We were there with a group of friends with apple vacations, 2 weeks ago,7/08, and had a fantastic time on the beach, in the resturants, parasailing , fishing , and of coarse a great time was on a fat cat 3hr cruise from puerto adventura. We are all looking forward go back to the grand palladium in the future, and I recommend this all inclusive hotel to every body.

My wife & I are frequent travellers to Mexico, now upwards of 25 visits, but we had never visited rhe Yucatán. We did follow our usual modus in that we tend to flee beaches & tourist areas and look for the real Mexico. We also like to use Mexican highway coaches to travel. The ADO bus service in the Yucatán is superb and highly recommended. We visited Valladolid [interesting for its cenotes, underground water sources], Mérida [a wonderful spot on a Sunday PM when most areas near the centro are cut off to traffic, Sisal [a fishing village N-W of Mérida about to "explode" touristically, Campeche [rich in pirate history with a very well cared for "within-the-walls" centro], Izamal [charming small town with 6+ pyramids & a wonderful hotel "Rinconada del Convento"] and finally Cancún [city centre not the beach strip/ another Mexican tourist spot growing out of control]. For archeological buffs there are lots of ruins to visit [maybe next time] but the Yucatán also serves up some great food, music, cultural activities [much of it free] and is highlighted by some very welcoming people. The weather can be hot [mid 30s C] except when "el norte" [strong northwinds] blow in. Temperatures can drop from 35ºC to 20ºC in a matter of 30 minutes.

PEMEX GAS STATION SCAM. Follow these instructions and you won't have problems.
1. Make sure the pump reads ZERO before the attendant starts pumping.
2. Never say "fill it up." Always state the number of pesos you require.
3.BEFORE handing over the cash, hold the note and show it to the attendant and anyone else in the car and make the attendant say the amount of the note BEFORE you hand it over. A common ploy is the "slight of hand." You hand over a 500 pesos note and the attendant says you only gave him a 50 pesos note. These attendants make huge amounts of money from this scam.
RENTAL CAR THEFT. Never leave anything in your car and this includes the trunk. The have some sort of device where they can gain entry without evidence of a forced entry. Rental cars are hit all the time.
CENOTES. Never pay what they ask, always negotiate. Take Lonely Planet or Fodors with you and show them the price quoted in these publications. Be prepared to walk away if they will not agree to the price. Avoid Carachol Cenote, the people who run this are extremely dishonest.
TRAVELLING ON BUSES. Never put anything in the overhead compartment. There are teams working these buses. Someone will engage you in conversation while someone steals your belongings from the overhead compartment. Also, at each stop look out the window to ensure your checked luggage is not being removed.
VALUABLES IN HOTELS. If you have a safe use it. As a general rule don't take anything you would hate to lose. Theft is a serious problem whether it is in a hotel or on the beach.

We took a 7 day western Caribbean cruise, last week of January. Most of the cruise was very good, some minor logistic problem. People, food, service way above average. Two Yucatan day stops. First at Cosumel, Atlantis Submarine to coral reefs, well worth it. Second to Progreso and Chichen-Itsa ruins, an experience everyone should do at least once.

Planning our next cruise in Alaska.