Recommendations of things to not miss in Cancun?

[HeadphoneAddict]

My father-in-law's estate is sending my wife's whole family (19 of us) to Cancun for one big fling before the Nana of the family is too old to travel or isn't with us anymore. She's at 77 years, but so was father-in-law when he passed away this summer, so her family wanted to build some new memories while she's still with us.

Is there anything to do or place to go in Cancun that we absolutely should not miss? Any dangers or places to avoid? We'll be at some all inclusive beach resort that I can't even pronounce, but I think there is a water park near by. I've only been to Mexico once, and the Tijuana taxi driver's scared the crap out of me - is it like that in Cancun? Thanks!

[Grahame]

Let me Google that for you

[blessingx]

Merida is probably my favorite small city in the world.

Uxmal has great ruins (and of course Itza). So many ruins possibilities. This book was helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Archaeological-Guide-Mexicos-Yucatan-Peninsula/dp/0806125853/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323844162&sr=1-1

Playa is a nice break from Cancun area.

Stay away from ultra-touristy Cozumel.

The upper-mid Yucatan outside Cancun is nothing like TJ. Safer than most of US in my book. Cancun is a resort area and like all resort areas open to theft. Comparatively safe though.

Old photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/105779469515584875752/MeridaPlayaDelCarmen?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Edited December 14, 2011 by blessingx

[HeadphoneAddict]

Let me Google that for you

I wanted to know about spots that head-caser's have visited. But thanks anyway.

[Wmcmanus]

Let me Google that for you

Make sure you go to the beach, but you were probably already planning on that.

Never been to Cancun. When my former finacee's mom died, the whole bunch of those lazy, good for nothing Jamaicans wouldn't even chip in to put the poor woman in the ground. It was left to her, which in turn also meant me, to come up with 90% of the funeral costs. Same thing apparently happened when her dad died, but I was long out of the picture by then, so it wasn't on my nickel. I don't think they even had a bottle of Appleton Estate to pass around. Consider yourself lucky, and have a great time with Nana, et. al.

Edited December 14, 2011 by Wmcmanus

[ecclesand]

And stay away from those pesky drug cartels.....

[MoonShine]

My wife and I enjoyed Xcaret Park when we were there about 6 yrs ago.

[Voltron]

I'm sorry, your carry permit will not work in Mexico. http://panda.com/mexicoguns/ You'll have to pack your credit card knife and sword cane instead.

[grawk]

or just buy american guns in mexico from the cartels

[Grahame]

or just buy american guns in mexico from the cartels

Operation Fast And Furious

Edited December 14, 2011 by Grahame

[grawk]

yes, that's what I was referencing.

[livewire]

My wife and I enjoyed Xcaret Park when we were there about 6 yrs ago.

Same here. Took the family, expect to spend the entire day there.

Do the "backpack thing" and have all of your stuff with you.

It is a pain to go back out to the parking lot, the place is huge.

Also if you go in on a bus, make note of your bus number, meet up place and time.

No fun being stuck in the middle of a dark jungle at midnight without a ride out.

They have a Mayan flavored show that starts around sundown that is spectacular.

Situated in a semi-open air amphetheater, it showcases a wealth of ancient Mexican history

and some wild exibitions such as guys swinging on ropes from 100 foot high poles

and a Mayan soccer game that has the ball lit on fire during play.

Touristy? Yes, but definitely worth the price of admission.

Bring a pad to sit on, the bleacher seats are cement.

EDIT: I noticed that the price of admission has gone WAY UP!

Prolly due to the drop off of the number of tourists visiting the area.

The place is staffed with hundreds of employees and performers.

Link: http://www.xcaret.com/

Edited December 15, 2011 by livewire

[livewire]

Other "dont miss" places are the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum.

To get to Chitchin Itza, it is a three hour bus ride into the interior of the Yucatan jungle.

It is an all day affair, bring bottled water and snacks, many of the buses dont offer

food for sale and they wont stop until your are almost there.

My kid almost died of thirst on that trip.

Some of the bus tours also offer an hour long stop along the way at another tourist site

called "The Cenote". Cenotes (pronounced sen-note-tay) are huge caves that appear as sinkholes

that are usually partially filled with water, some are part of an underground river system.

They dot the area. One can explore and swim in some of them. Bring your bathing suit.

I believe that there is also a swimming tour of these underground caves at Xcaret park as well.

Have fun!

Edited December 15, 2011 by livewire

[HeadphoneAddict]

Thanks for the great suggestions.

[Tyll Hertsens]

+1 on livewire's suggestions. Floating down the underground rivers at xcaret was way cool.

[HeadphoneAddict]

SWMBO says we'll do Xcaret...

[blessingx]

Have fun.

Edited December 16, 2011 by blessingx