847-636-2232
Condos
Cancun
Tim’s Picks & Tips
Years of Cancun Experience at Your Fingertips
In House Special Services: If you are ready to book the In House Special Services you have decided on you can do so now. Please note that you will need your confirmation number found on your e-confirmation to book any of the In House Special Services. These services are not offered to the public. If you have not yet provided your flight information, please have your flight information also ready before proceeding to the online form. It is not mandatory to have your flight information but it is very helpful if you include it when booking the In House Services.
NOTE: If you have already booked your In House Servies via email with Tim, you DO NOT need to use the new system, unless you would like to add addtional services.
Thank you.
Tim
company that I link to. The price is the same, $40.
Do you recommend booking this In House or via the transfer company?
It depends. Most people are booking this via the transfer company these days. Here are the reasons why most are booking this via the transfer company.
* Everyone in your group can go. If you book In House, one of my managers in Cancun will take you. And only 2 or 3 people can fit into their vehicle.
* Saves time. When you book via the transfer company, you go straight from the airport to the Super Walmart, then to the condo.
* Schedules. Sometimes groups have an early flight in and at the same time we have another group departing the same day for the condo you selected. Since check in time is 4pm, this allows you to use that down time wisely. As a side note, I do offer a real nice option if you have an early flight in which allows you to relieve yourself of your luggage so you can go out and enjoy your day. For details on this, hover over the “Main Menu” tab at the top of the page, then click on “General Information” then click on “Early Check In - Late Check Out”.
How do you book this via the transfer company?
After you make your reservation, you will be receiving an e-confirmation. On your e-confirmation you will see the transfer company link along with a password. When you enter the password, this option will appear. Simply select this option. If you book via the transfer company, the Walmart Run is added to your total for the transfer to and from the resort. Payment via this method is in advance via credit card.
Are there any advantages to booking this In House?
Sure. Here are a few reasons.
* You may have a later flight and not want to deal with going shopping right away.
* Sometimes the previous guests have left a few items at the condo that you may have purchased had you booked with the transfer company.
* If you would like to take your time shopping this might be the way to go. My managers in Cancun do not impose a time limit on how long you can be in the store. Whereas the transfer company will allow you an hour for shopping time while they wait.
* My mangers will help bring up all your grocery bags up into the condo.
Should we plan on buying things there like toilet paper, dish detergent, laundry detergent, etc.?
Yes. We provide a full roll of toilet paper and a full back up roll in each bathroom. We also provide enough laundry detergent and dish detergent just to get you started in case you can’t make it to the store right away.
The Super Walmart Grocery Run
Of all the In House Services offered, taking advantage of this one is the proverbial “no-brainer”. As an example, imagine how much money you would spend if you were at home but you had to buy your groceries at 7/11 or other convenience stores. In the Cancun Hotel Zone, there are only convenience stores. There are no grocery stores. The savings can be very substantial. Even if you are staying in one of the condos that offers the all inclusive option, I recommend the Walmart run. You might be surprised how often you are looking for snacks and drinks without the need to head down to the restaurants.
This service has become so popular, that I now offer it as either an In House service, or you can book this directly through the transfer
$40 via credit card paid when you book your transfers.
Cost if booked In House:
Cost if booked via the transfer company:
$40 cash when service is rendered.
Mike also takes you to an island called Isla Mujeres where he provides you lunch. The snorkeling tour runs 5-6 hours. For groups of 6 or more the cost is $55 US dollars per person and is paid in cash when you go out. This even includes lunch on the island of Isla Mujeres. For groups of less than 6, the cost is $330 for the group. His boat holds 12 people comfortably. As a side note, I keep a good size cooler on wheels in every condo. I highly recommend you take that with you when you go out. Fill it with your favorite drinks and snacks before you head out. There is a convenience store right there at the harbor where you can purchase ice, snacks, drinks, etc. Don’t forget your sunscreen. I highland recommend going out on the boat with Mike, be it the snorkeling tour here, or the fishing tour below.
The Snorkeling Excursion
One of the important things to remember about any tour is that there are two general varieties, public and private. With a public tour you will be with other people you don’t know. With a private tour, it’s only your group. Private tours are therefore always more expensive of course for good reason. The snorkeling tour is private. Moreover it’s provided by a dear friend of mine, Mike (Miguel) who is a terrific guy.
I have known Mike for several years. His family comes from many generations of fisherman. When Cancun became famous, he started offering tourists snorkeling and fishing tours. Mike is a great guy, he loves people, you will really enjoy him. Most tours, even the private ones, have more of a corporate feel to them. With Mike, not at all so. If you are out there and you ask to just stop and anchor down for a while no problem. We do this a lot when we go out. It can get pretty warm out there. So I’ll ask Mike to stop so we can jump in and cool off. The water is amazing, crystal clear and warm. You can see down to the bottom from 20 ft. or more. Mike takes you to government protected waters. The underwater beauty there is incredible, rated #2 in the world.
$330 US dollars cash for the whole group when service is rendered.
Cost for groups of 6 or more:
Cost for groups of less than 6:
$55 US dollars cash per person when service is rendered.
takes out some fishing line, and with no fishing pole, and wearing gloves, he proceeds to catch several 1/2 pound fish in a mater of minutes. After he has a half dozen or so swimming around in a bucket, he proceeds to break out the fishing poles and use the fish in the bucket as his bate for the bigger fish. Normally Barracuda is the type of fish you catch, although catching other varieties isn’t uncommon. Mike cleans the fish for you when your tour is over.
Mike also takes you to an island called Isla Mujeres where he provides you lunch. The fishing tour runs 5-6 hours. For groups of 6 or more the cost is $55 US dollars per person and is paid in cash when you go out. This even includes lunch on the island of Isla Mujeres. For groups of less than 6, the cost is $330 for the group. His boat holds 12 people comfortably. As a side note, I keep a good size cooler on wheels in every condo. I highly recommend you take that with you when you go out. Fill it with your favorite drinks and snacks before you head out. There is a convenience store right there at the harbor where you can purchase ice, snacks, drinks, etc. Don’t forget your sunscreen. I highly recommend going out on the boat with Mike, be it the fishing tour here or the snorkeling tour above. I frequently hear commentary from guests saying that going out on the boat with Mike was the highlight of their vacation.
$330 US dollars cash for the whole group when service is rendered.
Cost for groups of 6 or more:
Cost for groups of less than 6:
$55 US dollars cash per person when service is rendered.
The Fishing Excursion
As is true of the snorkeling tour above, one of the important things to remember about any tour is that there are two general varieties, public and private. With a public tour you will be with other people you don’t know. With a private tour, it’s only your group. Private tours are therefore always more expensive of course for good reason. The fishing tour is private. Moreover it’s provided by a dear friend of mine, Mike (Miguel) who is a terrific guy.
I have known Mike for several years. His family comes from many generations of fisherman. When Cancun became famous, he started offering tourists snorkeling and fishing tours. Mike is a great guy, he loves people, you will really enjoy him. Most tours, even the private ones, have more of a corporate feel to them. With Mike, not at all so. If you are out there and you ask to just stop and anchor down for a while no problem. We do this a lot when we go out. It can get pretty warm out there. So I’ll ask Mike to stop so we can jump in and cool off. The water is amazing, crystal clear and warm. You can see down to the bottom from 20 ft. or more.
The first time I went out with Mike for the fishing, I was amazed, so were our kids. Mike
for food costs are provided or you are welcome to go with to the store. If you have more than 8, figure $5 per person for each person beyond 8. Please note that if you are renting more than one condo, it’s best to have 2 cooks.
$6 US dollars cash per person above & beyond 8 + food cost.
Cost for groups of 8 or less:
Cost for more than 8:
$50 US dollars cash plus the cost of food - paid when service is rendered.
In Home Meals
This service has gone over wonderfully. Please note that our cooks are not professional chefs, but they are good cooks. I am fortunate to know many terrific people in Cancun I refer to as my extended family. Guests have reported the food is delicious, and the ladies just delightful, and a joyful cultural experience as well. Elaina, Francis or another member of our extended family will come to the condo where you are staying and cook for your family. Clean up afterwards is also included.
The type of food prepared is Mexican of course. Sometimes I find husbands booking this for their wives as a special treat. The cost for this service is $50 plus the cost for food. The value is so strong I have had people ask me on several occasions if this is per person or for the whole group, so I’m clarifying a bit more here. The cost is for preparing the meal for your whole group of up to 8 people/not per person + the cost of food. Receipts
$9 per hour 1st 3 hours, $7 per hour for additional hours.
