Stuff to do in Mexico

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bazza white

3,551 posts

127 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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One is think twice about is Sian ka'an, if you do it go by boat. We did a jeep trip thinking it would be half hour in a jeep then a day in the area. It took 5 hours on the worst pot hole road I've ever been on in unreliable jeeps. Once you get there you so fed up it takes the edge off the amazing place. We thought there must be a short cut on the way back as it was dark. Nope 5 hours to get back in the pitch black!. The road may have been done but if you do it go by boat. The dolphins and turtles in the wild was amazing as was the reef and lagoon but the track just ruined it and my brother with severe hangover didn't help.

StevieBee

12,795 posts

254 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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One thing to add is the cost of the excursions can be a bit on the pricey side and most of the reputable operators exist under what I assume is some sort of legalised cartel so shopping around saves little. The Travel Reps get commission on excursion ticket sales so your welcome meeting will be 10% hotel related stuff and return flight info - 90% hard sell!

When we were there last year, we looked at the Whale Shark trip and that was £220 each so for four of us, the day would have cost a grand.

You can hire a car and do it yourself but to be honest, even this saves little and many of the places you go benefit from a guide.

Still worth doing but don't go expecting it to be like a 50 quid trip to a Malaga water park!

rallycross

12,747 posts

236 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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Chichen itza, Tulum, Cozumel.
Last time I was there you could still rent an old school Beetle was funny for a couple of days bouncing around in a new old beetle.

Philplop

341 posts

173 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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We went in November. Travelled about and had no issues. As said, the people were very friendly.

One option is to stay at Chichen Itza. There are a couple of hotels right next to it. Can get the afternoon bus from Cancun/Playa/Tulum, etc, have a night in the hotel and walk to the Chichen Itza gates for the 8am opening time (remember that it is in a different time zone though, so don't get to the gates an hour before they open...). We were first in and got photos of Chichen Itza with nobody about. Saw the full lot in a couple of hours and left as the big tour groups were arriving and the touts were still setting up their stalls. Back to the hotel for a swim and then can get the afternoon bus back.

Tulum was nice. Although the grand cenote there wasn't up to much.
Isla Mujares was nice.
Didn't see the attraction of Cozumel.

Pvapour

8,981 posts

252 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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We took the back route to Chichen Itza, long day trip as has been said but the still lived in ancient villages from a bygon era are incredible to see, homes without walls i kid you not, just poles supporting roofs made from vegitation but a Satelitte dish strapped to a tree somewhere! Some of the houses are still built from mud, its like time travel, we found this even more intereesting than the temples tbh

These are the original Myan decendants of Mexico and its incredible to see, very very different to Mexicans, theyre tiny, its like travelling through an ancient civilisation, pigs running around with kids chasing them, they look at ou like you're some kind of alien, which to be fair to them we must look like as they'e so so different to any other human ive seen before, a lasting memory for sure, especialy on our return through at twighlight..

Jack Mansfield

3,256 posts

89 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Me and the Mrs are heading out to Cancun in August with some friends, and one of the main things (among many) I want to do, is swim with the Whale Sharks! Our friends went last year and done it and said it was incredible, so its number one on my list...

Wildfire

Original Poster:

9,774 posts

251 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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Thanks to all who have replied. Definitly lots to do! If anyone has recommendations for operators for the tours, these are most certainly welcome.

Lots of food for thought.

StevieBee

12,795 posts

254 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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Wildfire said:
Thanks to all who have replied. Definitly lots to do! If anyone has recommendations for operators for the tours, these are most certainly welcome.

Lots of food for thought.
Most of the apparent operators are simply re-sellers or brand fronts for the same actual operator.

The best advice is to book via your Tour Operator or direct with the sales desks that are at all the major hotels. These are tightly regulated and monitored and you have recourse to the hotel / tour operator if something goes wrong (which is unlikely)

Avoid the many in-street sellers of excursions.


jonamv8

3,145 posts

165 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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PDC - amazing

My go to place to relax.

Lovely people.

I really hope it doesnt go bad but what you read about the cartels seems a million miles from PDC