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Mikeoracle, Dan, JayR, lunatic, mgoldhammer18, Markus, mtag17, sam28, stooges44 (mini), Mootkim, @Yehuda, @besttaylor, CGR


General information:
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To get a grasp of where you are, Cancun is located on the edge of Mexico that wraps around the Gulf of Mexico and separates it from the Caribbean Sea. As you can see here, Cancun is fairly close to Cuba and really not that far from Florida.


                    The greater Cancun area includes the Zona Hotelera (translation not needed) in the north, which is a strip of land separated from the mainland by a lagoon and packed with hotel after hotel in a similar fashion to Miami Beach. In this thread, when people refer to Cancun, they are usually referring to this area. A ferry ride away is the island of Isla Mujeres. Below Cancun on the map, you'll see the airport in red. The area south of Cancun is known as Riviera Maya which contains many resort areas including Playa del Carmen, and within Playa is Mayakoba. A ferry ride away is the island of Cozumel.


Cancun hotels and Kosher restaurants map.

Getting there:
From NYC, award tickets have about $30 in taxes/fees on the outbound and $50 on the return. You can fly nonstop with: (cheapest way to book)

AA - Book with BA
B6 - Book with B6
DL - Book with DL
F9
UA

Airport Lounges
Mera Lounge - Accessible with Priority Pass except between 12:30 and 16:30 (not nice lounge).
Aeromexico Lounge

Airport security / food restrictions covered in the Kosher Food section below. Wifi at Cancun Airport Business Center - Network: businesst3 Password: businesst3.


Getting around:
Some people rent cars, others seem strongly averse to car rental due to many reports of being pulled over for speeding. Those reports often conclude with being able to give the cop ~$20 to avoid the ticket.

If you plan on only staying in Zona Hotelera, you don't need to rent a car. You can stay at the top of the strip (Hyatt Ziva, IC, Aloft) and be within walking distance to Chabad and the restaurants, or you can stay further down the strip and take the convenient bus up and down for MEX12 (currently about $0.65USD); drivers happily make change, at least from small peso bills. Reports that they will also take a $1 bill but won't give change. Taxis outside the strip to Walmart or Costco shouldn't be too expensive either. To get to/from the airport, you can book a private shuttle (see below). If you plan on going outside the Zone to activities with a tour, you can usually pay extra for transportation, but if you plan on going out on your own schedule, you'll want to rent a car.

If you plan on staying in Playa del Carmen, you'll likely want to rent a car, although it's possible to avoid it by taking the express nonstop ADO Bus which runs every 30 minutes (216 Pesos) or an airport shuttle (see below) there and staying at the Grand Hyatt which is within walking distance of Chabad and the restaurants or at the Fairmont/Andaz and having Chabad deliver food to you. Same advice for activities above applies here - go with a tour and pay for transportation or go out on your own and just rent a car.

If you plan on staying in Mayakoba, you will likely need to drive back and forth to Playa del Carmen for food/davening and taxis can get pricey so you may want to consider renting a car for the 15 minute drive each way. Most restaurants deliver to the hotels in Mayakoba for a small fee if you are just interested in staying in.

There are several companies that offer private shuttles to/from the airport and your hotel that have positive DDF reviews. Best to book in advance so you can pay with a credit card. The airport arrivals area is known to be packed with pushy taxi drivers dressed very formally to trick you into using them, but stay strong and go past them to find your ride at the pickup spot. (Prices to Zona Hotelera):

Canada Transfers: $55 RT (if you choose to pay in CAD, currently you'll only pay about $50).
USA Transfers: $55 RT for 3 people; $65 RT for 7 people.
Happy Shuttle: $53 RT. No DDF reviews, but Google reviews are positive.

Car rentals can be relatively cheap, and many hotels have free parking, but liability insurance is mandatory (you should be able to use for CC for collision insurance), and they won't allow you to use your car insurance from back home, so that can jack up the price. Make sure to have your reservation quote with you as some reported that the rental agents tried raising the price in person. And remember, keep to the speed limit.


