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A few questions about my Cancun trip

NMT
Chicago, IL
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52 posts
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A few questions about my Cancun trip
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Dear all,

I am going to Cancun next Monday and stay there for a week. I have a few questions as follows:

(1) I am going to stay at Royal Cancun VCI (not all inclusive) so I probably will dine out every day. I heard people don’t recommend to use credit card in the restaurants or for shopping. Is it true? I assume Walmart and Costco will be OK. Right?

(2) I have 2 kids (4 and 10) and won’t rent a car this trip. I find a lot of good restaurants located in downtown. I just wonder usually how much does it cost for the taxi to go to downtown from hotel zone? I am thinking about taking bus. Will it be safe to take the bus to downtown for dinner and return?

(3) I heard the temperature will drop to 70’s next week. I am thinking to go to Xcaret but I wonder will it be too cold to do snorkeling?

(4) Usually how much tips do you give to private airport shuttle driver and tour guide?

(5) I just wonder how bad the unpaved road at Chichen-Itza? Can I use my stroller there?

(6) Instead of signing up a tour, I am thinking to take a ferry and rent a golf cart to travel around at Isla Mujeres. Is it easy to do?

(7) if it rains for almost a whole day, what activities will you recommend?

I am sorry to have so many questions in one posting! Thanks.

Glasgow, Scotland...
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1. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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OP

I'll give you my thought's on 2 and 6

The bus service is Cancun is fantastic, frequent, efficient and very cheap for the tourist. I would have no concerns over safety even at night - Usual personal safety common sense applies - I do however note you use a stroller - I'm not familiar with the term however i am assuming it is a walking aid of some description. Many of the cancun buses have high step thresholds to negotiate so this may be problematic for you - They also don't stick about at bus stops i have have on occasion found half of myself on the bus and the other half disembarking :D

With regards to Isla Mujures i can not recommend hiring a golf cart highly enough - You are free to do your own thing, go wherever you want and not be restricted to a schedule. I have done this several times and dound the carts to be in good condition, good value for money and close to the ferry terminal.

Can't wait to do all of the above! A week and a half to go!

Minnesota
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for Cancun
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2. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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First off, you will absolutely love the Royal Cancun VCI with your kids. The beach is wonderful, the facilities are great. The pools are heated, too. There is a pool with turtles that kids love to watch and iguanas in the front gardens.

The restaurant at the resort is reasonably priced, has good food and lots of kid options and very family friendly. The mini market also has whatever you'll need on site.

Cabs are available right in the lobby. The bellman will grab a cab. Prices are posted on the wall. Buses are safe to ride and the majority of people do ride the buses. They stop out front of the resort to the left of the entrance to head downtown and then across the street to head further into the hotel zone. There is a crosswalk right outside the front of the resort.

Tips are so personal I have no comments on that. I'm sorry.

The unpaved pathways at Chichen Itza.....hmmm....some areas are stroller friendly (well worn), others have tree roots that you'll need to navigate. You can always try it.

No need to take a tour to Isla Mujeres. You can take a ferry (Ultramarr is the high speed one) from several locations in the hotel zone for a more expensive price or from Puerto Juarez (cab it there) for a cheaper one. Rent a golf cart and take the kids to see the turtle farm, snorkel off of north beach, etc

Rainy day activities: swim on the beach or in the heated pool, lots of activities at the resort for kids during rainy days, go to La Isla Mall and see the aquarium, etc.

Have a wonderful trip!

Cheryl

Savannah, Georgia
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3. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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(1) CC at Walmart/Cosco probably alright. Been many times & have used CC without any problem ever. however there are many reports over the years of illegal CC use so I advise using it as little as possible.

(2) Plenty of restaurants of all price ranges in both the HZ & the real downtown Cancun. Bus is cheap & safe, less then $1.00 US. Taxi should be around $10.00 US. Make sure you set the price before leaving for you destination.

(3) Temp will be fine, what is cold is the underground river because it is a real underground river.Getting in is not fun, going down the river is fun you get used to the cold water.

(4) I give $1.00 per bag. Tour guys $5 to $10.00 for 2 . Keep in mind the average worker earns 5 to 10 for a 10 to 12 hour day.

(5) CI walking path is very rocky at the initial path & going to the sacred cenote but is doable.

(6) Get a Mapchick map of the island. Yes just take the ferry over, rent a golf cart.

(7) Walk around Kukulcan Mall or La Isla Mall ?