1 Child:
2 Children:
$7 per hour 1st 3 hours, $5 per hour for additional hours.
In Home Child Care
It’s not uncommon that parents need a break and some adult time. Our extended family in Cancun are wonderful with children. So if you’d like a night out, or even a day break, schedule a sitter.
Rules:
1) More than 4 children would require an additional caretaker.
2) If any child is less than a year old, please add $2 per hour to all hourly rates.
3) When there is one or more children less than a year old, no more than 3 children per caretaker please.
4) When paying, please round to the nearest ¼ hour.
5) Rates above are per caretaker.
6) Minimum Charge: $35
7) Payment is made directly to the care taker in US dollars after service is provided.
$11 per hour 1st 3 hours, $9 per hour for additional hours.
3 Children:
4 Children:
$10 per hour 1st 3 hours, $8 per hour for additional hours.
Additional Cleaning/Laundering
In case you have not rented a condo before: When you arrive, the condo is clean and ready to go, much like a hotel room is prepared, except much bigger. There is no daily maid service included when you rent a condo. At least not typically. Each condo does have a washer/dryer inside. However you can opt for additional cleaning cycles if you would like.
There are two types you can choose from. Premium service includes freshly laundered linens when the beds are made up. Standard service does not. You can book any type of service you would like for any day or days you would like. Please note that neither service is designed for cleaning up a huge kitchen mess.
Rules:
* If you plan on leaving while this service is being done, you must pay the service provider before you leave. If you leave and you do not pay first, please do not plan on your condo being clean when you return.
* If you plan on not being there at all when the service is being done, you must pay my manager in advance.
Unfortunately, we have had several guests who have left without paying for this service. Therefore we had to institute these rules.
Standard Cleaning: Includes making up the beds, general picking up, taking out the garbage, general kitchen cleaning. Service does not include freshly laundered linens.
Premium Cleaning: Includes making up the beds with freshly laundered linens, general picking up, taking out the garbage, general kitchen cleaning.
$75 US dollars per cycle paid in cash as noted in the rules above.
Standard Cleaning:
Premium Cleaning:
$40 US dollars per cycle paid in cash as noted in the rules above.
Airport Transfers: I recommend Feralter for your trips to and from the airport. Their rates are among the lowest I have been able to find anywhere. And they are very reliable and service oriented company. I have met personally with the owner and his customer service staff. I have also met with met with their web developer to create a special log in for our guest to access special pricing that is not available to the general public.
Cost: Whatever the current public pricing shown on their site is, it will be less when you log in with the password provided to you after booking one of the condos. Approximate public pricing cost is about $65 Round trip for up to 10 people - a little less for less people. The public pricing can vary slightly from time to time. Reservations can be made via their web site. The trip to the Super Walmart is not available to the general public. After you put in the password, you will see the service option there for you.
Rental Cars: You do not need to rent a car in Cancun. The busses & taxis run 24/7. You can go anywhere in the Cancun Hotel Zone by bus for .65 cents per person. However, if you want to rent a car anyway, this company is the most competitive I have found. Less than 5 minutes from the airport. They pick you up of course. When comparing rates online, remember that insurance rates are almost always not shown. If you are comparing, get the insurance cost because that is where they make most of their money. I have used E-Z many times & so far their service has been very good.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Helpful Information before moving on to my picks for restaurants below
Getting to the Restaurants in Cancun:
For those who don’t know, Cancun is like a peninsula that goes out into the ocean then reconnects on the other side. As you head into Cancun from the airport, you have the ocean on the right, and the fresh water bay on the left. You’re surrounded by water. If you look at it on a map or satellite, you’ll notice it’s shaped like a “7”. It isn’t real big. The longer part of the 7 is about 7 miles, the shorter part is about 3-4 miles. The width of the Hotel Zone is quite narrow ranging from about 100 yards from ocean to fresh water, to about 300 yards. There are a couple of exceptions to the max width, which are areas where the land jets out more into the bay side. In such cases shopping malls and golf courses typically occupy these areas.
There is only one main road called Kukulcan that runs through the entire hotel zone. There is no need to rent a car. Buses run 24/7 and the wait is never long. The buses will take you anywhere in the hotel zone for .65 cents per person. Or cabs are always at the ready. You certainly can rent a car if you wish, but getting around Cancun without one is easy.
Referencing Restaurant Locations:
If you do searching on the web for locations in the Cancun Hotel Zone, you’ll notice they refer to Kilometer numbers. A kilometer is a little over 1/2 a mile, about 5/8 of a mile. The higher the number, the closer it is to the airport. The “0” point is where the “Cancun penisula” reconnects to the other side and where the city of Cancun is. Nearly all of the restaurants are located on the bay side because the resorts occupy the ocean side and a restaurant alone could scarcely survive the costs associated with being on the ocean side. Lastly, you’ll notice below I will reference how far North or South each restaurant is from Beach Paradise or BVG Porto Fino. North is making a right as you pull out of the resort.
Tim’s Picks
- Restaurants & Nightlife -
Captain’s Cove - Restaurant
Primary Food: Seafood
Price: Moderate to high
Location: Kilometer 16.5
From Beach Paradise: 2 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 4 miles South.
Excellent Seafood. Most of the restaurants in Cancun offer great views while dining and Captain’s Cove is no exception. Non smokers may especially appreciate that Captain’s Cove is all non-smoking. Smoking is allowed at most restaurants in Cancun. Service here has always been strong.
La Destileria - Restaurant
Primary Food: Mexican
Price: Moderate
Location: Kilometer 12.5
From Beach Paradise: 4 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles South.
Terrific authentic Mexican food. If you like margaritas, they make excellent margaritas here too. I usually get the steak burritos. Ask for the type served in the lava bowl. You make your own from this bowl that keeps everything hot. Great home made chips and salsa served free shortly after you sit down. Very cozy out on the terrace area at night.
Ruth’s Chris - Restaurant
Primary Food: Steaks
Price: High
Location: Kilometer 12.5
From Beach Paradise: 4 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles South.
If you have never been to a Ruth’s Chris steak house, I recommend you set a side a special night out and treat yourself. Everything they serve is superb. The meal stays hot throughout your dinner. I don’t know why other high end restaurants don’t learn from Ruth’s Chris on this. The steaks are phenomenal. The side dishes are fantastic. If you like things a little spicy I recommend the lyonnaise potatoes for a side dish. If it’s your first time, one side dish is enough for 2 people easily, regardless of which one you choose. No smoking inside. There is very nice smoking area right near the front door complete with love seats and lounge chairs.
Fred’s House
Seafood Market & Grill
Primary Food: Seafood & Steaks
Price: High
Location: Kilometer 14.5
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 3 miles South.
Great food and great service, topped off by a terrific atmosphere. The Lagoona Grille was one of my favorite places before it closed, and it used to reside here. Fred did a fantastic job of bringing in an all new look, and the staff is top notch. The terrace area over looking the bay is very nice. You can’t go wrong taking a nice night out at Fred’s place.
Habaneros- Restaurant
Primary Food: Mexican
Price: Low
Location: Kilometer 11.5
From Beach Paradise: 5 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 1 mile South.
If you’re looking for some great and authentic Mexican food at a great price, this is where you want to go. The meals run just $5-$10 each, and they are all very tasty. Mario, the owner, is almost always there and he’s a terrific guy; you’ll really enjoy him! Their service is excellent. Small place, seating is outside only. Mario also does carry out and delivery. There is no web site. To call, the number is: 998-883-1243
Margaritaville
Primary Food: Burgers & wide variety
Price: Moderate
Location: Kilometer 9.0
From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 blocks North.
Margaritaville really isn’t about the food. You’ll probably be disappointed if that is what your main purpose is about for the night. Margaritaville is more about the silliness and craziness of their nutty parties. And every nights a party here, and they do know how to whoop it up. If you want to “let your hair down” and go out for fun and cutting up, without the really heavy action of the big clubs, this could be a fun experience for you. They get real silly, so you have to be ok with going with the flow and surely have some booz in you. If you’relooking for a family night out, this is not where you want to go. I don’t recommend it for lunch either. Margaritaville is about the atmosphere they create in there. You’re on vacation! Go have some fun!
Harry’s Steak House
Primary Food: Steaks & Seafood
Price: High
Location: Kilometer 14.2
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 3 miles South.
