ljv

Our family of 4 is considering a possible trip to Mexico this summer...late July/early August.

We'd be flying into Cancun from NJ. The proposed plan would be to get a rental(Jeep) and head over to Isla Holbox for a couple of days to snorkel with the whale sharks.

We'd then head over to the Hacienda Chichen for a few days to explore the ruins, Merida and Valldolid.

finally, we'd like to spend some time at a great resort near Tulum.Good snorkeling is a must!

Aside from any recommendations regarding the itinerary, I'd like to know how rainy it typically is at this time. According to research I did, the rainy season begins in October.

Also, how safe is it to travel around, given all Mexico's recent troubles with the drug cartels?

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

suze

This IS the rainy season (with possibilities of hurricanes). And summer is hot hot HOT!

Yes, it's safe to travel around, no problem there, the drug cartels don't bother with tourists doing tourist things.

jette

A rental jeep with or without AC? It's really hot at that time and the drive to Chichen is long and hot even in March.

zootsi

The Yucatan is quite safe, we have driven around many times with no problems. For snorkeling, Akumal is perhaps the best place to be. As others have said it's going to be HOT, especially the inland destinations.

hopefulist

Here's our plan for 2+ weeks in June: Tulum pueblo (diving and flyfishing, Tulum and Coba ruins, Sian Kaan Reserve) > Valladolid (Chichen Itza and Ek Balam ruins, cenotes) > San Felipe (north coast - tarpon fishing, flamingo reserve) > Isla Mujeres (diving, fishing, snorkeling with whale sharks). I'll post a travelogue - happy trails!

zootsi

Just a bit of advice for folks staying in Valladolid - El Meson del Marques is THE place to stay in the downtown. It's very reasonable, it's right on the square, and the restaurant is one of the best we've been to in the Yucatan.

cocontom

If you're going to Tulum and Meridia, there's no reason to go to Valladolid. If you have an hour or so to kill, or want to stop in between Chichen Itza and Tulum, then do, but it's not worth its own trip. I'm really sorry we missed Ek Balam to explore it.

If you're going for ruins, be sure that Chichen Itza is the last one- Tulum and Coba are both worth seeing, but are kind of a letdown after Chichen Itza.

If you want to snorkel from the beach, you do not want to stay in Tulum. Actually, now that I think about it, I can only think of two places in town to book snorkeling, and maybe one to two on the beach road. There could be more on the beach road that we've not seen though.

cocontom

Oh- safety. We've felt completely comfortable so far, and that includes a lot of aimless wandering at night around Piste and Tulum. I even walked back from the bar to our hotel to change and get Tom's phone by myself and I was comfortable (and Tom was also not worried about me going) in Tulum.

fcfarmgirl

We have snorkeled both in Half Moon Bay (just north of the village of Akumal) and at Yalku Lagoon, which is a little north of Half Moon Bay. We have usually gone in February or March. In Half Moon Bay, you will most likely see turtles when snorkeling. We also usually see squid and rays. My son did get a nasty sting by a Portuguese Man of War 2 years ago while snorketing in Half Moon Bay. It actually looks like a bright purple kids toy floating around. Anyway...back to Yalku...that is our favorite place to snorkel. Lots of colorful fish of various sizes. My favorites are the large angel fish. It costs around $6-8 per day to snorkel at Yalku. Half Moon Bay is free. Another interesting place to snorkel is Gran Cenote, which is a little West of Tulum on the main highway to Coba. There aren't a lot of fish, but it's a very cool cave that you can snorkel in.

nukesafe

Listen to the folks who are telling you how hot it is in the Summer in the Yucatan! It can be paralytic! Even if you are used to New Jersey weather, tropical, inland, Yucatan is MUCH worse. The shore may be just barely tolerable, but not away from the coast.

Our rule for summer in Mexico is never go below 5,000 feet in elevation.