Cancun in August
Discussion
Hi all...
Looking for a week away middle of August. One of the options that came up is Cancun, Mexico. There will be two of us, both around 40 so really looking for places without kids, or at least not full of kids.
So far been looking at the Royal Palace and the Riu Cancun. I'm not normally a fan of all inclusive, but pretty happy to go with it for simplicities sake.
Any thoughts on these hotels and the locations ?
Also, recommendations of local tour operators for a couple of days out while there ??
If anyone has a better idea then please ... I'm all ears
Arf
Looking for a week away middle of August. One of the options that came up is Cancun, Mexico. There will be two of us, both around 40 so really looking for places without kids, or at least not full of kids.
So far been looking at the Royal Palace and the Riu Cancun. I'm not normally a fan of all inclusive, but pretty happy to go with it for simplicities sake.
Any thoughts on these hotels and the locations ?
Also, recommendations of local tour operators for a couple of days out while there ??
If anyone has a better idea then please ... I'm all ears
Arf
Cancun is great.
Two things to bear in mind for August are the heat and humidity combo is pretty hard going (I'm used to mega heat and 100% humidity and it's still a little bothersome at it's worst), and the fact you're smack bang in the middle of hurricane season.
Things to see and do - the Canotes are essential - wonderful caves with underground rivers, you can swim / snorkel in them. Chichen Itza is worth a look, lots of people trying to get cash out of you but it's no worse than any other place of it's ilk.
Two things to bear in mind for August are the heat and humidity combo is pretty hard going (I'm used to mega heat and 100% humidity and it's still a little bothersome at it's worst), and the fact you're smack bang in the middle of hurricane season.
Things to see and do - the Canotes are essential - wonderful caves with underground rivers, you can swim / snorkel in them. Chichen Itza is worth a look, lots of people trying to get cash out of you but it's no worse than any other place of it's ilk.
Stu R said:
Cancun is great.
Two things to bear in mind for August are the heat and humidity combo is pretty hard going (I'm used to mega heat and 100% humidity and it's still a little bothersome at it's worst), and the fact you're smack bang in the middle of hurricane season.
Things to see and do - the Canotes are essential - wonderful caves with underground rivers, you can swim / snorkel in them. Chichen Itza is worth a look, lots of people trying to get cash out of you but it's no worse than any other place of it's ilk.
Thanks for that .. where di you stay ?Two things to bear in mind for August are the heat and humidity combo is pretty hard going (I'm used to mega heat and 100% humidity and it's still a little bothersome at it's worst), and the fact you're smack bang in the middle of hurricane season.
Things to see and do - the Canotes are essential - wonderful caves with underground rivers, you can swim / snorkel in them. Chichen Itza is worth a look, lots of people trying to get cash out of you but it's no worse than any other place of it's ilk.
I went to Playacar (Just south of Cancun) at the end of July 2008, it was very very hot but not unbearable, We stayed at the Riu Tequila and as my first A.I. it was simply brilliant, It was just obscene at the amount of food and drink on offer.
A typical day went like this.
Breakfast between 8-11pm (or thereabouts) where you went in the main hall and could choose from a nice healthy cereal (as if) or a big feck off fry up, help yourself and then get some more, there was loads to suit all nationalities.
Lunch was taken at a seperate restaurant which was right next to the pool and again it was loaded up with everything you could shake a stick at, you could help yourself to unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine or do what i did and sat at the pool bar drinking beer and some very nice cocktails i might add.
Dinner was taken in the main hall again where again was a variety of different foods and cuisines, Obviously plenty of Mexican dishes which suited me down to the ground. You was served at your table an initial drink whether that be wine, beer or a soft drink, after that you had to go up and help yourself.
After dinner we'd go out to the outside theatre and see a show that they had put on, tbh most of these were a bit crap but a laugh none the less again there was a bar with staff that served you unlimited drinks, This tended to wind down about midnight where most would stagger off to the disco which was pretty small but had a nice bar and a dancefloor that was packed with loads of drunken Americans, some whom were under the legal drinking age of 21 in the states but as no such age limit applies to Mexico were making the most of their break.
The disco closed around 3am and if you was thirsting for more right next door to the disco was a sportsbar full of arcade games, pool tables etc. This was open for 24 hours so you could drink when you wanted.
As for food, Even if after all this you had the beer munchies, they had prepacked burgers, pizza's etc. stacked in glass fridges that you could microwave and take with you.
The fridge in the room also was stacked with softdrinks and booze, The spirits were in a cabinet in the bathroom and consisted of 4 different types, Any of these could be changed at your request.
Bit of a tip here, they fill the fridges back up every 3 or so days, if you tip a couple of bucks to the maid they will be filled every day if needed.
I didn't go too daft because i was with the better half but if i had gone with my mates say i know it would have been a dangerous concoction.
Go on a diet before you go because i guarentee you will put weight on.
You'll love it.
A typical day went like this.