Harry’s is another one of those “special nights out” type of restaurants. The steaks are superb. Prices here are North of Ruth’s Chris. However one negative about Ruth’s Chris in Cancun is that there is no water view. Harry’s is right on the bay. They have a cozy deck out back, designed for cocktails with love seats and lit cocktail tables. All the dinner tables themselves are inside, although there is floor to ceiling glass so the view is still very nice. You can opt to have dinner served to you outside as we did. Excellent service as you might expect, and the outside atmosphere is wonderfully cozy with a ritzy yet relaxed feel.
Champions Sports Bar & Grill at J.W. Marriot Casa Magna
Primary Food: Burgers, wide variety.
Price: Moderate
Location: Kilometer 14.5
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 3 miles South.
If you are away in Cancun at a time when you must see that big game on TV, this is my favorite place to go. It’s sectioned off nicely with plenty of big screen TV’s. I recommend you get there about 1/2 hour before your game is set to start to sort of “stake your claim” to your game. The staff will set your channel for you. It’s more or less first come first serve on what games are on where, except the one huge screen is dedicated to popular demand. There’s enough TV’s to have every NFL game on. The food has always been very good and the service has yet to disappoint me. No reviews found on Tripadvisor, I did find a forum, link is below.
Coco Bongo’s
Night Club - Dance Club
Cover Charge: $55 Sunday-Thursday
Cover Charge: $65 Friday & Saturday
Location: Kilometer 9
From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 blocks North.
Cancun is world famous for it’s night life. And Coco Bongo is a great example of why Cancun has earned this reputation. In Cancun the idea of the high energy super cool dance club is taken to a whole new level. Great light shows, great sound, electronic wizardry and acoustics...that’s just the beginning with what Cancun has going on. Add aerial silk shows featuring mid air performances with great shows every night, big name appearances, events of all kinds and you start to get the picture. The two best dance clubs in Cancun are Coco Bongo and Dady’O. Coco Bongo is more cutting edge cool in my opinion and the show is a lot better. The two are located nearly right next door to one another. I’ll provide both of the links below.
Shopping Malls:
Kukulcan Plaza:
Location: Kilometer 12.5
From Beach Paradise: 4 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles South.
La Isla:
Location: Kilometer 13
From Beach Paradise: 4 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles South.
Plaza Forum by the Sea:
Location: Kilometer 9
From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 blocks North.
Kukulcan Plaza is home to one of my favorite restaurants, Ruth’s Chris. For Harley Davidson fans, there’s a dealership inside the mall. Pull in to the street bordering either side of the mall, indoor parking is in the back.
La Isla is hands down the coolest mall in Cancun. As you walk through you get the feel of walking through the streets of a quaint and beautiful town with waterways, fountains and tasteful architecture. While you’re there, why not swim with the dolphins? You can do so right here at La Isla as our family did. For movie buffs, there’s a nice multi-screen theater. Sometimes what appear to be statues are people. When they move to strike a new pose it’s an eye opener.
This mall is home to Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, Carlos & Charlie’s, and Coco Bongos. It’s bustling outside it’s entrance area well into the night.
The width of the land here is very narrow. There is little room to build structures on the bay side. JC Capitans solution was to build their restaurant over the water. The result is a cozy open air experience with beautiful views of the bay, most especially at sunset. All of the food I have ever tried here has been excellent, as has the service. The restaurant also services drive up boaters. So the owner’s of JC Capitans came up with a great idea regarding their pier that goes out into the bay. They created additional dining areas that connect to the pier to allow for a very personal and private dining experience and VIP feel.
JC Capitan - Restaurant
Primary Food: Mexican & Seafood.
Price: Moderate.
Location: Kilometer 19.5
From Beach Paradise: Across the street.
From BVG Porto Fino: 6 miles South.
Restaurant Discount Card
Cost: $15 per person
This card is offered by Entertainment Plus in Cancun. It offers nice discounts on food for certain restaurants. It also offers discounts at Coco Bongo & Bull Dog Cafe. The restaurants where you can get the discounts are:
Carlos & Charlies - kilometer 9
SeaHorse Restaurant & Bar - kilometer 9
Crab House Caribe - kilometer 15
The restaurant discount is: buy one regularly priced entree plus one other food item (like appetizer or ice cream) get one entree of equal or lesser value free. If you dine before 5pm, you don’t need to purchase the 2nd food item to receive the 2nd entree free. For more details here is the link:
Tim’s Picks
Cancun Tours & Activities
What are the best tours in Cancun?
Where is the best place to book them?
You are in the right place. Strap yourself in if you are ready to learn.
1) What You Want To Know First - In & Outside The Zone:
Many activities and tours are experienced in the hotel zone, or very close by the hotel zone. Many more tours are an hour or more drive from Cancun. For tours in the hotel zone transportation is not included. For these tours I recommend you take the bus, especially for larger groups. For smaller groups, cab or bus, whichever you prefer. Buses run 24/7 in the hotel zone. You can go anywhere in the hotel zone for .65 cents a person. The wait is rarely more than a 2-3 minutes.
2) Knowing the Mode Outside The Zone:
There are 3 basic ways of doing a tour that is outside the hotel zone. Most of these are 60-90 minute drives. Very few are less, very few are more. You can go on these tours in one of 3 ways. Public, Private, or On Your Own.
3) What is a Tour/Activity Broker? Anyone or any company that is sells tours/activities with the intent to make a profit from such transactions that is not actually providing the activity itself. Tour/Activity brokers typically provide round trip transportation to activities/tours outside the hotel zone, collect payment, handle cancellations, customer service questions, etc. The vast majority of tours/activities booked for those staying in Cancun & the Riviera Maya is done through tour/activity brokers.
4) Tour/Activity Brokers vs. booking and paying direct through the company that is actually giving the tour/activity:
You will find that unless you have already planned to put for the expense to rent a car (which is not necessary in Cancun), booking and paying directly is not as cost effective on the whole as going through a tour provider. Often times even if you have a rental car, it makes more sense to book through a broker.
5) The tour/activity brokers that I recommend are Entertainment-Plus & Cancun Discounts, their links are shown below. Their service is very strong & their pricing is very competitive. Of these two, when possible I recommend Entertainment-Plus because only 25% down is required and their cancellation policy is the best in the business. With Entertainment-Plus you can cancel without penalty as late as 2pm the day before the tour/activity. With Cancun Discounts it’s 48 hours without penalty.
6) AquaWorld in the Hotel Zone: Some of the activities/tours I recommend that are the Cancun Hotel Zone are provided by AquaWorld. AquaWorld is not a broker, they are the actual provider. The reason I cannot use brokers for some of these activities provided by AquaWorld is simple because not all activities provided by AquaWorld are available through a broker.
7) Booking Online: If you want to book in advance, you can do so via the links shown below. I am Not a tour provider. This page was created for the benefit of our guests. The links for booking the tours/activities take you to the providers web site in a new window. For the activities shown where the online booking is via the AquaWorld web site, you may want to consider walking in rather than booking in advance as all sales are final. Whereas with the tours provided by Entertainment-Plus you can cancel as late as 2pm the day before the tour. Other tour providers shown typically have reasonable cancellation policies, please review their web site for details.
8) Firefox: I am a Firefox and Chrome fan. However if you go to book online via one of the links shown below and your on Firefox, it may or may not not bring up the calendar window when you go to book your dates. Chrome and the latest version of IE had no trouble booking online via the links. Alternatively, you can always book via one of the links below.
9) Links: The home page links for most tour/activities shown below are: Quick note: these will open in a new tab, please copy and paste if you want to pull any of them up in the same window.
http://www.entertainment-plus.net/
http://www.cancun-discounts.com/
10) No Mark Up: As always, please know that I make no commission of any kind should you decide to book a tour via the links shown below or via the In House Special Services section. I’m confident you’ll find the recommendations below are the best values available in Cancun.
11) I am NOT a tour Broker or Provider: I have provided the recommendations and links below as a convenience for our guests. For questions from our guests about these tours I recommend that you contact the tour broker or tour provider directly. To do so, click on “Contact” or “Contact Us” on the tour broker’s provider’s web site or in their web site links shown below.
12) Your Feedback Can Help: If you choose a tour, be it on the list below or not, I would love to hear your feedback about your experience. Thank you. Tim - Please scroll down to view the activities/tours -
A) Public means you are going with many others in a big bus. The bus stops at the hotels in the hotel zone to pick people up who have booked a given tour for that day. Public tours are therefore more economically friendly. However it can take an hour or so for all the pick ups to be made before heading out to the tours, and also for all the drop offs to be made when the tour is over.
