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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Anyone been to Mexico?

34 replies

frenchfancy · 06/01/2012 09:28

We are going in 4 weeks to the Yucatan. We are travelling round a bit, though not as much as we would like as we have 3 DCs including a five year old.

Any tips?

OP posts:
DialMforMummy · 06/01/2012 21:14

Sorry if I am stating the obvious, pack the following:
-phrase book+dictionary
-mosi nets (if staying in cheap hotels), antimalarial tablets if you are going to an area with malaria

  • money belt for credit cards and large denominations, small purse for change and small notes
-scan passports and email them to self before departure
  • no jewellery or expensive looking watches
  • take dehydration salts i.e. diarolyte for when you get the runs

Mexico is a truly beautiful country with a huge variety of landscapes. We encountered very few problem when we went a few years ago but then again we weren't really on the beaten track.
Don't plan to stay too long in Mexico City, it's not great.
I am jealous.

Hassled · 06/01/2012 21:14

I have never been but am also jealous - would love to go one day.

Original poster
frenchfancy · 07/01/2012 13:47

Not going any where near Mexico city, we are staying on the Yucatan penisular, visiting Chitchen Itza and Uxmal, going into the jungle to see spider monkeys, and the kids are going to swim with dolphins.

It is really a trip in a lifetime for us - the first time we have been on a big holiday with the kids (and DD1 is 12).

Dehydration salts is a good point, I'll put them on my list. I've already tod DH we are leaving his watch and my ring at home.

E-mailing the passports is another good idea.

OP posts:
stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2012 17:18

lots and lots and lots of insect repellent. It is low-risk area for malaria IIRC, but DH came home (from Riviera Maya) with Dengue Fever - fortunately not the nasty (fatal) variant, but 5 months later he is very definitely not completely over it Sad. Basically what got him was diving in Cenotes and emerging (having washed off insect repellent, of course) and having to walk back through jungle to the van where his kit (and insect spray) was, but the DC and I also got bitten quite badly.

stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2012 17:19

I should probably add that none of that would prevent us going again, or recommending it to others Grin

PattiMayor · 09/01/2012 17:27

YY to insect repellant and remember that you can't use sunscreen in the cenotes or many of the rockpools that you can swim in so take t-shirts you don't mind wearing in the sea.

Do not go into the pyramid at Chichen Itza - the air is foetid, it's horribly claustrophobic and the jaguar at the end is not worth it :o It is a steep climb to the top but worth it for fab views. Really worth educating yourself about the Mayan religion before you go, it will make your trip much more enjoyable. Ancient Sun Kings of the Americas is a good, relatively easy to read, book.

I'm also jealous!

canuck43 · 09/01/2012 17:33

Eldest son lives in Mexico, half way down the Gulf, and we have visited often.
This is the best time of year to go as it is not so humid but you will be on the Caribbean coast, sandy beaches, warm seas, have a great time.

stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2012 17:36

beach shoes and surfer-style rash tops (or other high SPF tops) for all, definitely - I got cheap shoes from sportsdirect (£5/pair) and rash tops for the DC in a sale - more expensive than swimming in T-shirts, but they dry almost instantly and it is actually quite hard to get stuff dry, even though it is hot, when the humidity is very high.

PattiMayor · 09/01/2012 17:44

oh yes, rash vests are a good idea. I went years ago, when Tulum was just a couple of shacks on the beach, and rash vests hadn't been invented :o

Original poster
frenchfancy · 09/01/2012 20:22

Sales start here on Wednesday so I'm going to get kitted out with the surfer tops and beach shoes. Thought I'd get us all those travel towels as well (the hotels we are staying in provide towels but we are travelling between hotels.)

For insect repellent is it better to take it with you or buy it there?

Are the cenotes worth swimming in? I had assumed we wouldn't be doing that as we have the DCs with us.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
PattiMayor · 09/01/2012 20:30

Oh yes, they are amazing, as are the shallow sea pools just north of Tulum. Even if you have small children, they are wonderful. You can buy cheap masks and snorkels when you're there. The colours and the fish are absolutely wonderful. It's like swimming in a tropical fish tank :o

DialMforMummy · 09/01/2012 20:57

get the mosi repellent here but you can buy some there. Mosis turn up at sunset till sunrise so it is a good idea to cover up anyway (long sleeves top, long trousers and out the flip flops away for the day). Avoid bright colours too as they attract mosquitoes.
Another bit of advice: protect feet in the jungle as in avoid flip flops as they do not cover your feet enough to protect from various potential bites/stings.
If latched on by a leech, burn it end off for it to let go. Sound cruel but it works. So pack a lighter!

stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2012 21:17

cenotes well worthwhile - DH dived (scuba) in lots, DC (5 & 9) snorkelled in one and they both loved it.

