Cancun, Mexico 17.02.09-03.02.09

Hi!
I'm going to Mexico for 2 weeks in February. I'm arriving and departing Cancun. The first week I'll travel on my own around, the last week I'm going to Tulum to meet up with my family.

What should I see and do for the first week around Cancun? I'm not too keen to stay in Cancun for a long time, is it any small beachside village on the way to Tulum where I can just relax and enjoy the mexican culture without too many tourists? Thanks

I would definitely book a day to go to Chechen Itza. If you hire a car, or arrange a night somewhere near there, you can arrive before the bus tours in the morning or after the bus tours in the afternoon and have a much less crowded experience.

Snorkelling or diving is good on places like Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. There are boats that go to both.

Playa del Carmen is the only main city/beach on the way to Tulum, and then there is Playa Morelos (which is farther north). You can stop at one of those on your way.

I strongly suggest taking the ferry across to Isla Mujeres. (Get a taxi to the ferry stop at the Puerto Juarez rather than pay the high fee to take the ferry directly from the tourist area). Then rent a golf cart to explore the (very small) island. Go down to see the turtle nursery and the many restaurants and shops near the far end of the island, or just hang out at the beaches near the ferry stop).

Chichen Itza is also great and there are many xenotes (small indoor pools) to cool off at in the area both west and south of Cancun. In town, consider going to a great restaurant called La Habichuela (although I suggest you eat indoors since the small bugs outside can sometimes be numerous).

Enjoy

Thanks
I will definitely go to Chichen Itza and Isla Mujeres sounds nice too

Hi, definitely my best choice is Cozumel Island, it's a place right infront of Playa del Carmen, you can take a boat in Playa del Carmen to cross the sea to Cozumel and the trip won't take more than 20 minutes, it has traditional and peacefull mexican flavor with great beaches and nice places, I'll be in Playa del Carmen on jan 26 and I will definitely take a trip to Cozumel. Best Regards!

Hi,

Skip Playa - the biggest tourist trap I've ever seen! Everything is insanely overprized!

Isla Mujeres CANNOT be missed! There is the legendary PocNa hostel, but also a new one that just opened up: Hi-Na-Ha V.I.P. Hostel and Villas - pure luxury for hostellers!

be vary though - once you go to isla M you cant leave :P

For Cozumel - be aware that the ferry is really expensive (400 pesos bothways I think) and well, Cozumel isn't really that extravagant, unless you dive. But if so, you can just go on the dive tours from Playa.

Also when you go to Tulum plan on spending a few hours at the beach. If you walk down the steps to the beach it will be crowded. Take a left and there are some rocks to walk around but you be alone and you can relax..

Quoting boreal2673

Also when you go to Tulum plan on spending a few hours at the beach. If you walk down the steps to the beach it will be crowded. Take a left and there are some rocks to walk around but you be alone and you can relax..

....steps? you're talking about the ruin now? Otherwise there's a free bus going from the weary traveler hostel to the beach - which is a lot more interesting than the beach at the ruins. Also, you can walk into the ruins for free from that beach