Gran Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum/Coba - POST HERE!

[gettingwed12]

Hi

 

Thanks Tlseege for the information.

 

Does anyone have any ideas how much the excursions are roughly in resort? Just deciding where to go and if to book before we come or not (does anyone have any recommendations?)....We really want to go to Chichen Itza which is about £45 each if we book here before we go.....We are also thinking about maybe going to either Xel-Ha or Xplor if anyone has been to either of these? Are they places our children will enjoy?(18mths, 4 & 11 but can leave our 18mth old with grandparents for the day) We will also be going to Tulum ruins but I'm sure I've read on here that this is easy enough to get to ourselves? Does anyone know the entry price for this?

 

Also within our group we know a few people who have recently visited Mexico, some staying in our hotel, some elsewhere and are hearing mixed reviews about traveling round. Some people have said they used the local buses (and I'm sure I've read on here that these are cheap, reliable & frequent???) and some people are saying that they were told that the buses weren't safe to use and so used a local taxi driver? We are traveling with young children so safety is paramount but also don't want to be getting ripped off by the taxi's if they are really expensive? One couple also said that they traveled in to Playa Del Carmen (which I was really wanting to do) to do some shopping but they found it really intimidating and scary as everyone was quite forceful in trying to get them to buy things and that one shop even locked them in while they were looking??? I am hoping it was an exaggeration but have any past brides being in to PDC and have any advice?

 

And last questions for now.lol. Are treatments you have done at the Spa added on to your bill at the end like the wedding things or does this need paying for separately in Cash or Card?

 

Thanks

 

Nic. X

[shellee]

i have a question for past brides we are using the resort DJ and are scared that he wont have alot of the songs that we want. would you suggest to bring our songs down on cd or mp3 player??? one month today until i leave!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh and is it odd that i havent spoken with Maria in over 3 months? will she be contacting me in the near future to finalize everything?

[gettingwed12]

Just one more thing, lol....We've been told that mosquito's can be quite bad and so will be taking repellent and bite spray etc, I am thinking of taking nets for the children's beds though, did anyone notice of they have the hooks on the ceilings in the rooms do hang them from? 

 

Thanks

 

Nic. X

[TATrisha]

Originally Posted by gettingwed12 

Does anyone have any ideas how much the excursions are roughly in resort? It differs depending on where you want to go, but it's very easy to book at the resort.  Just deciding where to go and if to book before we come or not (does anyone have any recommendations?)....We really want to go to Chichen Itza which is about £45 each if we book here before we go.....We are also thinking about maybe going to either Xel-Ha or Xplor if anyone has been to either of these? My husband and I did XelHa and it was awesome, and definitely family friendly.  However I have had friends do the new Xplor and they say it is REALLY cool, but more adventerous and probably not for the little ones, but I don't know for sure.  Are they places our children will enjoy?(18mths, 4 & 11 but can leave our 18mth old with grandparents for the day) Honestly, the kids will probably like the activities at the hotel far more than planning something special for them.  We will also be going to Tulum ruins but I'm sure I've read on here that this is easy enough to get to ourselves? Not terrible.  It's very close.  I've taken the vans there and I've taken a taxi. Does anyone know the entry price for this? It's cheap for the ruins themselves, under $10 if I recall?

 

Also within our group we know a few people who have recently visited Mexico, some staying in our hotel, some elsewhere and are hearing mixed reviews about traveling round. Some people have said they used the local buses (and I'm sure I've read on here that these are cheap, reliable & frequent???) and some people are saying that they were told that the buses weren't safe to use and so used a local taxi driver? We are traveling with young children so safety is paramount but also don't want to be getting ripped off by the taxi's if they are really expensive? One couple also said that they traveled in to Playa Del Carmen (which I was really wanting to do) to do some shopping but they found it really intimidating and scary as everyone was quite forceful in trying to get them to buy things and that one shop even locked them in while they were looking??? I am hoping it was an exaggeration but have any past brides being in to PDC and have any advice?  I have taken taxi and I've taken the bus.  The bus is an interesting experience, but I never felt not safe.  However people sit on laps and it can get crazy, so with small children I'd recommend a taxi.  The hotel will actually arrange the taxi for you with a set price so that you don't get ripped off.