Breakfast between 8-11pm (or thereabouts) where you went in the main hall and could choose from a nice healthy cereal (as if) or a big feck off fry up, help yourself and then get some more, there was loads to suit all nationalities.
Lunch was taken at a seperate restaurant which was right next to the pool and again it was loaded up with everything you could shake a stick at, you could help yourself to unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine or do what i did and sat at the pool bar drinking beer and some very nice cocktails i might add.
Dinner was taken in the main hall again where again was a variety of different foods and cuisines, Obviously plenty of Mexican dishes which suited me down to the ground. You was served at your table an initial drink whether that be wine, beer or a soft drink, after that you had to go up and help yourself.
After dinner we'd go out to the outside theatre and see a show that they had put on, tbh most of these were a bit crap but a laugh none the less again there was a bar with staff that served you unlimited drinks, This tended to wind down about midnight where most would stagger off to the disco which was pretty small but had a nice bar and a dancefloor that was packed with loads of drunken Americans, some whom were under the legal drinking age of 21 in the states but as no such age limit applies to Mexico were making the most of their break.
The disco closed around 3am and if you was thirsting for more right next door to the disco was a sportsbar full of arcade games, pool tables etc. This was open for 24 hours so you could drink when you wanted.
As for food, Even if after all this you had the beer munchies, they had prepacked burgers, pizza's etc. stacked in glass fridges that you could microwave and take with you.
The fridge in the room also was stacked with softdrinks and booze, The spirits were in a cabinet in the bathroom and consisted of 4 different types, Any of these could be changed at your request.
Bit of a tip here, they fill the fridges back up every 3 or so days, if you tip a couple of bucks to the maid they will be filled every day if needed.
I didn't go too daft because i was with the better half but if i had gone with my mates say i know it would have been a dangerous concoction.
Go on a diet before you go because i guarentee you will put weight on.
You'll love it.
CHIEF said:
I went to Playacar (Just south of Cancun) at the end of July 2008, it was very very hot but not unbearable, We stayed at the Riu Tequila and as my first A.I. it was simply brilliant, It was just obscene at the amount of food and drink on offer.
A typical day went like this.
Breakfast between 8-11pm (or thereabouts) where you went in the main hall and could choose from a nice healthy cereal (as if) or a big feck off fry up, help yourself and then get some more, there was loads to suit all nationalities.
Lunch was taken at a seperate restaurant which was right next to the pool and again it was loaded up with everything you could shake a stick at, you could help yourself to unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine or do what i did and sat at the pool bar drinking beer and some very nice cocktails i might add.
Dinner was taken in the main hall again where again was a variety of different foods and cuisines, Obviously plenty of Mexican dishes which suited me down to the ground. You was served at your table an initial drink whether that be wine, beer or a soft drink, after that you had to go up and help yourself.
After dinner we'd go out to the outside theatre and see a show that they had put on, tbh most of these were a bit crap but a laugh none the less again there was a bar with staff that served you unlimited drinks, This tended to wind down about midnight where most would stagger off to the disco which was pretty small but had a nice bar and a dancefloor that was packed with loads of drunken Americans, some whom were under the legal drinking age of 21 in the states but as no such age limit applies to Mexico were making the most of their break.
The disco closed around 3am and if you was thirsting for more right next door to the disco was a sportsbar full of arcade games, pool tables etc. This was open for 24 hours so you could drink when you wanted.
As for food, Even if after all this you had the beer munchies, they had prepacked burgers, pizza's etc. stacked in glass fridges that you could microwave and take with you.
The fridge in the room also was stacked with softdrinks and booze, The spirits were in a cabinet in the bathroom and consisted of 4 different types, Any of these could be changed at your request.
Bit of a tip here, they fill the fridges back up every 3 or so days, if you tip a couple of bucks to the maid they will be filled every day if needed.
I didn't go too daft because i was with the better half but if i had gone with my mates say i know it would have been a dangerous concoction.
Go on a diet before you go because i guarentee you will put weight on.
You'll love it.
Jeez .... I'll take bigger pants with me A typical day went like this.
Breakfast between 8-11pm (or thereabouts) where you went in the main hall and could choose from a nice healthy cereal (as if) or a big feck off fry up, help yourself and then get some more, there was loads to suit all nationalities.
Lunch was taken at a seperate restaurant which was right next to the pool and again it was loaded up with everything you could shake a stick at, you could help yourself to unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine or do what i did and sat at the pool bar drinking beer and some very nice cocktails i might add.
Dinner was taken in the main hall again where again was a variety of different foods and cuisines, Obviously plenty of Mexican dishes which suited me down to the ground. You was served at your table an initial drink whether that be wine, beer or a soft drink, after that you had to go up and help yourself.
After dinner we'd go out to the outside theatre and see a show that they had put on, tbh most of these were a bit crap but a laugh none the less again there was a bar with staff that served you unlimited drinks, This tended to wind down about midnight where most would stagger off to the disco which was pretty small but had a nice bar and a dancefloor that was packed with loads of drunken Americans, some whom were under the legal drinking age of 21 in the states but as no such age limit applies to Mexico were making the most of their break.