B) Private means that the only people you will be with during the transportation portion of your tour is your own group. This is often true of the tour itself as well. Read the descriptions next to each tour for details. Private tours are always more expensive of course. Although the pricing is not much more than public if you have 6 to 10 adults in your group. If you want to opt for a private tour and you have more than 10, you would want to email the tour provider for a quote. The reason for the quote is the passenger vans for the private tours hold 10 people max so another van would be required for more than 10.
How to Read a Private Tour Chart- Below is 1 example of of a private tour chart. Pricing will be different for each tour, however the basic idea of the chart layout is always the same. The more adults you have going, the less the cost per adult. There is a max capacity of 10, including children. As an example & referencing the chart below, let’s say you had 6 adults and 2 childrenin your group. Your cost per adult would be $109, the cost per child would be $65.
What is considered a child.? It depends on the tour. Sometimes it’s based on height, other times it’s based on age. When it is based on age, it’s usually about 11 and under. When based on height, it’s usually about 55” and under. The information for each is along side each recommendation below when applicable.
C) On Your Own: You can opt to drive yourself to some of these tours. Whether or not this makes financial sense depends on several factors. Usually it does not make sense to drive yourselves there. I will provide information when applicable to help you decide.
Wave runner rental:
Where: AquaWorld
Hotel Zone - kilometer 15.2
Cost: $45 + 11% tax for 30 minutes
Cost: $82 11% tax for 60 minutes
Prices are per machine - So 2 people on one machine is NO additional cost.
Minimum age to drive: 16 with adult
Minimum age to drive alone: 18
Wave runner: Yamaha 750c.c.
Available: 9am-4:30pm
Ride where: Ocean or Lagoon
Rental Includes: Life jacket & Locker
From Beach Paradise: 2 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 4 miles South
If you like high energy action, you can’t go wrong renting a wave runner. Riding these machines is a rush! I definitely recommend going on the ocean side if you really like action. This way you can hit the ocean swells and go flying. If you’ve never been on one of these machines before and you like speed you are in for a treat!
Comments: You can book in advance, or walk in. If you walk in, a wave runner may not always be available at the time you walk in. Departures are every 1/2 hour.
Parasailing
Where: AquaWorld
Hotel Zone - kilometer 15.2
Cost: $50 per person + 11% tax & $3 dock fee.
Cost: Kids 10 & under 1/2 off
Cost: Non flying passenger $11
Cost: Non flying passenger 10 or under: $5.51
Available: 9am-4:30pm
From Beach Paradise: 2 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 4 miles South
Parasailing is a breathtaking experience. With the surrounding beauty of the Cancun area, this is an especially amazing experience. What makes this experience even better is the ability to share the experience with a loved one or friend. 2 people can go up at a time. And rather than being strapped into a harness, you are sitting on a specially made seating system for up to 2 people. You can feel safe and secure going with AquaWorld for your parasailing experience.
Comments: You can book in advance, or walk in. If you walk in, you may not be able to get on at the time you walk in. Departures are every 1/2 hour.
Jungle Tour
Where: Sunrise Marina
Hotel Zone - kilometer 14.5
Cost: $55 per person
Cost: $30 Kids 10 & under
2 people per boat.
Minimum age to drive boat: 18
Departure times: 9am, 12, 3, 5:30pm
Time of Tour: 2.5 Hours including instructional time
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 3 miles South
This is a really cool tour. You ride two people per boat in these super mini speed boats. They remind me of something you might find in a James Bond movie. The tour includes stopping off for 45 minutes to snorkel if you wish. Nice value.
Comments: This tour is actually done by AquaWorld, but you will save $10 booking it through Entertainment Plus by the time you include sales tax. And remember when you book via Entertainment Plus you can also cancel if you need to on or before 2pm the day before without penalty. If you book direct with AquaWorld all sales are final.
Scuba Diving - Shipwreck Dive
Where: AquaWorld
Hotel Zone - kilometer 15.2
Cost: $77 per person + 11% tax
Departure times: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8am
From Beach Paradise: 2 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 4 miles South
This dive will take you down to an actual ship wreck. The dive will take you through the deck, wheelhouse, and hull of the ship. Amazingly interesting, very cool dive.
Comments: The AquaWorld web site can be confusing. If you want to book this dive, from the link above do the following.
1) Click on any of the red and white signs that say “RESERVE NOW”.
2) Click on “No Thanks, I’m ready to reserve”.
3) A list comes up. The shipwreck dive is the last one down. Twenty five options per page are shown by default. The shipwreck dive is on page 2. Click “Next” at the bottom of the page.
4) Click “Add to cart”
5) The list of tours comes up. To the far upper right click “Checkout”.
6) Fill out the form
7) At the bottom of the form in the comments box indicate which date and which day of the week.
Swim with the Dolphins
Where: Hotel Zone at either La Isla Shopping Mall or Delphinus Dreams Resort depending on the package you opt for.
Location La Isla: Kilometer 12.5
Location Delphinus Dreams: Kilometer 7.5
Cost: From $80-$199 per person depending on the option you choose.
Departure times: Depends on the package you choose.
La Isla From Beach Paradise: 4 miles North
La Isla From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles South
Delphinus Dreams From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
Delphinus DreamsFrom BVG Porto Fino: 1 mile North
For many, swimming with the dolphins has been a lifelong dream. What a better time to fulfill this dream than while on vacation in Cancun. This is an amazing experience. Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, outstandingly talented swimmers, and they love people and playfulness. An experience you’ll never forget.
Comments: You’ll notice 4 options across the top of the page when you click on the link above. These are the 4 that are in the hotel zone and close by, the other 8 options are a 90 minute drive so stick with the 4 across the top. Two of these options are at La Isla shopping mall, the other two are at Delphinus Dreams.
Of the two La Isla options, one is $80 for 40 minutes, the other is $125 for 55 minutes. The $80 selection is the better value. What’s especially nice about the La Isla options is that they include going to the La Isla Dolphin show and visiting the aquarium later in the day.
The other two options at Delphinus Dreams have their pluses as well. The $99 option, although only 30 minutes, includes having the dolphins give you a ride on their backs and is a bit more of an interactive experience. Riding on the backs of the dolphins is not included in the La Isla options. The La Isla options do however give you a one time “dolphin push” at the end of the activity. This is where two dolphins push you forward, one dolphin on each of your feet, to the point where your body comes up out of the water.
The $199 Trainer for a day option for 8 hours at Delphinus is another good value for the person who can’t get enough of these fabulous creatures.
Where: Wetnwild
Hotel Zone - kilometer 25
Cost: $45 per person
Cost: $39 for kids 12 & under
Hours: 9:30am-5pm
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles South
From BVG Porto Fino: 9 miles South
Experience a great day of family fun water activities at this terrific water park. Wave pools, exciting slides, lazy river, smaller kids area to name a few. This is an especially nice value when you take into account that it’s all-inclusive. All of your food and drinks are included in the price, even beer and frozen drinks.
Comments: Some may argue that water parks are for long weekends, not for while you’re in Cancun. My opinion is that kids absolutely love water parks, unless you have older kids. They burn off energy all day long and have a blast doing it. Meanwhile Mom and Dad can chill out and enjoy some tasty drinks, all included in the price. Below I’ll provide the WetnWild web site, although the pricing via the link above is better. Remember, if you just show up at the park, you’ll pay a higher price. Book via Entertainment-Plus for the better price.
BOB: Breathing Observation Bubble
Where: Playa Tortugas
Hotel Zone - kilometer 6.5
Cost: $75 per person
Minimum age: 12
Max age: 55
Max weight: 285 pounds
Departure times: 9am, 11:30am, 2pm
Time of Tour: 70 minutes including 20 minute instructional & 20 minute boat trip. Dive is 30 minutes.
Must arrive 40 minutes early
From Beach Paradise: 8 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles North
The BOB is propelled by an electric motor. It’s like riding on a scooter except three dimensional control and under water! What could be cooler than this?! The BOB has been featured on the Discover Channel and is an amazing little personal underwater craft.
Deep Sea Fishing
Private Fishing Charter
Where: Marina Barracuda
Hotel Zone - kilometer 14.1
Cost - 4 hours: $600 up to 8 people
Cost - 6 Hours: $700 up to 8 people
Cost - 8 Hours: $800 up to 8 people
Departure times: 7am
Boat: 35’ Bertram
From Beach Paradise: 3 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 3 miles South
This experienced fishing charter company offers knowledgeable captains and first mates that know where to go to catch fish. In business for over 25 years and still going strong.
