Don't play video games really. I love nature, just not the beach. Never really been a water person outside of tubing. That's why I said Peru is the dream, Incan trails and Manchu Picchu. Not sure what else there is similar.
Los Cabos is very safe too, and the beach is good, but I think it could be a little expensive (depends on the hotel) I dont know about Jamaica, never been there.
Supposedly global warming will sink the cave in a decade or so. Sucky part is that they don't allow you to take pictures and try to gouge you at the end for some they took, but they do feed you at the end.
To follow up this thread, just got back. Flew AeroMexico instead of United. Best decision I ever made. Flew out of IIAH at 7 am. Beat all the people, going through airport security was a breeze. On the flight, I saved about $300 over United and I felt the personnel was much friendlier. They served food and free beer on the flight. So yeah, got started early since it was free...something the corporate whores don't do any more. Because I flew AeroMexico, I landed at a different terminal in Cancun. Basically landed at the domestic terminal instead of the international. Getting through customs was a breeze. Got to the hotel, did the all inclusive option at the Marriott Casa Magna. I've been to Cancun many times and wasn't in the mood to explore since i've been there/done that so the all inclusive option was pretty legit. They've got great restaurants there so you never have to leave. Ate fillet mignon pretty much the whole time. The service is impeccable. They really went out of their way to accommodate. Won't get into much detail but there really wasn't one flaw the whole trip. I didn't leave the hotel, just chilled with the wife pool side and beach side all day and went to dinner. Afterwards, went to the onsite sports bar to catch the bball games. Went 7 days, had a blast, never felt unsafe and boozed to my livers content. Highly recommend the Marriott, their all inclusive option and flying AeroMexico.
bump - thinking about heading down to Cancun for Labor Day weekend. Anyone been recently and can give me any information about the security situation down there. Will only be gone four days but I might have to fly back from Cancun through Mex. City and dont' want to risk it. gracias
I was just in Medellin Colombia for 3 weeks. What an amazing place. Awesome food and a big tech, IT startup culture down there. It was completely safe and the women were beautiful.
Colombia is very nice. I went to Bogota recently and had a wonderful time. Mexico City's danger has always been overrated as well.
My uncle just got back from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Was there a week and he had to work but had a safe trip the whole way.
You can get a flight there from Houston for only $400 and I rented a condo in the city for $325 for a month. It was amazing, really. That place is a hidden gem but people are finding out about it. Lots of gringo's there chasing the women.
Also, having traveled all over south east asia and eastern europe, the type of person who asks "is it safe to go ______" probably won't have a good time anyway because they are under the false presumption that it's safe to live in the united states to begin with. These people confuse comfort and familiarity with safety.
ended up booking a trip from Sept 1 - 5th staying at ME Cancun anyone ever been there? Have any recommendations (besides not drinking the water). Much appreciated
Havent been there but its on the hotel strip so I'd imagine it will be fine. The Hotel Zone is practically America. Neighborhoods in Houston feel more Mexican than the Hotel Zone. I was there last year and had no trouble using public transportation to go pretty much anywhere (including other cities in the area) I didnt think twice about safety while I was there. Frankly I felt safer in Cancun proper than I would in a lot of neighborhoods in Houston. I personally spent very little time in the Hotel Zone but if you want to shop and go clubbing, that's always there. If you want you can go to some of the islands around there. There's a boat from the strip that'll take you to Isla Mujeres which is a tiny island where you can rent a golf cart and just drive up and down the island. I remember there was a nice park at one end with a buffet, beach, snorkeling, etc.. Pretty quiet and relaxing place to spend a day. Its also one of the only places that lets you snorkel without having a tour which was nice. They just have a wide open space and you can snorkel for however long. The reefs were kind of mediocre but its still fun. You can also go to Cozumel via boat but that's just like the Hotel Zone for the most part. The main bus station in Cancun can send you to pretty much anywhere around the area. There are buses that go up and down the strip that will take you there. From there you can go to places like Playa Del Carmen (which a lot of the Euros seem to go to instead of Cancun) or if you're bold you can take a bus to Belize if you have some time. The buses from the Hotel zone area can also take you to other parts of the city beyond the central station as well. And there are always cabs around but buses are dirt cheap and have great service. (plus the ones that service the hotel zone usually have drivers that speak english) Your hotel can hook you up with tour groups for places like Chichen Itza if you aren't into traveling without a guide. Alternatively you can hop on a bus from the bus station if you want to save cash. There's also a nice water park type place on the way to Playa Del Carmen but I forget what its name was.
