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Which sidetrips for Cancun?

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Author	Topic: Which sidetrips for Cancun?
boggie TUG Member Posts: 41 From: Sanford, ME USA Registered: Mar 2003	posted 02-13-2005 17:10 We are considering the jungle tour that Brant Boston offers. Would like to hear from someone who has done this tour if it was worth it and was the snorkeling good? Also thinking about visiting Isla Mujeres and not sure if we should take the ferry and see it on our own or do the catamaran sail trip to the island. Any advice would be appreciated. We were in Cancun last year and visited Chichen Itza and Xel-Ha. Glad we saw Chichen Itza but not something to see every year. We really enjoyed Xel-Ha and the snorkeling there. Would consider X Carat but afraid to be diappointed with it after seeing Xel Ha. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks, Boggie IP: Logged
Berea1 TUG Member Posts: 266 From: Berea, OH USA; Sold Disney Old Key West, 4 1/2 Marriott weeks, The Jockey Club Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-13-2005 18:44 On a board, I remember reading that the trip to Xcaret costs like $ 115 and you get charged for everythign onec you get there. A bus picks you up and stops at several hotels before delivering you to the sitw where the driver buys your tickets for the bus ride. Then when you get there you have to rent snorket gear, fins, and towels, because you did not know that you had to bring them with you adding like $ 25-30 to the cost. So, if you buy Brant's 2 for 1 card online for $ 15.50, you reduce the cost to $ 67.00 and if you stay at one of the Royals, you can check out snorkel gear for free, and bring your own towel, and save a lot of money. However, the review says stay for the evening show, and pay the extra to swim with the dolphins, and buy the picture package. So, we are going to do that during our week starting March 5, 2005. ------------------ 4 1/2 Marriot weeks, The Jockey Club IP: Logged
shagnut TUG Member Posts: 2104 From: Winston Salem NC Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-13-2005 19:44 The jungle boat tour , on jet skis, not the one with the motor boat, is a hoot. Lots & lots of fun. The snorkeling was great, right near Club Med. I liked Xcaret, but it doesn't have the great snorkeling like xel-ha. It does have a beautiful beach. Kelli swam with the dolphins there and we have a wonderful video of that. Another fun thing is the pirate boat/ dinner . Tell Mosquito Kelli says hi. And remember my motto, tan fat looks better than white fat!! shaggy ------------------ Leslie Michael IP: Logged
lizhecht Non Member Posts: 42 From: MA Registered: Apr 2001	posted 02-14-2005 04:15 I really liked Xcaret, and have gone twice. We rent a car and drive down to save the tour price, and pack a couple sandwiches and get dinner at the horse ballet. Do the underground river first then stuff everything in a locker and walk around. The river is a cenote and really interesting but not very much in the way of fish to see. There are a lot of other things to do there, a zoo, turtle hatchery and the re-enactment of a Mayan ball game at night is not to be missed! Everything but the beheading. The catamaran tour is fun, the snorkeling was not as good as on the jungle tour, but you won't get to see much of Isla Mujeres. It’s mostly all about the boat ride. IP: Logged
dunner TUG Member Posts: 17 From: Windsor Ont Canada Registered: Aug 2001	posted 02-14-2005 04:59 We did the jungle tour and would do it again. Isla is a must do. We went over by public ferry and taxied down to Garrafon Park and bought the all inclusive for $ 44.00 US It includes drinks and food plus equipment for snorkelling . Great views of many fish on the reef area. We did the catamaran tour 2 years ago and it was fun , but not enough time to explore the island. We will be there March 12 to 19 Less than one month. IP: Logged
jbuzzy11 TUG Member Posts: 600 From: New York Own - Foxrun NC Wks 16, 45 &46, SilverSands SA, Royal Caribbean wks 3&4 Registered: Sep 2002	posted 02-14-2005 10:26 try Xel-Ha (shell ha, we paid one price per person and evrything was free after that... food, snorkle stuff and evrything you do there. we drove there and it took about an hr or so to get there, we had a blast, the food deal throws it in your favor. I think it was around $60 a person? IP: Logged