As for Playa, it's about 45 minutes away, and they definitely will try and sell you items but it's not dangerous (on 5th ave)

 

And last questions for now.lol. Are treatments you have done at the Spa added on to your bill at the end like the wedding things or does this need paying for separately in Cash or Card? I had it added to my bill at the end.  But that was 5 years ago.  Not sure how they do it now.

 

Originally Posted by shellee 

i have a question for past brides we are using the resort DJ and are scared that he wont have alot of the songs that we want. would you suggest to bring our songs down on cd or mp3 player??? one month today until i leave!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh and is it odd that i havent spoken with Maria in over 3 months? will she be contacting me in the near future to finalize everything?

I would bring down the music that you want played.  Better to be prepared than to not hear what you want to hear.  Worse case scenario, you don't use it, right?

And honestly, I would doubt that you hear from her unless you initiate conversation.  They are pretty good at just assuming everything is on track and they'll meet you when you arrive in Mexico.

 

Originally Posted by gettingwed12 

Just one more thing, lol....We've been told that mosquito's can be quite bad and so will be taking repellent and bite spray etc, I am thinking of taking nets for the children's beds though, did anyone notice of they have the hooks on the ceilings in the rooms do hang them from?

The bugs are not that bad.  I have never heard of anyone needing nets in the rooms.  The bugs are typically on the beach or in the grassy areas.  As long as you avoid those, you should be okay and definitely fine with bug spray.  But it also depends on the time of year you go.  Winter months, the bugs are there, summer, not at all.

 

Thanks

 

Nic. X

[andrea2006]

We went to Xplor and loved it..We plan on going back to the mayan mostly so we can go to Xplor again!  I think I remember seeing a small (very small) kids area near a restaurant.  An 11 year old could probably do the activities though.  They have 4 main activities..lots of zip lines, jeep through the caves, swim through the caves and hand paddle through the caves.  In my opinion not for little kids, but I would highly recommend it for adults, it was so much fun!

 

Xel-ha was fun too, but all we did was the snorkeling, so not for little kids either, I believe Xel-ha had other activities around but we didn't take the time to look around much, we just wanted to see all the fish!   

[Katryne]

 

Does anyone have any ideas how much the excursions are roughly in resort? Just deciding where to go and if to book before we come or not (does anyone have any recommendations?)....We really want to go to Chichen Itza which is about £45 each if we book here before we go.....We are also thinking about maybe going to either Xel-Ha or Xplor if anyone has been to either of these? Are they places our children will enjoy?(18mths, 4 & 11 but can leave our 18mth old with grandparents for the day) We will also be going to Tulum ruins but I'm sure I've read on here that this is easy enough to get to ourselves? Does anyone know the entry price for this?

 

 

We went last May with our two kids (10 and 6 months), I always felt in security.  They cooed and talked to my baby the whole ride (we went to Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Xcaret with the collectivos).  Only thing that might change your mind is that the collectivos are a fee per person, the taxi is for the bunch so sometimes it's not worth it.  We carried Penelope (6 months) in a baby carrier (ErgoBaby).  Honestly going with kids was one of the best experiences we've had.  The Mexicans are SO great with kids!   I'm still breastfeeding and they always smiled at me, even coming to talk to her while she was on my breast.  So great!

 

My 10 year old enjoyed Xcaret, we didn't try the other ones as we didn't have anyone to watch Penelope.

 

I'll get back to you for Tulum, I can't remember, I'll have to ask FI.  

[Katryne]

oh I forgot, Spa treatments were added to my hotel bill.

[cheeky26]

I'm leaving in the morning - just wanted to say thanks to everyone for helping me out with this thread! It's been invaluable. Let me know if there's anything I can check out for you all. xo

[claruickie]

Giddy.com 😃 ✈🌴🎉🸠Have an amazing time and look forward to hearing from you when back Congratulations in advance xx

[DinaQtobe]

Hi!  I just got back from the Coba for vacation.  We were able to make reservations at both the Akumal and the Tulum resort.  I would HIGHLY recommend the Gourmet restaurant in the Coba though.  Fantastic service, and the food was really good.  We actually went twice we liked it so much!  Definitely recommend the Carpaccio as an appetizer and the Shrimp for the main course. 

We booked the gourmet restaurants in Tulum and Akumal and didn't find the service or food as good.

 

Hope that helps!