cancun/RM question for anyone whose traveled there

[*JillD*]

Okay, so I've heard so much from so many people about things to do in cancun/riviera maya, that I have now confused myself and can't remember the things we should do.

 

For anyone that has been there or is going there (we chose mexico for our wedding because neither one of us had ever been there) what are the things that we "MUST" do while we are there.

 

We will be in cancun for 5 nights and our 8 year old daughter will be with us

 

Then we will move to EDR for 5 nights without our daughter.

 

We know we're definetly doing the ruins ( but there are so many, which is best) A few people mentioned Xel-Ha, Xcaret (are those the same?) I'd like to go to Playa del Carmen for a day, Tulum for a day, Yikes, we're never going to have enough time to do everything!

 

Any advice??

[weez]

Oh my! There are sooo many things to do around there its tough to fit them all in! I can tell you the places we have visited if thats any help to you?!

XEL-HA is a snorkel park (kind of a lagoon) and is great fun, we loved it and there are lots of bars and restaurants in the park which is all inclusive, lots of neat fish to look at and the last time we saw a sea turtle swimming which was pretty amazing! They also have swimming with the dolphins there but we didn't do this so not sure about it! Most of the tour company's seem to combine it with the Tulum ruins and make a whole day out of it. You can't climb up the ruins at Tulum but they are still pretty amazing, and it has THE most gorgeous beach there!

I have heard that Xcaret is good too but have never been so not sure?

We went to Playa too but just strolled down the streets and checked out the stores mostly, didn't get down to the beach so not sure what there is down there, tons of really nice cafe's and bars on 5th Ave though!

Only went to Cancun once and shopped at La Isla shopping centre, and visited a couple of bars there so can't tell you much about that!

Hope you have lots of fun with whatever you choose to do though!

[MelissaH]

I absolutely love Tulum, but I've heard the tour of Chichen Itza is awesome too. I've never done a tour to Tulum though, always just hopped on the Collectivo and gone myself (way way cheaper and you can do what you want when you want!)

 

PDC is fun if you like to shop - 5th ave is awesome, especially for jewellery (get those bartering skills ready!)

 

Puerto Aventuras is kinda fun to spend some time at as well - shopping, an aquarium, a few good bars/restaurants, swimming with the dolphins, catamaran rides...

[*JillD*]

Thanks Girls! Yes, I think we want to do chichen itza while our daughter is still there. Maybe we'll do tulum & xel-ha during our honeymoon.

 

Melissa whats collectivo? taxi? bus? something else?

[JaimeLynne]

In Playa del Carmen: Go check out the Blue Paradise Inn or Bar or Club or whatever it's called. ;P It's a great bar with lots of swings and is right on the beach. We went there for my bday a couple of years back.

 

Also, if it is still there we went to a bar called The Tequila Barrel. It is owned by a friend of a friend who used to live here in Texas.

 

Shopping is a lot of fun there also. I just love the town, it is very cute and the people are friendly.

 

I'm going back to Playa in June for the 3rd time. We will be there from the 9th-13th for my Bday (June 10).

 

Have fun!!!

[MelissaH]

Collectivos are big white vans that run up and down the main highway from Tulum to PDC...

 

You just catch them on the side of the road - they'll flash their lights at you if they have room and you just wave them down. It's usually just $2 USD to go from one place to the next. Best way to get around!!

[*JillD*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaimeLynne In Playa del Carmen: Go check out the Blue Paradise Inn or Bar or Club or whatever it's called. ;P It's a great bar with lots of swings and is right on the beach. We went there for my bday a couple of years back. Also, if it is still there we went to a bar called The Tequila Barrel. It is owned by a friend of a friend who used to live here in Texas. Shopping is a lot of fun there also. I just love the town, it is very cute and the people are friendly. I'm going back to Playa in June for the 3rd time. We will be there from the 9th-13th for my Bday (June 10). Have fun!!!

Thanks Jaime, we'll definetly check these places out, it looks like a really cute town, so I can't wait to just walk around, shop, and hang out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexicomelissa Collectivos are big white vans that run up and down the main highway from Tulum to PDC... You just catch them on the side of the road - they'll flash their lights at you if they have room and you just wave them down. It's usually just $2 USD to go from one place to the next. Best way to get around!!

Okay, thats good to know, thank you!

[BRENDASTAR]

Anyone visited Isla Mujeres?

What's there? How far away? Is it worth it?

[amyh]

Hi Brenda. I went to Isla Mujeres on one of our excursions and I loved it. We went snorkeling there. I def reccomend it.

[*JillD*]

I'd like to do a trip to isla mujeres while we're there and also cozumel