Who's been to Cancun?

[Draco]

I'm planning to get the hell of Chicago for a week and Cancun is my destination. For the people who have been there, where did you stay? What did you think of it.

Also, do you have to exchange all your US currency for Peso's? When I was in Cozumel they took USD, so I was wondering if it was the same in Cancun?

 

[Capn]

not I said the capn

 

[6TNINE]

i'm pretty sure they will take USD, its just worth more to them than a peso. When you gonna be there? i'm going for spring break - leaving march 17th-24th

69

 

[Maverick]

never been to Cancun, but I went to Mazatlan 3 years ago. Lots of fun, cute girls getting naked all over the place. Try to attend a wet t-shirt contest if you can

 

[Hammer]

I can't remember the name off the top of my head. Yes, they take USD but you'll get a really bad exchange rate. Exchange you dollars at the banks in Cancun, there usually a few that have very good exchange rates. Make sure you hit the Cocobongo.

 

[Jzero]

<< I'm planning to get the hell of Chicago for a week and Cancun is my destination. For the people who have been there, where did you stay? What did you think of it. >>


I was unimpressed. Can't imagine why you'd go there unless you're under 21. I stayed at the Miramar Mision. It was actually pretty decent. Good size pool, half-decent food, pretty nice room, good stretch of beach.
My gf stayed at Oasis. The rooms were kind of weak, but the beach has a DJ and all kinds of stuff always going on.
You can live one of two lives in Cancun--sleep at night and spend your days doing touristy kind of things or sleep all day and spend your nights getting plastered and clubbing.
If you manage to wake up during the day, definitely take one of the "jungle tours" you see offered...very fun.
If you like tequila, definitely try to eat at La Destileria at some point.
The booze cruise was a good time.

Oh and everybody wants a tip. Even if they didn't do anything.



<< Also, do you have to exchange all your US currency for Peso's? When I was in Cozumel they took USD, so I was wondering if it was the same in Cancun? >>


Most places in and around Cancun take USD. In fact, most people seem to prefer it since it holds better value than the peso. I was bartering with a guy at a shop and found that he was willing to take a lower price in USD than in pesos.
However, spend your greenbacks wisely because they love to play this scam:
1 dollar is usually worth 7 or 8 pesos. Of course the exchange rate fluctuates. For ease of calculation most people just go with 10 pesos = 1 USD.
But here's how they screw you. You say "How much to get into this club?" The guy says "70 pesos." You say "Can you take USD?" He says "Si. 7 dolares."
You give him $10.
He does NOT give you 30 pesos in change, however. When he calculates your change he gives you the going rate and only gives you 21 or 24 pesos. It's a bunch of crap, so you have to be choosy about when you bust out your USD and when you just stick to pesos.

 

[Nil]

They will take USD, but you'll want to get some pesos for things like bus rides (its just easier). Also.. Cancun rules!! I was there a couple of years back and had many much funs. You can drink damn near every where! Make sure you check out Senoir Frogs. And unless your really into old ruins, stay away from Chichniza (SP?). Its a four hour bus ride both ways and was a waist of time.

We stayed at the Omni hotel and it was great. All the people there were wonderful.

And, watch out for the people who will try to sell you time share! They will offer you free food and then try to give you a three hour sales pitch.

Have fun!

 

[Jzero]

<< I can't remember the name off the top of my head. Yes, they take USD but you'll get a really bad exchange rate. Exchange you dollars at the banks in Cancun, there usually a few that have very good exchange rates. Make sure you hit the Cocobongo. >>



I found I got the best exchange rates from the AmEx place in Plaza Kukulcan. Check it out.

 

[daddyo]

I went to Cancun for business 3 weeks ago. We stayed at the Hilton. It was beautiful, no reason to leave the place honestly. It's a bit outside of town, but taxis are fairly cheap. We had open bar and restaurant tabs at the hotel, so I can't comment on the prices.

Everywhere we went, they accepted USD.

