with time to relax, shop and maybe go out in the night. In order to see the ruins, location wise where should we book? We were thinking between somewhere along the riviera or cancun? Any suggestions?

Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum are great options as well as the riviera maya. If you are looking for shops and nightlife I would definetly would go for PDC.

Some 1300 historical sites in Mexico of which about 450 have been excavated. In and tours from Mexico City to Taxco, etc. Oaxaca. Chichen Itza from Cancun and Merida. Then Palenque and pop into Tikal in Guatemala.

It's easy to get around Mexico by coach. The people are generally friendly but pickpocketing and petty theft are a big problem there. Museums and sites are free on Sundays.

Cancun is an expensive tourist trap.

Get a Lonely Planet guide and a good map.

I second Kaneda. Cancun is an overpriced tourist trap. I'd choose Playa/Riviera in a heartbeat.

More relaxing env't, MUCH closer to actual attractions.

My vote is Playa del Carmen. I just posted a trip report on it. You can always take an excursion to the ruins. PDC is just such an incredible town. Great restaurants, bars, lounges, shops and all within walking distance of most hotels. It is one of the cleanest, safest towns in Mexico or the Carribean I have ever been to.