Original poster
frenchfancy · 10/01/2012 08:28

great, thanks. We'll definately go to some cenotes then.

Patti, where exactly are the Sea pools? We are staying in Tulum in the last week, and are planning a trip to Xel-ha.

OP posts:
PattiMayor · 10/01/2012 13:55

Yes - Xel-ha, that's where they are! I couldn't remember what it was called. They were really lovely and well worth a visit.

PattiMayor · 10/01/2012 13:57

Gosh - just looked it up online Shock It was just a bit you could swim around in when I was there - not an eco aquarium :o

stealthsquiggle · 10/01/2012 13:58

Xel-Ha is a full on theme park experience nowadays, I think (we were staying in Tulum but decided against it in the end as the DC were just as happy snorkelling off the beach and it would have cost $$$ for the 4 of us).

claracluck71 · 10/01/2012 14:09

I love Mexico, and have been lucky enough to have been a few times to different areas. I don't know where you are flying in to, but if you are going to Mexico City first the security at the airport can be a bit daunting, or it was about 10 years ago when I last went. They operate a random push button push to see if they will check your bags - I had mine checked (unpacked and gone through) three times just entering the country once!

If you are getting a taxi from the airport to your hotel make sure you get a price from the driver before you agree to go. (This was Cancun)

If going snorkling at Xel-ha (or anywhere really) make sure the children, especially, wear t-shirts otherwise you'll end end with scarlet backs, and it may be obvious, but don't forget sun cream on the tops of your feet!

Have a fantastic time!

PattiMayor · 10/01/2012 14:11

The jaguar inside the pyramid at Chichen Itza is probably air-conditioned by now :o

muminmexico · 10/01/2012 22:44

Not much more I can add to this as people have already said the main things re. sunblock and mozzie repellant...but you will have a wonderful time, Yucatan is beautiful! And you've picked probably the best time of year to go.

Definitely ask around about the cenotes as there are all different kinds - underground, with caves, really deep for diving, ones with shallow parts for snorkelling etc, there are some lovely ones near Valladolid which is close to Chichen Itza. Also on the road from Cancun to Tulum you pass a lot of them, they usually have photos outside so you can decide if you like the look of it before you go in.

The pyramids at Tulum are spectacularly situated and if you take swimming things you can swim at the beach just below the pyramids. Chichen Itza is huge and takes a long time to see it all, it's worth getting there early before all the tours from Cancun arrive about midday.

Get Mexican pesos if possible, you can pay for many things in USD but the exchange rate is usually terrible. Also with taxis agree a price before you get in (unless it has a working taximeter).
I will let you know if I think of more! :)

Original poster
frenchfancy · 11/01/2012 06:36

Thanks everyone.

I know xel-ha is expensive, but we have planned it into the cost of the holiday.

We are flying into Cancun, then we have booked a transfer to the first hotel, and the hire car is being delivered to us there - I didn't fancy the drive from the airport in the dark and we won't need the car for the first day anyway.

So glad to hear it is a good time of year to go, that is the only time we can go due to our jobs. DCs get 2 weeks off in February, but they are still missing a few days of school (shh don't tell)

OP posts:
philmassive · 11/01/2012 06:42

Truly not wanting to put the dampeners on what will be a fantastic trip but please be careful. I came back from chichen itza (sp?) with dengue fever and was truly the most I'll I have ever been.

Read up on it so you recognise the signs and make sure you keep as covered as you can. The dengue fever mossies are daytime, inland biters, and despite what the guidebooks say, Mexico is very definitely affected.

Saying that, it wouldn't stop me from going back. It was a fantastic place. Smile

philmassive · 11/01/2012 06:43

Not most I'll, most ill. Bloody phone. Blush

stealthsquiggle · 11/01/2012 07:49

philmassive - how long did it take you to get over Dengue (DH is on 5 months and counting Sad)?

suburbophobe · 11/01/2012 11:51

We were in Chichen Itza a few years ago and it was forbidden to climb the pyramid.

Another great place is Coba. (You can climb the pyramid there). Vast area that's only been excavated 5%. You can get rickshaw rides or rent bikes there.

I loved Mexico, you'll have a great time. And the food is to die for!!

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