Where to stay:
Cancun
Westin Lagunamar - Cat. 6 Marriott. (low season/high season) for a studio room. Studios can be booked with points online but one-bedroom suites require PUTPAC. Seems you can get 1BR suite for 1.5K more SPG per night. Some have been able to get complimentary upgrade from studio to 1BR without difficulty, but YMMV. There is no recorded history of anyone getting upgrade from 1BR to 2BR villa, as a 2BR is really a 1BR connected to a studio (essentially 2 paying rooms, so hotel won't do that). The 1BR suite is ~1,000 SF, so almost twice the size of the studio, and has expanded kitchen, with  full-size fridge, full-size cook-top, microwave and dishwasher (but no oven). The 1BR suites have W/D (not sure about the studios). shiframeir - Best value, huge resort with lots of heated pools during winter and big slide, lots to do and good kids club.
Hyatt Zilara - 25K Hyatt (all inclusive, adults only). Lots of rave reviews in the thread.
Hyatt Ziva - 25K Hyatt (all inclusive, family friendly, 1 tower is adults only). Beautiful resort hotel+spa, excellent service, great for adults and kids, right next to Ember Grill and 5 minute walk to Chabad Vico’s Grill Kosher and Dag Dag restaurant, close to Kosher Italian Gourmet. separate water playground by kids club zone, next to ferry to Isla Mujeres, has water sports and dolphins on premises.
Very accommodating to Jews, all inclusive means it's all free: Coffee shop on premises with kosher milk delicious latte and more. Plates of cut up fresh fruit whenever you're in the mood. Fruit smoothies, and of course all kinds of alcoholic beverages. They'll bake you fresh salmon vegetables in silver foil in front of you.
Ritz Carlton - Cat. 6 Marriott.
JW Marriott - Cat. 6 Marriott. Great service, beautiful hotel, pool and beach.
Marriott - 30-40K Marriott (Cat 5).
Intercontinental Presidente - 25-30K IHG. Derived from shiframeir - Great location for Shabbos, close to Chabad, nice big lobby to chill in the afternoon, lots of first floor rooms (no steps needed), decent pools (one adults only, one family, felt a little cool might not be heated), really great service.
Aloft - Cat. 3 Marriott. shiframeir - pretty lousy though very cheap and close to Chabad and Dag Dag, pool on roof is small and not heated, rooms are interesting but a bit dingy, bathroom uses glass sliding door without much sound protection :) zow - I'm not as negative about it as shiframeir. It is very cheap, but a great location. Not a luxurious place to hangout, but if you're going to be out and about, it's good value.[/i] Cheapest option for 1 night.
Westin - 30-40K Marriott (Cat 5).. Mixed reviews, general opinion is not as nice as Lagunamar, but not a bad option. (Old will rumor to be torn down soon...)
Canopy by Hilton - 60-70K Hilton.

Playa del Carmen
Grand Hyatt - 25K Hyatt.
Hilton All Inclusive - 60-70K Hilton.
The Fives (Curio Collection) - 25-35K Hilton. Very nice rooftop pool with great views of the city and the ocean.
Hotel La Semilla - 30-40K Marriott (Cat 5).
Thompson Main House - 12K Hyatt. Right on the corner of 5th and easy walking distance to all Kosher restaurants and Chabad's. Full access to facilities at nearby Beach House too.
Thompson Beach House - 20K Hyatt. On the beach is the draw here. I would personally stay in Main house and just walk over here 5 minutes to use the beach.

Mayakoba
Fairmont - Covered in Dan's TR (top of wiki).
Andaz - 25K Hyatt.
Rosewood - Non-points hotel considered to be the most luxurious in the area.
Banyan Tree - Non-points hotel with all rooms being private villas with private pool. Many travel agents can get you an upgrade. "Chef Chaya" special hotel.

Cozumel
InterContinental Presidente - 40K IHG.
Westin - 30-40K Marriott (Cat 5).

