Ever been to Cancun, more specifically Chichen Itza?

[Zippatuh]

So here in about 5 days I’ll be headed to Cancun for vacation.  I’ve slowly been planning the major activities and have some questions for anyone that may have gone before and could spare some priceless advice.

On the list is a day trip to Chichen Itza.  I know the hotel will have tours available and from my searches I have found that it ranges from about $70 to $90 a person.  This includes the bus ride, a lunch (probably bologna sandwiches) not including drinks, admission to the site and a guide.  At a minimum $140 for the both of us.

I can rent a Lamanz for a day at Budget for $35.  Admission to the park is around $9 and I can pack my own sandwich from the buffet .

The question for those more knowledgeable than I, is the trip worth the extra $90+ for the guide?  I had kind of thought we would get there before the other busses and scout the place out, climb the central pyramid, then hit the gates and wait for the tour busses to come in.  Then tag along with one of the tours.  What are they gonna say, “hey, you can’t follow us”.  Alright then, “we’ll just be 10 feet over here and looking in your general direction”. .

So what’s the verdict be cheap and deal with the Mexican military and possibly police or just suck it up and pay the tourist money?

[rogwar]

I have been several times but the last time was about 7 years ago, however friends have been since then and have told me not much has changed.

It's good to get a car and drive from Cancun if you are going to stay at least overnight at a hotel near the ruins. There are some cool ones there like the Mayaland, and the light show at night is incredible. I have been to the the english version of the lightshow and they are really strict about not letting people walk around. The Spanish version which is usually ealier in the evening, they pretty much let you walk around at night. There was a full moon last time and it was really cool.

One neat thing about staying near the ruins is that you can go see everything before it gets really hot and before the big tours arrive. Notice my photo of having the place all to myself, well not exactly...it was a senorita that took the photo.

If you are just going for the day trip, I recommend the bus because believe me you will be glad you did on your way back....when you are pooped from having walked all over the area. It will be hot as hell as well.

Also, you won't have to deal with the possibility of "damaging" your rental car and having to pay fees. Furthermore, that price probably did not include the insurance. Gasoline can be kinda expensive as well and there are not many stations on that highway.

Believe me, it's a long way on the toll road to Chichen Itza. Oh that's another thing! Toll charges will mount up to almost $40.  Plus there really is not that much to see unless you take the old route which will take you about 5 hours.

If you are just going for the day trip, take the bus, get some sleep on the way back. Go party in Cancun at night. Another thing, the lunches are not too bad and they sell beer at reasonable prices.

Have fun!

[Ripsnort]

Have fun Zip!  I've spent all most Mexico vacations on the west coast, not the east, so I have nothing to offer.

[Animal]

I was in Cancun for a week last summer, but I didnt visit any pyramid or historical spot.

It was all party and damn, it was worth it.

[eh]

Chichen Itza is a spectacular Mayan site.I have to agree with Rogwar's recommendations about the bus and being able to relax. I went in May, at the height of the hot season, and did Chichen Itza when the temperature was well over 110 degrees in the shade (but now is the best time to go to the Yucatan, even though it will be a little warm there). After a day of touring this site you will want some airconditioning, a carefree ride, and a beer.  Also, the guides are really knowledgable about the site. Taking the tour is worth every penny IMHO.

I almost rented a car there (in Merida) and was warned off by experienced visitors and by Mexicans themselves. And tour buses often have bars aboard.

[easymo]

I hate the Chichen Itza  map.

[Wlfgng]

that's the idea Rip.. how 'bout a Cabo-Con

[Horn]

Spend some time on Isla Mujeres. Take the slow ferry (the one w/ cars at the N. end of Cancun) and spend a relaxing 45 minutes sipping ice cold cervezas at the top level bar while absorbing some sun and culture. they have a sea turtle farm there and a National Monument snorkeling area. There are some excellent places to eat and nice views. Very internationally flavored, too--most waiters speak several languages. While we were there we were surrounded by Germans. Very fun. Play basketball at night with the locals in the town square.

Check out the fishing village of Puerto Morales. About 40 minutes drive (or taxi) south between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Good English used book store and some of the best snorkeling in the Yucatan. We stayed at Rancho Libertad, an ex-patriot run sorta new age (vegetarian) bed and breakfast right on the beach.