gresmi TUG Member Posts: 1401 From: Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Own: Aruba - Casa Del Mar, Playa Linda, Aruba Phoenix; Omni Cancun, Seapointer, SA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-14-2005 18:17 Leslie, You're a riot! quote: Originally posted by shagnut: The jungle boat tour , on jet skis, not the one with the motor boat, is a hoot. Lots & lots of fun. The snorkeling was great, right near Club Med. I liked Xcaret, but it doesn't have the great snorkeling like xel-ha. It does have a beautiful beach. Kelli swam with the dolphins there and we have a wonderful video of that. Another fun thing is the pirate boat/ dinner . Tell Mosquito Kelli says hi. And remember my motto, tan fat looks better than white fat!! shaggy ------------------ Greg Greg's Excellent Adventures IP: Logged
gresmi TUG Member Posts: 1401 From: Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Own: Aruba - Casa Del Mar, Playa Linda, Aruba Phoenix; Omni Cancun, Seapointer, SA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-14-2005 18:23 OK. I finally have to say this here. (kicking myself). I don't like dolphin encounters much. (I'm not a tree hugger, but have somewhat of a problem with their training methods). Get a car and drive down to Puerto Aventuras. You can see the dolphin training taking place right in front of you. You can also sign up for the dolphin experience AFTER you've watched all the training and stuff right in front of your face, sitting on a FREE park bench. The charter boats in the marina are pretty good. Have fished off them for a few years. Sometimes you get lucky. :-) ------------------ Greg Greg's Excellent Adventures IP: Logged
jkmeinhardt TUG Member Posts: 110 From: Middletown, Ohio Registered: Oct 2003	posted 02-14-2005 18:58 I second Greg on Puerto Aventuras. Stayed down the road twice at Barcelo Maya Beach Resort and didn't find this little gem of a village until the second trip. Puerto Aventuras is pretty layed back but has enough restaurants and shops to make it interesting. ------------------ Jim IP: Logged
gresmi TUG Member Posts: 1401 From: Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Own: Aruba - Casa Del Mar, Playa Linda, Aruba Phoenix; Omni Cancun, Seapointer, SA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-15-2005 07:12 Boggie, If you have a chance, check out Coba. They're the ruins about 40-50 clicks inland from Tulum. A couple of the ball fields there are in excellent condition and the view from the top of the largest pyramid is spectacular and worth the climb, if you are able and so inclined. Have a great time! quote: Originally posted by boggie: We are considering the jungle tour that Brant Boston offers. Would like to hear from someone who has done this tour if it was worth it and was the snorkeling good? Also thinking about visiting Isla Mujeres and not sure if we should take the ferry and see it on our own or do the catamaran sail trip to the island. Any advice would be appreciated. We were in Cancun last year and visited Chichen Itza and Xel-Ha. Glad we saw Chichen Itza but not something to see every year. We really enjoyed Xel-Ha and the snorkeling there. Would consider X Carat but afraid to be diappointed with it after seeing Xel Ha. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks, Boggie ------------------ Greg Greg's Excellent Adventures IP: Logged
Janis TUG Member Posts: 1132 From: Frederick, MD Wk 15 Royal Sands, Cancun Wk 51 Pelican, St. Maarten, Week 25 Lawrence Welk Villas , Escondido, CA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-15-2005 13:27 We weren't crazy about the Jungle Tour - long ride for limited snorkeling. We liked the snorkeling at Yalku Lagoon much much better (it's near Akumal) You don't need to do the Garrafon All-Inclusive Park to get some good snorkeling on Isla Mujueres. We rented a golf cart , drove to La Castille, next to Garrafon, and snorkeled for $5 (instead of $44). Rent a life jacket and you can snorkel all around Garrafon. The beaches in Mexico are public - you can't be kicked out for not buying the package. You just can't use their beach chairs. But, if you're just snorkeling, you don't need them anyway! You can get your snorkel gear for free if you're staying at the Royals. Otherwise, I think it was about $5 to rent in 2003 ------------------ Janis IP: Logged
ValDar TUG Member Posts: 25 From: Roseville MN USA Registered: Jan 2001	posted 02-16-2005 15:45 I'd like to second the recommendation of Coba. My husband and I have been to Cancun many many times but had never made it to Coba until this year. We're mid-50's, but in fairly good shape, and enjoyed renting bicycles at Coba and biking (it's flat) through the jungle to the various sites, and climbing the pyramid. Other than the drive, the entrance fees (about $4) and bicycles ($2.50) are very reasonable. IP: Logged