In all honesty, I had a good time, but I doubt I'll go back. Anywhere outside of the resort hotels is pretty much a dump. Next island trip I go on will be to a US or UK island, like Bermuda, or the Virgin Islands. From what I hear, they are kept up MUCH better.

 

[cjsketchy]

I stayed at this all-inclusive place a few years ago, in Playa del Carmen, a bit down the highway from cancun. I believe it was called Viva Resorts or something... I thought it was great. Snorkelling was a bit lacking but the beaches and ocean are beautiful. They're more than happy to take your USD. Unfortunately, staying at a family resort, I didn't get to see any of this pointless nudity, but the bikinis, and occasional topless, were good enough.

 

[Hammer]

I have to concur on La Disteleria, also try the Argentine Steak House, very good steaks there. Eating at Senor Frogs is a good idea and you can stay for the entertainment later. I saw something there that would make FFMCobalt spontaneously combust.

 

[Draco]

<< i'm pretty sure they will take USD, its just worth more to them than a peso. When you gonna be there? i'm going for spring break - leaving march 17th-24th

69 >>



Probably late April. How much was your airfare? What airline?

Airfare to Cancun seems pretty steep, even in the off season.

Thanks for all the feedback guys

 

[calbear2000]

I stayed at the Gran Caribe Real - one of the last resorts on the strip (the resorts form an 7-shape)
It was nice - most places accept USD, but like someone said, they will get you on an unfavorable exchange rate and/or a lack of change.

To get around, take the local bus which is only 5 pesos. Pretty much traverses the entire strip.

Beaches are nice... try to find a less crowded one and you'll get the turquoise water all to yourself.

You'll see a bunch of advertisements for Xcaret which they make out to be the best amusement/water park in Mexico - not worth the $80 or so USD they charge.

Good clubs (if you're into that sort of thing) are DaddyO's and Senor Frog's.

 

[MajesticMoose]

I went in 1988 i think, that would make me 5 at the time. I'm fairly certain that we stayed in the sheraton. I know for sure that the pool had a swim-up bar and a big waterfall. Other than i know it was hot and there were people with pigs walking down the street outside town. That's about all i remember.

 

[Liviathan]

Get on the first cab you see and tell them to take you to Chilly Willy or Club 21!!!

 

[MaxDepth]

I was there last month. Actually, I went through Cancun to get to the Wash Cenotes in the interior of the Yucatan Penninsula. I was staying in Cozumel for 10 days.

The Cenotes are underwater cave systems and are good for fresh water scuba diving. But Jzero is right. Its a great college spring break trap, if you're under or right at 21. But it's not cold, windy Chicago, right!

Some places (each price per place is for 4 people):
Omni Cancun Hotel Villas - about $150/night and close to the nude beach
The Hilton is too pricey and not worth it at $270/night

best bet:
Margaritas Hotel - in the heart of the city and $52/night - party central

If your school (I'm assuming you are a student) is running promotions, then you get a chance for lower prices and maybe a meal plan, I'm thinking. My dive trips always included a breakfast/lunch plan included in the trips. Having meals paid for beforehand is a good thing for me. If not, look up hotels on expedia.com.

NOTES!
1) If you get a meal plan, the waiters pester you for a tip/gratuity even though you serve yourself. If you tip write down the amount and mark it in either pesos or as USD. A friend thought he tipped 20 pesos and they charged him 20 dollars!
2) Credit card are necessary for restaurants and duty-free shops! Your credit co. or bank will get you the best exchange rate, although I don't recommend you using your debit card.
3) Senior Frogs and Carlos 'n' Charlies are 2 hip spots. Most babes will be there at night.
4)If you make a connecting flight to Houston, there are currency exchange places in the airport (600 pesos = $75 USD - plenty for cabs and tips/week). of course there is a small transaction fee.

I don't know about Cancun, but in Cozumel you can rent a motorscooter for 10 - 20 bucks a day. I like Coz better because it's not as touristy (although they have a party nightlife in town!). But I'm afraid in about 5 or 6 years from now, it'll be the same as Cancun.