You can go on Google st view & look at the paths in CI or anywhere in Cancun.

I am sorry to have

Boston...
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4. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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Call you CC's Bank before you go to let them know. Also find out if they charge any additional fees for using the CC in Mexico, many do, some don't like CapiticalOne does not. I have use my CC in the Yucatan area of Mexico without any problems, usually for large items. I use local currency for regular things. I've used both at restaurants.

Edited: 10 years ago
Boston...
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5. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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(2) I have taken to bus several time to downtown or to go to Wet and Wild. No problems but depending ofnthe time of day, they could be crowded with local people going to/from their work at the hotels. Oh, when I take the bus to Wet and Wild, I don't go to Wet and Wild. I walk outside along the water and watch and sometimes try to talk to the local people fishing. However, my Spanish is very poor but the people are friendly.

Fort Worth, Texas
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for Cancun
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6. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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1. "I heard people don’t recommend to use credit card in the restaurants or for shopping. Is it true?"

IMO, No. I use my debit card ALMOST everywhere. Works out to 1% more for the conversion of the currency.

2. " I find a lot of good restaurants located in downtown. I just wonder usually how much does it cost for the taxi to go to downtown from hotel zone? I am thinking about taking bus. Will it be safe to take the bus to downtown for dinner and return?"

$20.00 ISH maybe $25 for the entire family of 5. I depends on where in downtown. Downtown Cancun is not as small as most people think it is.

3. " I heard the temperature will drop to 70’s next week. I am thinking to go to Xcaret but I wonder will it be too cold to do snorkeling?"

Naa you'll be fine. Ocean temp will still be high. Found this. "Cancun water temperatures are always bathtub warm, varying from 78°F-80°F in the winter months to 82°F-84°F in the summer months"

http://www.cancun-discounts.com/cancun-weather.htm

"(4) Usually how much tips do you give to private airport shuttle driver " I give $5.00

"(6) Instead of signing up a tour, I am thinking to take a ferry and rent a golf cart to travel around at Isla Mujeres. Is it easy to do? "

Yes, take the bus to Playa Tortuga and catch the ultramar ferry. $17.00 pp rt. First one leaves at 9am sharp.

(7) if it rains for almost a whole day, what activities will you recommend?

Drinking, shopping, and eating out at restaurants. At least that's what we do. .

Edited: 10 years ago
Fort Worth, Texas
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7. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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2. "$20.00 ISH maybe $25 for the entire family of 5"

I was referring to a taxi. It's difficult to take the bus to most restaurants in downtown. Or at least the ones I like going to. Reason being, the bus does not stop close to them. Too far to walk once you get off. Again, downtown is big. The one that goes thru the hotel zone is on a circular path. You can get off that bus, and catch another, but gets confusing, time consuming and costly. For a few bucks more you can go directly to, and back. I have 5 in my family. Oops, sorry I thought you had 5 in your family. Not sure if it's 3 or 4 of you. So, $15 -20 on the taxi ride .

Poughkeepsie, NY
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8. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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Cheryl has such a great way with words ( which I could speak like that ). VCI is great for kids, waters nice and calm, and CC's there are well received. Use the NASCAR ( er, Mexican bus ). You will thank me later for the ride of your life. 9.5 pesos ( or 75 US cents ). Isla Mujerles? Take the NASCAR to Playa Tortugas ( closeby) and take the ferry over to Isla. Rent a golf cart. Have fun. Snorkeling? Weather will be 80's, and snorkeling with kids in front of VCI is fun ( and free ). Great snorkeling in Punta Nizuc, Puerto Morales, and, if you dare to go far, Akumal and Yal-Ku lagoon ( will be there in a week, whoopee ). BTW, VCI has a good program for kids and rainy days ( paint plates, play poker ( well, for adults, no money involved ). Walk from the VCI a block over the bridge to the Pirate's Tavern. It's a hole in the wall, but great food and drinks. Now I can't wait to get there.

Edited: 10 years ago
Toronto, Canada
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6) very easy to do. However, if you do the golf cart, I suggest an adult hold the 4 year old (they are open sided, no seat belts) as you are on fully functioning roads with cars, trucks etc.

NMT
Chicago, IL
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52 posts
2 reviews
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10. Re: A few questions about my Cancun trip
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Thank you for all your valuable input, all your answers are very helpful. I am sorry I have one more question. In Cancun downtown, I just wonder is anything worth to see other than Market 28? Thanks again.

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