geoffb TUG Member Posts: 222 From: New Hampshire Resorts: Club Internacional de Cancun, Royal Sands Registered: Jul 2003	posted 02-16-2005 19:14 Coba is great... Ek Balam is also worth the trip but a little more of an effort. IP: Logged
SK TUG Member Posts: 329 From: Registered: Sep 2002	posted 02-17-2005 09:53 Regarding XCaret -- If you are going there to find good snorkeling, rule out XCaret. There are so many better choices. Xcaret was described by some as a Mayan Disneyland and I think it is right on. You go here to experience a little of Mexican culture (the little village you wander thru, the mini ruins, the old aztec games) and nature (underground river, turtles, really beautiful ceynotes, etc.), and entertainment (not only the evening show, but also the mini shows shown throughout the park throughout the day) all in one place. Regarding dolphin encounter: we watched the more extensive encounter (I think they offer 2 types at XCaret) and it was truly superior (and much more expensive) to the one we did elsewhere. That being said, I really don't recommend it unless you really don't care to see XCaret. If you choose to take the tour you'll get there after 12, use up an hour or two for the underground river, at least an hour or more for the dolphin encounter, and the place practically closes at 5 or so.....you won't get to see the park or all it offers. I recommend doing the dolphin encounter elsewhere and use your time in XCaret for XCaret, not dolphins. Lastly, as I mention above, I feel tours are not the best choice for XCaret because you get there too late. Rent a car for the day, drive there (practically a straight shot as I recall and a really easy drive, too) and get there for just before it opens to take advantage of the many things there to do. JMHO! IP: Logged
dunner TUG Member Posts: 17 From: Windsor Ont Canada Registered: Aug 2001	posted 02-19-2005 10:33 My husband responded to you earlier with his thoughts and I thought I'd give mine. The jungle trip was very exciting! They take you through some narrow cannals with vegetation on either side (the ocean's jungle) then out to the wide open ocean. You feel like you are going like a bat out of ___. Tons of fun if you like boats. Snorkeling was O.K. not great. I had so much fun on the boat that I didn't really care if the snorkeling wasn't wonderful. A must do in my books.Xcaret was a nice day and I'm glad I went, but probably wouldn't do it again. They have tubes that you can paddle out on and watch dolphins. You can interact with them for a fee. The first half of the night show was fabulous!!If you go you have to stay for that.The animals/birds you see when you first get there was worth it.So to some it up, if you are only going to that area once I would skip Xcaret,but more than once it was an enjoyable day.Isla Mujeres catamaran trip was lots of fun. Also, the next year we took the local ferry over and rented golf carts to Garrafon. Paid the all exclusive price. Had a wonderful day ! Must walk the paths around the tip of the island. Tons of fish at the steps off the dock a "10" in my books. If you take Brant's trip you don't have time to go to Garrafon,but still a great trip. If I thought I'd be in that area two years I'd probably do Brant's the first year and do Garrafon the next. Hope this helps. IP: Logged
Blue Skies TUG Member Posts: 126 From: SE Minnesota, Royal Sands Registered: Feb 2002	posted 02-19-2005 11:09 If you are staying at the Royals, Thomas More Travel has a fun snorkel trip. It's called the "Snorkel Adventure". They take you to Puerto Morelos (about 20 minutes down the coast). In the morning you snorkel at two spots, one shallow and one deeper. Then you go in for lunch, which is very good. After lunch they have a couple of informal volleyball games or you can sit in the sun or rest in the hammocks. Then after lunch you go to one snorkel spot. Two years ago when we did this trip, the reef was very healthy with lots of coral and tropical fish. It was the best looking reef we've ever seen around Cancun, most are kind of bare and dead-looking. The guide told us this area was a state or national park and they limit the number of visitors to preserve the health of the reef. I don't know if that's true, but the reef looked very good. IP: Logged
