The Mayan Riviera and Cancun in Eight Days – save money when you use the itinerary outlined below.

The Mayan Riviera and Cancun in particular are well-known tourist destinations where traditional Mexico meets modern all-inclusive resorts. Gringos enjoy Mayan cities, spicy food, Tequila, cerveza, white sandy beaches and the relaxed manaña atmosphere that seems to permeate everything.

Here is an eight day Mayan Riviera itinerary that allows visitors to sample all of the above. Most of the activities are manageable from Cancun but Playa del Carmen is more convenient for some.

Cancun consists of Ciudad Cancun (El Centro) where the locals live and the hotel zone (zona hotelera) where most of the resorts are located. Lodging may be found in either location.

Day 1 includes a visit to the El Meco ruins and a walk around Ciudad Cancun. To get to El Meco, take the local bus, found on Avenida Tulum across from the ADO station, to Punta Sam and get off at El Meco. On your return, flag down a bus on the road and return to the ciudad for some souvenir hunting.

On Day 2, use the R1 or R2 local bus and visit the El Rey ruins located near Kilometer 18 of the hotel zone. Leave the ruins and visit the beach on the opposite side of the road. At about 3 p.m., take the bus back to the Plaza Kukulcan Shopping Center at Kilometer 12.5 where you can enjoy a Tequila tasting at the Hacienda Tequila near the food court. Next cross the highway to the La Destileria Restaurant for some more Tequila tasting.

Visit Isla Mujeres on Day 3 for some snorkelling. Take the local bus from Ciudad Cancun to Puerto Juarez (the same one that you used when visiting El Meco) and then purchase a round trip ferry ticket to the island. Once on the island, rent bicycle and ride to Club de Playa Garrafon de Castilla. Bring a picnic lunch and share it with the iguanas that are likely to invite themselves to your meal (they like apples). Don’t get too close however as their tails are like whips.

Spend Day 4 at the beach to work on your tan. The evening includes a buffet Mexican dinner, open bar and cultural night (Thursdays only) at the Hacienda Sisal near Kilometer 12.5. Make your reservations on Day 2 by phoning 65216 or 65217.

Your Mayan Riviera vacation continues with Playa del Carmen as your base for Days 5-8.

On Day 5, leave Cancun early in the morning and travel to Playa del Carmen. Check into your lodging and then enjoy the beach at Playa del Carmen.

On Day 6, take the ferry to Cozumel. Rent a scooter and travel around the island. The best beaches are located on the west side of the island. The San Gervasio ruins are also worth visiting. On your return, stroll around the town of San Miquel before returning to Playa del Carmen.

On Day 7 take the ADO bus to Tulum and enjoy the Mayan city at the edge of the sea.

On Day 8 of your Mayan Riviera vacation, take the ADO bus to the eco-archeological theme park known as Xcaret.





Tips for Visiting the Mayan Riviera

1) Find everything that you need for your vacation at the Budget Travel Store.

2) Save money on transportation when you arrive at the Cancun airport. Take the ADO bus to Ciudad Cancun and then a local bus to your lodging. R-1 buses to the zone hoteleria are found on Avenida Tulum just outside the ADO station. To find the ADO bus stop at the airport, walk outside the terminal door and turn right. The ADO bus is at the opposite end of the terminal. Look for the ticket booth. Your luggage goes under the bus. Note that as you look for the ADO bus you will be approached by numerous touts offering shuttle and taxi transportation. Be polite and keep walking.

3) ADO provides a regular bus from the bus station in Ciudad Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

4) ADO buses travel directly from the bus station in Playa del Carmen to the Cancun airport.

5) There are three places to shop for souvenirs in Ciudad Cancun: i) The Flea Market at Avenida Tulum 17, ii) Mercado 28 - between Avenidas Sunyaxchen, Tankah and Xpuhil and iii) Mercado 23 at Calle Cedra and Avenida Tulum – the locals shop here. All three are places where bargaining is required.

6) Travelers' diarrhea is a risk for visitors to Mexico.

7) Protect your valuables with a money belt.

8) There are many touts offering timeshares and package tours to Tulum, Xcaret, Chichen Itza etc. Follow the itinerary outlined above and you should not require any of these.

9) Two ferry companies provide transportation from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. There is no saving by purchasing round trip tickets over one-way tickets. Furthermore by utilizing one-way tickets you utilize whichever ferry is more convenient at the time.

10) Visits to the Mayan cities of Chichen Itza and Coba may be substituted for other day trips outlined above. Visitors should note that the former is 3 hours away from both Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Coba is 2 hours away from Playa del Carmen. Use ADO buses to travel to each destination.

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