Cancun? Riviera Maya anyone?

[BostonTigger]

As much as I love planning vacations I'll have to admit...I think I'm over my head on this one. I didn't realize how many resorts there were in the Caribbean. At first, I got to thinking about Antiqua, then St. Martin, and St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Barbados and....well, you get the idea. So, I got to thinking about Mexico and what they have to offer. I think it'd be fun, especially with the Mayan ruins in that area...so can I ask, has anyone ever been to Cancun? I'm thinking of doing an all-inclusive there for my honeymoon. I ran the idea of Mexico by my fiancee and she likes it, especially the part of being able to go and explore ehe ruins. I also like the fact that there is so much tourism down there that I won't feel like a target. So has anyone here on the dis ever been to this area of Mexico? Can anyone recommend a good resort down there? If not, I'd sue like a *bump*

Thanks,
BT

 

[Serena]

I know there are several people here that have been in the last few years. I went about 25 years ago and I loved it. I especially loved that my room was right on the beach and we could hear the surf as it came in every morning.

I know it's a lot different now with a lot more things to do. I hope you all have a wonderful time.

 

[nmudisneyfan]

I went to Cancun during my Senior year of high school for Spanish club. Our hotel was fabulous, but I can't remember the name of it. I'll have to talk to my mom and see if she remembers (she came as a chaperone). It was right on the ocean across the rode from an outdoor mall.
I can however suggest going to Xel-Ha. Is this little inlet salt water park where you can go snorkling. It is beautiful there and you don't have to worry about sharks. My entire group loved it there. We spent half a day there and then went to the ruins of Tulum, which were awesome. My mom paid $2 and that got her permission to videotape the ruins.
Xel-Ha has a website http://www.xel-ha.com.mx/default.asp?com_id=0&idioma=1 if you're interested.

 

[Big V]

We stayed at Iberostar Paraiso Beach in 2002 and had a wonderful time! I would highly recomend it. Here is a good website discussion board for you to look at:

http://mytravelboard4.com/playa/

 

[shortbun]

What's your budget? There are a few really deluxe resorts
down there. Ikal del Mar is probably the most luxurious.
You must get an ocean front room in any resort if they offer one. Lots of the resorts burn their trash in the back and rooms not near the ocean get the smell-really. For rustic, european, good food and a great beach - Oasis Akumal. It is no where close to
deluxe but has a wonderful location. Check Apple Vacations
web site and look at their 6 gold apple rated properties.
Again-get an ocean front guarantee. it's your honeymoon!!!

 

[BostonTigger]

Thanks for the responses everyone, and thanks for the link Big V. I just never realized how many resorts were out there to choose from. Our budget is nothing over $3000, at least we're trying not to go over that. Initially we go to thinking of a place that had somewhat isolated cabins/bungalows for that privacy factor, but I'm it would be expensive. Again thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

We were just to Cancun last February. We stayed in a 3 star resort which was fine for us but probally not what you want for your honeymoon. We loved Cancun, had a oceanfron room, which was truly beautiful. The beaches there are great. We been to Mexico twice and have had no problem, even with none of us speaking Spanish.

Did not do the ruins on either trip but we know that trips were available.

Also, it depends on when you are going and how long you plan to stay. We stayed 7 nights in Feb. and the total for the trip itself was around $3000. And that didn't include any trips.

Hope this helps!!

 

[crs7568]

We spent a week this summer at Xcaret Resort and loved it. Xcaret park is right next to the resort and it is a fabulous place to spend the day. I also recommend Xel-Ha for another fun place to visit. The all inclusive hotels are usually not known for great food but I felt like most of our meals were pretty good. It is amazing how far your money goes in Mexico. The only problem with Xcaret Resort is that it does not have any type of good beach if that is important to you. I used www.tripadvisor.com for research and found that most reviews of the hotel that I chose were quite accurate. Good luck with your decision. The Riveria Maya is beautiful and nothing like Cancun which is not nearly as nice.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We stayed at the Barcelo Maya Resort in 2002. I really liked it. The beach is a bit isolated from the other hotels and there is an area to snorkle. It is all inclusive and has both a buffet and a sit down resturant. There is a fourm like this one The Tourist Guide to Playa del Carmen. We really enjoyed the area, have a wonderful honeymoon.

