I have been informed by my better half and 14 year old that they want to go to cancun this year for a holiday. We have not had one in 3 years while i changed careers and generally had absolutely no cash.
So i feel they deserve a good one this year.
So, for all of you guys and girls who have holidayed there what are the high and low points please and any tips on who to book with and where to stay would be very much appreciated.
We will be wanting to get away to do some cultural trips along with diving for me and the boy etc.
Many thanks in advance
Good point, the weather.
Bad point, the Americans.
I'd be careful in Mexico at the moment due to the massive violence which is spreading and has occurred in Cancun recently. I'd try Cuba instead.
Just to add, Cuba has the weather and NO Americans, though loads of Canadians carrying enormous thermal mugs!
Been there and would not recommend it. We were there just after 9/11, not many Americans but those that were there managed to spoil a few days fun 🙄
Not a lot to do for teenagers imo and depends when you go it is VERY HOT, got sunbunrt through my t-shirt one day ❗
It is just a big theme park and can be quite intimidating walking around after being warned about the vagrants from the town who wander about in gangs but you only actually see 1 person.
In the bars it is expected to give good tips to get "good" drink otherwise you get the local/watered down fair 💡 or don`t get served again in some places.
Suggest Croatia or /and Slovenia, much nicer and friendlier with more to do and see.
Our summer is their hurricane season - so you actually get quite a bit of rain there in august, but it's warm 🙂
Sol is very cheap. So are sunglasses.
Cenotes are AMAZING
In ruins are very cool too
Most tourists like to swim with dolphins (they smell of fish - which is obvious really when you think about it, dunno why I was surprised)
Get out of cancun and travel an hour down the coast to the Mayan Rivera. places like playa del carmen are lovely 🙂
Cozamel is more exclusive and like most of the coast has amazing diving
Agree that the yanks are largely pretty annoying,( esp. In cancun which is a bit 'benidorm') Very loud, very guache and often drunk (yay, spring break 🙄 )
Don't bother with all inclusive if you like Mexican food. Restaurants are cheap and good quality - the yanks demand it 😉
The trip to http://www.lost-civilizations.net/mayan-pyramids-chichen-itza.html was a bit of an eye opener. It is a very long day and we stopped at a service station on the way there and a restaurant on the way back. Everywhere we stopped there were soldiers/police with big guns!!!
When we were there the temp was 36deg and rising, we had to hide in the shade for quite a bit it was so uncomfortable. Very interesting place but would need more than the few hrs guided tour we had to really do it justice.
Cancun is one of the few places I did not feel relaxed about wandering around as a "tourist"
Most tourists like to swim with dolphins
The boats we saw seemed to be pretty overcrowded and we heard a few moans re not being enough shelter from the sun.
Lots of jet skis for hire. We were warned to beware of a scam re damage to jet skis after returning them. Make sure you inspect the jet ski carefully and document any damage prior to taking one out
As above, beware the hurricane season
Got married there 5years ago love they weather and the locals but As others have said the yanks realy spoiled the whole place tbh, loud aggressive and rude at night, loud, obnoxious and rude during the day, loud arrogant and rude in the evening....oh and did i mention RUDE we had a American relative with us (that now lives in UK) and even he was shocked at the yanks behavior! The other thing we noticed is Dolphins everywhere cant pop out for a beer without someone try to get you to swim with the damn dolphins even the local shopping center had a damn dolphin pool 😆
Thanks for all the input.......decided against cancun amd mexico as a whole for now, next question.....Croatia....... 🙂
love croatia.
Mrs S and I took a cruise on a 20berth tub from Split to Dubrovnik and back. Taking in Brac, Hvar, Miljet, Korcula etc. Beatuiful coastline, superb weather. Nice people.
good snorkling although not lots of wildlife and very salty water - but very clear and warm.
Mexico is a shithole. Fact. If you like doing the Tijuana two-step with your lunch running down your inside leg, go for it.
The people are all bone idle. So is the jungle - it can't even be arsed growing higher than 6 ft, so it's not even a proper jungle. Just an overgrown charmless scrub full of snakes and biting spiders.
The only living thing that can be bothered actually doing anything in Mexico are the mosquitos, so if you like coming home with ankles that look like something out of a Beryl Cook painting, Mexico is the place for you.
And don't get me started on the yanks - loudmouth morons who like nothing more than sitting in the pool pouring lager in one end and pissing it out of the other without even standing up. Vile.
Apart from that, it's great.
Shibboleth is Jezza and I claim my 5 Pesetas!
Mexico is a shithole. Fact. If you like doing the Tijuana two-step with your lunch running down your inside leg, go for it.The people are all bone idle. So is the jungle - it can't even be arsed growing higher than 6 ft, so it's not even a proper jungle. Just an overgrown charmless scrub full of snakes and biting spiders.
The only living thing that can be bothered actually doing anything in Mexico are the mosquitos, so if you like coming home with ankles that look like something out of a Beryl Cook painting, Mexico is the place for you.
And don't get me started on the yanks - loudmouth morons who like nothing more than sitting in the pool pouring lager in one end and pissing it out of the other without even standing up. Vile.
Apart from that, it's great.
Great review!
not at all what i experienced, but i was im Mexico city then Puerto Vallata which was lovely but i have heard it gets a bit awful during spring break
That tub:
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Dubrovnik:
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[url= http://www.neilson.co.uk/?lpsrc=Google_TC+-+Neilson&lpkey=neilson+travel&lppkid=p166294609&adv=nls&advid=29&ord=brand&gclid=CM7Qyq3h6acCFdFX4QodjkYWaw ]Starter fo Croatia[/url]
+1 what stoner says.
Only had one seaside week so far but will be going back. Have been to Slovenia 3 times, last time 1wk in Cro and 1wk in the mountains of Slov, love it 😆 Do not expect fish`n chips to be found anywhere tho 😉
will have a look for some pics later, off out biking now
It's some years since I've been but I'd second -
Get out of cancun and travel an hour down the coast to the Mayan Rivera. places like playa del carmen are lovely
Cozamel is more exclusive and like most of the coast has amazing diving
Cancun is Las Vegas on Sea. Horrible, characterless, strip of shopping malls on a little strip of sand.
Mexico is great, the food can be good (especially on the coat) and there are some nice towns on the Yucatan peninsula (and further afield if you get as far as San Cristobal).
However, can't vouch for current security situation or suitability for a 14 year old, and Croatia looks lovely.
Went to Secrets Capri near Cancun last year . Its an all inclusive 5 star and was bloody marvellous. Look it up on the tinternet! Oh sorry just remembered it's a no kiddies venue sorry. I would however recommend that area. The people are lovely. food great & so is the weather!
if I were you I'd go (back to) Thailand on the coast south of bangkok - around Hua Hin.
The national parks are within driving distance - they are BEAUTIFUL.
Likewise the Kwai river & burmese railway - it's awesome
This is the area is where the bangkok middle class go on holiday, so it is family oriented, friendly, prostitute free & ALOT cheaper than Kosamui & the other typical europeans holiday destinations.
The most expensive meal we had in a hotel was £25. For 2 courses for four, with drinks.
The cheapest we had was £5, with drinks. unbelievable.