Cancun, Mexico
Cancun, Mexico
I'm off to a 5 star for two weeks all inclusive just outside Cancun. A package holiday isn't what I normally go for but I just need to read, rest and sleep so this will do!
But I booked it trying to avoid spring break (I'm going 16th May) I thought Spring Break was EAster but I just read its May. Anyone know, a hotel of screaming, partying American college kids is not my idea of fun. aghhh!!!
Answers:
I have googled it and can only find reference of Spring Break in March :fingers:
It is not a good idea to go when it is Spring break as we were told when we were there that the place is overrun with students and they cram as many as they can in each room - with lots sleeping on the floor as well :eek:
Answers:
I think it may be different in Canada or something since when we went in May there were swarms of them.
To be honest if you're staying in a 5* you should be fine. We were in a 3* hence why there were so many.
They are ok to be honest, there are a few nooks in Cancun you can hideaway in.
If no one has told you already you have to go to Xel-Ha, it is the best place!!!
Answers:
I'm staying in the Gran Costa Real in Hotel Zone across from Isla Mujeres. If anyone has any recommendations of where to go, see - bring 'em on!!!
Answers:
Since you are at the top of the Hotel Zone is should be nice a quiet but still within reach of everything. The buses down the strip are regular and cheap.
Places to visit
Garrafon - www.garrafon.com is an ecological park. The port is actually very near to your hotel.
Isla Mujeres is well worth a day trip. You can rent a golf cart to go around the island and there are loads of shops to pick up postcards and your I love mexico t-shirts.
Xel-Ha - www.xel-ha.com is another ecological park but if you only go to one, go to this one. There are so many places to explore and its expecially good if you like snorkelling.
There are also a number of Mayan Ruins. The main ones are Tulum - http://www.differentworld.com/mexico...ulum/tulum.htm and Chichen Itza - http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_...hen_index.html
Again, if you can only go to one, I would say Tulum is best. It is a long coach ride in land to Chichen Itza but Tulum is closer and on the beach.
Shopping!!
The best mall is La Isla - http://www.laislacancun.com.mx/laislacancun/ which has loads of shops and restaurants. Close second is Kulkucan Plaza - http://www.kukulcanplaza.com/
Another great one is Foroum by the Sea - http://www.forumbythesea.com.mx/forumbythesea/ When we went to Cancun the second time, we stayed in a hotel on the lagoon side so we used the beach here. It is beautiful! There are also other malls like Flamingo Plaza and Plaza Caracol on the strip. There is a good mall downtown called Plaza las Americas which is where the mexicans shop.
Eating
Ok. This is something I love to do while on holiday and in Cancun there is a lot of choice. It is mostly American food as there is a big US influence but there are some gems. There are two expensive restaurants in Cancun, first is The Plantation House - http://www.cancuncare.com/restaurant...on%20house.htm This restaurant is gorgeous. The service is excellent and the food is brilliant. Go there at sunset! The next one is Lorenzillos - http://www.cancuncare.com/restaurants/lorenzillos.htm again this is a fantastic restaurant. At both restaurants you can pick your own live lobster (is you are into that sort of thing). Lorenzillos is more fish than anything else but Plantation House does other things.
Other places we ate and liked are Houlihans - http://www.bookit.com/travel_guide-m...rants-Houlihan's-899.html which is an American chain restaurants but excellent food. Another is Pat O'Briens - http://www.patobriens.com/cancun.html which I think is another chain but is fun to go to.
For a more lively night with restaurant and bar areas are Senor Frogs, Carlos and Charlies and Dady O's. Hard Rock is always a good restaurant.
There are also lots of Chinese, Italian and Indian restaurants dotted around the strip.
Drinking
Our main drinking holes were Dady O's, Coco Bongo's, La Boom, The City - there are loads but they aren't cheap. Hotel bars are usually good, especially in the 5 star hotels.
Hope this is enough info. Let me know if you need anymore rec's. I really like Cancun.
