In my travels to Mexico, I visited the 2 Mexican states Yucatán and the Quintana Roo. Though I’m not done as I have plenty more of the Yucatan and Roo to explore, I’m happy to start where I did. 

 

For starters, you can either rent a car or travel the reliable option that is ADO

 

ADO: https://www.ado.com.mx/ado2/#/

 

Car rentals are really cheap, it’s insuring them that becomes expensive. It’s also not the more environment-friendly alternative. When traveling alone on the ride be mindful of gas scams. Always pay attention to the bills given and received, also make sure before getting gas the pump reads 0.00. Of course, an Eco-friendly car is slightly more expensive. 

 

 

Yucatán, the Mexican state, is known for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and Mayan ruins. Famed Chichén Itzá encompasses a massive pyramid, ball court, and stone temples. Other Mayan sites include Ek Balam, noted for well-preserved sculptures, and Uxmal, with its intricate carved facades. Yucatán’s capital and largest city, Mérida, has a Spanish colonial history reflected in buildings such as 16th-century Mérida Cathedral.

 

 

Quintana Roo is a Mexican state on the Yucatán Peninsula. On its Caribbean coast, the town of Tulum offers seaside Mayan ruins, sandy beaches, and undersea caverns. To the northeast, the resort city of Cancún is known for its nightlife, Nichupté Lagoon nature reserve and long beaches with coral reefs. Off Cancún’s coast, the reef-fringed island of Isla Mujeres has nature trails and beachfront restaurants. The area is pretty safe for the most part, police are always patrolling though during my trip they had some issues with a known female cartel. 

 

 

I traveled in through the popular Cancan airport. 

(Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún) (IATA: CUN, ICAO: MMUN) 

Cancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico’s second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport, but the biggest for international passengers. 

 

(USD) $1.00 = (Pesos) $20.00

 

Housing Recommendations:

 

Mezcal Hostel  Rating 7 out of 10 

 

What they offer: 

Pool 

Towel

Sheet

Free Breakfast

Free Dinner

Free Wifi (In Common Area)

 

I give this location a 7 out of 10 because though it is the best Hostel in the area of Downtown Cancun, the staff has a very prideful, and cocky demeanor to them. They don’t have the best customer service, and their not too helpful when it comes to spending $$, especially if your native language isn’t Spanish. They don’t really offer cost effective advice when you want to travel independently, they prefer you take taxis instead of giving you bus options as well.

 

 

At night they try to pressure you into going to Hotel Zone with few options. The average club starts at 25 – $65. Everything is based on all you can drink which isn’t ideal for a light drinker. Why would I pay $65 if I can only consume two drinks? Besides the amazing and helpful volunteers that work long hours in trade for a free bunk Lucas was the only full-time male staff member that seemed to win everyone over. The female staff outside of the maintenance are pretty friendly, and they all have great smiles.

 

 

The cleaning and cooking staff is really a hit or miss, better if you speak Spanish. The cook is very tight with the food rationing and isn’t too friendly unless you’re staying there more than four days. The food overall is a 4 out of 10. If you really on a budget it’s better than eating nothing. The area has great dine-in, take out options, as well as shops to purchase groceries.  While I was staying there the pool and kitchen were under renovation. That made for an uncomfortable visit because the pool is a huge reason why people flock there. Waking up to morning construction every day didn’t feel like much of a vacation either. SO though this place is a great value for the money you spend. It’s a great value mainly because it’s in Mexico. There’s no reason for the staff to treat you like they are doing you a favor. I have to assume that’s because the average person doesn’t stay past 3 days and therefore doesn’t have time to catch on. 

 

 

 

Day 1 (Cancun)

 

 

Hung around the Hostel, met other travelers, got food, and took an Uber to and from Hooters. Uber is super CHEAP, But you must catch it on the main roads.

Av Tulum

 

 

That night was a bust because this is when we first found out about the clubbing and open bar situation. We were promised a $35 club that changed to a $65 when a vote of hands was taken. Upon further investigation, I found that we could of went to the $35 club still, it happened to be across the street from the $65 club and right next to the hooters. We ended up playing UNO and dining at Hooters. 

 

Day 1 (Cancun Beach Day)

 

Every day the Hostel organizes a group trip to the airport on public transportation. it’s about $.50 and the bus line is R1

 

 

Just went beaching hung around the area of the Hostel. The Hostel offers an escorted beach trip daily around 12 – 1 pm. So if your solo, it’s a little better to go with the Hostel. (BRING A TOWEL) The easiest way to get to the beach is to take the R1 bus, you can catch it closer to the Hostel, but an easier point of reference would be the ADO Bus station. You want to take the R1 ($0.50) bus to the “almost” the last stop. You should get off at the next stop past the “CANCUN” sign. The beach is beautiful, refreshing, and a great place just to relax. I had a lot of fun spending the day here with the girls. There are food and drink options provided by locals. They are pretty cheap and worth supporting their pockets.  The beach was great, met more friends, had a geat time. This day was pretty relaxed as well. 

 

Here I am solo having the time of my life. !!!

 

The only plans were to head back to the hostel for dinner, and whatever games were on the schedule for evening activities. 

 

 

The evening turned out a lot of fun, and we all turned out pretty drunk.  I do remember buying 7 shots for like $20.00 which was pretty sweet, by the end of the night two I had even more friends.

 

 

Day 3 (Brunch and Isla Majures)

 

Day 4 (Tulum & Playa De Carmen)

 

Day 5 (Valladolid & Checken-Itzu)

 

Day 6 (Playa De Carmen)