What are the "must do" excursions while in Cancun, and who to you recommend booking them from? Also, what was the price you paid?
I'll bite since I have been 6 times.....<this last no excursion> Not knowing where you are from is hard. I typically go online and see best deal/best reputation. Cancun Discounts - Cheap Cancun Tours, Hotels, Activities, More. (as well as booked directly & even waited to use the tour person BUT you are better off getting a price online and using that to your advantage if waiting for an operator at the hotel tours desk). Chichen-Itza - LONG bus ride and hot as hell (this even coming from a Texan) Nice to know the history and see but you would have to be a real history buff to enjoy Tulum w/ Xcarat or Xel-ha - Nice all day (ride about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours) but got to see some Mayan ruins plus enjoy a dip in cold freshwater. Tulum was hot as hell too but it is on the ocean (so nice views/wonderful pictures) Selvatica + horseback riding - Zip-line was great and we went upside down, etc... Horseback riding was 'ok' (not like on the beach in say Puerto Rico or someplace) Isla Mujeres - best method is to take the ferry over yourself (from El Embarcadero) - walk out of hotel go to the left about 1/2 a mile or so and get on the ferry. Once there rent a golf cart for $15 (need a driver's license). Go to the other side of the island and snorkel (bring own equipment or rent). Have dinner over there, etc... Catamaran with Isla Mujeres - fair price/ok deal, not the greatest but relaxation for 4 hours but not compared to diving Fishing - been a while since I have fished but when I went it was awesome but others may have more 'newer' experiences. If you are staying at temptations - spend a day at the beach on the Carribbean side (big waves side).... They have all kind of Dolphin places (Dreams hotel, Wet & Wild, Dolphin Discovery at Isla Mujeres) - these are enjoyable but they definitely are baiting you with buying the expensive pictures/dvd of your adventure. Nightlife - must at least go to Congo Bongo for a night out (mandatory) if you have never done it
I've managed to do a few excursions while down there, Chichen-Itza was neat to see once. I found that it was overly crowded in the heat and not much for shaded areas to escape to. One of the Highlights of my trip was the coba pyramid. I booked through my travel agent by the alternative bar and found it to be the better deal. On this trip they take you to a mayan village where you learn a lot about the mayan culture. We got to do everything from zip lining, canoeing and rope repelling into a underground cenote. The only negative is that when you get to coba you only get so much time there and if you want to climb the pyramid which was amazing you pretty much have to ditch the tour group and make your way there right away. As far as fishing goes, I went with the boats right off the docks by the volleyball court. The office is around the corner from the bathrooms and it was $125/person for 6 hours of fishing and all you can drink.
How much was the tour to Coba and how long did it last? You said you booked through the travel agent right at the resort? Were their prices better overall?
I have a few questions too. I am planning to take some trips like the poster above recommended. This is my first time booking these online, I am wondering if "Cancun Discounts" trust worthy? Are they picking me up at the hotel, else where do we meet? Thanks a bunch !
I have used them the previous 2 years (no issues in going to Selvatica/Horsebackriding & Tulum/Xcaret) and have booked with them on Wednesday July 21st to go to Xplor (when I take the kids to Cancun). So batting 2-2 with a 3rd at bat coming. Though they made it clear they are picking us up at 7:15am.
Don't forget you can pre book your tours right here at cancuncare. A good starting point is here: Cancun Tours: Information on Tours in Cancun. We sell pretty much every tour that Cancun Discounts do and use the same providers in most cases. So please support the upkeep of this forum by considering buying your excursions via cancuncare instead. This forum itself doesn't generate much in the way of income and takes a lot of my time to run, it's the ancillary things such as airport transfers and tours that help pay the forum running costs. Also, with me you know who you're dealing with and I am easily contactable for any queries you may have.
I always take a speed boat out with my wife its pretty fun. It's also nice to take a bus in to town to walk around and do some shopping around town. Just make sure you have good negotiating skills!