Kosher Food/Restaurants:
WARNING: Lots of food gets confiscated at airport security. Meat, random cheeses (some make it through, some don't) and un-packaged foods are not allowed. Snacks are okay. You will be asked to push a button, if the light turns red, they will go through all your bags for food; if it turns green, you can officially go free, but there are enough reports of being pulled to the side anyway and searched for food - hypothesized due to "looking Jewish", but plenty who look Jewish have reported getting green and going free as well.

Cancun
Chabad Kosher Cancun - fleishig takeout food with a very timely delivery option run by the Rabbi Mendel Druk and family. They also offer Shabbos meals on premises for $25 a meal ($15 kids) or delivered to your hotel. There is supposedly a sit-down restaurant coming soon. Reports are that the food is really good and restaurant quality and comes with very timely delivery. Detailed review here. There is an additional menu for Yeshiva week here.
Falafel stand - located right outside Chabad and under their supervision. 
Kosher Luxus/Red Heifer - fleishig, Israeli-style restaurant under the supervision of Rav Yosef Maleh and the only real eat-in restaurant with delivery also available and a nice outdoor eating area overlooking the lagoon. People seem to either love or hate this place, very mixed reviews. You can eat Shabbos meals here or get delivery to your hotel with a hot plate. Some reviews and pics on GKRF, suggest getting apps/drinks/desserts over steaks and to always call before going to see whats available/what they ran out of. Be sure to confirm that the meat is from Mexico City and not a local supplier. (Source that this is an issue?) As of Aug 2018 they don't take AMEX - Closed as of December 2020.
Garden Beach - milchig, breakfast section of Red Heifer open 8am-2pm. - Closed as of December 2020.
Dag Dag - homey, milchig and fish restaurant, covered in Dan's TR, zow - fish and chips were very good, as was the pizza, but also has mixed reviews in taste, long wait times and randomly being closed. The owner is a little eccentric, but nice, and if you order in advance, it's not too bad. Was/Is (?) under supervision of Rabbi Mendel Druk of Chabad of Cancun. Always call before arriving making sure they're open.
Ember Grill - Meat restaurant down the block from Hyatt Ziva and across from Red Heifer. Very quick service and pretty good food.
Vico’s Grill Kosher Cancún - Meat restaurant 8 minute walk from Chabad and Hyatt Ziva. Great service and amazing delicious food. Phone/WhatsApp +52 55 1566 4127
Kosher Italian Gourmet - Milchig takeout restaurant 12 minute walk from Chabad and Hyatt Ziva. Small area (4 tables) with Outdoor seating. Great service and amazing delicious food. Phone/WhatsApp +52 55 1566 4127. *Had a horrible experience with them over winter break. Was originally told an hour to an hour 30 min for delivery. Ordered lunch at 11:40am. I was told numerous times via whatsapp that the food was 2 min away. It wasn't. Was promised it's really coming this time. It wasn't. Waited almost 3 hours when the owner "delivered" the food at 2:30pm. He asked me how much they were supposed to charge. I said you tell me. He fiddled around for a few minutes to figure out the amount and I said let me just take the food to my family since they're starving while you figure out the amount and I'll call you with my CC number. He said no, then took the food out of my hands, threw it on the floor like a crazy animal, told me that he knows my name and room number and to remember that I'm in Mexico. I'm sure the pressure of all of the winter break orders got to him, but, behaving like a maniac by throwing food on the floor and threatening me isn't going to win anyone over. Beware.* ---Closed for renovation. No expected opening date available

There are several box stores / groceries with Kosher items:
Costco - cheese (large cream cheese box "Raskas Queso Crema" is Cholov Stam, Natural and Kosher is Cholov Yisroe), hummus, salmon spread, lox, PB and J, bread (Star K), milk (both shelf stable "La La" brand, as well as Kirkland brand - not sure which Hechscher) and mantequilla/butter (OU).
Sam's Club - breads ("New York Deli and Bagel") and other essentials.
Walmart - cereal, milk, eggs, avocados, drinks and many other things you need like pans and spatulas.
Chedraui Selecto - near Chabad, has frozen bagels, cereals, tuna, one Kosher meat product and many other products.
Minimart in Westin Lagunamar - bunch of imported Kosher items (La LA milk is under KA Kosher), but sometimes runs out. They have beer at about $1/bottle.
Erupea - has 1 or 2 Kosher wines.
Soriana - many Kosher items.
Random stores - many have OU snacks from America.

