travel around cancun

[joetcool]

the wife{boss} is freaking out about leaving the resort to shop and so forth. can i get a bunch of replys on how safe this. gangs, dirty cops, etc.. man mexico needs a PR person like nobodys business. we plan on using a cab because i plan on staying just short of stupid drunk the whole week. come on JUNE 30 finally starting to see daylight on the trip.

[CokeMann]

Cancun (the hotel zone, clubs and general shopping areas that tourists frequent) are very safe and we have been out walking around after clubbing at 3am without any issues.

Cancun is more like Miami - if you are just looking for great shopping and restaurants you should consider Playa del Carmen instead

Taxi costs from Desire to Cancun or Playa are about the same (approx $35 USD each way) but Playa (IMHO) is a lot more relaxed and enjoyable to walk around than Cancun

[ourfuntrip]

We have been around Cancun, Playa, Puerto Morales and Isla and the roads in between. We never have driven ourselves, we usually cab it to wherever we need to go. On our last trip to Desire, a cab driver dropped us off in a less tourist place to catch the ferry to Playa because it was a lot cheaper to do so. We ended up in a Mexican market with all locals to pick up a few things and no one could care less that we were there. I have never, ever felt uncomfortable in any location (except for the annoying people selling things at the marketplaces, but they are just that - annoying, not scary). With all of the drug cartel drama, we were wondering whether we would leave the resort this year, but of course that drama evolved to swine flu...so now, who knows. I don't think she should be concerned about going out shopping if that is what you want to do.

Suzanne and Matt

[oldseadog]

You will be perfectly safe. We have driven and stayed in hotels and gone shopping all over the Ucatan with no problems. Remember that most of the locals are Maya, some of the nicest and friendliest people in the world.

[Mikdrea]

We just came back a few days ago from a stay at Desire Cancun and environs. This has been my fourth visit to the greater Riviera Maya* since 2002.

Your biggest worries, really, should only be the ever-burgeoning crowds as the mega-resorts continue to encroach on what used to be sparsely populated areas and of course staying in direct sunlight longer than one should. I've always rented cars at the airport and have only been stopped by Federales doing standard drug interdiction checks one time. No bribing necessary. I've never been a victim of or witnessed any crime (although I regrettably must report or remind there was a tourist homicide at an all-inclusive resort near PDC about two years ago -- but a complete anomaly by all accounts).

Whether you drive or are driven in the Riviera Maya I would only caution about traveling at night, where while not wild it can at least get "woolly." One could reasonably expect anything from speeders, drunk drivers, road hazards (intricate road/lane changes, potholes, topas) to animals (wild or domestic) and even people (trust me on this) laying or sleeping in the road. And yes, it just isn't a good idea to be anywhere alone at night on the road, which is just common sense.

As for daytime traveling and visiting anywhere in the RM, alone or with others, I have never felt anything less than completely safe. You or your wife should not hesitate to enjoy all the area has to offer.


* Staying at or fully touring (from North to South) Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Akumal and Tulum

[East_Ont_Cpl]

Ok...to those that have replied and have been to the resort and the Yucatan - did you actually read the portion that stated he wanted to be "close to stupid drunk"??? A lot of cookie cutter politically correct responses IMO.

To the original poster: If this is your first time there, and from your post I assume it may be. You may NOT want to wander off campus in a party frenzy and a drunken stupor. Its a foreign country, take heed and act civil and responsible as you would in an unknown part of your own country. Walking around a Mexico 'stupid drunk' is ill-advised.

[joetcool]

havent been to mexico in several years. when i was there it was real laid back. havent been to that part of mexico so i was wondering if the news reports where just putting hype into everything. i do plan on staying hammered the WHOLE time thats why im getting the cab. no worries about coming off as the ugly american. as far as the other stuff goes if they want money im the easiest person in the world to mug. but let me for one sec. think you want more than money and they will see the UGLY AMERICAN. ok that said lets get back in vacation mode.

[Powerguy]

Just remember Forest Gump's mother said "stupid is as stupid does".........Take care in Mexico (and as a previous poster said), in any foreign country. I've lived overseas in a number of countries and hammered all the time is not a great thing to be there. But, with that said, I hope you have a safe, fun, trip!

[miranda]

I wonder just how much fun one remembers they had when they are hammered?

Desire is one resort I don't want to forget any memories of.

[Powderfinger]

Ain't it the truth, Miranda?! Not to mention, being hammered the whole time will, without a doubt, ensure that one will have MUCH less of an opportunity to make those memories.....

[miranda]

I'm not sure where someone would get the notion that being "stupid drunk" means one would not come off as being "an ugly american" (and I'll include other nationalities).

Gosh, when are you going to be at Desire, joetcool? I hope when you come back from your vacation you can tell us all about your trip.

[joetcool]

lol
ok the original idea behind the post is if its really that bad in mexico now? when i was there several years ago it was cool to pretty much go anywhere at anytime and be safe. the only people you had to worry about starting something where the young guys but thats true no matter where you at. but after thinking about it i really dont want to go shopping so this my perfect excuse not to leave the resort. its just a shame mexico has changed that much since i was there last. was actually at one time gonna buy property there. as far as the rest of the stuff goes. for 1 week a year i get to drink and not have any worries about kids, work etc. im not talking coma drunk. or i love you man drunk. just a good party buzz. the one post hit a nerve because i of course will have my wife with me and anytime bad thoughts arise around her or the kids my training kicks in. and the last time i was in the far east a guy made the mistake of trying to mug me when i had little much to drink. i had to go in front of the board, head of the embassy got involved, bribe the local police, pay for damages[broke his arm] and yes it was very expensive. so i try to avoid places these situations can arise.