Any one been to Tulum / Riviera Maya

[seemunkee]

Wondering where you stayed and how you liked it.

[yellowdogintexas]

1. no but I want to. My sister went and loved it. nt

[seemunkee]

7. There are some very cheap fares right now

a little over $300 round trip from DC.

[prolesunited]

2. We got married at Aventura Spa Palace

an adult-only, all-inclusive. I recommend it highly. Matcom stays there regularly and tipped us off. The area is gorgeous and make sure you go to Tulum. It is a breath-taking place.

[seemunkee]

5. Looks nice but a bit too much for my tastes

My wife would love it but all I need is a Cabana on the beach and a cooler.
I'm hoping to stay in Tulum or further south. The less people the better.

What time of year did you go and what was the night time temps like?
Did you go to any of the cenotes?

[Radio_Lady]

12. Night temps were still in the 70s in December. We did go to a cenote...

but can't recall which one.

Did you see our Mayan/Mexican photos?

Here's the link to our travel photos, if you have the time to check it out:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=5932989


Radio Lady with Mayan children 1990

[seemunkee]

16. Didn't see those before

Very nice photos. Thanks for the link

[Mrs.Matcom]

15. Hi seemunkee!

We went for four years in a row. We used to go mid January for a week. There are two hotels combined into one. If you want party time, say on the aventura side, if you want quiet you stay on the spa side. PM matcom if you are interested and he can give you the name of the owner we used to book through. It is a lovely place and tours are included in the price. if you book through an owner you also get a free massage and manicure/pedicure for each of you. We did go to Tulum for a day trip and there are 'resorts' there as well. Not sure what they are like but the area is absolutely beautiful! Good luck and enjoy!!

[Mrs.Matcom]

13. so glad you liked it!

We love it there! Didn't go last year due to hurricane damage, and aren't going this year, due to need of a new roof! But maybe next year!!! :hi:

[Radio_Lady]

14. That's right. Cancun sustained tons of damage in that hurricane.

We're not planning to go back, but it was quite amazing. We also had a very good time on Cozumel.

[Scout1071]

3. I've been to the Mayan Riviera.

I'd recommend staying in Playa del Carmen.

I didn't make it to Tulum, but all of my friends (we were there for a week for a wedding) said that it was better than Chichen Itza because it was on the water, prettier locale, much closer and more to do.

Here's a tip - bring 50-100 US $1's. Lot's of dollar tipping, especially if you stay at an all-inclusive resort, and it's much easier to have the single bills on you already. Also, I have read that it is best to use your ATM card when you get there because you will get a good bank exchange rate and it will automatically convert for you. I've used this in Mexico, Hong Kong, Thailand with no problem. It is now more recommended than cashier's checks.

Have a great trip!

[Scout1071]

4. The Paradisus Riviera Cancun.

That's where we stayed. But, it was actually south of Cancun. Really closer to mid-way to Playa.

http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=5920


Anyway, it was a nice place and I would recommend if you wanted to stay in that area. However, if I had to do it all over again I would have stayed in Playa. I didn't really dig Cancun. Driving down the street I would see Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Dominos, Papa John's, etc, etc. Those big box stores and junk food drive thrus are like a bad virus spreading around the world!

[seemunkee]

6. So you tipped in US dollars?

where they preferred over pesos?

I usually use the ATM but I had problems in Costa Rica that some machines wouldn't accept it but would do a cash advance on my charge card.

[Scout1071]

8. I did a lot of tipping in US dollars.

Shit, I could spend US dollars almost anywhere. Maybe not so much the further you get out of the cities, but believe me that they will be more than happy to accept US $1's as tips.

[Radio_Lady]

9. We went at Christmas time and stayed at the Marriott Casa Magna Cancun.

Big surprise was that you cannot swim in the ocean there! The current is too strong all the time. That was a big disappointment. But the pool was delicious. My husband took a day trip to Coba. We went to Tulum and Chichen Itza by bus. Remember it is very hot and humid all year 'round. If you go, expect to wear lightweight clothing every day.

[seemunkee]

10. Sounds like you would recommend a place with AC

This is a mild bone of contention with my wife. I could do without but she insists on it. We found a good place that met our criteria (on the beach, somewhat rustic, with AC) but they were booked. I got one other place to call tomorrow then we have to either look in town or somewhere else.

[Radio_Lady]

11. I can't live above 65 degrees without airconditioning. I have to have it.

Here in Oregon, along the coast, it is virtually impossible to get a place with air conditioning. But I've had two August weeks on two separate vacations which were in the high 70-80s with lots of humidity. Now I won't go anywhere, even to coastal paradises, unless we have an air conditioned room.

I wish I were different metabolically, but my husband has learned to live with it after 34 years.

Good luck with your reservations!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Yes, but it was years ago.

We stayed at a condo in Playa del Carmen that we rented from somebody my dad knew. I've heard the town has become much more touristy in recent years, but it was really nice at the time. We also rented a car and drove south along the coast through Xcaret to Tulum, then inland to Chichen Itza and Merida. It's a fascinating area, and you can get wonderful seafood.

[Parche]

18. cancun

I recommend the Riu's, Palace, or Occidentals, as I book a lot of those for my clients,
but I also booked the Flamingo Cancun today for a great price.