[Hyack]

Unsound Unsound:

It's ok for for me to necro my own topic right?

No it's not! You're still a #@&(%@&^+&% necro poster!...

Have a great trip.....

[Tyler_1]

My Mom and Dad used to go to Mexico every winter and bring be back cool Mexican stuff.
That's all I know but I am happy you get to go.

[Freakinoldguy]

Unsound Unsound:

It's ok for for me to necro my own topic right? Considering going back to Mexico this winter with some friends. Loved Mazatlan when we went last but thining of the other coast this time. Anyone have any recommendations for places to go, resorts to stay at, activities to try?

Had some friends who went over to the Cancun area a couple of years ago for a change of pace. They said it was dirty and the people were downright hostile towards tourists so they said they'd never go back.

They also said it was hotter than the west coast and that the wind always blew.

I couldn't verify this since I've never set foot on that coast of Mexico but hey why not try some of those trip advisor review things to check out the resorts and so on. They should have reviews for places and things to do.

Good luck.

[Unsound]

The problem with tripadvisor and similiar things is too much info. I can find a hundred good reviews of just about everything, thats why I'm hoping to hear from people that I kind of know and trust. Been talking to friends and family in RL as well, of course, and they're the one's whose advice gets the most weight, but I feel it doesn't hurt to hear from everyone else as well.

[Toastmaker]

Unsound, I lived and worked in Cancun for 11 years. I have no reason to tell you things that are untrue. Cancun, as a tourist region has grown tremendously and now encompases much of what was previously known as the Mayan Riviera. Most of the all-inclusive resorts are slightly south of Cancun about 8 to 30 miles down the coast road from the airport.

Tip no. 1 for having a good, relaxing, trouble-free vacation (anywhere)is not to leave your manners or patience at home. Bring them and use them often. Of the "gringos" who live in the area, many are Canadian and most work in the hotel, timeshare or transportation businesses. Chosing a resort or hotel is very much dependant on what type of tourist you want to be; ultra-active, do lots of activities,tours and nightlife - or relax, decompress and be waited on hand and foot in tropical comfort. . . or a bit of both! Cancun is known for catering to both types and they are absolute experts at it. I could write volumes of tips and suggestions but for now I'll focus on the local water/ice myth that foreigners have about Mexican resort areas.

Cancun, like most established tourism cities, have multiple water purification plants and a robust and active health department. The water used in restaurants, hotels and even food spots in town IS PURIFIED WATER ! Really, no kidding. But they are happy to sell you high priced bottled water all day long if it makes you feel better! In 11 years of drinking water, ice and food made with local water, I never had a single case of dysentery or gastric upset caused by water-borne bacteria. What causes people to get the runs and stomach aches is DEHYDRATION ! People not acclimated to humid tropical climates start to dehydrate quickly and lots of alcohol, activities and unusual foods accellerate the process. Dehydration affects your digestive system immediately and can cause gastric distress that tourists immediately blame on the local water - not their own over-indulgence and poor judgement. Be smart - all things in moderation and do drink plenty of water during the day/night to keep youself hydrated.
There is one water system that no one drinks from and that is outside faucets used only for industrial purposes or landscape work. This is completely separate from the municipal water supply system and is from untreated well water.
Anyway - this is long and I can continue to assist with any other questions you have if you wish. . .

You'll have a great time and be reluctant to leave !

[Unsound]

Appreciate the info Toastmaker. We're looking for the "bit of both" type holiday. Really need some relaxing pool bar type days, but I've also always been of the opinion that if I'm going to go that far from home then I better get out and see some stuff that I can't see here. That's one of the reasons we're planning on the east coast, really wanna get out and see some ruins.

At the moment we're most leaning towards Riviera Maya, just because from what I've been hearing Cancun itself is a little more wild party oriented. I'm a married man in my 30s, I don't need to party with co-eds, although i don't mind if there's a few of them wandering around in bikinis

[123zxc]

I have working at at Newpaper since in the north since 2005. I go down there 2 or 3 times a year for a couple of weeks at a time. I was there for a week in September and will go back in the middle of November for two

I have made many friends and met their family.A family there is something like 100 people. I know when I visit them it takes a whole day to say hi.

I try to eat at same places and types of food that have work well for me. I have eaten fabulous seafood tacos for $.25 front a street stand

You need to be prepared ..its the some of little things that we take for granted ...buy 4 or 5 gal of water and have water with you...at 45C you will need it..where at hat

Mexico is no more dangerous than parts of Winnpeg....down there you are a gringo be aware of it
You need to know your limits

[Toastmaker]

Ok, then you're headed for the right area - Riviera Maya is full of truly full-service resorts, some all-inclusive (including non-motorized watersports), some not so that you're not adverse to sampling food opportunities out on the local scene.

Anything near Playa del Carmen will afford you the chance to shop, eat and hang around a very neat part of that town called "5th Avenue" which I've spent hours in, sitting in streetside cafes watching the world go by. All manner of restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping line this pedestrian friendly avenue and every known watersport from scuba to deep sea fishing is available there and can be arranged via your resort concierge, if not on-site at the resort itself.

Cancun (hotel zone) is a bit more party oriented but it's so big that you can easily avoid all that noisy stuff. Many people don't know this but the population is well over a million people with all the attendant infrastructure associated with that size population.

You will also be much closer to the fabulous ruins of Tulum, which sit on a cliff overlooking one of the best Caribbean coastlines. Keep in mind though that one Mayan ruined city pretty much looks like the next and you'll be offered trips to Chichen-Itza, the largest - but it's a long bus ride inland both ways and much time spent in transit (which will eat into your relaxing pool bar time considerably).

If you're going to be there for a while (more than 3 or 4 days) it's best to change money at a bank branch where you will receive the federal rate of exchange. the little exchange houses will have a slightly worse rate so that they can make a profit too. US currency is no problem but you'll receive change in Pesos (it's the law).
Unless you are either interested in timeshare or don't mind wasting LOTS of time just to get a free tour of something - avoid accepting any offer of free stuff that involve any kind of presentation of 90 minutes. That 90 minutes will absolutely evolve into 3 to 4 hours, minimum ! Just say NO, THANKS - and keep walking, especially at the airport where they will try to offer you transportation in return for your agreeing to an appointment. Consult with the resort you pick with regard to transportation from the airport. Some have it available in-house or will give you options. The resort itself may have a timeshare division and the same suggestion applies. Your choice.