Going to Cancun. Never been to Mexico before. What are the best things to do/see/eat? On the flipside, anything to avoid?

Avoid timeshare presentations all costs.

lol
will do!!

But seriously. They bombard you as soon as you get off the plane. Just bust through the gauntlet of dudes asking if you want a taxi or tour.

Yes !! Never, never , never talk to any agent at all cost..take it from someone who had a bad experience

Yes timeshares and leaving your resort at night. Isla Mujeres is interesting you can take a tour or a ferry there from Cancun. I recommend a catamaran ride with lunch and drinks.

Definitely go to isla mujures! Rent a golf cart and drive around the entire island. Walk down the stone steps at the end of the island and take a moment to breath in and just be....

Pretty much stay in the hotel zone. There's really nothing else to see outside the hotel zone unless you take day trips to the ruins.

I left my resort at night and went on pub crawls.. coco bongo is kinda a staple in cancun... señor frogs is really fun... I just booked my club crawls through the hotel and went with a huge group. Really good way to make friends at your resort, too!! Just don't carry much cash.... or anything super flashy. Keep your head about you and don't get in any "cab look-a-like" cars... marked only.

I had so much fun at Coco Bongo in Cancun

Oh, and if you book club crawls through the hotel it's usually paid to the rep there and then is all you can drink the whole night.. they just bring you a whole bunch of bottles and chase. "The city" was an amazing club, too.. with an outdoor beach area..

go to Coco Bongo! .. also take a ferry to Cozumel and rent a scooter. SO MUCH FUN!

Cozumel is overrated. Very pushy and aggressive. Nothing authentic. Much preferred isla mujures.

We rented a scooter and scooted across (down the middle) to the other side where there was a beautiful view.. and beaches with no people ). We stopped at ruins along the way. It was basically us (me and my bf) and the beach . And we scooted around the coastline back to where we started

Astrid Gradlmiller that sounds awesome. We rented a jeep and explored. Just be careful of who you rent from. The kiosk outside the Park Royal seemed ok. Make sure you top up the gas though, as they will pump extra for themselves.

Xcaret ...playa del Carmen and Isla mujeres nice places to visit ..!

Loved a day trip to PDC. Great restaurants and AMAZING beach!

It looks so beautiful!

Visit Isla mujerious is a must !!!

Go to a beach that's not at the resort.

Cave dive!

Would this be safe for a single female traveler?

Yes. You are with guides. There is a rope to follow in and around and then out. Need your PADI.

Miranda Use AllTourNative ! They're fabulous and work with local native populations to provide them jobs and housing.

Jackie Shaun Astrid Gradlmiller sounds like I'll definitely have to check out Coco Bongo!

Have to go to coco bongos...great show..get vip tickets

I don't recommend eating salad or anything at the buffet that is sitting in water.

Lol noted!

use only bottled water even to brush your teeth. Forgo the ice cubes. Better warm drinks than a holiday in the bathroom.

ice cubes on resorts are made with purified water. I've never had an issue in the many many places I've been to in Mexico.

I was told that and yet I came down with "you know".

No lettuce...and I think you can get a shot from the travel clinic before you go that will help ward off the trots. Well worth the investment!

Grace Baba White bad luck! I've been very fortunate throughout dozens of trips

Yogurt helps, or Immodium.

Avoid the TIMESHARE people. Nothing is free!

Are there really that many timeshare companies there??

Miranda I haven't been there for a few years, but yes, they were on every street corner. Very intrusive

Yes! When you exit baggage claim at airport, those are some of the sales people, selling timeshare and other things. I avoided them, was there at end of October. Also at our hotel they kept trying to befriend us, gave us a piece of paper telling us we'd won a prize and to go claim it. The prize was a presentation on their time shares for sale.

I remember them. Argh

If you run into a little "tummy trouble", eat rice and carrots.
Been to Mexico many times and heading to Cancun in two weeks!
Have fun!

thanks for the advice! i had digestive troubles on my last trip to japan. hope you have lots of fun too!

Miranda Muchas gracias!

Miranda
Another Q for you: what are you doing preventatively for zika - are you worried? I saw the warning on govt website after booking the trip

Also yogurt works good as well.

Miranda Well, we haven't talked about it. Going with 20+ other people (friends for 30 years). Will check with our travel guru (who is also going).

Didn't see too many mosquitos when we've been there. (And they always find me if they are around. Lol.) Possibly by the lagoon in the evening. But we've stayed on the ocean side of the road by the lagoon, and I wasn't getting bitten. Think it was probably more salty water than mosquitos like

Kathy thanks for this! Was getting really scared at one point

I was in Mayan Riviera last week of October , got bitten about 10 times or so. No zika here that we know of.

Cozumel is definitely a place to visit.

Yes i agree. I spent a day on cozumel and really enjoyed a cold drink under a palapa located on a bluff overlooking the water. It was about half way around the island.

Is there a good place to snorkel without a guide on Cozumel? Anyone

Spend some time at el cid. Dive shop on site, amazing diving right off the resort, decent restaurant.

Is it far from the Ferry dock?
Deborah

It's down by the secondary cruise ship terminal

Great thanks!

Playa de Carmen more local vibe than Cancun worth a visit.

Use the hotel safe when you are not in the hotel room.

Xcaret is a most!!! you can also go to xplore if you buy the ticket online 20 days prior your trip you will get 15% off.. I just bought mine..

Are you taking any precautions for zika? I saw warning on cdn govt website and kinda freaked out

Mosquito spray lots and lots of it..
If you go to like a jungle wear long pants and long sleeves.. that's my plan

Take a tour to xichen itza... and tulum ruins...
Go to isla mujeres and stop on Isla tiburon.
I'm going next month for the 3rd time you will love it

I agree that a visit to tulum is a must as is excaret. There is some decent snorkelling excursions here. Xel-ha is also another place to enjoy the nature, wildlife and beaches.

Travis Kuthar

Be aware at airport for timeshare bullshit. Keep walking out the doors do not in gage even if they wave you over

hint for great room service...take little Cdn. gifts (dollar store) leave one each day, they not only give extra service, the cleaning staff alsowatch out for you and your belongings...

What type of gifts did you give??

One year I gave a Christmas ornament each day, another time Cdn. pencils or little flags, key chain, touristy goodies they sell here! Or just a ) US $1.00 they love too.

Just $1 USD is enough?

Baseball caps, tshirts, beer cozies.

We leave out pesos everyday. They're always very good to us.

Miranda yes! pesos good too, but how much $?

Avoid cancun!!! Go to playa del carmen 1/2 hour south

Lol. So true.

I agree.

I actually try to avoid Cancun...Total party zone.
Head to the Mayan riviera. Tulum, xelha is cool. Cozumel, plays del Carmen, snorkel, eat the local food at small clean places. DONT drink the water unless it's bottles. Take Imodium and sunscreen with you

Thanks for the Imodium tip!!!

Water in almost all tourist hotels is no problem. Have been dozens of times

Go to Tulum!

Go to a market and eat street food. The best food in Mexico is always in the dive places and it's cheap.

Do we need a car. Going in Jan

We rented a car for a day but we left town and went to Chichén Itzá and a cenote. It was fun.

Tulum is awesome too.

We rented a car for a day trip in cozumel

Is it safe for a single female traveler to go to the local markets by herself? I really want to do dive places and street food but people have told me horror stories

I travel alone a lot and have never had a problem. As long as u r smart about it u should fine. Obviously don't go at night and be aware of what is going on around u.

There are regular cheap buses all over Cancun, and to all the surrounding cities and attractions.
Never had any problems going anywhere by myself.

Oh and Cozumel is super awesome!!!

Consider Rio Lagartos and Hotbox - fewer tourists, more Mexicans.

This is by far my favorite cenote. Worth the trip from Cancun. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g150813...
TRIPADVISOR.COM
Grand Cenote

Wow!!! Are these okay to go as a single female traveler? Safe to leave your phone around while you're in water?

I would absolutely go here as a single female traveler. They have lockers for your belongings, too!

Ashley oh, perfect

Visit Xel-ha park or Xcaret and take the Catamaran to visit Isla Mujeres

Xcaret, in my opinion, was a ripoff. It was basically a crappy zoo that is geared toward tourists - it was also ridiculously expensive.
I'd personally do some cenotes and Tulum. They're amazing and much more indicative of the Mexican culture. We wish we'd have done another day of different cenotes than Xcaret.

We loved xel-ha!

Contact Captain Quickies for the best excursions around.

Captain Quickies has various excursions including snorkelling, catamaran tour, zip lines, cenotes and so much more. You get picked up and dropped off at your hotel. Your tour guides are from the area and so knowledgable about everything. Lunch and snacks are included.

Keep your mouth closed when you shower, I've also been told to avoid lettuce and fresh tomatoes (incl salsa sitting out), anything that might have been washed in the water

Seriously, resorts and restaurants use purified water. They have no interest getting their clientele sick.

They do use purified water, but as I understand, not everywhere and not consistently. These are tips passed to me by people raised there, that have always worked well for me.

Danna I agree if one is nervous to err on the side of caution.

I eat lettuce and tomatoes at resorts, never had a problem.

Coco Bongo is the ultimate party spot!! Amazing "Vegas type shows" entertainment etc!

Coco Bongo!

But up coco bongo

Chichaneeca

Laura
isla mujeres

Cozumel is substantially better for snorkeling and diving if you get a chance. The boat to the island runs regularly.
The crew at Pelagic Visions is great. John is a Vancouver local who moved down there. He is also an amazing underwater photographer. Check out the
Pelagic Visions Facebook page.

I did a couple excellent tours - one to Cenote Maya/Ek Balam ruins with Alltournative and one to Tulum/Akumal (snorkeling with sea turtles!).

Thanks for all the awesome tips! I definitely picked up a fee must-dos here and a lot more next trip to dos
has anyone been there recently? Govt of Canada website says warning of zika virus... Did you take any major precautions?

I traveled to Costa Rica in the middle of the Zika outbreak. Take mosquito spray and spray on yourself every morning and evening. If going into a wooded/trail area then wear pants and long sleeves. Have fun!

De Marie thank you!

Miranda no problem! Please do check out Coco Bongo tho. It's a lot of fun for all ages

De Marie for sure! Almost 10 people here have recommended it, it's on my list now

Miranda there are only 2 coco bongo clubs in that area and I believe all of Mexico. It's a very fun, high energy time. Which resort are you staying at?

De Marie staying at one like five mins walk away from a coco bongo! What time does the show start? And when do ppl party til? Looking fwd to this!

Miranda I believe it starts at 9 or 10pm. It goes until 2 or 3am (I think ) I'm not a big partier but some how got back to my resort at 6am by cab lol. The street bars stay open all night. So much fun! Just go with the flow and dance all night

De Marie love it!!! Can't wait!

De Marie one other thing - would i need to carry a lot of cash around?

Miranda I would carry some pesos. Not a lot. Just spending cash. You'll need your ID just for coco bongo and drinks are included in the entrance fee. I'd say carry 50-300 pesos on you. I always just folded it and tuck it inside my bra. Have the conventions figured out if using mostly US $. I think it's 14 pesos to 1 USD? Could be less. Better to use peso though and order from your bank at least 2 weeks in advance.

Conversions *

Forget taking any US dollars. Why waste your CDN $ on high exchange rates when the Mexician Peso is at a really great rate right now. While in Mexico use their currency

thanks Dawn! I've just heard from so many ppl they use USD. But yeah, I much prefer the idea of using a country's own currency

Go to Isla Mujeras for a day trip. Beautiful island a short boat ride away. You can hire a small boat and they throw in a fish BBQ lunch on the beach. It's a beautiful day. We liked it so much the next time we just went and stayed on the island for the week.

The local ferry to go from Cancun to the island is inexpensive too. You can take a local bus to the port
( if you are adventurous!)

Sandi i am adventurous but my husband would probably not approve!

Neither is mine but I talked him into it!!! lol

Sandi #win

City buses are easy, frequent, and run by the hotel zone to the central bus loop. Big signs in window saying where they go. Was less than a dollar last time.
Lots of good local restaurants and grocery stores by the bus loop.

Crocs in the lagoon. They are meant to be over the back but the odd one makes it over. We had one on the lawn of the hotel when we were there.....a few years back...

no way!

Miranda oh yes.......

Janine
good to know

I have traveled with my young son throughout Mexico without any problems..... No need for US money, besides they love Canadians!

Xelha!

If you like to explore and aren't afraid of going slightly off the tourist path, check out Parque de las Palapas for an evening. Local performances, culture and fantastic street food.

visit a cenote, of course, and swim in it. isla mujeres is lovely. coco bongo for wild parties. chichen itza (mayan ruins) if ure into world heritage, etc.

This is like the perfect itinerary! Don't think I have enough time for mayan ruins but really wish I did

If you are considering Chichen Itza, I recommend just renting a car and driving out there; that way you're on your own schedule. The bus tour is long, takes you places you may not want to go, and then restricts how long you actually get to explore the ruins. Have a blast!

Susan thanks! I hope it's safe to drive around by yourself there

The peninsula seems pretty safe.

Miranda, When we rented a car we were told not to make eye contact with the police and not to exceed the speed limit.... In a nutshell do not attract attention...... An interesting drive from Cancun though.....

Last Feb we also went on the Dancer Cruise to isla mujeres. We reached out to them for a booking in Facebook and for about 80us pp got the package which included golf carts. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Their website has videos of what is included (snorkeling, food, drinks, etc)

Tip hotel maids before they clean your room not after the first night

How do you tip them before - As in leave tips in the room before you leave? And what's considered a good tip?

Yup......maybe 40 pesos the first day.. to set a generous tone.then less after that

Also, you can bring small bottles of toiletries and leave for the maids- they love it and all that stuff is expensive for them in Mexico. And yes leave a small tip each day instead of the end of the day.

Sandi omg i have a LOT of beauty samples/full sz products! That would work right?

Perfect!!! They will be so grateful

Easy to get pesos from most ATM machines. These exchange rates directly from the bank are usually substantially better than the exchange places, especially at the hotel. There are ATMs at the airports as well, so easy to get pesos when you get there.

Would you say exchange rate is better in Mexico?
We found that to be the case in Japan and were utterly disappointed bc we'd exchanged all our money in Vancouver!

Miranda I just bought 5000 pesos from an ATM 2 weeks ago, and the machine charged me 90 pesos and my bank charged me $3.00. Even with that, it was better getting it at the ATM than my Credit Union

Dawn good to know!!!

I totally agree with Kathy. ATM in Mexico is the way to go.

We really enjoyed Xcaret, Isla mujeres, Tulum and Chichen Itza

Tipping in US or Cdn just causes hassle for employees - using local currency, while it might inconvenience the traveler, actually supports the local economy -

Consider taking the oral vaccine Dukoral. It protects against some intestinal issues. I've traveled all over the world and have never gotten sick. Then again I might just have been lucky...but since all you do is drink two doses of what amounts to a fizzy drink, it's worth it. It's available from the pharmacist in drug stores.

I agree! My partner takes Dukoral every time we travel and has had no problems.

Got it! Thanks ladies. Will pick that up today

I think you need two doses initially but subsequent boosters are one dose. You have to take it on an empty stomach....I find that I can't chug it because it's too fizzy for an empty stomach. Still better than the alternative of missing out on your vacation because you can't leave your hotel room

Yes don't go there if you want to see the real Mexico go to the west and choose a smaller place.

Visit the Mayan pyramids

Get yourself on a bus tour if you HAVE to be in Cancun.. and get one that goes one very long day and goes to several Mayan pyramids, then somehow go to swim in a cenote A trip down the coast to a small town is cool. And to the place where there are flammingoes..Darn I forget the name...anyone?

Avoid - renting a car. The police there will fleece you with tickets! Very recent experience. Use the local transport, very safe & cheap. They are called the ADO buses, basically they are white vans. For airport transfer, we booked Canada Transfers. Pretty good, on time, no issues.

Tulum town very expensive for tourist, but the ruins and the beach worth a visit. Playa too touristy, not worth buying anything out there

Avoid room service.. I got terrible food poisoning from chicken tostadas

BEST Thing to do in Cancun is leave & explore Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Grande Cenote, Valladolid, Chichenitza...but you can do great Scuba diving from Cancun!

True. Lots of scuba diving..& snorkelling. Take snorkelling set. Save rentals

Chin hen itza really cool centres. There are 5 centres in this location, worth the money. Just take the $17 entry. Pretty good. One of the centre is pretty big, and is partially open to sky. One other in there is real cool, in the cave. Beautiful colours. Take a good camera

Emily Hoff

It is great to stay in Cancun on the calm side where Presidente Intercontinental is. You could swim nicely and take the ferry ride from Puerto Juarez to Isla Mujeres and stay a night or two in Punta Norte. Ferry rides are only 20 minutes if you d not want to stay overnight. Cancun is beautiful

Try to fly direct with no stop in US.