Comments: Pack a lunch if you are taking the 4 or 6 hour charter. Lunch is included in the 8 hour. Everything else is included in the pricing from taxes to dock fees and fishing license. Even beer and soda is included while out on the boat.
For those with 6 people or under, 31’ boat charters will save your group $100. For groups of over 8, other options are available.
For singles, shared charters are available starting at $120 per person.
The Option Detailed to the left is the 3rd selection down after clicking on the link provided above.
Lobster Dinner Cruise
Location: Marina Aquatours Pier
Location: Kilometer 6.25
Cost: $89 per person
Kids under 14 are not allowed.
Departure times: 5, 5:30, 8 & 8:30pm
Time of Tour: 3 Hours
From Beach Paradise: 8 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 2 miles North
If you’re looking for a romantic time with your special someone, this is a great choice. The lobster dinner cruise is on a quaint ship that goes out to sea for your dinner. The food is excellent and the staff is terrific. You can opt for heading out for what they call the sunset cruise or the night cruise aboard this quaint ship. The cruise runs for about 3 hours or so. Choose from lobster, surf and turf (lobster & rib eye) or vegetarian dishes.
Exotic Rides
Location: Cancun Racetrack, just outside the hotel zone, near the airport.
Cancun Highway, Aeropuerto Kilometer 7.5 Col.
Phone: 998-882-0558
Price:
5 laps from $349
10 laps from $649
Exact pricing depends on the car you choose. For the 10 laps, you get to drive 2 different cars, 5 laps each.
Transportation: A cab would run approximately $25 each way.
Comments:
Xplor is another real nice option. In this one excursion....
1) Get in your ATV and cruise the jungle and caves of the Riviera Maya. The ATV’’s are equipped with lights to navigate the caves.
2) Fly over and through the jungle on a great series zip lines. Two of the lines will land you in water.
3) Get on a raft and navigate your way through the still waters of the stalactite caves. Stalactites are deposits of calcium carbonate that over many years take on the look of icicles. You’ll feel like you’re on another planet.
If you would like to make a longer day out of things than Selvatica, and a more mild version, Xplor is a nice option. What’s nice about Xplor when compared to Selvatica is the duration of the activity, that is if you book an early enough departure. The park opens at 9am and closes at 5pm. You can do any of the activities you want there throughout the day. That’s a big difference. It’s definitely worth noting that the “ATV’s” at Xplor are not what you will be expecting if you are an ATV fan. They are slow, nothing like those found at Selvatica. On the other hand, Xplor offers the the rafts through real underground caves which is a terrific experience not included in Selvatica. Xplor does take longer to get to. It’s not so much the distance (it’s just 10 miles further from Cancun) as it is the public buses are picking more people up so getting that done takes longer.
Another option is to buy tickets directly from Xplor. However you’ll find that their “transportation included” pricing is substantially higher than you can get through a broker. As another option you can buy the tickets only. However I still don’t think it’s worth it unless you’ve already decided to put forth the expense of renting a car or van while you are in Cancun. Assuming you wont have a rental car because you don’t need one in Cancun, here’s the logistics on buying tickets only.
Costs direct from Xplor vary from time to time, but generally you’ll save about $20 per adult, and about $5 per child. Then you have to get there. It’s about an hour away. You could rent a car for a day. Daily car rental pricing is on the high side. Then you have the insurance cost of the car rental and the fuel to get down there. Don’t forget to refuel before turning the car back in after a long day. Then there is the expense of getting to the car rental facility. One should also take into account the time and effort being put forth to coordinate all of this. To me, it doesn’t make sense for the nominal savings at best. I would much rather simply schedule my date, await the pick up, then relax and enjoy the ride.
The basics behind the logic of going direct or through a broker as noted above can be applied any other tours/activities you might consider that are an hour or more from Cancun:
Xplor Rates Detailed Below: Rates at Xplor depend on the time of year you go. Private tour rates also depend on how many people are in your group. Refer to the charts for private tour rates.
Xplor Private or Public Tour
Cost: See Charts below right
Cost: Children that are shorter than 55” receive the the child price.
Time of Public Tour: 11-12 hours
including total drive time of 3-4 hours.
Time of Private Tour: 10 hours including approx. 1 hour there and 1
hour back.
Buffet lunch is included. Fruit drinks are provided throughout the tour.
Where: Xplor - about an hour away
Children 5 & under are not allowed on this tour.
Departure time for Public Tour: 7-7:30am
Departure time for Private Tour: 8am
When: Monday through Saturday
Minimum age to drive ATV: 18
ATV capacity: 4 people
Must be between 88-300 pounds to ride zip lines.
Bring with you: Bathing suite, shorts, towel, T-shirt, biodegradable sunscreen. If you have water shoes bring those too.
If you have 4-5 adults or more in your group or more it makes more sense, to me at least, to go with the private tour because there isn’t that much of a price difference. Especially when you figure what you’re getting for the difference in price. With the public, you’re adding another hour or two in drive time to an already long day. And frankly it’s a lot nicer to be going as your own private group together.
On the Private Tour you can depart later than 8am if you want, but keep in mind it will be cutting into your time at Xplor. The park closes at 5pm.
Public Tour Rates
If you go on or between the following dates:
April 18-April 30 or July 4-August 21 or December 26-December 31
Adults: $124 Children: $68
Public Tour Rates
If you go on or between the following dates:
Jan 1-April 17 or May 1-July 3 or August 22-December 25
Adults: $114 Children: $58
Private Tour Rates
If you go on or between the following dates:
April 18-April 30 or July 4-August 21 or December 26-December 31
Private Tour Rates
If you go on or between the following dates:
Jan 1-April 17 or May 1-July 3 or August 22-December 25
Additional Comments:
Public Tour
Private Tour
VIP Nightclub Party Hopper
Combo Package
XX Bar & Terrace
Carlos’ N Charlies
Senor Frogs
Dady’O
Price: $69
Available: Every night but Sunday
Provide your own transportation to
XX Bar & Terrace. Be there at 9pm on the date you select. You can only get this package by booking online.
Locations:
XX Bar & Terrace: Kilometer 9
Carlos’ N Charlies: Kilometer 8.5
Senor Frogs: Kilometer 9.5
Dady’O: Kilometer 9
From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: All 4 are within a few blocks.
This is the ultimate “no brainer” if you’re looking to check out several hot Cancun clubs and do some heavy partying. You’ll start your night out at XX Bar & Terrace at 9pm, head over to Carlos’ N Charlies for an hour, then it’s over to Senor Frogs and topping off the late night out is the legendary Dady’O where you’ll party until 2:30am. You could scarcely even pay the cover charge to get into these 4 clubs for the $69 price. This package includes all the cover charges. And...ALL your drinks are included in this open bar extravaganza.
The best part of all is the VIP action. You wont have to stand in any lines to get into the clubs. Moreover, you won’t have to wait in the lines to get your drinks either. This party tour includes drinks being served by your own private staff.
Fly through the jungle on one of the longest and highest zip line circuits in the Riviera Maya. Zip line over a cenote and let loose to fall in. The designers did an excellent job of placing the lines in strategic places to enhance your experience. What sets this attraction apart from the competition, among other things, is the staff. They’re helpfulness is outstanding and often even entertaining. And their guides on the zip lines have a knack for how to get you to put yourself in the state of mind necessary to conquer your fears. This experience isn’t for the faint of heart. But what a great experience it is!
Selvatica - Public Tour
Zip Lining, ATV’s, Cenote Swim
Where: Selvatica - 35 miles from Cancun
Bring with you: Bathing suite, towel, shorts, T-shirt, biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellant, & good pair of shoes (not flip flops). Bring money to buy the video and or pictures of you in action on the zip lines in case you like what you see. They let you view before you decide.
1 of 4: Available Everyday - Must be 3 or older to participate
Selvatica Name for this tour: Extreme Canopy Adventure
Adults & kids 13 & older: $99 Kids 5-12: $49 Kids 3-4 years old are free
Cancun Discounts Name for this tour: Selvatica Canopy Tour
Adults & kids 12 & older: $85 Kids 5-11: $44 Kids 3-4 years old are free
Helpful notes:
Selvatica offers 4 packages. All 4 are the same in that you get the zip lines and the cenote swim with any that you choose. The base package is the zip lines and the cenote swim only.
