Topic Wiki

Trip Reports:
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 1058184 times)

Offline puddles

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #200 on: October 14, 2014, 07:16:22 PM »

Offline robbie

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #201 on: October 14, 2014, 07:27:37 PM »
Zailara cancun

amazing hotel, i stayed there about 3 weeks ago. they will double wrap salmon baked potoes and green beans if you want.

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #202 on: October 19, 2014, 01:18:52 AM »
What's nicer, hyatt or jw?

Offline EliteMavin

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #203 on: October 19, 2014, 12:58:27 PM »
Thank to all for the valuable insight and TRs...
I am planning a weekend in January, and have a few questions, any help would be appreciated!

Firstly, as of now I have a reservation for 5 nights and the Westin Resort & Spa for 34K points, for a ocean view, balcony, club floor, room. (and continental breakfast, which is likely worthless). The Lagunamar Westin is completely sold out, so that is not an option..
Is that the best option to choose? Is the hotel good? and how about the distance from everything, since it is at the bottom of the strip..
Does anyone have experience with ordering and receiving kosher food at this hotel?

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #204 on: October 20, 2014, 02:10:54 AM »
Sorry, my experience was with the lagunamar, Chabad delivered daily there but that was bc there was a big contingent that goes there each January. But ask Chabad, they will be helpful. I think I put the emails on the wiki. Your westin looks very nice too.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #205 on: October 20, 2014, 03:24:49 AM »
I absolutely hated the Lagunamar. Yes, it's newer that the regular Westin, and has huge pools... but that's pretty much where it ends.

The Lagunamar is meant to be a time-share place, and it shows. There are only 2 "room types" - a 1-bedroom "condo" and a 2-bedroom "condo" - so forget about getting upgraded to a suite... they don't even exist. They're breathtakingly cheap on everything from shampoo to bottled water, and stingy with early check-in and late check-out. A good deal of the place is plastered with advertisements for "Starwood Vacation Ownership", which (IMHO) takes away from the experience - I want to feel like I'm at a resort, not a timeshare convention.

The other Westin is a bit dated, doesn't have great pools, and is all the way at the end of the hotel zone (so location isn't great), but at least it feels like a real resort. Plus with 2-hour happy hours where you can get all the free cocktails you can drink, what's not to like? >:D

Offline EliteMavin

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #206 on: October 20, 2014, 11:17:48 AM »
Sorry, my experience was with the lagunamar, Chabad delivered daily there but that was bc there was a big contingent that goes there each January. But ask Chabad, they will be helpful. I think I put the emails on the wiki. Your westin looks very nice too.

I absolutely hated the Lagunamar. Yes, it's newer that the regular Westin, and has huge pools... but that's pretty much where it ends.

The Lagunamar is meant to be a time-share place, and it shows. There are only 2 "room types" - a 1-bedroom "condo" and a 2-bedroom "condo" - so forget about getting upgraded to a suite... they don't even exist. They're breathtakingly cheap on everything from shampoo to bottled water, and stingy with early check-in and late check-out. A good deal of the place is plastered with advertisements for "Starwood Vacation Ownership", which (IMHO) takes away from the experience - I want to feel like I'm at a resort, not a timeshare convention.
The other Westin is a bit dated, doesn't have great pools, and is all the way at the end of the hotel zone (so location isn't great), but at least it feels like a real resort. Plus with 2-hour happy hours where you can get all the free cocktails you can drink, what's not to like? >:D

Thanks so much for your input!
Chabad did indeed confirm that they will deliver to that hotel, and I got RT tickets for 2 with Avios... I guess this is a keeper...
Now onto activities and other food options.

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #207 on: October 20, 2014, 11:49:47 PM »
Going thanksgiving weeked. Staying at jw. What activities r a must- besides for the beach obviously

Offline Gets

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #208 on: October 21, 2014, 12:53:58 AM »
Going this Monday to hyatt Zilara


What activities r a must- besides for the beach obviously

Offline Gets

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #209 on: October 21, 2014, 12:54:52 AM »
What is the best way to and from the airport?

TIA

Offline puddles

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #210 on: October 21, 2014, 06:22:40 AM »
Going this Monday to hyatt Zilara
Going in a few weeks. Make sure you write back here with any findings.

Offline gtyossi

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #211 on: October 22, 2014, 10:30:01 AM »
Looking for a nice hotel with Ultimate Rewards or AMEX points for Cancun. March 8-12. I reserved the Intercontinental for around 60,000 ultimate rewards points for 4 nights. Does anyone recommend anything that would be a better deal?

