Things to do in Mexico

[BG2015]

We're off to Mexico, Playa Del Carmen on Saturday. We want to do 2-3 excursions and either DIY or use local tour operators (not TUI) we don't want to hire a car.

We're considering Xcaret, a boat/catamaran tour to an island and maybe some ancient ruins - not necessarily Chichen Itza as this trip seems very long unless you hire a car, you're stuck on a coach for hours.

Tulum looks amazing and Isla Mujeres looks good too.

Anyone have recommendations.

This is a great time to go to Mexico because the sargassum won't have hit yet.

Tulum ruins are very nice - but Chichen Itza is more impressive, so it just depends how bothered you are. Coba is fantastic too but I don't think you can climb the main pyramid any more which was the definite highlight there.

We went to Xcaret many years ago and Xel-ha much more recently and loved both - get there as early as possible because they both get busy.

I haven't been to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel only Holbox which is fabulous but much further than you probably want to go!

Have a fabulous holiday, we are huge fans of the Yucatan peninsula.

Oh I would also recommend visiting a cenote or two if you're interested.

These are great thanks.

We're so looking forward to it. We should have gone in April 2020

My top few are
Xel-ha - beautiful natural waterpark.
coba - a smaller version of chitchen Itza, but local, well Tulum.

you can do a day tour with local guides where you will cover a few bits, we did one that was coba, a Mayan village, Tulum and a couple of cenotes. Really personalised. We used Monica Rrivas, she’s on Facebook.

we did Cozumel last time we went, it’s nice for a potter round, we did a snorkelling with turtles too. Found them on tripadvisor.

Coba and Tulum - if you get a private driver/guide you can do both in the same day and there are various cenotes near Coba that lots of the guides do a stop at too

Can personally recommend Tantum Travel Mexico for that type of trip

Also My Quest Concierge were very good for a private trip but cost more

https://tantumtravel.com/excurciones/

https://myquestconcierge.com/cenotes-private-tour/?gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGpItKpxaJiievmE2GObNqwZiYIGvw_MZqgZLmixJKzZRG5J_dKcqThoC17QQAvD_BwE

Both booked in advance but let us pay on the day which was good

Xel-Ha is amazing. Definitely there.

We went on an organised trip to Chichen Itza, it was combined with a cenote swim and a trip to a Victorian style town, whic log had an ornamental park square that was just like being in England, it was so odd (but lovely). Now I’d feel like I’d been dropped on an episode of Bridgerton

We did XCaret, Xel Ha and Xsenses and they were all great. I bloody loved Xsenses as it was so weird, unlike anything I’ve ever done.

Where are you staying?

PdC is brill for a day/evening out, and I’d highly recommend Coco Bongo for a mad night out.

Tulum and Si’an Khan were fascinating and if you can do a tour that includes snorkelling and ceynote swimming, it’s probably the best use of your time.

My thread watch button not working so marking place we go in 3 weeks

We're staying at Riu Tequila.

These are all excellent- thanks so much

We did Isla Mujeres but were staying in Cancun. We got the bus to where you catch the ferry and then hired a golf buggy when we got there. It doesn't take long to go round the island in the buggy but you can stop for lunch and at different beaches, etc.

The Tequila is good; the White Party and the Neon Party are a lot of fun but really busy (because the other Riu’s join in). You can easily walk down to PdC from there, takes about 20 mins.

If you like a massage I can recommend the ladies that work from the small shops down the street from the Tequila, rather than the Spa - half the price and just as good, better even, as one is a qualified physio.

Be aware all the X ones eg Xcaret etc keep wild animals captive

if you want a real experience I’d recommend swimming with turtles in the wild in Akumal, a trip to Sian Kaan biosphere where you see turtles dolphins and crocodiles in their own environment or swimming with whale sharks off Cancun - all are amazing experiences

Akumal, Coba and Tulum as you are down that way.
Chichen Itza it amazing but along drive from you, if you go up that far go to Ek Balam, that is relatively known and half is still under the jungle.
Cenotes are great.
Coco Bongo good fun night out.
We go with the same tour man called Jerry, he is amazing but more expensive but totally worth the 1-1.

FFS spelling etc

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