4 Options: One of the 4 options below allows kids as young as 3 years old to do the zip lines. Obviously your kids would have to be pretty fearless at that age to want to go. For kids 8 and under, the guides harness the children to themselves on the zip lines. It is very safe.
Younger kids: The Selvatica packages can be purchased through the Cancun Discounts web site for about 15% less money than buying direct through Selvatica. Their name for each of the 4 is slightly different from what Selvatica calls them, but they are the same activity at Selvatica.
Links: All links shown in each package below open up in a window so you can easily navigate from the various pertinent information.
If you have young children and you would prefer child care while you go on this tour, you can always for a baby sitter to come to the condo you’re staying in. Advance notice is required. For details, see the “In House Special Services” section on my site. Warm regards, Tim Miller
Departure times from your resort are approximate/you will be emailed precise pick up times from the tour provider you book through: 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm
Comments: If you’re a thrill seeker, this tour tops my list. It’s only 35 miles from Cancun and Selvatica has an outstanding reputation for both service and as an attraction. The staff make it an awesome experience.
I broke down the basics of each of the 4 packages & provided helpful links below.
To watch the Video & View the information on the Selvatica Web Site....
To View information or purchase this tour, I recommend Cancun Discounts.....
2 of 4: Available Monday-Saturday - Must be 16 or older to participate & to drive the SUV
Selvatica Namefor this tour: Zip & ATV Jungle Expedition
Adults & kids 16 & older: $129
Cancun Discounts Name for this tour: Selvatica ATV & Zip Line Extreme
Adults & kids 16 & older: $116
The engines are hot on the ATV’s near your legs. I recommend bringing a pair of jeans or pants for this particular tour.
To watch the Video & View the information on the Selvatica Web Site....
To View information or purchase this tour, I recommend Cancun Discounts.....
3 of 4: Available Monday-Saturday - Must be 18 or older to drive Dune Buggy
Selvatica Name for this tour: Corona Ralley Adventure
Adults & kids 8 & older: $129
Cancun Discounts Name for this tour: Corona Aerial Rally (Dune Buggies)
Adults & kids 12 & older: $116
Cancun Discounts does not offer this tour for kids 8-11 years old.
To watch the Video & View the information on the Selvatica Web Site....
To View information or purchase this tour, I recommend Cancun Discounts.....
4 of 4: Available Monday-Saturday - Must be 8 or older & 16 or older to drive Polaris Ranger
Selvatica Name for this tour: Zip & ATV Jungle Expedition
Adults & kids 16 & older: $149 Kids 8-15: $79
Cancun Discounts Name for this tour : Selvatica Offroad & Zip Exreme
Adults & kids 16 & older: $134 Kids 8-15: $71
This one is more because it includes sky bridge & other challenges & “the parachute jump” (optional)
You’ll see them if you watch the video below.
To watch the Video & View the information on the Selvatica Web Site....
To View information or purchase this tour, I recommend Cancun Discounts.....
Children 2 & under are not suitable for any of these 4 options.
Prices includes a light lunch, transportation & taxes.
Max weight of person allowed on zip lines: 330 pounds (150 Kilos)
Time of actual activity: 3-3.5 hours.
Time including round trip transportation: 5-6 hours
In House Special Services
What are In House Special Services?
* They are services that are provided by our extended family in Cancun.
* These same services are the ones that you can book online via the link above.
Where do I find these services? Please scroll down.
Non Profit:
All of these options are offered to our guests on a non-profit basis. Meaning, there is no mark-up by me or referral fee paid to me. They are provided for our guests as a courtesy at raw cost. Therefore, if you are not staying with us, PLEASE do not ask if you can still take advantage of the options you will find on this page. The options are for our guests only please. Thank you.
Payment:
Payment for any in house service is paid in cash directly to the service provider, or as my manager in Cancun instructs. Payments are due at the time the service is provided. I don’t take payment myself for anything other than the rental of the condo.
Who are Mike & Arturo?
Mike and Arturo are my managers in Cancun. Mike also takes people out on his boat for the snorkeling and fishing excursions.
How these ideas came to life:
My brother and I purchased several beachfront vacation rentals in Florida back in early 2003. In 2004 my brother and I discovered Cancun, and we were blown away, we sold out of Florida and bought a unit here, #2701. We fell in love with Cancun, the beauty is outstanding, like another world, surreal, unlike anything we had ever seen before.
After settling in to the Cancun market, I found travelers were asking me the same questions over and over again. And they were good questions, but I didn’t have very good answers. So I set out to satisfy these repeated questions & requests. It didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a part of my work for several years now. It’s been very rewarding to hear back from guests about these services. Often times the snorkeling or fishing excursion is raved about by guests as the highlight of their trip.
Tim Miller
In House Special Services
Comments:
The Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza is the most visited site in all of Mexico. Why is it that people from all over the world make this 2.5 hour one way trek after coming to Cancun? It’s not the ruins themselves, although they are an amazing and interesting site to see. You’ll find that the ancient Mayan’s knowledge of mathematics, acoustics, & astrological calendars is stunning. It’s the why behind what you see that makes this visit fascinating.
This tour also includes a visit to an amazing cenote, Ik Kil. Being inside this incredible space is truly a surreal experience. Care to immerse the experience even more? Feel free and jump into the cenote for a swim. Bring your goggles. You’ll want to see clearly underwater for your swim.
1) Getting there before the crowds: Chichen Itza is a very popular tour. If you go with the Private tour, and you also take the opt to leave between 7 and 7:30am you’ll arrive before all the big tour buses come pouring in. It’s not as crowded in the park.
2) You’ll go straight there, avoiding the additional hour or two needed for pick ups and drop offs of other party’s at other resorts.
3) It’s private. You’ll be with your group during those 5 hours on the road there and back. Moreover, the tour itself is more intimate because your guide is speaking to just your group rather than a larger group.
Tip:
Avoid frustration. If someone approaches you at Chichen Itza trying to sell their wares they are not authorized by the park to be doing so. These people can be pushy if you don’t handle them right. To avoid frustration look them in the eye and give them a firm “No”. Do not say “No thank you”. Sorry, this is one moment when you don’t want to be nice. They will think they can break you if you are nice to them or if you show ANY interest. They know they are not allowed to be there, but this is rarely policed. Just say no with authority and leave it at that.
Chichen Itza & Ik Kil Cenote Private or Public Tour
Public Costs & Basic Info:
Adults: $49
Children 4-11: $38
Children 3 & under: Free
Departs: 7-8am
Time of tour: 12 hours including drive time.
Includes buffet lunch
Includes guide for tour
Where: Chitchen Itza - about 2.5 hours away
When: Everyday
Bring with you: Bathing suite, towel, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, hat, camera.
Private Tour Rates
Public Tour
Private Tour
Private Costs & Basic Info:
Adults: See chart above right
Children 3-12: $25
Children 2 & under: Free
Departs: 7-8am
Time of tour: 12 hours including drive time.
Includes buffet lunch (no drinks)
Does not include guide for tour: approx. $60 for the whole group.
Having a tour guide when you arrive to Chichen Itza is absolutely essential on this tour. With the private tour the tour guide is not included. Be sure to pay for a guide upon your arrival ($60). It’s the why behind what you see that makes this tour.
Right: Photos of the Ik Kil Cenote that you will visit on this tour.
On this tour, the public pricing is much more favorable than the private. If you have 7-10 adults going, the private option starts looking more attractive. Only you can decide what’s makes most sense over all for your group. This tour is a genuine road trip at 2.5 hours one way. Here are some considerations to help you make your decision.
The benefits of paying the extra for the private tour are:
If you’d like to experience Mayan Ruins without the 2.5 hour road trip, this cuts an hour each way and allows for time to visit the great Xel-Ha natural aquarium. If you’re a nature lover, or if you simply have an appreciation for underwater beauty in a truly natural environment, this is an enjoyable time for all ages. What’s nice about visiting the ruins of Tulum, aside from learning about the Mayan culture, is that it includes some time on the beach. The Mayan ruins of Tulum are the only major Mayan ruins site that is right on the ocean. It’s a terrific way to cool off and relax during your tour.
Xel-Ha & Tulum
Private or Public Tour
Public Costs & Basic Info:
Adults: $99
Children 40”-55” tall: $65
Children under 40” tall: Free
Departs: 7-7:50am
Time of tour: 11 hours including drive time.
Includes: All food and drinks at Xel-Ha (alcohol inc.)
Tour guide at the ruins included.
