Mexico vacation input needed

sphelps · #1 12-17-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24storm

Thanks for the input people keep the ideas coming. Has anyone went fishing down there? Good idea or waste of money?

Is snorkeling any better in Cancun or would it be about the same?

I have some more research do now on the resorts listed.

Cancun would be worse.

I wouldn't bother with the deep sea fishing, I've been before as well as many friends. Typically you're lucky to hook a couple barracudas (sometimes you get nothing) and 80% of the people on the boat get sea sick which can last a couple hours or a couple days after depending on your sensitivity level.

You can book nice snorkeling trips to Akumal which is good and not too expensive. Go on a cenote tour, that's something not typical in other areas of the world and it's amazing, cold but worth it.

24storm · #2 12-17-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Cancun would be worse.

I wouldn't bother with the deep sea fishing, I've been before as well as many friends. Typically you're lucky to hook a couple barracudas (sometimes you get nothing) and 80% of the people on the boat get sea sick which can last a couple hours or a couple days after depending on your sensitivity level.

Thanks thats the advice i was looking for.

sphelps · #3 12-17-2010, 07:37 PM

If you're not set on Mexico I would suggest looking into the Dreams resort in La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Best place by far in the Caribbean, in my experience. Lots of restaurants and you don't need reservations and most don't have dress codes (trust me this is key when you're down there). Good snorkeling right of the beach, super calm water, and one of the best dive shops right on the beach as well. I even got married there and I still like it, that should tell you something

intarsiabox · #4 12-17-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

If you're not set on Mexico I would suggest looking into the Dreams resort in La Romana in the Dominican Republic. Best place by far in the Caribbean, in my experience. Lots of restaurants and you don't need reservations and most don't have dress codes (trust me this is key when you're down there). Good snorkeling right of the beach, super calm water, and one of the best dive shops right on the beach as well. I even got married there and I still like it, that should tell you something

Sounded great to me until I went to the web site and found the price of the rooms start at around $500 per night for the Feb. dates I plugged in. Know of any other nice but more reasonable resorts in the Dominican? Not sure yet if this is where I'll go as I really liked Hawaii and would love to go again and visit the Big Island this time.

hillegom · #5 12-18-2010, 12:09 AM

I have stayed at the gran bahia coba, one of three resorts in the conglomerate. Cheaper there but you are not at the beach. Takes 5 min by little tram which comes by about every 5-10 min.
The snorkeling is not too bad, nothing like cuba. But the town of Akumal is about 10 min away by collectivo like someone else has said. Cheap! I am thinking 5$ US but not sure. We saw quite a few turtles there. And if you swim to the breakwater you see a little bit more. Watch out for boats! I saw a resting shark there. Not sure what kind. It was sleeping so we did not bother it (afraid to)

burgerchow · #6 12-19-2010, 10:31 AM

If you go to Maya, you gotta go to the state park called Xcaret. They have an underground river that you can float down to the ocean. Their beach had the best snorkelling I've ever experienced. Millions of fish. They even have large schools swimming around you. The fish aren't scared cause being a state park, they're used to people.
If you go to the pacific side, I just stayed at the Dreams Los Cabos in Cabos San Lucas. I'd give this 6 stars, as service and food was exceptional. Not cheap though.

Phanman · #7 12-20-2010, 04:32 PM

Barcelo Maya Palace is awesome, love that place and the snorkeling off the beach is really nice too. Lots to see and a very clean resort.

xcaret was cool too and only 15mins away. If your looking to save some cash you can take the local bus that runs back and forth along the road. Just stand on the side of the highway and they will stop for you.

sphelps · #8 12-20-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Sounded great to me until I went to the web site and found the price of the rooms start at around $500 per night for the Feb. dates I plugged in. Know of any other nice but more reasonable resorts in the Dominican? Not sure yet if this is where I'll go as I really liked Hawaii and would love to go again and visit the Big Island this time.

Not sure why it's listed so expensive, I went in May and it was $1500 for a week including flights and everything. Just checked on escapes.ca and it's $1769 for 7 days through westjet leaving Feb 4th.
Anything is La Romana will be nice, I'd avoid Punta Cana just cause it's really windy and the ocean is pretty rough. La Romana is in a calm cove so it's much better.

24storm · #9 12-20-2010, 04:58 PM

Thanks everyone for all the input. We booked in at the Gran Bahia Principe Akumel with the golden upgrade. Cant wait.

Anyone have more input on excursion that a person should look into?

All those who have stay at the Gran Bahia that have any pointers or resturants that they would recommend or stay away from it would be great to have your input.

Keith

sphelps · #10 12-20-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24storm

Thanks everyone for all the input. We booked in at the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum with the golden upgrade. Cant wait.

Anyone have more input on excursion that a person should look into?

All those who have stay at the Gran Bahia that have any pointers or resturants that they would recommend or stay away from it would be great to have your input.

Keith

Some nice cenotes close to Tulum, check those out for sure.