Cancun

[tris-]

last time i was informed by text im now £900 down and flying to cancun in september. i dont know anything about this place except there is a bit of mayan history and nice beaches.
have any of you been before? i would like to know what to see and what to miss, is it pricey, what are the people like and the overall impression of the place.
ive tried looking for websites but most of them are those stupid advertising sites that give links to more links.

 

[GDW]

Its full of cannibals, be carefull!!!

 

[Tom]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1556509081/103-2107306-2521401?v=glance

 

[Cyradix]

Cancun is filled with US tourists....
Not many Mayan ruins nearby really. You will need to travel several hours to visit a site.
Cancun is all about the beach. You can go to Contoy island to scuba dive. a(amazing coral riff) or visit the island itself. It's a wildlife reservation (thousand of exotic birds)

I did a tour of Mexico. Mexico City > Oaxaca > San Cristóbal de las Casas > Palenque > Mérida > Cancun

It's well worth it. One of the most beautiful countries in the world!!

 

[DaGaffer]

Get your arse out of Cancun if you can and go down the coast to Playa Del Carmen ('bout 40 minutes drive), its much nicer. From there you can go to Cozumel (island off the coast) which is really beautiful. There are Mayan ruins nearby but the big ones at Tulum are a long way away.

 

[inactionman]

Great place, went there in September last year.

Which hotel are you going to, and is it fully inclusive, as everyone got montezuma's revenge from the food in the hotel I was in.

Went to sizzle in the sun and for the nightlife to be honest! The restaurant's are great (I can give some recommendations) and cheap, the nightlife was pretty good ($30 to get in a club with open bar), just everywhere plays exactly the same music (american r+b, + house) and I got sick of it after a week, tried looking for a metal/industrial place (i.e. goth bar) which unfortuately didn't exist! Most hotels have a sort of social club, organising trips to the main bars/clubs.

One thing to remember is that virtually everyone wants a tip! Oh yes, and americans seem to love the accent, so the advertising is correct!

Just don't expect to get in and out of the airport in a hurry, as I learnt a new oxymoron when I was out there, 'mexican efficiency'!

 

[tris-]

im going to the tucancun hotel (just found out today). full inc, with 3 buffets and all alcholic drinks between 9am and 2am. its right at the beash. im not one for sitting on beaches all day so im hoping there is trips here and there and seom visits to the wildlife bits would pretty good.
i dont wanna fly 10-12 hours just to visit the beach . inactionman, did you do any trips anywhere? is there one place i should really REALLY go to?

 

[inactionman]

I've heard about the hotel you're going to, it's quite a good one.

Ok, tips I'd give:

* Don't buy any excursions from the rep, they rip you off (as ever), you'll find much better deals elsewhere, just avoid the timeshare touts
* The dolphin swim is good, but not the one at wet & wild (which it isn't, avoid it), the one on the island nearby is much better
* Xel'ha (sp?) is a goodplace to visit for the day (see the history/architecture, and it's a waterpark)
* Catch the buses everywhere, they are dirt cheap, frequent, and cost next to nothing
* The jungle tours are fun, bombing around in a boat makes you feel a bit like james bond!
* Avoid the old-town, many people got mugged/attacked there

How many of you going? As I went on my own, met up with a bunch of people, and had a great laff!

You need to bear in mind that it's a party town first and foremost, so if you're looking for culture...

 

[DaGaffer]

Just remembered, If you want to see temples and stuff, not too far away is Coba, which is great because its a mini-ruined city all buried in the jungle so it makes you feel like you're really exploring. We hired a jeep and went out to see it. Great fun.