I would suggest taking a very early taxi out of Cancun to the ruins. Sounds expensive, but is really not--negotiate w/ cabbies as prices vary. We rented one for the day for $150. Get to the ruins very early (busses arrive about 9-9:30). You'll find that the cab ride FROM the airport is like $30 for only a 15 minute ride (non-negotiable). I think I paid $5 to get TO the airport.

Take a cab down to Playa and then to Tulum--ruins right on the beach. Lunch south of there at Zama's--an excellent (but small) restaurant. You'll love it.

Have fun --the Yucatan is one of my favorite places w/ some of the nicest folks I have met when travelling. Do NOT drive at night. Damn critters lay in the road at night to use warmth of pavement. Can really get the adrenaline running dodging cows --  and no one ever dims their lights. Ever.

dh

[Zippatuh]

Thanks for the response gents.  I hadn’t considered there would be toll roads.  Insurance was another thing I was going to check up on.  Turns out there is a little bit of difference renting a car in the US.  Although insurance does cover some reimbursement they are going to want damages paid for before you leave.

I was kind of dreading the bus ride but it sounds like that’s an added bonus for the return trip.  The guide though was the biggest question.  It’s one thing to look at a stack of rocks, it’s another to be told how and when they were stacked.

I hadn’t considered staying the night out there and maybe next time, if there is one, I might do that.  I have a few scuba trips planned with Chichen Itza in the middle.

As for the party…  Oh yeah, sandy beaches and margaritas with an average temperature of about 78.  What the hell though out of 7 days, I can get some culture in .

[Horn]

Two other notes:

Rent AND PAY FOR any rental car, and insurance, BEFORE you leave. The folks down there are notorious for double and triple billing and it takes FOREVER to fix it w/ the CC companies.

While in Isla, rent mo-peds rather than a taxi--you can stop when you want and see more. Drive defensively, as if your life depended on it, 'cause it does. The locals consider it bad form to kill a tourist but nowhere does it say thay can't scare you to death.

...and lots and lots of sunscreen

dh

You might check out the dive trips in Cozumel--they offer a "drift dive" into a 5-6 knot current that ROCKS.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Animal
I was in Cancun for a week last summer, but I didnt visit any pyramid or historical spot.

It was all party and damn, it was worth it.

I didn't visit Mazatlan during Spring Break for the beaches either...

[rogwar]

Cozumel is a great place to learn drift diving.

Punta Sur is a cool dive but mainly if you are advanced. Maracaibo Deep is one heluva dive but the currents are certainly wild although you can see big animals at this site.

I took this photo about 8 years ago along the Santa Rosa wall. That's a good wall dive site. I was actually trying to shoot the great big grouper in the center bottom portion. You can barley see the outline of the fish.


I was thinking about a live aboard in the Sea of Cortez or Soccorro Islands next year. I like shark and pelagic diving and would like to swim with some of the large schools of hammerheads. I did Galapagos 2 years ago and it was truly awesome. I'd like to go to the Cocos Islands off Costa Rica as well someday.


http://www.underseahunter.com/

http://www.solmar.com/solmarv.html

[Zippatuh]

Thanks for the information Horn.  Sounds like you have the area down to a science.

Damn good pictures rogwar, I’m hoping I can get some myself.

I’m not sure where the dives are off Cozumel but from what I’m seeing that’s where all the dives are done at.

[rogwar]

There is some diving off the mainland further on down from Playa del Carmen, however Cozumel has the best diving. Plus the drift diving is always good experience to have with you in the future.

Check here for good info on Cozumel. If you go I recommend one of the smaller faster boats in place of the cheaper 20 diver cattle boats as they are called.

http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/cozumel4/

Some friends of mine do cave diving on the mainland as well but I have never had the desire. They are certified in the area but I draw the line at cave diving.

For your next vacation check out Roatan or Utila Island off the coast of Honduras. Coco View resort is pretty good. Check out http://www.roatan.com for more information.

I shot these whale shark photos about 5 years ago off Utila.

[rogwar]

I have to go to Best Buy and/or Frys to pick up a new battery for the cordless phone. God grant me strength....