Getting There
See also México Info for practical info on arrival and Living in México for detailed info on Visas, Driving and buying Property
If
you time it right (just after the New Year, Easter and Christmas
or during School termtime) you can get a very cheap charter "flight
only" to Cancun from London. Flight time is similar to Florida - 10 hours out and 8 hours back.
If you are able to be flexible and book at short notice then you can get a great price!
Do Make sure you have your own travel insurance to cover you for any medical treatment you may require and also if your flight is cancelled due to Hurricanes. Charter Companies do not help "flight only" travellers much if your flight is affected due to adverse weather. The Official Hurricane Season is from June to November. Check the National Hurricane Centre for the latest information before travelling if there is one in the area. In any case, the best time to visit is Mid-November to April if you do not like it too hot and sticky. Note: The eastern coast is prone to strong winds in February. Much better to visit Merida then where my house is - for Carnaval! And Mérida is only 4 hours away from Cancun on a fast motorway link, best done in comfort on a luxury bus or you can take your time getting there and hire a car at Cancun airport and do a circular tour via Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Coba, Chichén-Itzá and finally Mérida. The Yucatán is very safe and you can easily
find a hotel in a beautiful location right by the ocean at Playa Del Carmen - 45 minutes south of Cancun (and opposite a large island called Cozumel) - a really relaxing place where you can unwind by swimming in the warm Caribbean Sea - see below for my recommendations of places to stay and things to see. At night time you can party as well. I can recommend a good route and places to stay that you can book direct on the internet before you arrive in Mérida. You need to allow at least 2 weeks if you plan to do this. Otherwise come straight to Mérida for at least a week, via Cancun. There is lots to see and do in and around the town. If you prefer to miss Cancun and come straight to Mérida, see below for 2 other ways of getting there, via Houston in the US or México City.
The pace of life is much slower than the UK and the winters are very different ! - warm and sunny with 12 hours of light (6am - 6pm) while Britain is shivering and it is dark at 3.30pm you still have 3 more hours sunning yourself by the pool or watching the traditional dancing in the main square and the Marimba Bands in the side streets, while drinking margaritas of course! To see a video of the dancing and why you MUST visit the Yucatan see VIDEOS . For more on México's Culture, History, Money, Health, and Transport options when arriving at Cancun Airport see México Info
For the latest tips on staying safe in the vast Country of México go to Foreign Office Travel Advice
The Yucatán is very safe, México City and the far North near the border with the USA are the problem areas, but that should not put you off visiting the Capital, if only to see the wonderful Pyramids at Teotihuacan ! With a few sensible precautions, spelt out clearly on the the FO website you can avoid problems.
Flying
Charter Flights from the UK
Find all available charter flights at www.charterflights.co.uk for the dates you want, then cut out the middleman and check online direct with the individual airlines to see who is cheaper; you can work out which airline it is by entering the flight times and dates you find on charterflights - it will usually be one of the following:
Scheduled Flights from the UK and USA
You can fly to Mérida via Houston with Continental Airlines and connect with their 7pm evening flight to Mérida which runs daily in the summer. You can also connect via Miami to Mérida with other airlines. I am told this is an expensive option however but there is one airline flying Miami (Fort Lauderdale infact) to Cancun that does special offers and at times amazingly reasonable fares - Spiritair.com. Note: New regulations are now in force in the USA (from January 12th 2009) and you must fill in an online Visa Waiver application form at least 3 days before you fly to the USA, even if just connecting there. Full details of this new system which is totally free and a link to apply online here: Esta Application
Or you could travel via México City, which is worth a few days visit. See my webpage on México City. British Airways fly direct www.ba.com and launch special offers in the autumn and just after Christmas. A Mexican Airline, Mexicana, www.mexicana.com started flights direct from London Gatwick to Mexico City twice a week in January 2009. They also have internal flights all over México, including Mérida, on their domestic airline called Click www.clickmx.com. I have used AeroMexico, another Mexican Airline, to fly internally to Merida, but you will have to book the flight through www.travelocity.co.uk to get an eticket since they do not accept UK creditcards online at the moment. Check their timetable here: AeroMexico Flight Timetable. There are other Mexican airlines that fly this route and plenty of flights every day. Here are links to all Airlines that currently fly into Mérida :
Luxury Bus from Cancun to Mérida
ADO is the best bus company and UNO is the name of their luxury line with airline seats you can sleep in - go to www.uno.com.mx for more information, a timetable and prices - they run from Cancun town centre bus terminal (the Old Town NOT the Hotel Zone) and go to Mérida regularly and pretty much right through the night. If the times of departure don't work for you then the next best service which is almost as good - its called GL (320 pesos, £15 one way in march 09) and is also run by ADO. You can buy tickets on the day at the Bus Terminals or in advance at a travel agency in most resorts like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Ask at your hotel.
Also, do have a look at México Info for practical info and top tips on arrival at Cancun Airport.
Accomodation
These are personal recommendations of places where I have stayed in the Yucatán and which you can book online - click on the name of the Hotel or the photo to be taken straight to their website.
I may not have been there recently of course so do check out tripadvisor.com before booking anywhere to stay - just in case ! (To see my Accomodation recommendations for Mérida - go here )
Playa del Carmen: 45 minutes south of Cancun
Las Palapas Hotel - the best breakfasts I have ever had and a stunning location right on the beach and very quiet.Around £80 a night so for a special treat.
The warm caribbean sea is calm and beautiful and it is only 10 minutes walk into town for the nightlife.
Swiss owned and efficient. Free parking. Perfecto! Can book online.
Playa del Carmen: 45 minutes south of Cancun
Hotel Aventura Mexicana - a budget boutique hotel for around £40 a night. Good central location and breakfast is included. Also Gay Friendly. Some parking available outside the Hotel. Close to Nightlife. Has 2 pools and a jacuzzi. Pleasant staff. Great for those on a budget. Oh and they do nice things with towels !! You can book online. I last stayed here in November 2009.
Chichén Itzá: 60 minutes from Mérida
Mayaland Hotel - fabulous location right by the famous Mayan Pyramid of Chichén Itzá (one of the new 7 Wonders of the World). The Hotel has its own entrance to the site and you are free to come and go once you have bought your ticket for the day. Set in wonderful gardens and with accomodation that includes traditional "palapa" (thatched) bungalows, which are worth paying extra for, you will be gently woken by the sounds of birdcalls - there are nearly 500 different species here. Don't rush this wonderful ancient site and get in early before the hordes of tourists arrive from Cancun.
Stay at least 2 nights.
Cancun: (Isla Mujeres)
Casa Sirena - On an island off Cancun, reached by a 20 minute ferry-ride, this Gay-friendly Boutique Hotel has received rave reviews from TripAdvisor.com.
Steve Broin, the owner, does a great job of making you feel at home. With a roof top pool and great views of the sun setting into the Ocean, it's a perfect place to chill and swim in the warm sea before exploring the Yucatán Peninsular. Highly recommended. Last stayed here November 2009. Can book online.
Steve doing his famous "Silly Moo" impression !
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE