ash is going to me-hee-koe... needs advice

[Ash]

so i'm finally taking a real break.  just one week, but a break nonetheless.  i'm going to spend four days in the mayan riviera (going to chichen itza, for one) and four NIGHTS in cancun 

since i've never been to mexico (yes, really) i'd appreciate some tips.  what to do, what not to do (donkey show?)... also, does mexico run on our voltage and use our plugs?  or do i need to buy an adapter?

i fly out on my birthday, the 7th!  woot!

[MrFryMoto]

dude!
congrats!!



...no advice here
this body hasn't left the country (though has been to several places in it)

[ROBsS4R]

Xcaret was a lot of fun.

If you get there early enough you can pay to swim with the dolphins.

The underground River is really cool.

http://www.xcaret.com/

[tonyj311]

surprised no one said dont drink the water. I got the poops pretty bad on my last night in Playa. I think it was the frozen margarita....
Tulum is cool, bring a swimsuit. They charge you extra if you bring a video camera though (at least they did 4 years ago).

Propina= tip. They will often add it to your bill, and try to trick you into giving them a double tip. sneaky.

We did a catamaran/ snorkeling trip- very fun.

[Ash]

definitely wanting to go to xcaret!  are scooter rentals commonplace in the riviera?  my buddy and i are thinking it would be fun to scoot around some of the towns...

yeah, and i'm going to avoid the water.  everything bottled!

[Ash]

tulum: wanted to stay there and then i saw the prices... if i wanted to pay that kind of cash i'd go somewhere else!  that said, i still want to go... what's the best way to do tulum on the cheap?

[Grampa]

please..... no ash in a thong pics



thats all  got

[il d00d]

I recommend Xel Ha if you want a day or more of water activities.  I don't typically get into resorty-type stops on my vacations, but I have been twice, and I would go again.  Great snorkeling, great activities, they don't nickel and dime you on equipment.  The food is even good.  
A heads up on Xel Ha - you do have to wear their environmentally-friendly sun screen, which seems to have an SPF factor of .0017.  If you do go, I suggest keeping an eye on the sun burn.
+.5 on Xcaret - we stayed at the resort for four days - it was nice, but I felt I could have done it all in two.
We attempted to go to Chichen Itza, but we were discouraged by the travel folks at Xcaret - they said something to the effect of "It is really hot.  You'll probably die."  This was mid-June or so.  If you want to check out a Mayan pyramid, there is Tulum, which is in the same neighborhood as Xel Ha, and more importantly, right on the beach.
You don't need an adapter for Mexico - if I remember correctly, all of N America uses the same outlets.
Also, if you have some wiggle room on the itinerary, I would much rather spend four days in Cozumel than in Cancun.  San Gabriel (really the only town on the island) has plenty of bars in which to get your b00ze on.   So if that is a priority, don't let its reputation as a dive town scare you off.   It is a little bit more mellow, and a bit less touristy.  Depends on what you want.  You'll have fun either way.

[Ash]

please..... no ash in a thong pics



thats all  got

you know you want me to rock out with my thong out

[Grampa]

Pumps In A Bump   

[El Matador]

Cancun is a lot of fun... 

I spent two weeks there two summers ago and I think that i slept a whole 12 hours the entire trip...

For the touristy stuff a huge +1 to Xcaret, it is a lot of fun, Also if you're into diving they have some of the best reefs...

You should also see about renting a car or getting on the bus and going to Playa del Carmen, it's a really really chill place...

The mayan ruins are cool, but you only really need to go to one, any more and you're just paying to see the same stuff...

[TiNi]

That's a great place to visit Ash!
You're going to have a great time
The Riviera Maya is beautiful, and has delicious margaritas!!!!
We stayed at a resort just north of Playa del Carmen, and a few other small towns inland.
Rented a car and drove inland to visit ruins, which was scary because we were stopped by armed soldiers of some sort...
I enjoyed both the relaxation and adventuring/exploration of the yucatan.
Here's some pics from the trip...

yucatan pics

[Grampa]

That's a great place to visit Ash!
You're going to have a great time
The Riviera Maya is beautiful, and has delicious margaritas!!!!
We stayed at a resort just north of Playa del Carmen, and a few other small towns inland.
Rented a car and drove inland to visit ruins, which was scary because we were stopped by armed soldiers of some sort...
I enjoyed both the relaxation and adventuring/exploration of the yucatan.
Here's some pics from the trip...

yucatan pics

awesome pic

[TiNi]

awesome pic

thanks

[ducducgooseme]

Hey Ash,  I would really really really advise you to NOT do the scooter thing.  The drivers in the Riviera Maya area are nuts and if something DOES happen to you, the hospital experience may be less than ideal.  Stick to the cage.