Where: Tulum, about 90 minutes away
When: Everyday
Bring with you: Bathing suite, towel, sunglasses, biodegradable sunscreen, hat, camera & $20 pp deposit for eqsnorkeling uipment & lockers
Private Tour Rates
Public Tour
Private Tour
Private Costs & Basic Info:
Adults: See chart above right
Children 40”-55” tall: $65
Children under 40” tall: Free
Departs: 6:30-10am (up to you)
Time of tour: 9-12 hours including drive time.
Includes: All food and drinks at Xel-Ha (alcohol inc.)
Does not include guide for tour of the ruins: Approx: $50 for the whole group.
Comments: Having a tour guide when you arrive to the ruins in Tulum is highly recommended.
If you have 5-6 adults or more going, again I favor the private version because you control your day on the private version. You leave when you want, go first where you want....you basically control the day.l
This is a great tour for all ages. Xel-Ha is a fabulous experience, there’s nothing quite like it in the world. Since you’re looking at a long ride, taking in the Mayan Ruins of Tulum is a great add on, especially when you can jump in the ocean that is right there by the ruins.
Tim’s Tips
Exchanging Currency:
Why should we exchange dollars, Euros, etc at all, don’t they except other money anyway? Almost any transaction made anywhere in Mexico will allow you to pay with dollars or Mexican pesos, but usually not other forms of currency. Your change will always be in pesos. The point is that you will do better on the whole of your stay if you make an exchange for pesos and get a good exchange rate. Also, foreign coins are not accepted, only paper money.
Why is that? Because how much your dollar or Euro or other currency is worth is discretionary to an large extent, on the part of the facility making the transaction. Walmart and some of the other more well known companies will usually give you a fair shake on the exchange rate. But many other local places in Mexico will not give you the true value of your dollar, Euro or other.
It’s a good idea to exchange your dollars or other currency for pesos shortly after arrival. More on this in a moment. Don’t make your exchange at the airport, the rate is not good. Until you can make an exchange, it’s helpful to have small denominations for tipping purposes however. If you don’t have small denominations, make a small exchange at the airport, like $20 and ask for small bills back. You can say to the person, “Me puede dar una combinación de monedas de diez pesos y veinte billetes de peso por favor? Then the clerk will understand you want a combination of $20 peso bills and $10 peso coins in the exchange.
I heard you can get pesos from banks here in the US before you go to Cancun. Is that true and why not do that? Yes, it is true, however US banks typically give you a much less favorable rate than you can get in Cancun.
Can we make the exchange at the resort? Most condo resorts don’t offer this service. Beach Paradise will allow you to make exchanges. However, the rate is likely going to be about the same as the airport, so you are better off not doing so.
How do we find a place to get a decent rate and how do we get there? My manager in Cancun can help you with the nearest location to make an exchange. If you request this, he will give you a ride over there. Please give him a tip for this. Tips are very customary in Cancun. There are decent exchange rates within about a mile of where you are staying.
Where is the very best place to go for the best exchange rate? To a bank. There is an Bancrecer bank in Plaza Flamingo . It’s located at kilometer 11 in the hotel zone. It’s about 5 miles North of Beach Paradise, or about 1 mile South of BVG Porto Fino.
Are the savings substantial? If you are exchanging $500 or more it’s probably worth going. I would go when you are going to be heading in that direction anyway rather than making a special trip. However, do go between the hours of about 10am-4pm Monday-Friday to be sure they are open.
Is the rate good if we pay by credit card for something? It depends. Ask for the exhange rate the vendor is giving in dollars. Use your calculator on your phone to see what the rate works out to. To do so, take the amount in psos and divide it by the amount you would be spending in dollars. Vendors will normally tell you what the cost is in dollars if you ask. It’s important you also know that the credit card companies will charge you 3.5% on every purchase you make (International purchases). It will show right on your statement. The credit card companies have always been charging the 3.5%. The difference is that now they are required by law to show the charges on your statement properly.
Getting Around In Cancun:
Should we rent a car in Cancun?
Not necessary. Buses run 24/7 and you can go anywhere in the hotel zone for .65 cents a person. Or cabs are always available. This is not to say do not rent a car. If you want a car, free parking is available at all the resorts I work with for the vacation rentals. But it isn’t necessary to rent a car.
What if we want to rent a car anyway?
Then I highly recommend you choose a company that is not directly at the airport. I link to the one I use at the bottom of this section. The reason to go with an off site company is because you aren’t paying for a lot of costs that are passed onto you if you rent direct from the airport. Airport taxes galore, high rent, etc. The savings are quite substantial. The one I use will cost you 5 minutes round trip in extra time for pick up and drop off. It’s 10 minutes well spent. You are picked up from the airport, the shuttle is waiting when you come out of the airport. They’ll be holding a sign up with your name on it as you exit the airport.
Taxis: It is very imprtant that you agree to the price of the fair before you step into the cab. Ask about how much it should cost from someone other than the taxi driver if you aren’t sure. If your in a restaurant, ask your server as an example. This will save you a few bucks every time.
Security:
I’ve heard negative things about safety in Mexico, is Cancun safe? Yes. Not only is the hotel zone safe, so is the city of Cancun. When our family heads down (my wife and I and our 2 younger boys), we always head into El Centro at some point during our stay. El Centro is the city of Cancun, we enjoy the culture there in El Centro.
Do the resorts that the condos are in have security? Yes, both have 24 hour security. As an example, if you were to order a pizza delivery, the driver would be stopped upon entering and you would be called by security for verification. Then the driver would be escorted up.
Miscellaneous:
Do we need special plug adapters for the electrical sockets in Cancun? No, you do not.
Stock Up on groceries. After arriving in Cancun, I recommend you take a trip to the Super Walmart grocery store to stock up for your stay. There are only convenience stores in the hotel zone, so you will be paying double or more for snacks, food, etc. The Super Walmart is in El Centro. It’s about ½ hour one way.
What are the hours of the Super Walmart? It’s open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
For more information about going to the Super Walmart to stock up, please click on “In House Special Services” near the top of this page.
Use the cooler provided for you in the condo. You are allowed to pack up the cooler in any of the vacation rentals on the site, and take it down to the pool or beach with you. The cooler is the type that is on wheels, so it’s easy to take it with you. Please note that if you are taking drinks anywhere outside, you must have plastic glasses. You will find some in the condo.
Biodegradable Sunscreen: Most tours in Cancun involve water in some way. Most places will insist that you wear biodegradable sunscreen if you will be going in the water. Whether it be pool water, the ocean, cenotes, etc. it doesn’t matter. This is to protect the environment. You can purchase it here in the US before going at most any store that sells sunscreen. Or you can purchase it at the Super Walmart in Cancun if you plan on going there. If you don’t have it when you go, they will make you buy from them if you cannot supply it on your own. They will want to see the bottle you are using to be sure. They will of course also charge you more than you would be able to purchase it for elsewhere.
Insect repellant: For tours in the jungle that that suggest bringing along insect repellent, try using “Skin So Soft” in a bath or shower. The Skin So Soft line includes insect repellants. However, I have found that the original bath oil works very well in keeping mosquitos away. And it doesn’t have that toxit smell associated with most all insect repellents.
You can get it at Amazon: Skin So Soft on Amazon
Tipping in Cancun:
Tips: Please tip the concierge for helping with your bags (about $1-$2 per bag). Same with transfer company or renting a car for helping with your bags.
Tips on tips: If you are taking the all inclusive, and you are down by the beach, or at the pool, let a staff member know you would like service there. Then, on that first tip, make it around $2 per drink or so. From then on, go about .50 cents to a dollar per drink, occasionally make it more, and you will get excellent service and big smiles all day.
More Tips on Tips: Before you head to Cancun, go to your bank and get $30 or so all in singles. You may not get to the money exchanbge in Cancun right away. Singles are VERY helpful to have with you when traveling abroad for the purpose of tipping.
First time to Cancun?
