About a quarter of all the posts on the Latin American portion of this message board concerns travel to Cancun. Why? I have had the unfortunate opportunity to go to Cancun a few years ago and found it to represent the worst that Mexico and Latin America have to offer. Compared to Costa Rica or Oaxaca or Belize, it is absolutely horrible. I suppose it is cheap, but it is not exactly like you are going to break the bank to go to a more authentic Latin American location.

Well obviously you are one of the VERY few that dislike Cancun it is the best place in the world, and when we go we don't do cheap we stay at a 6 star resort, the locals are one of the most kind, grateful, hard working people you will ever come across.

We are going to Cancun for the 1st time in a few weeks. I researched many places for a possible family vacation for me my wife, our 16 year old daughter, and 12 year old son. I finally settled on Cancun because, in my opinion, it offered the most for ALL members of my family. This is what I was looking for:<BR><BR>&gt; reasonable flight cost from California<BR>&gt; warm ocean water<BR>&gt; plentiful activities without driving<BR>&gt; opportunity for some peace and quiet<BR>&gt; opportunity for some night life and excitement<BR>&gt; great hotel with activities on site<BR>&gt; snorkeling <BR>&gt; shopping<BR><BR>I don't know of many places that satisfy my list like Cancun does. We are staying at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach.

Las Vegas on the Caribbean....<BR><BR>But the water is beautiful shade of blue..unlike anything I have seen..

God, what a snotty thing to say.

to Mark:<BR>Please give us a detailed trip report on your cancun trip when you return! Let us know how you liked the Grand coral Beach, etc. etc. I just love it when people give their opinions on their trip! (We're going in aug. with 2 teens - to the JW Marriott, but would consider Fiesta American Grand...)<BR>thanks! have a great trip!

you have to separate cancun from mexico. people who want to experience mexico go somewhere else. people who want to say they've been to another country, enjoy great beaches & water and (god forgive) never have to leave the "american" restaurants go to cancun. <BR>nothing wrong with either - just different people. but, please never say "i want to experience mexico so i'm going to cancun".

JoAnna: If Cancun is Las Vegas on the beach, then we made the right choice.<BR><BR>x: No, we're not going to experience Mexico, so Cancun should do fine.<BR><BR>Ann: I'll report on this site when I get back, assuming I have some money left to pay my phone bill. I don't think you can go wrong with the JW or the Fiesta. Our philosophy when going to resort areas such as Cancun or Vegas is to stay at NICE hotels. No sense in going if you need to fight over pool chairs once you get there.

thanks mark! have a great trip!<BR>hope the weathers good!

Most people don't "travel" to Cancun, they "vacation" in Cancun. I have traveled throughout Mexico and vacationed in Cancun and have enjoyed doing both immensely. Each are a treat in different ways. Whether people choose to spend their money vacationing or traveling is up to them, isn't it, Dawn?

For once I am going to agree with someone from Duke. I too feel that most people vacation in Cancun and travel elsewhere. Now I went to Cancun for both. We spent 2-3 days on the beaches there and about 8 exploring everywhere from Cozumel to Uxmal. However, if I had known more about what other parts of the Yucatan offered beforehand, I probably would have stayed in Playa del Carmen instead for something a little less touristy (in 1998) but with the same convenience for getting around by bus.