Playa
Chabad of Playa del Carmen - fleishig food delivery run by Rabbi Mendel Goldberg, a DDF member, that's really good, restaurant quality. Contact them for an updated menu with more choices than listed on website. They also host Shabbos meals for free, but ask for donations (they say it costs them $40/$20 adult/kid per meal).
Alternate Chabad of Playa - (AKA bootleg, yellow flag version...) is run by Rabbi Chaim Brod and has an in-house restaurant located at Avenida 20, entre Calle 6B y Calle 8. They have a Hebrew website.
Hotel 770 - fleishig restaurant, grocery and hotel under Rabbi Chaim Brod's supervision. Calle 10 Norte Bis. - Closed as of December 2020.
Menfis - Israeli restaurant, review, under Rabbi Chaim Brod's supervision. Calle 14 Norte, Entre 5a y 10. - Closed as of December 2020.
Mas Pan - dairy restaurant serving pizza, sandwiches and paninis, under ??? supervision.
Yummy Kosher - Calle 6 Norte S/N entre 5ta Avenida y calle 10, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico - Is this place closed?
Moshe Cube - Israeli/Sfardi food - highly recommend, accepted credit card which is very convenient. Avenida Constituyentes lote 01, mz 079
Platinum Grill - Israeli food - better than most Israeli places I've tried in NYC, "Mercado de la 10", calle 6 y Av 15, Centro 77710. It's located as part of a small strip mall/shopping center.
The Green Village Eco Boutique Hotel - Calle 20 #145, between Avenida 10 and Avenida 15, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77720, Mexico.
Yala - Calle 10 Nte Mz 30, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico. - Closed as of December 2020.

Cozumel
Jerusalem - Nice fleshig place with good food and quick service, under Chabad of Cozumel - R. David Caplin and R. Shalom Peleg (yellow flag). Calle 10 North and Av. and General Rafeal, second floor.
Cafe Rimon - milchig restaurant also under Chabad of Cozumel (yellow flag). Calle 4 North and Av. and General Rafeal.
Chocolatte - milchig cafe under ???.
Falafel Sombrero - falafel place under Chabad of Cozumel (yellow flag).

Isla Mujeres
Cafe Maya - [Currently closed for renovations] milchig restaurant, under some Chabad (R Druk of Cancun vouches apparently), cash only, but bring pesos as it's much cheaper here than USD. Food is excellent and prices here are very reasonable, so long as you pay in pesos. Family of 5 can feast on paninis, pasta and pizza, with soft drinks/coffees, easily under $50USD. Pictures of store and food (scroll down). Directions: two blocks straight ahead (5 min walk) when you exit the ferry terminal (Calle Bravo?), then make a left when you hit the end (on Av Guerrero) go another block, and it's a few stores down the next block on the left side. Reviews on yelp, TripAdvisor.
Chabad downstairs - falafel and pizza
Chabad upstairs - meat restaurant

Hechsherim: (Beneath each logo is the site that recommends them.)
   
CRC                    CRC & KosherQuest
   
KosherQuest & Chabad of Cancun          KosherQuest

Chabad of Cancun             

KosherQuest & Chabad of Cancun

Via email to @Yehuda, Rabbi Eidlitz from KosherQuest recommended Rabbi Mendel Druk of Chabad of Cancun.

