Cancun
- Thread starter Bay_Kat
- Start date
If you are looking for a low key vacation, head about an hour south of Cancun to Riviera Maya district. We've made two trips down there, both times staying at the Grand Palladium. Prices were good, service excellent, accomodations excellent, food excellent, plenty to do on short day trips and beautiful quiet clean beaches if you don't feel like leaving the premises.
Bay_Kat
Tropical
I see two of those, one is 11 miles from the airport, one is over 50 miles from the airport.
That's the one we stayed at, it was awesome. Will return again in a few years when we get a chance to get away.
Went in that area once several years ago. It was called Club Oasis Akumal. It was a hotel about a mile off the main road through some thick jungle. Snorkeling and diving during the day but once it got dark , absolutely nothing to do. A lot of tarantulas too!
Freefaller
Active Member
Riviera Maya
I have made 4 trips to the area. I have stayed at the Grand Palladium and several others. (grand palladiun was very nice!) I have used a real travel agent for years and she has always found great deals for us. It is a very relaxing area to visit. It's only a cab ride to Tulum (mayan ruins) and a few parks, Xel-Ha and Ex-Caret (Both worth their $) It's also close enough to Playa del Carmen to visit and to go shopping on 5th Ave. Be prepared to haggle!
I love staying at the all-inclusives. There are alot along the Riviera Maya Coast.
I have always traveled with Apple Vacations. They pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel. There is an Apple Rep at your hotel to help you with anything. Remember, you're in a foreign country so it's nice having someone who works for your travel company right at your resort.
I have made 4 trips to the area. I have stayed at the Grand Palladium and several others. (grand palladiun was very nice!) I have used a real travel agent for years and she has always found great deals for us. It is a very relaxing area to visit. It's only a cab ride to Tulum (mayan ruins) and a few parks, Xel-Ha and Ex-Caret (Both worth their $) It's also close enough to Playa del Carmen to visit and to go shopping on 5th Ave. Be prepared to haggle!
I love staying at the all-inclusives. There are alot along the Riviera Maya Coast.
I have always traveled with Apple Vacations. They pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel. There is an Apple Rep at your hotel to help you with anything. Remember, you're in a foreign country so it's nice having someone who works for your travel company right at your resort.
Bay_Kat
Tropical
Thank you, that was so helpful.
Freefaller
Active Member
Bay_Kat
Tropical
November
Proud_Nana
Member
Stay FAR AWAY from Occidental Xcaret! We weren't crazy about the Xcaret park either. It was dirty, smelled, and in my opinion, not really advertised at what it is. We got a weeklong pass for $119pp from our hotel....went two mornings. That was all we can tolerate. If your travel agent (if you have one) hasn't warned you....BEWARE of all the time share people at the airport as you are leaving to get outside. They will promise you the moon to try to get you to go with them. They will lie and tell you that they are with the transport company you are looking for. They yell at you and at times nearly get physical. Depending on how far you travel the main road....we went 50 minutes from airport to hotel.....be prepared to see security forces, where you have to slow down due to speed bumps....at the ready with AK47's. Apple representatives were at our hotel also and they were very friendly and helpful, although they were not our travel agent. Don't drink the water! If you take a taxi anywhere, arrange the price before you get in the cab. If not, they will charge you whatever when you get to your destination and you have to pay it. The Occidental was all-inclusive....but it wasn't. We were 'allowed' special dinners only 4 of our 8 nights...other than that it was a buffet. Only once in the 9 days did a bartender come to the pool and ask if we wanted something to drink. On your return trip home, eat at the hotel before you leave or take snacks with you. We ate at Johnny Rockets at the airport. Two burgers, two fries, two shakes and two waters....$52.00. Our trip was an 8 night, 9 day waste of money! I'm sure our disaster was more the hotel, and salesman on site, than it was the location, but I doubt we will ever go back to Mexico. There was so much more that happened than I've mentions, but it's too early to write a book! I hope you have a much better experience.
Pushrod
Patriot
Haven't stayed at the Grand Palladium, but we have been to the Playa del Carmen area in the Riviera Maya half a dozen times and have stayed at several all inclusives there. Head and shoulders above the Cancun area, especially if you are planning on scuba diving. Most of the all-inclusives have free airport transfers, so no worries about getting to and from the resorts.
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Bay_Kat
Tropical
Hubby wants to rent a car when we get there, good idea or bad?
This is where we decided to stay.
BlueBay Grand Esmeralda All-inclusive Resort Reviews and Photos, Playa del Carmen, Mexico - TripAdvisor
Pushrod
Patriot
We've rented cars for a couple of our trips, but after getting pulled over once by the local yokels and extorted for all the money in my wallet, we found it cheaper just to use the local cabs or resort transportation.
Bay_Kat
Tropical
Wow, that sounds scary. I'll make sure I mention that to him. Thanks.
Proud_Nana
Member
We were also told by many friends who had travelled there to NOT rent a car and to use resort transportation. As we went through the previously mentioned 'guarded' stop areas, the only vehicles that were pulled over were 'private' vehicles. If you do rent a car and are stopped, I've heard the minimum amount to pay to get away was $500. Better to be safe than sorry!
Bay_Kat
Tropical
We've decided not to rent a car and actually changed our mind about where we will stay. Took all day to find the place we think is just right.
Proud_Nana
Member
Best wishes for a lovely trip!
Bay_Kat
Tropical
Thank you.
