Anyone ever been to Mexico?

[thirtysomething]

We are thinking of going to Mexico next winter but I know very little about it. From what i've seen the Yucatan peninsula looks like a good area to visit. Does anyone know how easy it is to visit Mexico with kids? Will they like the food? (they will be 10 and 12) Are there lots of jabs you need? Is it dangerous? expensive?

TIA!

i went years ago, briefly visited cancun, whic tbh is not much different to florida/ibiza. there is loads of non mexican food if thats what they want
it was very cheap when i went but that could have changed, i felt safe but the flight is long!

I prefer Cabo. The Yucatan is way too touristy. Mexico can be dangerous but if you stay in the tourist areas you will be just fine. Only drink bottled water when you are there. If they don't like the food a good hotel will have more American type food. I have always really enjoyed Mexico I'm sure your family will to.

Are you thinking about travelling independently or getting a package?

Yucatan is easy to get around using the buses and lots to see and do - heavenly beaches too. Avoid Cancun - tourist hell

Thanks everyone for the info - lots of useful stuff. Glad to hear it's not exclusively mexican food - we like it but not at every meal!

We'd be booking it all ourselves - flights to Cancun presumably then probably hiring a car. We'd hire a villa as we like to be able to spread our stuff out and do some self-catering etc.

Whereabouts is Cabo Paulaplumpbottom? Which airport would we fly to?

Its on the end of the Baja peninsula. We drove but I think they have their own international airport

Have a look at some of the posts on the 'I am in the lovely situation..' thread in Longhaul.

(Just booked again today for next Xmas/New year)

cheers springlamb will definitely look at that hotel you stayed at - sounds like paradise!

We went to Mexico in November. We didn't take our children, but if we did we might consider the same hotel, despite not usually going to the same place twice.

We stayed at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya. (in Riviera Maya, obviously ) They had interconnecting rooms which would have been good for older kids I suppose. Good choice of food, lots of restaurants to try and included, several choices for breakfast or lunch, including a beach BBQ they set up every day on the beach. Pretty much 24hr food/drink. Lots for kids/teenagers to do, good snorkelling from the beach and lots of good trips nearby. You can get the 'collectivo' (local bus) all over and explore.

We are quite well travelled, but this was our first time to Mexico. We found the hotel a good standard and the area good. I did find it expensive once there compared to the rest of the Carribean though, entry fees to places, excursions etc.

Please educate yourself before choosing Mexico as a vacation destination. Mexico is not safe period! A shocking 32% of all non-natural deaths of U.S. citizens outside this country occur in Mexico. Many of these deaths are a direct result of poor or nonexistent safety standards both inside and outside of the resorts. To read tragic Mexico vacation DEATH stories, many written by heartbroken family members as well as stories written by victims that "survived" their Mexico vacation go to:
WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM

www.mexicovacationawareness.com

I can highly reccomend Tulum on the Yucantan, its about 2 hrs from Cancun and cld not be more different. Very laid back vibe, some nice mayan sites to visit, excellent caribbean beaches (beware it is windy though). Food excellent and quite international. The best food was Mexican though (nothing like the old el paso rubbish you get here) and I would encourage your kids to eat the local food (that is part of the magic of travelling!)

I second Tulum- Cancun is basically a colony of the US, not really my cup of tea.

Please don't scaremonger Besafe
Just use common sense and I am sure you will be fine. Thousands of people travel there every year and are fine

Did you decide to book?

I went in April and had a great time, I along with others would recommend the Rivera Maya area rather than Cancun as I felt ot was to touristy and very loud!

On the suject of the American deaths: No offence meant but has that figure got something to do with the amount of under 21's that go out there on the piss on spring break ect and act like loonies drinking dangerous amounts?

Yucatan is fabulous with lots to see - ruins (Tulum, Uxmal), haciendas, colonial towns, plus round it off on the beach on th Riviera Maya.
I went to Cabo for my honeymoon and it is great to bask in the sun at upscale resorts (although the best ones don't take kids!) but found the sightseeing somewhat lacking.
Didn't find it dangerous but then we had a local guide who drove us around the sites and between hotels. It was great.

We went to the Riveria Maya 5 years ago and although it was very nice, I'm not sure we'd go again. Mexico is to the Americans as the Costa del sol is to us brits. Lots of very loud undesireables if you get my drift.

I lived in Mexico for 3 years and thenlast year went back with my chilren aged 3 and 7 at the time. We went or 6 weeks and travelled about alot. Mexico can be dangerous, especially Mexico City or any of the US border towns, but we had no problems. Sorry haven't got time to write more at the momentbut it is a fab country, the food is great and definitely worth visiting.