Shabbos and Minyanim:
Chabad - has Minyanim during busy seasons, but check with them to confirm (they are really great, give a nice donation!). They also offer meals, see Kosher section.
Kosher Luxus / Red Heifer - offers meals, see Kosher section, and may have Minyanim, check with them.
Westin Lagunamar - check with the Chabad Rabbi whether there has been a Minyan recently, but enough Jews have timeshares at Lagunamar and come for winter break that they seem to have a Minyan during winter break outside by the BBQs (Fuego) all the way on the south of the hotel (by the last pool to the right coming out of lobby towards fountains).


Activities:
Ferry to Isla Mujeres - small island off the coast near Cancun, rent a golf cart to go around the island - can get carts by walking left or right for a few minutes after you exit the port and get a decent rate; shiframeir got 2 fast carts for afternoon for $70 total (1 for $35) going left (right has mixed reviews on speed), get some Kosher food, visit Garaffon Reef Park, Turtle Farm, Playa Norte, Dolphin Discovery, Shark Beach.
Xplor - 5 activity course / theme park of swimming and kayaking in a cave, jeeping in the jungle, ziplining high in the air over trees, and ziplining on a hammock into water; highly recommend, night version is cheaper and offers ziplining through ring of fire. Can save money by booking online a couple of weeks in advance.
Xel Ha - theme park (for older kids and adults)
Xcaret - theme park, one reviewer spoke to people that went who said it was waste of time & very costly.
Boka del Puma - theme park, cheaper option to Xplor.
Selvatica - ziplining and biking, Alma's LDS tour includes this and Mayan ruins.
Emotions Jungle Night - another theme park.
Jungle Tour - motor boat tour through lagoon to an area where you snorkel, recommended.
Mayan Ruins - Chichen Itza - most famous, Tulum, Coba - only one you can still climb.
Cenotes - natural pools/caves to go swimming in; Ik Kil - near Chichen Itza, Sistema dos Ojos.
BOB - Breathing Observation Bubble, underwater scuba-like contraption, highly recommended.
Ferry to Cozumel - larger island off the coast of Playa del Carmen, with an Intercontinental and Kosher food.
La Isla Mall - has an aquarium, dolphin show and Haagen Dazs.
Mayakoba Lagoon - boat tour and biking, hotels in Mayakoba provide this.
Swim with Whale Sharks - June, July and August, one company with high review is Whale Shark Daddy.
Cancun Underwater Museum
Zoo Crococun
5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen - shopping street.
Wet and Wild
Scuba Diving - one company with a high review is Squalodivers.
Hummer Tours - fun way to see more of Mexico.
Isla Contoy - small island north of Isla Mujeres.
Secret Beach/Pool - found by Suave, location here.


Random:
Electricity - US plugs and voltage
« Last edited by cgr on January 29, 2024, 09:19:49 PM »

Author Topic: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread  (Read 1227303 times)

Offline lcm

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3520 on: August 13, 2021, 01:16:55 AM »
Worth making a psa in the wiki?
Know two people personally that rented cars this summer in mexico,
Both were broken into when parked on street, and things stolen.
Obviously it's a matter that you should know better, but people might not realize how careful they should be, or that it may very well be worth taking out travel insurance...

Offline outinstyle

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3521 on: August 13, 2021, 03:04:27 AM »
Can someone please send me this link?

Thank you!!
I'll send it to you privately

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3522 on: August 17, 2021, 08:10:22 PM »
Does the Banyan Tree Mayakoba have a minyan on Shabbos?
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

Offline Dave321

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3523 on: August 18, 2021, 12:23:09 PM »

Sunset cruise was quite the chill, for those looking for a nice outing.
link.?

