dpakman91

I've been to cancun several times and am going next week. my main thing is just to get away and go to the beach. in the past i've done the day trips to chichen itza, isla mujeres, etc. they are fun, but sometimes going on a full day trip is exhausting on beach vacation. also, i have found pretty good places to eat, but they strike me as quite expensive relative to the quality of the food. this may be because i'm spoiled, as i live in a part of massachusetts that has an abundance of fantastic inexpensive food.

the argentinean restaurant, i think called puerto madero, was good but overpriced, the italian restaurant inside of the mall (i think plaza kukulcan or something) was good but expensive, etc.

questions:

1) does anyone have suggestions on places to eat that are both good but not super overpriced?

2) any ideas on things to do other than hanging at the beach that are near the hotel zone and don't necessarily involve a full day trip on the bus?

compuser1973

The food found in most joints close to the hotel district in Cancun is pretty much like anywhere else in the US. You may want to venture into old town parts of Cancun - a bit away from the bustle of the hotel district to get some good local food. I am sure your hotel concierge can point to a couple of good places in the town - they did that for us and we were not disappointed - sorry it was a few years ago - so don't remember the names.

MoreMilesPlease

try looking here www.cancunmx.com they have been around for at least 20 years. look under the forums tab and ask for suggestions there.

Ancien Maestro

2) any ideas on things to do other than hanging at the beach that are near the hotel zone and don't necessarily involve a full day trip on the bus?[/QUOTE]

Boat trip to Isla Majueres..

Xcaret, or Xelha

Wet and Wild.. food all inclusive..

We did the all of the above the last trip..

You could try ziplining as well at Cancun..

BigDog

How about a visit to Aktun Chen? I had a group of 12 people there in July and many of them said it was the best day trip of all. Cool cave tour, zip lines which beat those at Selvatica in Puerto Morelos, and a couple of animals. Cost was reasonable too in comparison to many day trip opportunties.

Ancien Maestro

Where is Akten Chen?..

We visited Xelha, and XCaret which has the underground caves, snorkeling, beach, etc... and there is a zipline near Cancun for tourists..

tcook052

It's Aktun Chen:

http://www.aktunchen.com/

Aktunchen a Mayan name that means "natural well inside a cave" is located at 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen in the heart of the Riviera Maya, 4 km south of Akumal and 16km before Tulum.

Being an avid snorkeler I'd suggest OP consider getting wet and experiencing the reef along the coastline as it is memorable.

Ancien Maestro

We've visited XCaret the last trip out and Xelha 5 years ago..

www.xcaret.com
www.xelha.com

Is Aktunchen sort of like the above.. and maybe like Xplor.. I think the parks are in the same vicinity as Aktunchen.. and has the underwater river caves..

www.xplor.com

Any differences between these parks and Aktunchen?

ByrdluvsAWACO

I've been going to CUN twice a year for the past 15 years, and have watched things change including the prices going up.

I would try looking in the downtown area outside of the hotel zone. There are a number or places in the area where you can get good mexican food.

John Galt

Head to the crafts market downtown and find a lunch stall. IIRC, they are in little "pods" of four. Find a crowded one...I've never had a problem with the Aztec Two Step as long as you go where the locals go.

Ancien Maestro

Agree..

To frequent crowded kiosks, especially with locals.. a sign that the food is famous and safe..

ByrdluvsAWACO

Am I the only one who goes to CUN to just lay on the beach with no agenda.

Ancien Maestro

5 years ago when we visited CUN Mayan Riviera.. did just that, and my wife was bored..

and so this time, I booked a bunch of trips, and my wife ended up wishing that we would stay at the resort and beach more.. At least I tried..

ByrdluvsAWACO

That's one reason I like to travel alone.

Ancien Maestro

So when you're travelling alone to Cancun.. what are some things you like to do as a single travelling?