The disco closed around 3am and if you was thirsting for more right next door to the disco was a sportsbar full of arcade games, pool tables etc. This was open for 24 hours so you could drink when you wanted.
As for food, Even if after all this you had the beer munchies, they had prepacked burgers, pizza's etc. stacked in glass fridges that you could microwave and take with you.
The fridge in the room also was stacked with softdrinks and booze, The spirits were in a cabinet in the bathroom and consisted of 4 different types, Any of these could be changed at your request.
Bit of a tip here, they fill the fridges back up every 3 or so days, if you tip a couple of bucks to the maid they will be filled every day if needed.
I didn't go too daft because i was with the better half but if i had gone with my mates say i know it would have been a dangerous concoction.
Go on a diet before you go because i guarentee you will put weight on.
You'll love it.
I'll look at that place later, cheers !!
another option could be Egypt, shorter flight.
I am going here on friday for a week, adults only hotel, no kids.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297549-...
booked with first choice.
I am going here on friday for a week, adults only hotel, no kids.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297549-...
booked with first choice.
it will be very hot, it will rain (a lot) and be very humid when it isn't raining, oh and there is a chance of getting caught in a hurricane.
All in all not the best time of year for the Yucatan.
However it will be empty compared to the peak winter/spring season and way cheaper so there is an upside. Some of the resorts tend to shut down a little in the summer but nowhere near as much as previously.
All in all not the best time of year for the Yucatan.
However it will be empty compared to the peak winter/spring season and way cheaper so there is an upside. Some of the resorts tend to shut down a little in the summer but nowhere near as much as previously.
im said:
If you don't do Tulum beach when you are there (not the beach by the ruins) then you've missed one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Here's a taster:
Definitely, do this. It's called Paradise beach and is a leisurely 30 minute walk from the ruins at Tulum.If you like scuba diving a trip to Cozumel Island is excellent. There are loads of quality reefs there. Sadly its where Kirsty MacColl died.
Cozumel is a 45 minute ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen.
Akumal beach is also really nice. There are sea turtles grazing about 100-200m off ashore. The locals will take you on a boat to them for $20.
We just swam out ourselves with snorkels, but this isn't recommended if you're not confident enough.
It's a stunning part of the world with tonnes of stuff to do.
Jump in a "collectivo" and explore!
LightningMcSteve said:
Definitely, do this. It's called Paradise beach and is a leisurely 30 minute walk from the ruins at Tulum.
If you like scuba diving a trip to Cozumel Island is excellent. There are loads of quality reefs there. Sadly its where Kirsty MacColl died.
Cozumel is a 45 minute ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen.
Akumal beach is also really nice. There are sea turtles grazing about 100-200m off ashore. The locals will take you on a boat to them for $20.
We just swam out ourselves with snorkels, but this isn't recommended if you're not confident enough.
It's a stunning part of the world with tonnes of stuff to do.
Jump in a "collectivo" and explore!
Cheers for this !If you like scuba diving a trip to Cozumel Island is excellent. There are loads of quality reefs there. Sadly its where Kirsty MacColl died.
Cozumel is a 45 minute ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen.
Akumal beach is also really nice. There are sea turtles grazing about 100-200m off ashore. The locals will take you on a boat to them for $20.
We just swam out ourselves with snorkels, but this isn't recommended if you're not confident enough.
It's a stunning part of the world with tonnes of stuff to do.
Jump in a "collectivo" and explore!
I'm looking at excursions as well now ... there seem to be a few recs on tripadvisor et al. Any PH recs ???
Probably looking for a good Mayan tour for a day and possibly something that combines some "zing" with some chill (heading down the dolphin route at the moment) ... Any thoughts on that ??
Cheers
Arf
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This was awesome. Was a bit concerned that Mexican animal welfare might lead to it being 'Disney with Dolphins' but it wasn't and the staff had a real feel for the dolphins who seemed to enjoy th eplay.At least the grins on thir faces implied that.
Assuming you're referring to the place at the north end of the Cancun Strip?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Agreed - we saw people living in what were effectively 6ft square sheds and with the door open you could see that all their worldly goods were actually hanging up outside to dry as there was almost nothing inside the 'shed'.As for toilet facilities...well...they clearly just stroll off into the forest behind the shed to do thier business.
It was actually quite an upsetting experience passing by in our air-conditioned coach eating cakes and drinking beer with an on-board loo.
So sad.
I'm off to Playa Del Carmen in 3 1/2 weeks and can't wait! We're staying at the Ocean Maya Royale, which is right next to the Dolphinarium. We swam with Dolphins in Jamaica, so may not do it again. I think a day at Xcaret or the other one mentioned is on the cards.
I'll send you some info when I get back if you like Arfur.
I'll send you some info when I get back if you like Arfur.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff