Cancun without the American Feel

Definitely take some of the tours. Especially to get away from the Americanized city and the tons of teens who now inhabit the city. I would recommend the tour to the Pyramids in Chitchen Nitza as a definite plus. Also take the ferry over to Isle Mujeres. A great island with good local restaurants for real mexican food. The beaches are less crowded and you can have some real private time.

I also recommend taking a day trip to Akumal. Excellent for snorkeling and about an hour drive from Cancun.

Many of the expensive tours can be done on your own by taking a reasonably priced ferry to another island or their bus system (similar to Greyhound) to Xcaret, Xel Ha or other points of interest. This will save you lots of money and you can experience the real mexican countryside.

Quick Tips:

The downtown flea market is the best for good deals. Also any flea markets outside of Cancun on the way to Tulum (in fact, the ruins in Tulum has a very nice flea market) or on the way to the Pyramids in Chichen Itza. But be careful, they belive all Americans have money so you have to really work hard to bargin down the price but this can be done so don't get dismayed. Also the vendors can be agressive so watch out.

Best Way To Get Around:

The public buses are a cheap and easy way to get around Cancun - 5 pesos. Taxis are good at night as they are very reasonably priced and easy to flag down, however, the buses are running all night, are very safe and come frequently.

A moderately priced hotel. Nice accomodations and they have suites available with full kitchens and living rooms. The pool is small but adequate. It sits on the lagoon side of Cancun but a short five minute walk to the beach across the street is easy to do. It is in the heart of all the happenings of the bar scene and restaurants. The Coral Negro flea market is nearby and the bus stop is right in front of the hotel. This is a budget hotel and more geared for families of the "Spring Breakers". I wouldn't really recommend it for a romantic vacation or to enjoy the beach but if you don't have a lot of money and need to stay somewhere decent, this is your spot. Also you can cook your own food as the supermarket is not too far away.

The distinctive pyramid-like shape of The Melia Turquesa makes this a fabulous hotel. It is great for romantic vacations as well as those with the family. While I was there, there were a few toddlers but not a lot of kids at all. It is directly on the beach with a beautiful pool with swim up bar and featuring live entertainment (local band, water activities -volleyball, basketball, aqua aerobics) and a large children's pool. All rooms have private terraces and are large and nicely furnished with all the standard ammenities including an in-room safe. If you have a choice of pool view or ocean view, you can select the pool view and have the same view of the ocean for less. But don't settle for the Lagoon view, it will change the whole experience. You definitely want the view of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is in a great location on the main strip in Cancun. In walking distance to 3 malls - the Flamingo Mall, The Isla Mall and the Kuklucan Mall. Of course it is also on the public bus line. The hotel features a excellent spa with moonlight beachside massages. The restaurant is definitely 4 star. On some nights they offer buffet themed-dinning with live entertainment. Those nights include Mexican Fiesta, Carribean Fest Night and of course, Seafood Buffet. All of the staff makes you feel right at home and quick to help you with whatever your needs may be. I definitely recommend this hotel as it is one which you will love and is much better than most in Cancun.

Excellent restaurant with great fresh seafood. The downtown location is the recommended one, as it is on a side street and has seating both upstairs and downstairs with open air feel. There is an open wall to the street which allows for people watching and and an outside feel. Excellent for a nice romantic dinner. The service is superb and the pricing is good. Nice large portions. Excellent drinks as well.

They also have a restaurant in the Hotel District in one of the Malls but it lacks the Mexican atmosphere and quaintness of the original downtown location.

A great restaurant for the health conscience. Has great vegetarian sandwiches and the best smoothies around. Can select from a lot of good stuff ingredients for the smoothie including wheat germ, gingseng, carrots, beets, etc. Same goes for the sandwiches which can also include Chicken Breast. Very fresh vegetables.

Wild Crazy place to really cut loose. Great music and the drinking is nuts. Wait and bar staff encourage more drinking and even have different drinking games to involve the customers. Really wild place.

We got in free using a coupon from the tour book given at the airport. Also can get a coupon in the magazines in your hotel.

Its a very famous club that is a must do on your vacation in Cancun.

Nice club in the downtown area which features Regae Music. Live Regae band plays covers of all your favorites and a bit of their own originals.

Drinks are really yummy and the dancing is very hot.

This is a spectacular aquarium with all the fish you will see snorkeling/diving and more. Lots of other exotic sea life. They have a lot of interactive exhibits that allow you to touch the sea life, swim with the dolphins (for an extra charge), or feed the sharks encased in a cage. They also will video tape the experience for you.

Kids love this exhibit as it is very children friendly. Its not too large to take up your entire day but you will enjoy it.

It is located in one of the nicest malls in Cancun where you can also dine at a selection of great restaurants.