Tell me about Cancun, Mexico

[andrews_dad]

Southwest just announced direct flights from my airport (Balt-Washington) to Cancun. Thinking of surprsing the wife with a long weekend trip without the kids. Is it safe? Recommend good places to stay? Resorts close enough to airport to taxi there? Is there places close by resorts that are US-type fast foods (McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Hut, etc.) or must you count on eating on the resort only? Warm enough to swim in fall (thinking October simply because Southwest booking til Oct 31 now)? I know nothing about it other than it is filled with spring breakers at times, but doubt that a problem in October....

Any info is great.

 

[briand1023]

I am looking for the same info too.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Southwest just announced direct flights from my airport (Balt-Washington) to Cancun. Thinking of surprsing the wife with a long weekend trip without the kids. Is it safe? Recommend good places to stay? Resorts close enough to airport to taxi there? Is there places close by resorts that are US-type fast foods (McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Hut, etc.) or must you count on eating on the resort only? Warm enough to swim in fall (thinking October simply because Southwest booking til Oct 31 now)? I know nothing about it other than it is filled with spring breakers at times, but doubt that a problem in October....

Any info is great.

DW and I went to Cancun last June for a 25th anniversary trip and stayed at an all-inclusive, adults-only resort, Live Aqua, which has great TripAdvisor ratings and we thought it definitely lived up to them.

It's a great place to go if you just want to veg out. They had a few different pools plus great beachfront. The place has a spa-like feel and basically shuts down after 8-9 pm. They have shuttles that will take you to the clubs around 10 if you want to go, but if you're looking for a party resort, you'll want to look somewhere else.

If you stay there, I'd consider getting a suite. It's an additional cost over a regular room, but you get a nicer, bigger room, plus they include a free daily cabana (with a free 20-minute foot massage from one of the massage therapists) in the price. The cabanas were running $90/day, so we thought it was worth the splurge.

We really enjoyed the food--they had 6 different restaurants plus room service, so we never got tired of the food. It's right across the street from La Isla Mall that had several US chain-type restaurants and a few local ones, so if we'd wanted to eat over there we could have.

We felt very safe. We'd pre-arranged through Travelocity for transfer from the airport to the resort and back, and they were first-class all the way. But we didn't venture out to the clubs, so I can't tell you how things were away from the resort or the mall.

I'd say it will definitely be warm enough to swim in the fall. I've been to Cozumel (off the coast from Cancun) in January and it was very warm, so I see no reason why fall would be any different.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Just spent a week there. First, October is their rainy season. You have a high likely hood of some rain most days. Cancun is actually a city, what we think of as Cancun is
the Hotel Zone, a long strip of beach that is very Americanized. Not saying that' s a bad thing, in fact, judging from the places you were asking about, it may be perfect for you. We stayed in the hotel zone but took the public busses into Cancun itself to see what a real Mexican city is like. We did not spend much time in the HZ because truthfully, except for a few places ( and there are some, but you have to do your research), it is mainly shopping malls and chain or chainlike restaurants. Go over to TripAdvisor's forums and check out the Cancun forums. Lots of info there. Make sure your hotel is in the hotel zone, not Cancun itself. Beautiful beaches and very friendly people. Not cheap! ( except outside of hz is cheaper ), and unfortunately you must educate yourself on how SOME vendors and service people will try to "free " you of your money. We had a great time, but did not do the typical all inclusive beach and party scene that the Cancun Hotel Zone is famous for. Oh, it is very tourist friendly. We paid $50 RT for a private transfer to/from airport. Public busses are about $1 and they are as tourist attraction in and of themselves

 

[jmmess]

We actually like to go south of Cancun to the Riviera Maya area. It is beautiful - white sand beaches, gorgeous aqua water, spectacular resorts, and very hard working staff. You can take a taxi or shared van service to the various resorts. The resorts are all inclusive, so other than your room key and some tip money, you don't need much else - ok, maybe some suntan lotion. . There are a variety of resorts in terms of price and you can usually get a package that includes your flight, hotel, and transfers. But definitely definitely recommend!

 

[softballmom3]

We actually like to go south of Cancun to the Riviera Maya area. It is beautiful - white sand beaches, gorgeous aqua water, spectacular resorts, and very hard working staff. You can take a taxi or shared van service to the various resorts. The resorts are all inclusive, so other than your room key and some tip money, you don't need much else - ok, maybe some suntan lotion. . There are a variety of resorts in terms of price and you can usually get a package that includes your flight, hotel, and transfers. But definitely definitely recommend!

We have also went to Cancun and stayed at one of the Palace resorts. At the time they had the tours where you ended up visiting other palace resorts. I second to go a little south to Riviera Maya area. It is VERY beautiful and more laid back.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

My kids loved it. Go to crococan zoo, xcaret, the chocolate restaurant on the strip with chocolate fountains (kids loved that, it was a highlight lol), kissing dolphins, Mayan ruins, beaches, tortuga rescue on isla mujeres, etc... (Sorry about poor capitalization, doing one handed typing).

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Oh, and hubby said he felt safer there than Italy.

 

[shoney]

Our first trip to cancun was in 1997. I'm sure lots has changed since then.

Our impressions of it then...
1. Vegas strip like atmosphere
2. too many chain restaurants (we took the bus to cancun city to eat)
3. liked the bus system
4. beautiful beaches
5. wonderful people
6. very safe


Since 1997, we've been back 5 more times with a 6 planned for the summer. We prefer to stay south of Cancun in the Riviera maya. Puerto Morelos is a little village. The beaches aren't quite as nice but has great snorkeling.

Playa del Carmen is a much bigger "mini-city". It is more commercialized now, but has more "small-town" feel than Cancun. beautiful beaches.
You are still only an hour from the airport.

Unless things have changed, the cancun airport didn't have a traditional taxi stand like most places. Travelers all seem to have prearranged shuttles, vans, or private cars.

We have always felt very safe.

We prefer to stay at an all-inclusive. It is very relaxing, but they also have lots of activities to keep you busy. Of course, you can venture out as much as you want to. If you plan on lots of touring, than AI probably wouldn't be worth it.

We love the area. Our last 2 tropical trips have been to Jamaica and we really miss Mexico!!!

 

[trixkid89]

I went with 3 other girlfriends in Feb 2011. It was one of the best trips I have taken. Do all-inclusive. It is so much less stressful. We stayed at Gran Caribe Real. It was a family oriented resort but there was lots to do (even without kids). They had a show or evening activity every night. Rooms were clean (beds not as good, very hard mattresses). There is a snack bar open all night, 4 resturants to choose from, swim up bar and one of the only resorts we saw to have a lifeguard on duty. It's within walking distance to a mall, and the night clubs. Also, the bus stops right in front. Very helpful and friendly people. We felt very safe there. We also did a day trip to Xel-Ha and Tulum. Xel-Ha is very worth your money and we could have spent the whole day just there snorkeling. Tulum (ancient ruins) is nice, lots of walking. We were told by the travel agent never to stay in a resort less than 4 stars. So keep that in mind. Hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

[crisi]

We also like the Riveria Maya. We rented a private Villa (well, actually borrowed a friend of a friends) in Akulmal - the "beach" in front of the house was coral - you wouldn't swim in the ocean there, but the house had a pool and there was a beach a short walk up the road. For that one we rented a car.

We also did an all inclusive near Playa.

That part of Mexico does have a lot of coral reefs - so if you want beach, you need to find a resort that is more beach than coral.

The resorts are all going to be very safe.