 

[4greatboys]

We went in 96 and stayed at the Continental Villas (next to the Flamingo). It was a 3 star hotel and very,very nice. There are so many nice hotels in Cancun its hard to go wrong and so many things to see and do. I cant wait to go back, we had a blast. As for Mayan ruins its hard to beat Chichen Itza. Its about a 2 hour ride (they have tour buses that will take you). They have a bunch of "tours" that include wave runners or ATV's and dont forget to take the Booze Cruise. Though when we went I didnt really drink that much they have a great buffet and entertainment out on the island.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Four years ago we stayed at anew resort... Bahia Principe.

It was AWESOME. 40 miles south of Cancun, but they had daily shuttle buses. Close to the Tulum ruins, very close, actually.

We went in September for 8 day and 7 nights ( during hurricane season, though we had no hurricanes ). $900 foe TWO PEOPLE. All inclusive. Top notch. Plus whatever we spent off property. All told, we spent less than $1800!

Arranged by a small travel operator last minute ( a week before time ).

 

[Lezah]

The Mayan Riviera is a beautiful place with lots to see and do. There is a great group of resorts there (Palace resorts) You can stay at one and play at the others. I booked my best friend there last year on her honeymoon and they had a wonderful time. They split their stay between the Xpu-ha Palace and the Aventura Spa Palace (If I remember correctly). At one they stayed in a Casita (an upgrade of course), but well worth the money they said as it was quite private and even had it's own double hammock and shower on the patio (very secluded and quiet). They actually came home and decorated their bedroom in their new house like Mexico, very beautiful!!

 

[mtblujeans]

 

[smileybrat]

We went to Mexico in November of 2002. It was through Apple Vacations and they did air fare, hotel, and tours of popular areas. We actually stayed in Playa Del Carmen in the Riviera Maya which is about 30 minutes south of Cancun. We stayed at the all inclusive Riu Yucatan but you could travel to any of their hotels for dinner. I would strongly recommend Apple Vacations for the ease of travel. applevacations.com Right now they are running a special if you book by Nov. 6th.

 

[travelgoddess]

I am a Travel agent, and the Mayan Riviera is our number one
place we have been sending people the last few years. It has
great beaches, and nice new resorts, there is alot to do, but it's
still very unspoiled. It's great for families and honeymooners, and it's very unexpensive compared to alot of the other Caribbean
destinations. The Iberostar Resorts are my favorites, I also like
the Palladium Resort and the Barcelo Maya.

Best of luck to you,
Travelgoddess

 

[BostonTigger]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I really do appreciate it.

BT

 

[Sandy V.]

The Riviera Maya is one of our favorite places on earth.

White sand beaches, turquoise water, palm trees, . . . ahhhh . . .

We've stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar, the Iberostar Tucan, and the Barcelo Maya. All were very nice - our personal favorite was the Paraiso Del Mar.

The nice part about Mexico is that you can do as little or as much as you want to.

 

[Felicia]

We stayed at the Iberostar Quetzel (right next to the Iberostar Tucan) this past July and LOVED it! The grounds are lush and gorgeous. There is a jungle in the middle of the resorts, daily you will see flamingos, peacocks, turtles, monkeys, lizards and a tucan! Can't wait to go back!

 

[ckret01]

We went a year ago and stayed at the Viva Maya resort in the riniera maya. It was an all inclusive but it did have kids. The food there was excellent and there beach was beautiful. So far Mexico has the nicest beach out of the bahamas and the Domincan Republic in my opinion. When you see the color of the water it makes you thirsty it is sooo blue. We also went to the ruins. We took the tour bus to Chitza Itza and another tour bus to Coba. The one to Chitza Itza after. It pretty much took all day to do each tour but well worth it. We climbed to the tops of the ruins and took great pictures. We also went to X-Caret. That place was awesome. We snorkeld in under ground caves it was the coolest.

 

[BostonTigger]

Hey guys, thanks for all the ideas...this sure has given me somewhere to start. I really do appreciate it.