Adventures to be had in Cancun/Yucatan

[Swedish Viking]

Cousin is getting married there and still deciding if I should go or not and stay a while longer-what are some adventures to be had there?  I'm not interested in partying/alcohol.  I know there are some Mayan ruins not too far away-uxmal, kabah, and two others...

[windsor88]

I have done the waverunner thing.  ATV riding, Jet boats, A huge Zoo type place south of Playa Del Carmen called.. Xcaret.  very cool.

[Princess L]

I’ve been there several times, but I’m not much of a tourist. I’ll opt for the pool or beach rather than go off property. There are many things to do if you want to be a tourist. Some of the reasons I’d rather not is safety practices are generally not practiced and if you get hurt, medical care sucks, they want cash and your insurance isn’t going to cover you in Mexico. Secondly, I like to know I’m within close proximity to safe food, water and bathrooms all of which I do quite often!

Some things you may want to consider:
A day trip over to Cozumel to bum around and/or go snorkeling.
Bumming around Playa del Carmen for an afternoon or evening.
A day trip (tour) to the Mayan ruins (Tulum).  The one I went on (I was practically forced into it, but it was pretty cool) included zip-lining, rappelling, snorkeling in an underground river/cave/cenote, which was very cool along with time at the ruins and beach which was absolutely gorgeous and lunch.  I think that was around $100 bucks. (see video clip)
I’ve done the horseback riding thing along the beach – in the water, etc. and it all sounds great and wonderful, but I wouldn’t do it again.  Think about it, like a child, what’s the first thing the horse does the when it hits the warm water? Multiply that by about a dozen horses.

Of course you could spend a day at one of the natural eco parks Tres Ríos, Xel-Ha or Xcaret. There's also Chichén Itzá which will be about a 14 hour day, but a lot of people say it's worth it.

[Swedish Viking]

Thanks for the replies.  That vid was really interesing, I think I'll do that.

[Nordic Beast]

Was just down there for my honeymoon

you are in store for some fun my friend------YOU MUST go snorkeling and experience the coral reef (the second largest in the world), its the most incredible water and scenery there is

some tips:

1) Xel-Ha is nice---its a huge lagoon that goes out to the sea so its crazy cause you can see the different levels where the fresh and salt water meet, you'll see sting-rays etc-------Just stay away from teh buffet food (its the most revolting thing ever)

2) Another great snorkeling trip I cant remember the name of, I think its snorkeling something Paradise maybe-----a boat takes you out on the water 3 different times to different areas of the reef-------they make you lunch (which is actually really good).  Defintely reccomend going on this tour also

3) dont buy your pesos at the airport or the hotel---walk down the street and you'll find many banks which will give you a much much better exchange rate.  also buy your water at teh convinence stores------otherwise you'll get ripped off hardcore from the hotel and restuarants

4) stay away from the tourist salesman who sell trips in the airport and on the street---they're mad annoying and are shady

5) go to Tulum--but get the package deal with Xel-Ha since Tulum is small and you have more than enough time to go at teh end of the day----just make sure you walk down that stairway along the cliff and go swimming in that little beach ------there is nothing like swimming beautiful beach at the bottom of Mayan Ruins

[Princess L]

3) dont buy your pesos at the airport or the hotel---walk down the street and you'll find many banks which will give you a much much better exchange rate.  also buy your water at teh convinence stores------otherwise you'll get ripped off hardcore from the hotel and restuarants

Personally, I'd disagree with exchanging your money at all.  Don't do it.  Take lots of small bills, $1s & $5s for tips and pay for everything as close to exact as possible so you don't end up with pesos.  Many times you can ask for your change back in US$ (if you paid with US$).  Rarely will you find some place not willing to take American dollars.   Pesos are obviously worthless once you leave MX and you'll lose alot exchanging it back and forth.

[Nordic Beast]

Personally, I'd disagree with exchanging your money at all.  Don't do it.  Take lots of small bills, $1s & $5s for tips and pay for everything as close to exact as possible so you don't end up with pesos.  Many times you can ask for your change back in US$ (if you paid with US$).  Rarely will you find some place not willing to take American dollars.   Pesos are obviously worthless once you leave MX and you'll lose alot exchanging it back and forth.

it can be if you end up with excess-----but I worked it out so I ran out a day ahead-----I did the math while I was there and it was actually cheapest for me to use pesos, when I got a good exchange rate from one of the banks down there...the exchange rate retailers and restuarants give you sucks if you're using $$$$

[Princess L]

it can be if you end up with excess-----but I worked it out so I ran out a day ahead-----I did the math while I was there and it was actually cheapest for me to use pesos, when I got a good exchange rate from one of the banks down there...the exchange rate retailers and restuarants give you sucks if you're using $$$$

I think you're right, right now.  The exchange rate is different than when I was down there a few months ago.  I think it was .9  and now it's 13.

Oh, the photo in my avatar is of the Tulum ruins & Caribbean Sea.  The beach is absolutely incredible - small but fantastic.  You get some time down there during the "extreme adventure" (above video).

[Hereford]

I went down there for honeymoon last month.

Good times. Watch out for the 'creative dollar/peso change addition' that the local vendors do....