Non Disney Vacation - Cancun/Riviera Maya

[elmo2wdw]

I need some help from my DIS friends. My DH and I are planning a vacation to Riviera Maya with NO KIDS...yeah!!!!! We are goign to stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret. I would love some feed back from anyone that has stayed here and I would love some suggestions on things we must do (excursions).

Thanks! Kim

 

[Big V]

We were there a few years ago, but stayed at Iberostar. We didn't do much but went into Playa Del Carmen a few times and took the ferry over to Cozumel one day. I know there are some good websites to visit, but I don't have them bookmarked any more. Maybe someone else can help you. I'm sure you'll have a great time though.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We have stayed at the Grand Xcaret three times. LOVE IT!!!!! First thing, walk the entire property and see everything. Take the back paths. See the ruins on the property. I hope you realize that the beach area is a lagoon so you can't walk forever on a beach. Our favorite things to do while in the Playa Area is take a taxi to Akumal Beach to snorkel with the turtles(I think it was $20.00 each way), a tour to Chichen Itza that includes lunch and a swim in a cenote, taxi to Playa Del Carmen for shopping ($10.00 USD each way), and a trip to Xcaret Park. Make sure you get your bracelet EARLY to get into the Park as they open it up sooner for the resort guests. You can beat the crowds for the two underground rivers and have it to yourself. We use to walk the park and head back to the resort to cool off and grab a lunch. This last time we found the most perfect spot for lunch at Xcaret Park that we HIGHLY recommend. It is at the top where you exit from the river. There is several hammocks and the view is spectacular. You can grab a ham and cheese sandwich with homemade potato chips for $8.00USD. I swear that it is the best sandwich ever. Why walk back when you can get away from the buffet lunch for so cheap. My DD might chime in here also. There is XPlor next door as well. You can't walk there from the resort like you can the Park. They have a website that will help you see what there is to do. We were just at the Grand Xcaret in January and used http://entertainment-plus.net/tour_tpt_pdc.cfm for our tour needs along with airport transfers. We found them to be the most reliable that we have used. Loved them. For the tour we had the private Chichen Itza tour which was perfect as once again we stayed ahead of the crowds by being able to name our pick up time.

I could go on and on. If you have any questions, just PM me.