Cancun or costa rica within July?
I am planning to take my Mom for a nice leave (kinda Mother/daughter thing). The timeframe is July 1-18th. I am currently thinking between Cancun or Costa Rica. We are not the type of people who would be jubilant just spending this together time at one resort, wetbars and spas. Ideally I'd love to combine a few days on the beach/snorkeling etc with some jaunt tours - see Mayan ruins, or going on nature tours. Since I am travelling beside Mom, adventure have to be safe :) Neither of us have ever being to Mexico or Costa Rica, so any suggestion will be useful. The biggest concern is showery season/hurricane season, and also what to do. In Cancun -with day trips to Mayan ruins, horse riding, cenotes, etc - is in attendance enought to do for 18 days? Is it better to stay in adjectives inclusive hotel? In Costa Rica - how rainy is it and what is the broad advice you'd donate? Thanks in mortgage :)
Answers: I have be to both. While in San Jose, Costa Rica it rain cats and dogs, but just for short whiles. In Cancun, it never rain, but we drove to Guadalajara and it rained cats and dogs in that too, and also for short whiles and then totally dry up contained by a short while...so in July you might see some precipitation.
As far as crime, I did not see anything in any place.
The drug cartel are in both countries, Limon within Costa Rica is know to be like the Tijuana of Mexico. The place where on earth drug cartels conduct plentifully of business.
I really loved both places. Its hard to choose, but what i contemplate was cool give or take a few Cancun was that we saw the lights of Cuba from the sand at night. Also, the Eco park Xcaret is in recent times a hop, skip , and a jump from the resorts of Cancun..this place is unbelivable. The crude beauty, its ultra out of danger, many undertakings, and not too expensive. Take a waterproof underwater camera!! you wont regret it.
but Costa Rica...oh man the volcanoes and resorts by them are wow! The empire of Costa Rica are different too...they are so nice. The beaches here resembling in Cancun are breathtaking. Also, things are course cheaper in Costa Rica..food, drinks, black cab, hotel, resorts, etc.but Mexico does have the better food. Costa Rica also have a huge amount of American retirees becuse it is very protected. the ifrastructure in Costa Rica is also road more worn and in stipulation of repair than that of Cancun.Mexico has this problem too, but not within Cancun.
I really dont know which one to tell you is better, possibly flip a coin...that way you will own a story.
I know someone down in costa rica doing research, and while she is within a remote area, from what she tell me the thing you hold to worry just about all year are inscet born disease -specifically, mosquito.
I surmise probably the best way to find the things you want out of both vacation destinations, is to consider cozamel within mexico.
Have fun - I'm envious
I went to Costa Rica concluding year between January through May. I don't think it ever really rain much but according to everyone when it rains it POURS. In behind time may when I left it started raining and it rain hard. But otherwise it's a dazzling country with TONS of amazing and endemic creatures. There are alot of things to do from visit coffee plantations, ziplining across the forest, birdwatching, hiking, snorkeling. The city is rampant with petty pinching but otherwise safe. i wouldn't recommend carrying your cameras or purses contained by San Jose. Guard your things well. I haven't be to Cancun but I am Mexican and I live on a bordertown and I have no complaints just about Mexico, but Cancun is just Cancun and Costa Rica is tiny and you can see the undamaged diversity of the country because it's small. Also the plane ticket is pretty cheap and the exchange rate is in our favor. Most relatives speak English in the touristy places. BUT Mexico have HANDS DOWN better food no questions. Enjoy your trip. costa rica is safer explanation the drug cartels havent infiltrated in that yet, so pick it
18 days is slightly along time, id stay a week at most
Cancun offer so much as far as choices for resorts, restaurants, tours and so on. Now not to say that Costa Rica doesn't enjoy that much to offer, but you are comparing a city (Cancun) to a country (Costa Rica). I hold not been but I would close to to visit Costa Rica and see the volcanos and hot springs. From what I take to mean, Cancun has the better beach, by far. The other aspect to Cancun that makes for a locked vacation is the certainty that just more or less everyone speaks English. I know I am all over the map here but it's slowly, so let me also right to be heard that the nightlife in Cancun is fantastic. Again, this is not to utter that you won't find nightlife in San Jose, Costa Rica, but Cancun is other rated among the top places for clubs.
Regarding resorts, if you are going for a length of time as you are, I would recommend you stay at an All-Inclusive resort for quantity of the time, and switch to a European Plan resort for the rest of the time. This is because it would be quite costly to other have to income for your meals and beverages a la carte. However, if you plan on taking afternoon trips and tours to the Mayan ruin sites, you would be better off not have paid for All Inclusive on those days. This is because you won't be at the resort ample to use it. This brings up the question, is within a resort you can stay, and get the AI plan on the days you would similar to. The short answer to this is yes. You should consider the following resorts for flexibility:
Presidente Intercontinental
NH Krystal
Flamingo Resort
Barcelo Tucancun
Gran Melia
GR Solaris
Royal Solaris
The Bel Air Collection
I would start by investigating these resorts if you want to stay in a place where on earth you can add on AI on the days you want. You would do this once you bring to the resort. Here are a few suggestons for AI resorts:
Riu Palace Las Americas-very high downfall, the sister resort is also wonderful
Riu Cancun
Dreams Resort
Gran Caribe Real
The Royal in Cancun-adults just
Golden Parnassus-adults only
Cancun Palace-more family here
Sun Palace-adults only
As far as tours, Cancun offer so much, it's impossible to get into it adjectives. The Mayan ruin site of Chichen Itza is the most spectacular, however Tulum is overlooking the Caribbean and will be considerably cooler when you are traveling. Tulum is coupled with an eco park, on most tours, you should consider Xel-Ha over Xcaret. This is because you can catch AI at Xel-Ha and Xcaret you cannot. Furthermore, Xcaret is a larger park, you won't possibly be able to fully appreciate it on a partially day after visit Tulum. Another tour that is new to Cancun is the swim with whale sharks. I can solitary tell you that while these sharks are the biggest fish on the planet, they do not pose a threat, they are lone interested in drinking tiny fish and shrimp. I'm not sure if their site is up yet but I recommend you bookmark it because they are probably updating it for the season which last from like June to October:
http://www.swimwithwhalesharks.com
As for your concern almost hurricanes, Cancun's hurricane season lasts from June to November. However, most of the bigger storms strike Cancun contained by September and October. The reality is, you hold not much to worry give or take a few, but if a storm does strike, the locals really know what to do and they take extra guardianship of the tourists. I hope this was adjectives helpful.
Have fun planning your time off,
212eric
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