Where'd Your Friends Go?

Follow their latest travels with our
brand-new Friends Updates feature.

Cancun

AHHHH, Cancun

  • by mfoxdm16
  • An April 2005 travel journal
  • Last Updated: April 24, 2005
Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
6
Reviews

Paradise? YES!!! (and no)

AHHHH, Cancun

Overview

(Contrary to what you will read on this part, I LOVED my stay in Cancun!!)

For the first time, we tried the all-inclusive route, hoping to make things easier. How about NO! The Oasis Cancun overbooked and sent us to a affiliated resort, The Oasis Beach, and said it was nicer, "so consider it an upgrade." Actually, it's not. And it is about 3 miles off the main strip. The windows don't even open in the rooms, the food was foul, and the drinks would have been great if they only had any alcohol. The America West plane we were leaving on broke down when coming in, and so we missed our connecting flight in Phoenix and had to stay the night at a hotel, without any food since Cancun, since the replacement plane was empty and everything was closed at the AZ airport, as well as the hotel not serving anything by the time we got there. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Quick Tips:

With no intention of staying at the Oasis Beach everyday, we slipped onto the beach at the Ritz Carlton resort every afternoon. They seemed happy to take our money for all our food/beverages, and as long as we didn't wander around the hotel, were very accommodating to our stay on their beach. (If you're not happy where you are, try moving around the strip during the day. Most hotels seem okay with you on the beach as long as you keep a fairly low profile!).

Best Way To Get Around:

Buses are GREAT!! At only 6.5 pesos (65 cents), they take you all up and down the blvd. and usually show up every 2-3 minutes. Be kind to the bus drivers (por favor, gracias, etc.) and they will be happy to accommodate you as much as possible.

Oasis Beach and Spa All-Inclusive Resort

Hotel

Oasis Beach

This was not very nice. We had a squeaky, saggy bed; the windows don't open; hallways echo everything; there are no waves on the beach (due to its location off the main strip), and the food was of poor quality. It is not really close to anything, so learn how to take the bus! The staff was pleasant, and the grounds were okay. There were lots of families and not too much of the party crowd. It is a good snorkel spot for the wee ones.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

Oasis Beach and Spa All-Inclusive Resort
Paseo Kukulcan Lote C 1 Cancun, Mexico 77500
9988494510

Lorenzillio's

Restaurant

Lorenzillios - The Live Lobster House

HOLY COW!!! Without question, they have the absolute BEST ceviche in the universe, hands down!!! (This alone was worth the price of going down there!!) My girlfriend chose the lobster and got the honor of picking out her own from a wooden boat at the entrance. Everything, from the appetizers to desserts, was divine!

(If the weather is not too windy, make sure you sit outside on the open-air pier, enjoy the breeze, and check out the huge fish swimming in the lagoon under the lights.)

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

Lorenzillio's
Blvd. Kukulkán Cancun, Mexico
998/883-1254

Shrimp Bucket

Restaurant

El Shrimp Bucket

This spot is a good alternative to the costly Lorenzillos. It has more like a Chevy's atmosphere, only a lot quieter. The food was fine, the staff was very friendly, and the decor gives you that favorite-pub feel (license plates on the walls from all over, funny quotes, ect.). It’s a bit off the main drag, but no more than 5 minutes out by bus.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

Shrimp Bucket
Blvd KuKulcan Km 5.5 Cancun, Mexico
+52 998-883-2710

Beaches

Activity

Lounging on the Beach

If you love the sunshine and beautiful water, Cancun is it! Everyone on the beach seems to be in a great mood, and the weather is outstanding.

(I can't stress this enough though; stay at a larger, well-known resort if you can. All the good ones are on the best part of the beach, and the service will be 100 times better than at the ones that just looked great in the pictures.)

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

Beaches
Cancun Cancun, Mexico

AquaWorld Jungle Tour

Activity

Take a Jungle Tour - Aqua World

This was great fun, although the reef isn't the best in the world. You take a two-person, medium-speed jet ski across the lagoon, about 20 to 25 minutes, to a small reef you can swim over and snorkel around for about 30 to 40 minutes. The reef is okay, but not very colorful, although we saw about 20 to 30 different kinds of fish. After that, you take the jet ski back to the launch. All in all, it takes about an hour and a half. CAUTION: Use lots of sunscreen before and after you swim! The sun can be quite intense down there!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

AquaWorld Jungle Tour
Boulevard Kukulcán km 15.2 Cancun, Mexico
848-8300

AquaWorld Jungle Tour

Activity

Snorkeling/Scuba with AquaWorld at Cozumel

If you can spare an entire day, Cozumel will blow you away under the ocean! There is a reason why it's one of the top-ten places to snorkel/scuba in the world. The trip lasts from around 8am to about 7pm, but it's worth every penny and every minute. You have to take a 2-hour bus ride and a 45-minute ferry to the island, but you get almost 2 hours of ocean in two different spots, and then they let you go shopping before heading home. This is NOT TO BE MISSED if you can make it.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mfoxdm16 on April 24, 2005

AquaWorld Jungle Tour
Boulevard Kukulcán km 15.2 Cancun, Mexico
848-8300

About the Writer

mfoxdm16
mfoxdm16
sacramento, United States
  • "I don't take life very seriously; (source of my biggest achievments, and my occasional heartaches)"
  • 1 journal
  • 0 photos
  • 6 reviews

Subscribe to IgoUgo Deals Newsletters

Get our handpicked Top 10 Deals every Wednesday.