Offline puddles

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #212 on: October 30, 2014, 11:35:53 AM »
Can someone who has been to Cancun recommend the best travel from the airport to the hotel? Is it worth arranging with the hotel or taking a taxi?

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #213 on: October 30, 2014, 02:47:05 PM »
Can someone who has been to Cancun recommend the best travel from the airport to the hotel? Is it worth arranging with the hotel or taking a taxi?
 
if you stay at lagunamar, they have a great price on roundtrip airport shuttle that we had to ourselves.  One way: 45 USD for up to four guests; Round Trip: 85 USD for up to four guests. Additional passengers: 6 USD per person.
otherwise, there are tons of taxis there and shuttle options, and people beg you to consider their packages as you walk out of the airport, so if you are planning to also do some things (Xel Ha etc.) than maybe take a chance and bargain for a deal for transportation and tickets for a discount (if you have the time/patience).
 

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #214 on: October 30, 2014, 02:54:30 PM »
 
if you stay at lagunamar, they have a great price on roundtrip airport shuttle that we had to ourselves.  One way: 45 USD for up to four guests; Round Trip: 85 USD for up to four guests. Additional passengers: 6 USD per person.
otherwise, there are tons of taxis there and shuttle options, and people beg you to consider their packages as you walk out of the airport, so if you are planning to also do some things (Xel Ha etc.) than maybe take a chance and bargain for a deal for transportation and tickets for a discount (if you have the time/patience).
Thanks! Not sure I will have the patience to negoiate after the plane ride... my hotel is offering $110 round trip which sounds pretty decent I guess. I saw home hotels online charging more and some less and I know it will be safe and quick at least.

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #215 on: October 30, 2014, 09:01:07 PM »
Thanks! Not sure I will have the patience to negoiate after the plane ride... my hotel is offering $110 round trip which sounds pretty decent I guess. I saw home hotels online charging more and some less and I know it will be safe and quick at least.

$110 is a ripoff.

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #216 on: October 30, 2014, 09:19:33 PM »
$110 is a ripoff.
I am more than open to suggestions if you have any?

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Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #217 on: October 30, 2014, 10:05:04 PM »
I just returned from the Hyatt Zilara, I used their transportation and it was amazing!!

When I walked out of the airport I was not in the mood of bargaining with the Taxi drivers and was very happy to see a brand new Lincoln Navigator L with my name on it, along with fresh cold towels and water.

After hearing what other people payed and the service they got, I feel that I got a great deal and service stress free. I would definitely recommend it to anyone going there.

At Customs in the Airport, you have to push a button if its green you go, naturally when I pushed, it was red and they checked our bags and allowed us to keep our snacks and rolls after looking through everything including my teffilin. 

The hotel was beautiful and a lot of fun, the staff was very friendly and willing to help, especially the "Romance Concierge" we checked in with since I emailed that we were on our honeymoon. we were taken right there as soon as we arrived, they brought us drinks and showed us to our room.

The pool and beach area is gorgeous, we found the pool area to be more crowded and the beach pretty empty, there is a swim up bar in the pool and another one on the beach along with a huge one in the lobby, the hotel is all inclusive which means the coffee shop, restaurants, bars, room service, mini bar... Is all free so help yourself to as much of whatever whenever you want.

They give you wrist bands to wear during your stay. They are color coded based on your status, yellow for Hyatt Platinum. They had kosher cereal at breakfast, with fresh fruit. The milk has a hechsher as well.
The concierge was happy to show me all the items they had with a hechsher although I did not take him up on his offer.

The room has a Nespresso machine (might have been only upgraded rooms) along with bottles of spirits and a large jacuzzi, hammock on the porch with a Bose system.

We ate down the road at the Red Heipher aka Kosher & Luxus, they have recently moved to this location from another hotel, it is very large although was empty this week. They have a big porch and dock over the Lagoon where we ate with a ten ft crocodile right below us who was happy to have our leftovers
The food was delicious and priced well. It is very easy to get to with the city bus which comes almost every minute at that hour, the price is 10 Pesos and they accept Dollar bills.

We flew Aeromexico and had a great experience on a new 737-800. We upgraded to F at check in for $100 which was very enjoyable. The staff was friendly with great service.

Please feel free to ask any questions.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2014, 10:08:44 PM by Gets »

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Re: Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #218 on: October 30, 2014, 10:35:03 PM »
I am more than open to suggestions if you have any?

Even a private taxi from one of the stands right after customs will be less than that.

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Cancun, Mexico Master Thread
« Reply #219 on: October 30, 2014, 10:36:55 PM »
I've heard people pay $65 a way after bargaining and the hassle in the heat.
All depends how you want to spend your vacation.