Offline EandN

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3524 on: August 18, 2021, 07:00:43 PM »
Some advice on car rentals. Rented from Hertz and used points from my CSR. Should have covered all fees including insurance. My son-in-law refused to pay at all and didn't. A son was told the minimum was $9 a day and paid that. My guy wouldn't budge from about $120 for the 7 days. I paid it thinking that I'd confer with Chase afterwards but it hasn't gone on my card. Bottom line is get ready for a battle... With Hertz status spouse is supposed to be free. They didn't put it on the contract. Bring proof of status and make sure spouses name is on the contract. Got pulled over by a joke of a cop and he tried to make a big deal out of it. I tried calling Hertz but couldn't get through. Had to pay my 'fine' in person to avoid getting a ticket and going to the police station. A real racket. I was advised by a friend that lives there that they won't pull you over for driving-while-looking-like-a-tourist if you haven't done anything wrong. If you're 1 km over the speed limit they can pull you over. WAZE gives the speed limit and will warn you if you are over. It is not completely accurate so you'll still want to double check the signs. If you do get pulled over, the longer it takes and if he calls a 'supervisor' it will cost you more. The going rate is $500 Mexican dollars ($25). Have that handy (and away from any dollars) and ask if you can pay here instead of getting a ticket and going to court. It's a real hassle--I wasn't going fast when I got pulled over but after that I was super careful to keep below the speed limit.

We stayed at an incredible Airbnb called Villa El Meca. ( https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/43413907?adults=12&check_in=2021-08-26&check_out=2021-09-02&federated_search_id=e86086f8-4b0d-4f8c-8639-f8db2d3118a8&source_impression_id=p3_1629326345_TLGYcVHBREyBslNr&guests=1) Private pool, private beachfront. Incredible views right across from Isla Mujeres. Highly, highly recommended. We brought a lot of kosher food but much was available there at Costco, Walmart and other large grocery stores with hechsherim. Pasta, cereals, snacks, pretzels, chips, spices, tuna, cream cheese, Costco grated mozzarella, bread. Strange, the one thing that we took for granted that we could get was Hellman's Mayonnaise but it didn't have a hechsher... Meat can be ordered from chabad.
Hope this will be helpful

Offline Dan

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3525 on: August 18, 2021, 07:15:45 PM »
Some advice on car rentals. Rented from Hertz and used points from my CSR. Should have covered all fees including insurance. My son-in-law refused to pay at all and didn't. A son was told the minimum was $9 a day and paid that. My guy wouldn't budge from about $120 for the 7 days. I paid it thinking that I'd confer with Chase afterwards but it hasn't gone on my card. Bottom line is get ready for a battle... With Hertz status spouse is supposed to be free. They didn't put it on the contract. Bring proof of status and make sure spouses name is on the contract. Got pulled over by a joke of a cop and he tried to make a big deal out of it. I tried calling Hertz but couldn't get through. Had to pay my 'fine' in person to avoid getting a ticket and going to the police station. A real racket. I was advised by a friend that lives there that they won't pull you over for driving-while-looking-like-a-tourist if you haven't done anything wrong. If you're 1 km over the speed limit they can pull you over. WAZE gives the speed limit and will warn you if you are over. It is not completely accurate so you'll still want to double check the signs. If you do get pulled over, the longer it takes and if he calls a 'supervisor' it will cost you more. The going rate is $500 Mexican dollars ($25). Have that handy (and away from any dollars) and ask if you can pay here instead of getting a ticket and going to court. It's a real hassle--I wasn't going fast when I got pulled over but after that I was super careful to keep below the speed limit.
Thanks for the reminder of why I haven't been back to Mexico since our first trip there 7 years ago!
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3526 on: August 19, 2021, 12:26:38 PM »
Thanks for the reminder of why I haven't been back to Mexico since our first trip there 7 years ago!
No issues for me but I don't rent cars there.
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half
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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3527 on: August 19, 2021, 12:36:23 PM »
No issues for me but I don't rent cars there.

Right, this is the way to go. I just don't like going places without the freedom of a car or good public transportation.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3528 on: August 19, 2021, 04:20:33 PM »
FYI a few ppl recommended MosheCube.
The kosher symbol on their website is NOT on the verified list of hechsherim in the master thread.
The Hechsher he has listed on his website is MC kosher.
Anyone know about it?