[EDIT:] sorry, didn't read all of your thread. where did you stay in Coz? I stayed in Plaza las Glorias.







-Pics of the trip will be uploaded as soon as I can get my frikken scanner to work!!!!-

 

[levarcapricorn]

i went with my family years ago
we stayed at the sheraton, pretty nice hotel.
nice pools and whatnot.
im sure its changed quite a bit in the 10 or so years.
but the beach and water in cancun is primo.
should be a good time.

 

[cressida]

<< never been to Cancun, but I went to Mazatlan 3 years ago. Lots of fun, cute girls getting naked all over the place. Try to attend a wet t-shirt contest if you can >>




hehehe

 

[Jzero]

<< your school (I'm assuming you are a student) is running promotions, then you get a chance for lower prices and maybe a meal plan, I'm thinking. My dive trips always included a breakfast/lunch plan included in the trips. Having meals paid for beforehand is a good thing for me. If not, look up hotels on expedia.com. >>


The meal plan I got with Student City.com was horrendous. Not worth it at all. My GF was on a different tour and her plan actually allowed you to go to fast-food places which wasn't too bad.



<< 1) If you get a meal plan, the waiters pester you for a tip/gratuity even though you serve yourself. If you tip write down the amount and mark it in either pesos or as USD. A friend thought he tipped 20 pesos and they charged him 20 dollars! >>


Doesn't help that they use the $ sign for USD and pesos


<< I don't know about Cancun, but in Cozumel you can rent a motorscooter for 10 - 20 bucks a day. >>


You can in Cancun as well, but the traffic there is muy mal and you are very likely to be pulled over by the federales who will only seem to know enough English to ask you for a bribe.
Further, the insurance restrictions are very lax and you could get into some financial holes if you hit someone or get hit.

I thought of another thing:
For BREAKFAST go to a place called OK Maguey! It's also in Plaza Kukulcan. They give you a sit-down all-you-can-eat breakfast (you pick stuff off the menu and when you finish that you pick more stuff off the menu) for $7 and they always give you a coupon for your next visit. so it ends up being like $6 every time after that. It's good, fresh food instead of the crap buffet that the meal plans often feature.








-Pics of the trip will be uploaded as soon as I can get my frikken scanner to work!!!!-[/i] >>

 

[jjones]

I live in Cancun. Does that count?

Good hotels to stay: Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, F. A. Condesa, Gran Caribe Real, Melia Cancun, Omni Cancun, Camino Real, etc. Depends on your budget.

If you're looking for good hotel rates, go here: www.caribeadventure.com

Don't worry about changing money if you don't want to; everyone will accept dollars. You might want to change some for bus fare. If you do change money, don't do it at the hotel but go to a bank instead or downtown to one of the exchange places you'll see on the street. You'll get a much better exchange rate.

 

[Hammer]

That was it, the Melia Cancun! Damn my druken memories. Btw, the Melia has an excellent on call doctor. I got woken up at 4am and one of my friends was delivered pass it in a wheelchair. They found him passed out in front of the hotel.

 

[Netopia]

Been there... but not in the last 14 years! Couple hurricanes since then have rearranged the landscape more than just a bit.

Joe

 

[jjones]

Yeah, the Melia Cancun is a very nice hotel.


<< Been there... but not in the last 14 years! Couple hurricanes since then have rearranged the landscape more than just a bit. >>


The last one that did the real damage was Gilbert back in '86 I think. I first came here in '83 when there were just a few hotels around the Convention Center. After Gilbert they put the fast track on development.

 

[Draco]

bump.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

JJones, the Omni Cancun looks great. I called about rates, and it was significantly less then Marriott. Anymore comments on that resort?

 

[glen]

It sucks.
diarrhea/dirty beeches/hotels/streets/cabs
You want a nice beech in an exotic location, Cote D'Azure.