fka2

Hello Fodorites,

I was wondering if I could get some help planning my trip to Mexico for 9 days in July. Should I stay in Cancun or Riviera Maya? Any recommendations for good resorts? Looking for a quiet place to relax. I was thinking of spending the time as follows:
1) Cancun - 2 days ( Isla Mujeres day trip)
2) Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, Xcaret) - 2 days
3) Tulum and Xel-Ha - day trip from Riviera Maya (1 day)
4) Cozumel - day trip (1 day)
5) Chichen Itza and Valladolid - day trip from Cancun or Riviera Maya? (1 day)

Any suggestions or recommendations for stay, things to see and do are welcome!

Thanks.

hopefulist

That's way too much moving around, especially in the heat of summer imo. I'd pick 2 or 3 stops at the most. How about either Playa del Carmen or Tulúm as a base to start, a couple of nights in Valladolid, and the last few on Isla Mujeres - it's whale shark season. You'd never have more than a couple of hours between and would avoid the long day trips which put you at the ruins in the heat of the day with monstrous crowds.

Here's a link to the blog from our 2010 visit that was a bit like that but 2 weeks and we added a few nights on the gulf coast; keep hitting "Newer Post" at the bottom:
http://2010latinamericaadventures.bl...re-begins.html

Loads of photos and links to a detailed travelogue here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Happy planning!

RAC

I would skip Cancun and spend the whole time in 1-2 places in the Riviera Maya. Isla Mujeres is okay, but your life will be complete whether or not you see it.

Day trips are a matter of what appeals to you. Best Mayan ruins in the area are Chichen Itza--Tulum has mediocre buildings but an amazing setting.

Not sure you need to do Xcaret and Xel-Ha--maybe replace one with a combo of cenotes, Akumal bay, and Yal-Ku lagoon.

hopefulist

RAC - Have you been to Ek Balám and Cobá? We really didn't enjoy Chichén Itzá, even arriving 1st thing and beating the heat and the crowds but loved the others.

RAC

Have seen Coba--worth seeing and liked the jungle setting--but the architecture/artistry isn't as well preserved or appreciated as it is at Chichen Itza.

Coba felt more touristy, since you had to stay on the paths and those were full of tour groups, not to mention the rumble of bike taxis.

hopefulist

Loved the jungle surrounding Cobá and you can climb and climb, unlike at Chichén Itzá and Tulúm, plus the big Nohoch Mul temple at Cobá is nearly twice as tall as the El Castillo at Chichén Itzá and Cobá gets a fraction of Chichén Itzá's 3000+ visitors/day. To each his/her own though - we're both entitled to our opinions.

suze

I would skip Cancun and go straight to Playa del Carmen from the airport.

Besides the excellent info you're already received here www.locogringo.com is a good website and message board for the area.

fka2

Thanks a lot hopefulist, RAC and Suze. I really appreciate your suggestions and comments.

gracegv

I would also skip Cancun and go straight to Playa del Carmen. If possible, stay near the 5th avenue, where tons of stores, cafes and night life happens. Gran Porto Real and The Royal are all inclusive hotels in which we've stayed with great location (a block away from 5th avenue).

As for all your day trips, I think staying in Playa del Carmen is more centric, I would make that my base.

You do not mention your age, but if you are into zip-lines, XPLOR is an amazing park (went there last year) in which you zip through the jungle, you go into underground rivers, etc. http://www.xplor.travel/

KVR

We've been going to that area for the last 10 years. That is may too much to do in one trip.

Will you have a car or will you be dependent on transportation. Once you fly into Cancun you can take the ferry over to Isla Mujeres. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen is about 45 minute to an hour. From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel there is a ferry. Takes about 45 minutes. Most of the attraction that you listed are around 45 minute to an hour outside of Playe del Carmen. A taxi will be expensive, so you'll need a car, do a tour or use the collectives that can be found on the main highway.

There is really not that much to see in do in Cancun, Isla Mujeres or Cozumel. From what you listed the Playa del Carmen area is closer and will require less transportation.

Pick 3 or 4 things that interest you the most and go with them. If you like to snorkel and relax, then go with Xel-Ha. Xcaret has many things to see and do. Like the underground river, museums, attractions and a night show.

I didn't really get anything out of Chichen Itza. Yes, the structures are amazing and I was glad I did get to see them, but it was crowded and hot and the vendors were rather annoying. I preferred Tulum. We did a tour that included Tulum, a couple of cenotes and a beach lunch. Next time I would go to Coba.

Look at the boutique hotels on/around 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. 5th Avenue had tons of reataurants, bars, shopping and entertainment that is pedestrian friendly.

hopefulist

KVR - Think of heading to Ek' Balam, just north of Valladolid - the huge temple there dwarfs El Castillo at Chichén Itzá and you can climb it. The setting is jungly, there are some really unique, gorgeous sculptures, and you might have the place to yourselves. We hit Chichén Itzá 1st thing in the morning (were staying in Valladolid) so beat the heat and the crowds (I don't think any of my photos have other people in them) but still didn't love it.

KVR

Hopefullist, will check that out even though we are not in the shape to climb. I'm always looking for new things to do there since we have been so many times. Our mistake with Chichen Itza was 2 things. 1.) we were staying in Cancun and booked a tour with the hotel instead of using a private tour guide. 2.) We went in August. Uggh!

If anyone is interested in snorkeling, try the Sian Kaan Biosphere. It's about an hour outside of Tulum. Gorgeous reefs that the many tropical storms and hurricanes haven't hit.

MonicaRichards

Another great place to snorkel is the Yal Kul Lagoon in Akumal. I also would give Isla Mujeres and Cancun a pass. Cancun is like a Mexican Orlando (all manicured and "perfect") and Isla Mujeres is kind of divey. We loved Coba, weren't that impressed with Chichen Itza (but it was POURING when we were there). Coba it seemed like you'd stumbled upon a lost civilization, and the views from the temple were amazing. Also the best cenote we saw on our trip was just outside of Coba (you get info at Coba). We stayed in Akumal at the Akumal Beach Resort, and there was good snorkeling just off of their beach. It's close to Tulum and Sian Kaan. We also took a tour of Sian Kaan, pricey but we saw so much and that beach that goes on forever is amazing. Great photos there.

Little_Man

Definitely don't miss Tulum! Loveliest beach I've ever seen. Going inland to Chichen Itza will be soooo hot this time of year.

I've been to both Playa and Cancun, like both, love Cancun. When I was in Playa last year, I felt like it'd lost a good bit of charm...its every bit as commercial as Cancun, IMO.
And Cancun is cooler in summer w/ better beaches and some great hotels...

swanner

We live in phx so go to mexico alot. I agree with all of the above. If you are looking for lower price check out le reve in playa. Moderate priced would be Be Tulum in Tulum. High end is Maroma and Escencia. They are all smaller and boutiquey with great beaches and away from heavy tourism while still being conveniently located. We love them all - just depends on budget, occasion and probably a little bit on your age. Le Reve and Be Tulum are probably 30-ish to middle aged... Maroma and Escencia are probably more middle aged meaning there isn't much by way of night life except dinner/wine with your significant other. If you go to Maroma I would recommend splurging on a beachfront room... It's expensive but you can't beat the beach location... At least for us in Phx it's a good option for a close great beachfront room. You can watch for deals to make it bit more affordable but it's still pretty pricey. Again it's worth it though if you don't want to travel far but want a special experience.