I'm off to a 5 star for two weeks all inclusive just outside Cancun. A package holiday isn't what I normally go for but I just need to read, rest and sleep so this will do!
But I booked it trying to avoid spring break (I'm going 16th May) I thought Spring Break was EAster but I just read its May. Anyone know, a hotel of screaming, partying American college kids is not my idea of fun. aghhh!!!
Answers:
I have googled it and can only find reference of Spring Break in March :fingers:
It is not a good idea to go when it is Spring break as we were told when we were there that the place is overrun with students and they cram as many as they can in each room - with lots sleeping on the floor as well :eek:
Answers:
I think it may be different in Canada or something since when we went in May there were swarms of them.
To be honest if you're staying in a 5* you should be fine. We were in a 3* hence why there were so many.
They are ok to be honest, there are a few nooks in Cancun you can hideaway in.
If no one has told you already you have to go to Xel-Ha, it is the best place!!!
Answers:
I'm staying in the Gran Costa Real in Hotel Zone across from Isla Mujeres. If anyone has any recommendations of where to go, see - bring 'em on!!!
Answers:
Since you are at the top of the Hotel Zone is should be nice a quiet but still within reach of everything. The buses down the strip are regular and cheap.
Places to visit
Garrafon - www.garrafon.com is an ecological park. The port is actually very near to your hotel.
Isla Mujeres is well worth a day trip. You can rent a golf cart to go around the island and there are loads of shops to pick up postcards and your I love mexico t-shirts.
Xel-Ha - www.xel-ha.com is another ecological park but if you only go to one, go to this one. There are so many places to explore and its expecially good if you like snorkelling.
There are also a number of Mayan Ruins. The main ones are Tulum - http://www.differentworld.com/mexico...ulum/tulum.htm and Chichen Itza - http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_...hen_index.html
Again, if you can only go to one, I would say Tulum is best. It is a long coach ride in land to Chichen Itza but Tulum is closer and on the beach.
Shopping!!
The best mall is La Isla - http://www.laislacancun.com.mx/laislacancun/ which has loads of shops and restaurants. Close second is Kulkucan Plaza - http://www.kukulcanplaza.com/
Another great one is Foroum by the Sea - http://www.forumbythesea.com.mx/forumbythesea/ When we went to Cancun the second time, we stayed in a hotel on the lagoon side so we used the beach here. It is beautiful! There are also other malls like Flamingo Plaza and Plaza Caracol on the strip. There is a good mall downtown called Plaza las Americas which is where the mexicans shop.
Eating
Ok. This is something I love to do while on holiday and in Cancun there is a lot of choice. It is mostly American food as there is a big US influence but there are some gems. There are two expensive restaurants in Cancun, first is The Plantation House - http://www.cancuncare.com/restaurant...on%20house.htm This restaurant is gorgeous. The service is excellent and the food is brilliant. Go there at sunset! The next one is Lorenzillos - http://www.cancuncare.com/restaurants/lorenzillos.htm again this is a fantastic restaurant. At both restaurants you can pick your own live lobster (is you are into that sort of thing). Lorenzillos is more fish than anything else but Plantation House does other things.
Other places we ate and liked are Houlihans - http://www.bookit.com/travel_guide-m...rants-Houlihan's-899.html which is an American chain restaurants but excellent food. Another is Pat O'Briens - http://www.patobriens.com/cancun.html which I think is another chain but is fun to go to.
For a more lively night with restaurant and bar areas are Senor Frogs, Carlos and Charlies and Dady O's. Hard Rock is always a good restaurant.
There are also lots of Chinese, Italian and Indian restaurants dotted around the strip.
Drinking
Our main drinking holes were Dady O's, Coco Bongo's, La Boom, The City - there are loads but they aren't cheap. Hotel bars are usually good, especially in the 5 star hotels.
Hope this is enough info. Let me know if you need anymore rec's. I really like Cancun.