Mexico (Cancun and around) @ xmas/New Year

Barcode

So, my girlfriend and I are thinking of going somewhere sunny just after christmas (provisional dates are the 26th dec - 2nd Jan). I've been looking on the Thomson website this morning. Does anybody have any experiences of going to any of the following around this period:

- Mexico Caribbean Coast - is it warm enough to sunbathe, go to the beach etc still? I've looked at the El Dorado Royale resort and the Grand Palladium as possibilities. Further, are a gay couple likely to raise eyebrows? We've been all over the world and never had a problem. But I have heard some stories about Mexico and the Caribbean. Then again, two females sharing a room is no big deal, and we are hardly prone to engaging in public displays. It's something we shouldn't have to think about, but you can never tell when you might encounter an idiot that could upset your day.

- Maldives.

- Seychelles.

- Goa (gf is not so keen on this one).

We don't just want to spend a week relaxing, we'd like to do things like snorkelling, paragliding, visiting sites of interest etc, i.e., the Mayan Ruins. I'm just not sure if things are more quieter in Dec/New Year, or if it's a popular time since like us, some just want to escape from family hassles and be on a beach with cocktail in hand

Any suggestions?

jaytar

We have just returned from Playa Del Carmen in Mexico and it sounds like just what you are looking for. Plenty to see and do (the snorkelling is amazing). I think the two resorts you mention are quite a way from any towns and you would be better off booking something in the Playacar area of Play Del Carmen. This is where the big AI resorts are and you can either walk into town or take a cab. For more information on the area there are a couple of great sites at www.playa.info and www.locogringo.com

The Caribbean is coming up to their high season with Christmas and New Year being the busiest time of all.

I can't see that being gay would be a problem. There were loads of females sharing rooms.

If you decide to go there I will be sooooo jealous. I will definitely be going back there next year, it was fabulous.

Barcode

Hi Jaytar,

Thanks for that. We talked about it last night, and will hopefully be going to Mexico. It looks like Thomson for the flights from Manchester (closest international airport). It's not our usual choice, but BA and Virgin make you change in Miami, which is too much faffing about after a long trip.

We're not sure where to stay at the moment, and it's looking cheaper to go all inclusive with Thomson than book the flights and hotel seperately. I've never been on an A:I before, so might need reassuring it's not full of drunken brits eating and drinking everything in sight simply because they have paid for it (!!)

Excursion wise, we're mainly interested in snorkelling, activities on the reef, a trip to the eco park, and of course, the obligatory swimming with dolphins. Are any of these a half-day experience? I know seeing the ruins takes a full day, but we don't want a holiday where we're going from one excursion to the next with no time to relax around the hotel, on the beach etc.

richardw

Barcode wrote: »

so might need reassuring it's not full of drunken brits eating and drinking everything in sight simply because they have paid for it (!!)

Do a thorough search including www.holidaytruths.com before paying for the accommodation

jaytar

I did a lot of research before booking and it was definitely cheaper to book a package with Thomsons. I also found a £100 off code on here so try and find one before booking. We stayed at the Riu Tequila and I can't recommend it highly enough. Although it isn't directly on the beach it is just a 5 min walk through a lovely leafy walkway. It shares the beach with the Riu Yucatan. You can also use all the facilities at the Yucatan and the Riu Playacar (including food and drink) so once on the beach you don't have to go very far for anything.

I had never been AI before either and had the same idea about the drunk Brits, but I only saw one drunk in the whole two weeks and he wasn't British.

We did the eco park, Xel-Ha, which was great, and also the swimming with Dolphins which was amazing. Both of these can be done in half a day, but at Xel-Ha you could easily spend the day there doing whatever you want as there are lots of opportunities to relax as well. We did the all inclusive which included all food and drink, lockers, towels, snorkel gear and that was $59. We made our own way there on the bus (which dropped us off right at the entrance) and it was cheaper than booking with the Thomsons Rep.

Have a look on Tripadvisor for the reviews of the Riu Tequila and then if you click on 'forums' you'll find the Playa Del Carmen thread which is a mine of information.

If you want any more info I'm happy to oblige.

rlc22

We went last Xmas and it was definitely hot enough for the beach - in fact I came back with a great tan . Like Jaytar said, it's a very busy time of year although I didn't feel like it was too busy if you know what I mean.

We also stayed in Playacar at the Iberostar Tucan and I can highly recommend the area and the hotel.

We'd been AI a couple of times before and surprisingly considering the free booze, loud drunken-ness wasn't a problem.

Another recommendation for Xel-Ha inc swimming with dolphins. I would definitely go for the whole day - we had a superb time.