boggie TUG Member Posts: 41 From: Sanford, ME USA Registered: Mar 2003	posted 02-20-2005 06:51 Thanks to everyone for your responses. At this point we are leaning towards Xel-Ha for one day and trying to decide between the jungle tour and Isla Mujeres for our second day trip. Would like to do all 3 but also want plenty of time to relax at the beach. We are staying at the Royal Mayan and my brother and sister-in -law are coming with us. It is our 2nd visit to Cancun and their 1st visit. The guys will probably play golf at least once if the price is reasonable and the course is decent. When we were there last year(not at one of the Royals)we went to Xel-Ha and really enjoyed the snorkeling and found it to be a good deal with everything included in one price so I am comfortable encouraging them to go there. We will have to go over all of your responses with them to see what they prefer to do. Now I wish we had 2 weeks so we could do it all. We'll just have to go back in a couple of years to do the rest of it! Thanks again for all your great responses and keep them coming. Also keep in mind we are all in our mid to late 40's, fairly active and enjoy a good fun party atmosphere but not the wild spring break craziness. So, we are also looking for recommendations for good reasonably priced restaurants and fun night spots. Thanks again, you guys are great!! Boggie IP: Logged
boggie TUG Member Posts: 41 From: Sanford, ME USA Registered: Mar 2003	posted 02-20-2005 13:03 Shaggy, I was looking at the jungle tour both through Entertainment plus and Cancun valet and there is no mention of the jet skis and sounds like only the boats are available, so I am wondering if they no longer use the jet skis for some reason. I thought I had read before that you had a choice of jet skis or boats and also that lunch was provided. Anyway, for those who have done this tour, are the boats just as fun to be on? Thanks, Boggie IP: Logged
gresmi TUG Member Posts: 1401 From: Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Own: Aruba - Casa Del Mar, Playa Linda, Aruba Phoenix; Omni Cancun, Seapointer, SA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-20-2005 18:26 Jim, I am a dedicated TS'er, but I would move into Barcelo Maya if they would let me. :-) quote: Originally posted by jkmeinhardt: I second Greg on Puerto Aventuras. Stayed down the road twice at Barcelo Maya Beach Resort and didn't find this little gem of a village until the second trip. Puerto Aventuras is pretty layed back but has enough restaurants and shops to make it interesting. ------------------ Greg Greg's Excellent Adventures IP: Logged
jkmeinhardt TUG Member Posts: 110 From: Middletown, Ohio Registered: Oct 2003	posted 02-22-2005 09:54 Greg, Maybe we could talk them into turning one of the rooms at the Barcelo Maya into a timeshare just for us quote: Originally posted by gresmi: Jim, I am a dedicated TS'er, but I would move into Barcelo Maya if they would let me. :-) ------------------ Jim [This message has been edited by jkmeinhardt (edited 02-22-2005).] IP: Logged
boggie TUG Member Posts: 41 From: Sanford, ME USA Registered: Mar 2003	posted 02-26-2005 05:27 Thanks again for all the replies. I do have another question concerning the dolphin swim this time. I've heard there is one in town at one of the malls, I think it was. And I know there is one at Xel-ha but I feel it will take too much time away from the park where there is barely enough time to see and do everything else. So I am ruling out the one at Xel-ha or XCaret. I just read somewhere there is one at Isla Mujeres, had not heard this before. Can anyone give me a comparison of prices and experiences at the ones in town and at Isla Mujeres? We will probably pick from one of these or if there is another one somewhere let me know. Thanks again, Boggie 56 days and counting IP: Logged
dennisokey TUG Member Posts: 156 From: Denver Colorado Registered: Nov 2002	posted 02-27-2005 11:24 A nice article in Caribbean Travel & life, March 05 on the ruins at Coba, Chichen Itza and others. IP: Logged
shagnut TUG Member Posts: 2104 From: Winston Salem NC Registered: Dec 2000	posted 02-27-2005 17:58 It's been a few years since I've been there so I don't know if they have done away with the jet skis. I hate to spend $65 for a jet ski rental only, that's why I liked the jet ski jungle tour. I saw the boats, nothing that would interest me. shaggy ------------------ Leslie Michael IP: Logged

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