bam_bam

Hi, my husband and I will be staying in one of the AI in the hotel zone. We'd like to do day trips to Chichen Itza, Merida, & Tulum without having to rent a car. Can anyone offer what's the best way to go about this?

Also, I've never snorkelled before and would like to give it a go so any referrals for where to get safe and good lessons?

Many thanks!

Wednesday

My friends have a company called "Royale Tours" which has a desk in most major hotels in Cancun. If not, there should be a tour desk in your hotel to set these up. Beware of the ones that are involved with times shares though as you will listen to the speech on the way to your tour...They have a website too, you don't have to have them in your hotel to book it, you can pre-book it...www dot royaletours dot com dot mx and they will come pick you up. have fun !

dan_woodlief

I wouldn't advise daytrips to Merida unless you fly. The bus trip is 5-6 hours each way. Tulum is easy by bus (about two hours away). Chichen Itza is fine by regular bus, but a car is better because you can get there early to avoid heat and crowds. If you want to go to Merida, consider doing what we did. We left most of our bags in our hotel in downtown Cancun (which was reserved for 1 1/2 weeks), went to Chichen-Itza with only a backpack and camera, then continued to Merida. We were able to rent a good sized hotel room off the main square in Merida (complete with air conditioning) for less than $30 a night, making it a bargain to pay for two hotels that night. Then we left for our hotel in Cancun the next night.

xxxx

Regarding going to Chichen Itza from Cancun on an escorted tour--I strongly advise you to find out how many hours you will be on the bus as opposed to how many hours you will be at Chichen Itza and what route your bus will take. We took a tour last month. The tour bus left Cancun before 7 am stopping to pick people up along the way. We were the last people picked up at our resort in Tulum at nearly 10 AM. The poor people from Cancun had already been on the bus for hours before we were even picked up. Then, with the potty (AKA shopping) stop and lunch, it was 2:30 before we even got to Chichen Itza. Of course, going home was just the opposite and the Cancun people were the last off the bus. I can't even imagine spending that much time on the tour bus. I would make very sure that the tour went straight from Cancun to Chichen Itza and and did not take the Playa/Tulum route.

bam_bam

Thanks SO MUCH for all your suggestions! The advice on a direct bus tour is a mighty wise one.

dmotl

Would also advise doing the Tulum ruins before going to Chichen Itza as Tulum would be a let down after CI. This does not mean that Tulum is not a good visit.