Mexico (Cancun) excursions

Barcode · 14 October 2007 at 12:27PM

Further to my last thread in here, we're now booked into the Riu Cancun for xmas/new year. The next step is excursions. I've looked at various websites, but I'm wondering if anybody has any recommendations which might help narrow things down.

(1) XCaret. Better to make our own way, or go with Thomson (who charge £57 for a day)? It does not say what is included on the Thomson tour, but presumably, we'll get a meal at least. I'm inclined to get a bus there and pay the admission fee at the gate.

(2) Chitzen Itza. We'd like to spend a good few hours looking around, and not be whizzed round by a tour guide. Any good recommendations?

(3) Dolphin Discovery. Can you swim with dolphins at XCaret, or did others do this seperately?

We're not necessarily looking to scrimp on cost, as there is no point in going halfway round the world and then missing out on things. But obviously, we want the most for our money. Thanks for any suggestions

poe.tuesday · 14 October 2007 at 12:39PM

when we were there we hired a car for a week, it was cheap and we went everywhere in it, it worked out far cheaper doing all the trips ourselves, we did not go on any organised tours.

The drive to Chitzen Itza from Cancun is easy and I think you go on the toll road, we were staying in Tulum so the drive was a long way but really enjoyable, it's also very easy and safe to drive in this part of Mexico.

We did not go to Xcaret as we went to xel-ha instead, it was literally up the road from us and the tour prices were near enough double to the entrance fee we paid.

If you are comfortable driving about then go for it, we did and we had our two young children with us, it was so much more fun and you can do what you want when you want.