We also did a couple of really cool trips. Went to Chichen Itza which was good fun and went on a day out that included the ruins at Coba, zip-lining, abseiling and swimming in a cenote - one of the best days out ever! I think we found it on http://www.playa.info

It's really easy and cheap to make your own way places by bus and taxi so you don't have to feel restricted to the trips offered by the rep. Playa.info organise trips too that have a limited amount of people which is v nice.

Oh, and Thomson's are a good choice as not only is the flight direct, but the legroom is better than BA or Virgin too. The only downside is no free refreshments on the plane unless you're flying premium.

Barcode

Is there a big difference between Xel-Ha and Xcaret?

Some questions that have come up in convo tonight:

(1) Vaccinations. I can't imagine any that might be needed? We went to the tropics (Cairns) last year without incident. Has anybody had any, and if so, which ones?

(2) Temperature: I don't expect it to be boiling hot, but I do intend to be on the beach, in the pool etc. How likely is that late dec?

(3) We arrive on xmas day (not our fault, Thomson fly on Tues from MAN and return the following Tues). This is the only direct flight to Cancun from near us. How likely is it we're going to arrive and everything will be dead? Obviously, we just want to spend the first day relaxing, and would be happy with little more than a drink/meal, going in the pool etc. It's the days after that I have reservations about. Or is going at xmas quite popular, and chances are, there will be lots to do?

(4) If anybody has flown with Thomson, is it worth the £249 for premium seating. I have doubts, but it'd be nice to hear from someone who has experienced it.

jaytar

The difference between Xel-Ha and Xcaret is that Xel-Ha is more natural (and cheaper) and Xcaret is a bit more like a theme park. From all I've read the evening show at Xcaret is 'not to be missed' and well worth staying for.

Didn't bother with vaccinations. I don't think they are necessary unless you intend going off the beaten track.

The temperature in December is what attracts everyone, its normally about 27C (80F), plenty hot enough for the beach and swimming.

I can't imagine Playa being 'dead'. Christmas is their busiest week of the year and the hotels will be full to capacity so I am sure there will be plenty to do.

Can't help with the premium seating. We flew economy which was absolutely fine. Plenty of legroom, seatback tv's, but as rlc22 says you have to pay for any extra refreshments you may want.

mum2one

Apologies in advance for babbling on - love Mexico and was personal experience x

I went to Mexico in 2001, I stayed in cancun, it was amazing, (wasnt xmas, I had the misfortunw the 2nd day inrto my holiday was 9/11).
From Cancun there is a lot to do, your a bus ride (R1 when I went)from many attractions, highly recommend going via "Ocean World", def something world, they do the water sports etc from there, I went on a jetski, submarine type boat, boat trip to a desert island, trip round canvun bay on a missipi steam boat, cheaper to book direct with them.

Def go all in, obviosly the exchange rate now is a lot better than in 2001, went for a mcdonalds while waiting for my video to be developed rom dolphin swim, big mac meal was £9.00.

If you go nightclubing, buy the all in band, save you a fortune, the club senoir frogs, suppose to be reaaly good, never got that far, made the most of the free drinks

Keep loose change with you tips are expected for most things, remember went to walmart, got a few odds and sods the person packing the bag, put there hand out for a tip.

As 4 jabs etc, think ts the usual, tetanus, polio, hep A, dont need malari tablets.

Premium seating, got to have it, again since 9/11, prices go up, the extras go down, I did premium with Mytravel, to dom rep 2005, best £200 spent, wider seats, more legroom, didnt have to pay for the bar. automatically given pillows and blankets, ( handy ngt flight), those in economy had to purchase everything.

re seating, economy class side seats, usually row of 3, premium row of 2.

Becles

Just another recommendation for the playa.info trips. They really are excellent value for money. You're in a small group and they make sure you get the best guides at the attractions. The day runs at the pace of the group, so you're not rushed from pillar to post. A main meal is included in the price, plus all your drinks during the day, and they have a snack bag with crisps, biscuits, fruit etc., in case you feel peckish!

I loved Playa del Carmen and I'm desperate to go again. I can promise you that you will have a fabulous time there. Do read the info and forums on playa.info as you will find out a lot about the area.

We did Xel-Ha and it was amazing. We did the all inclusive option which worked out good value for money. The meal we had was decent food too. It was cheaper travelling there ourselves and paying on the gate, and we stayed all day. We had children with us and they were amazed at all the different colour fish they saw.

mum2one

This is a quickie-

Just check with the tour operator who pays the entrance and exit fee out of Mexico. Some tour operators cover it, others dont.

from memory was 45us dollars, x