A point of interest after you clear customs in Cancun: There is the one point in time during your stay in Cancun where you could get frustrated. This is the time right after you have cleared customs and you are on your way out of the airport to get to your transfer or rental car. I will also address how to easily avoid this frustration. The frustration is that in all likelihood you will be approached by a few vendors acting as if they are your transfer company. They may ask for your name and act as if they are your transfer company and tell you to follow them. The solution to this is very simple. I can assure you, no one ever approaches me anymore, even when I’m there with all the family. And it can easily be the same way for you, even if it’s your first time to Cancun. All you need to know are 3 simple steps:
Step #1: Know where you are going: After clearing customs, (where they scan your bags on the Cancun side at the airport) you will walk directly through a long set of glass doors and turn to the right. Doesn’t matter what terminal, all are set up the same way. You might notice others before you, all will turn to the right after going through the glass doors because there is only one way to go. Once you start walking, the outside of the airport is maybe 100 yards, or about a football field away. There are no turns along the way, it’s a straight walk and out you go. After you exit to the outside of the airport keep walking straight for another 30 feet or so. Then stop and look up for your name. The transfer company you booked is the only one that will be holding your name up. Airport security keeps the vendors at a distance, so there is plenty of room after you get outside the airport to look around. Then just go to your name and you are good to go. If you are renting a car: At the airport, on your left as you walk down the hall. Off site: same plan as if you are taking a transfer.
Step #2: Get situated: Before you head out from customs, get all your bags in order and in a position to move them easily. You don’t want to be fumbling around with your luggage along the way. This makes you look like an amateur traveler and that’s what these high pressure people are looking for.
Step #3: Walk with a purpose: When you head out from customs walk as if you are in a hurry and you are there for a purpose, and like you have been there 100 times before. The vendors know us types, they don’t stand a chance and they know it. They don’t even bother. Even if you can’t walk quickly, for whatever the reason may be; babies, young children or elderly parents, simply being organized and purposeful will do the trick. They will key into this and leave you alone.
I spent some time on the above because I’m sure I take this for granted. A guest recently returned telling me about his stay. His email to me was terrific, among the most detailed I have ever received before. One of his suggestions was to provide a level of expectation after getting through customs at the airport. Please know that your input matters and can make a difference for others. Thank you.
Your Cell Phones:
Will my US cell phone work in Mexico?
Most likely, yes. However, it’s important you check with your service provider before going to find out both if it
will work, and what the rates will be if it does. If you are a Verizon user, you have the option of calling Verizon
before going to Cancun to change your plan (to an International plan of some type) for only the time you are away,
which could be a substantial savings. However, you are also responsible for changing the plan back after your
return home. They wont automatically do that for you.
Update on cell phones for those who use AT&T. A similar short term plan is now offered that will cut your bill in half
while you are in Cancun (from .99 cents a minute down to .50 as of this writing - June of 2010).
Update on cell phone for those who use T-Mobile - Aug 2010, new short term plan, best price wise so far, just .25 cents a minute. Don’t forget, you have to call your service provider to change your plan for while you are away. You have to do this before you leave.
With all of the new positive changes I’ve seen from the service providers lately, no matter who you have I would call them about a short term plan for while you are in Cancun. They are so handy, you’ll be glad you did. Just remember, you must call BEFORE you go to Cancun. No service provider will switch your plan after you have departed.
Also, when you call to change your plan, don’t forget to include text messaging, especially if you like texting. Some customer service agents will forget to ask you about it and just like the calling, it can get expensive real quick without the short term plan.
Cell phone update: 02/25/2011: Verizon will now change your plan over the phone to the temporary Mexico plan, and also allow you to give them the date you want your plan to go back to the one you are on now. They enter the date in the system and you are all good. There is no longer a need to switch back your plan after you return home if you are a Verizon user. For other cell phone service providers, I recommend you check to see if this is now possible with your service. I encourage anyone to please email or call me if they have additional information to share regarding cell phone usage in Mexico, be it a US based service, Europe, or elsewhere.
Dialing in Cancun:
When dialing the US from Cancun it is 001 - area code - number
When dialing outside of Mexico from your cell phone: You should be able to dial the 1 + 10 digit number, after your cell phone recalibrates itself. This normally takes a few hours.
When you are in Cancun: 998 is the area code
From Land line to land line: dial 044-plus the 7 digit local number
From Land line to Mexican cell phone: dial 998-plus the 7 digit number. Do not put the “1” in front.
From Mexican cell phone to land line: 7 digit number only
From Mexican cell phone to Mexican cell phone: 998-plus the 7 digit number.
Thank you to our guests that have taken the time to email me regarding recently updated information or simply unknown information (not shared on the site) for various cell phone service providers. This has allowed me to continuously update this very useful subject for the benefit of all who are looking to travel to Cancun Mexico. To our future guests, please keep the updates coming! I placed a link below for the transfer company and the rental car company I recommend.
Kind regards,
Tim Miller
Scuba Diving - Nautilus Diving
For more experienced divers or for those who seekiing a more intimate and professional deving experience...
Where: Nautilus Diving - Best Western Hotel Zone - kilometer 9
Cost: Varies, please see their website.
Departure times: Must email them for more information.
From Beach Paradise: 6 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: A few blocks North
Nautilus is a top notch operation. They offer a variety of packages and you go out in groups of only 4. This way they feel they can give each of you the time and attention you deserve.
Comments: This is a more professional diving shop than tourists are normally seeking. Although if you ever wanted to get more serious about scuba diving, there is no better place than Cancun and the Riviera Maya. You can dive the shipwrecks or the underwater museums nearby Cancun, or go for the incredible underwater world of the cenotes in the Riviera Maya. This is obviously more expensive than the typical tourist type of dives where larger groups are taken out to the more common places. You are in good hands with these guys, they know what they’re doing, it’s their passion to be sure. Still owner operated. Since 1984.
Golf
Iberostar: 998-881-8800
Location: Kilometer 17
From Beach Paradise: 1 mile North
From BVG Porto Fino: 5 miles South
Moon Palace: 888-453-5488
Just South of the hotel Zone
Carretera Federal 307 Km 340
From Beach Paradise: 20 Minutes From BVG Porto Fino: 30 Minutes
Iberostar is a an outstanding course. Beautifully maintained and surrounded by the tropical backset of the bay and it’s lush surroundings of mangroves. Moreover, it’s very close to where you are staying.
No Reviews found for the golf course at Moon Palace
Comments: Most avid golfers have a discount card or program of some kind or another. If you don’t find one of these courses on your list of options for your discount provider, consider purchasing the the Golf Passport Card. The cost is $40, and you come out a head by playing one round of golf. The discount is 30% with the card, and it’s good for all the courses in the Cancun and Riviera Maya area. You can use the card as many times as you like. If you are thinking of coming back within a year, all the better. The card is good for a full year.
As a Jack Nichlaus Signature Course, and maintained to pristine standards, Moon Palace gets my nod as the nicest and most challenging course in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area. While immersed in the surreal surroundings of this magical place, you’ll find the course exceptionally challenging.
No Reviews currently posted on Trip Advisor
Savio’s Bistro by La Dolce Vita
Primary Food: ItalianPrice: Moderate
Location: Kilometer 15
From Beach Paradise: 2 miles North
From BVG Porto Fino: 4 miles South.
This is a real nice place you can go out for an evening without having a major impact on the pocketbook. Prices range for entres range from about $15-$30. And their dishes are wonderfully deliscious. Service has always been excellent with friendly staff. The views of the bay are terrific while dining outside. Great italian food, terrific dining experience and reasonably priced.
Note to guests who have already booked their vacation rental with me: The pricing for this service has gone up. If you have already booked your condo rental with me as of this update (12-21-2012), you are grandfathered in at the previous pricing. You can still book online. I will know by your confirmation number regarding how much to show for this service on your e-service confirmation.
Snorkeling or Fishing
Where: Puerto Juarez
10 minutes North of the hotel zone
Cost - 6-14 people: $55 per person
Cost - 5 people or less: $330 total
No money required to reserve, payable in cash only on the day of the tour.
Departure time: Between 8am-10am
(It’s up to your group)
Time of Tour: 5-6 hours
From Beach Paradise: 30 minutes
From BVG Porto Fino: 20 minutes
Round trip transfer cost:
For 10 people or less: $50
For 11-14 people: 85
Lunch on Isla Mujeres is included, except for drinks.
These two are private excursions. They are outstanding values. They’re provided by Mike (Miguel), a friend of mine in Cancun. Mike is a terrific guy, loves people, great spirit; you’ll really enjoy him. To book this option you’ll want to head over to the “In House Special Services” section of the web site. To read more information or to book this tour, here is the link for you.....
Comments: If you ever wanted an opportunity to dirve that car of your dreams just once, for a few laps on a race track, here you go! Strap in to cars like Lamborghini or Ferrari and hit the track!
Comments: This isn’t a cheap little excursion but it’s something you will remember for the rest of your life. Most guys have dreamed of getting behind the wheel of one of these incredible machines in such a way that one can push the envelope of the vehicles capabilities. Here is your chance. What a rush!
