Upcoming Mexico Trip!
So I’ve briefly mentioned a few times that we were looking to take a tropical vacation in February and then I also mentioned last week that we are going to Mexico! We booked the trip a couple of weeks ago and it’s to Cancun for five nights and six days. We got a wicked deal using Living Social for the resort and Air Miles for the flights and I’m SOOOOO excited to get away (above is a photo taken from our resorts website).
We started talking about taking a tropical, all-inclusive vacation in September or October and I had been keeping my eye out for deals ever since. You see, I am a super cheap/frugal/money-watching kind of person and I even struggle with it when we’re traveling (on our honeymoon I was totally eyeing prices on the menus when we went out to eat!) so that was one reason an all-inclusive appealed to us and the other reason was because we’ve never really taken a truly relaxing vacation together, they have all been go-go-go! Plus I have never been on a beach/all-inclusive vacation before! Eric went to Puerto Vallarta seven years ago and loved it. It’s also been the coldest and snowiest winter we’ve had in a few years up here, so getting away to the beach is sounding really good right now! Needless we’re both very excited for a relaxing six days in Mexico!
However, if you know me at all through reading this blog you know that I can’t go to a brand new place and not plan SOME things. So we’ve decided we’d do two excursions while we’re there. I’ve been researching them ahead of time because I want to get the best bang for our buck. Something we are for sure doing is a day trip to Chichen Itza to visit the ruins. I’ve read about how touristy and busy they are and how it’s a long day from Cancun but we can’t go all the way there and not visit! Plus Eric is really interested in that kind of thing.
For our other excursion I’m thinking maybe a day trip to Cozumel or Puerto Morelos (I’m referring to this article for ideas).
Anyways, why I’m really writing this blog post is because I know A LOT of people have visited Cancun before so I’d like to hear what you think we should do? Any shouldn’t-miss-it excursions? Any advice for tour operators or vendors other than booking directly through our resort?
Thanks in advance 
We took a trip to Tulum a couple years ago. I had never done the all-inclusive thing either. I thought we’d probably do a lot of trips but the time flew by just at the resort. The only place we ended up going was Xel-Ha.
I have wondered about the Living Social vacation deals and wondered if they were all they are cracked up to be. Can’t wait to find out what you think! My mom has been bugging us for a family vacation for early next year so this is something to keep in mind!
ditto to Tulum and Xel-Ha. I can’t remember if we’ve been to Chitzen itza or not (been to Cancun several times, but most of the trips were a long time ago and I don’t remember exactly)
Have fun. I’m trying to nudge my hubby into planning a get away soon too. Maybe March. I’m so tired of this freaking cold!
It’s good to hear some places are overburdened with snow. Chicago has had next to none so far this winter and I was beginning to wonder if global warming has settled in for good! I just heard a meteorologist say this morning that the last time Chicago had 6 inches of snow from one storm was two winters ago! Goodness! All this is to say, I’ve never been to Cancun, so can offer no advice regarding what you should do! =)
I have never been to Mexico/Cancun or an all exclusive. But it sounds like fun! And definitely a good time of year to go.
We did Chichen Itza 2 years ago and it was amazing. The only downside was that you can’t climb on anything. Then, we were looking for something cool to do with the twins and discovered that there was another ruins across the street from our hotel called El Rey. The cool thing here is that it is ruins (more run down that Chichen) but you can climb on them…AND it is where all of the iguanas migrated to when the resorts moved in. so – you can climb and explore them and get a kick out of the iguana antics while you’re there…and it only costs a couple of bucks to get in!
It is also worth going to Isla Mujeres if you are looking for markets and shopping. Rent a golf cart and tour around the island. And visit the Tortuga Refuge while you’re there.
I’m so jealous!!!! Sounds like paradise. Enjoy your trip and take lots of hammock on beach pictures!
Your trip sounds so perfect right now! It’s been 20-30s around Eugene for the last week or so. Definitely ready for some warmer weather. I haven’t been to Cancun, but my favorite thing about a beach vacation is literally just taking it easy and laying by the pool. Reading a book, taking naps and sipping on a cold beverage throughout the day…my kind of perfection.
Walking around the city is always fun to get a feel of what life is like there.
You’re going to have so much fun! My sister and I went to Cancun a few years ago and one of my favourite things to do was go to Señor Frogs for drinks one night! It’s really touristy but the staff is hilarious and will make people go on stage to karaoke, or start Congo lines etc. and it’s walking distance to the strip of all inclusives so it’s probably walking distance
have a great trip!!
How fun! I’ve never been to mexico, but Ironman Cozumel is on my radar. It’s beautiful down there.
Sounds like it’s going to be such a great vacation! I’m kind of jealous that you’ve been getting a ton of snow.. I feel like it never snows here anymore.
I’ve never been to Mexico, so unfortunately, I don’t have any suggestions for you.
My aunt and uncle have been to Cancun a bunch of time to various all-inclusives and they really enjoyed ziplining on one of their last trips!
I’m really excited to hear what you think about your trip. I’ve never been to Cancun and I’m a little afraid of Mexico just because I know with my stomach I would definitely have problems with the water and I don’t want to spend my whole vacation being sick. I am also always watching money on vacation- on our honeymoon Eric and I bought a “budget eats Hawaii” book because food was so expensive there! I love the idea of all inclusive but I’ve heard mixed things so I’ve never tried it! Usually places that are all you can eat/drink are not a good deal for me because I usually don’t eat a ton but I feel like all inclusive resorts a good deal for most people and probably would be for me too.
I am so excited for you guys! I was hoping Phil and I could do a little get away but it is not in the cards for us this year.
That will be so nice to get away and just relax and enjoy the sun. It sounds especially nice knowing our high on Monday is going to be -2F. Ahhhhhh!!!
I have never been to Mexico, so have no suggestions! But I know you will have an amazing time!!
I went to Cancun a few years ago with my fiance, and we both loved it! We did a day trip to Chichen Itza and it was totally worth the time/money.
Also, we did a small day trip to Isla Mujeres, a small island just off Cancun. You take a short ferry ride over there, which is really cheap. I had the most amazing shrimp tacos for $5. We rented a golf cart and drove around the island — so fun! You can also go zip lining and I think snorkeling, but we didn’t do that.
Here’s some info about the island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_Mujeres
Have fun!
I went to chichen itza in high school with my Spanish class. I was too young to appreciate how neat it actually is but now that I’m older I appreciate it more. I’ve been to the area (cancun) around 5 times and love it!!! I feel super comfortable there and highly recommend it. We are going to the Dominica republic in April and I’m nervous about going somewhere besides Mexico! You will have a great time! If you have any questions tweet/fbook me!!!
I’ve been around the same area and I liked the ruins, but the trip to the jungle with zip-lining, repelling, and snorkeling in the fresh water caves was the coolest!
The bf and I are going to Mexico in March
We’ll be with a bunch of pals because we’re going for a friend’s wedding.
I’ve done Chichen Itza, Tulum and Xel Ha… If I were to choose just one to go to, it would be Tulum. Hands down. Also, the snorkeling at Akumel is awesome if you’re into that. Relaxing too. Coba is supposed to be an awesome one too where you can go zip lining. Wish I had done that one.
Sounds amazing! You two deserve it and with all that snow it’ll be doubly rewarding. Can’t wait to read about it
Oh, my goodness, I am so excited for you two! You are going to have the best time – especially since you’re coming from such a cold winter! I’ve never been to Cancun but I’ve spent time in Cozumel on cruise stops and it’s an okay port. I haven’t been too impressed with the excursions I’ve done there but there are some fun water-type excursions like snorkeling and scuba diving and such. Also, I know Tulum in Cozumel is AMAZING and people rave about it. I’ve never been because my mom hates history-type excursions.
I’ve always wondered about those Living Social deals so you’ll have to give us the low-down on how you like the resort and all!
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I’m so excited for you!! I said like two-three years ago that I had no intention of going on another resort-trip for a long time, because I’d prefer to save my money and go on bigger trips (Europe, etc)… but this post is making me think twice on that for the first time ever! It would be SO nice to travel more cheaply, and since I definitely can’t afford any big trips this year, it would just be so wonderful. The only time I went to Mexico was for my brother’s wedding & it was already SO expensive I wasn’t able to do any excursions- and now that I’m older, I’d LOVE to see Chichen Itza. I wish I’d just done it back then! All that to say, you’re making me seriously re-consider my pact with myself. A good resort trip that is planned with some neat excursions sounds SO great right now!
I went to Cancun and actually loved Chichen Itza. Yes, there were a ton of people there, but it’s still a marvelous piece of history!