The MC is their logo. Here their certificate.
".איזהו חכם, הלומד מכל אדם"

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3529 on: August 23, 2021, 04:32:33 PM »
Worth making a psa in the wiki?
Know two people personally that rented cars this summer in mexico,
Both were broken into when parked on street, and things stolen.
Obviously it's a matter that you should know better, but people might not realize how careful they should be, or that it may very well be worth taking out travel insurance...
I rented a car and it was broken into as well while I was there
-DMC
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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3530 on: September 05, 2021, 09:42:46 PM »
I'm planning a trip to Cancun in November (will take a long Thanksgiving weekend :) ). Looking for updated info on Playa del Carmen - I booked the Grand Hyatt since the Hyatt Ziva, which was my first choice, does not have availability at that time for points redemption. The Grand Hyatt looks super nice, but I'm not liking what I'm reading about the seaweedy beaches there. I'm very spoiled when it comes to beaches, as I'm not really a beach guy, but if the water is perfectly clear and not too cold, I enjoy myself. I also heard about it being very smelly there, because of the seaweed?

At the Ziva, on the other hand, I don't stop hearing incredible things about basically every single aspect, beach included.

Any tips or advice here would be really appreciated! thanks all


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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3531 on: September 06, 2021, 05:20:05 PM »
I'm planning a trip to Cancun in November (will take a long Thanksgiving weekend :) ). Looking for updated info on Playa del Carmen - I booked the Grand Hyatt since the Hyatt Ziva, which was my first choice, does not have availability at that time for points redemption. The Grand Hyatt looks super nice, but I'm not liking what I'm reading about the seaweedy beaches there. I'm very spoiled when it comes to beaches, as I'm not really a beach guy, but if the water is perfectly clear and not too cold, I enjoy myself. I also heard about it being very smelly there, because of the seaweed?

At the Ziva, on the other hand, I don't stop hearing incredible things about basically every single aspect, beach included.

Any tips or advice here would be really appreciated! thanks all


Ziva doesn't have seaweed?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3532 on: September 06, 2021, 05:23:05 PM »
Ziva doesn't have seaweed?
It probably does but i hear about it a lot less for that area. And definitely don’t hear anything about the smell there

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3533 on: September 06, 2021, 05:49:06 PM »
Ziva doesn't have seaweed?
Yes but not bad unlike MBJ Hyatt.
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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3534 on: September 09, 2021, 02:12:37 AM »
I'm planning a trip to Cancun in November (will take a long Thanksgiving weekend :) ). Looking for updated info on Playa del Carmen - I booked the Grand Hyatt since the Hyatt Ziva, which was my first choice, does not have availability at that time for points redemption. The Grand Hyatt looks super nice, but I'm not liking what I'm reading about the seaweedy beaches there. I'm very spoiled when it comes to beaches, as I'm not really a beach guy, but if the water is perfectly clear and not too cold, I enjoy myself. I also heard about it being very smelly there, because of the seaweed?

At the Ziva, on the other hand, I don't stop hearing incredible things about basically every single aspect, beach included.

Any tips or advice here would be really appreciated! thanks all
How about the zillara ?

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3535 on: September 09, 2021, 10:34:21 AM »
How about the zillara ?
They had some availability but more expensive than GH for not much better rooms and beach from what I understand. Am I wrong?

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3536 on: September 09, 2021, 10:38:10 AM »
They had some availability but more expensive than GH for not much better rooms and beach from what I understand. Am I wrong?
Aren't they both 25k/night?
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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3537 on: September 09, 2021, 10:39:08 AM »
Aren't they both 25k/night?
For the time I’m looking to go, the Zilara only had availability for 40k/night

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3538 on: September 12, 2021, 04:33:52 PM »
Are there any programs or an idea for a couple who wants to go over chol hamoed? Hotel, succah, food, minyan, etc.

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #3539 on: September 12, 2021, 05:46:44 PM »
Are there any programs or an idea for a couple who wants to go over chol hamoed? Hotel, succah, food, minyan, etc.
chabad should have all that. Stat at the ziva