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An Insider s Guide To Cancun And The Riviera Maya Mexico
iving in Mexico was an the country. The nicest buses
adventurous fairytale; due when I was there were the plush
to the variety of things to tour buses for longer trips,
do, beauty of the country and the called ADO. Really nice buses
kindness of its residents. I am that cost more but are worth it.
originally from Ohio but spent
substantial time living in If you need to make phone calls
Mexico, studying the nature and in Mexico, buy a phone card there
history of this beautiful place. and use them from any pay phone.
Here are some ideas and tips I They can be used to call
learned from being there that may internationally as well. The
help you on your next trip to the locals, many of which do not have
Yucatan Peninsula. phones in their homes, use them
all the time. You can buy them in
Using the public bus system is the Casas de Cambio (places where
infinitely cheaper than taking you can exchange your money into
taxis everywhere. If you are Mexican pesos). A note on
looking for cheaper exchanging your money, check
transportation to and from the around, to look for the best
airport, take the bus to downtown exchange rates as they may vary
Playa del Carmen or Cancun. It is place to place.
easy and the bus stations are
centrally located in both cities. Those who don't scuba can enjoy
You can choose to ride an the beauty of the underwater
air-conditioned bus for a small coral gardens and scenery by
amount more than the non snorkeling. Go to the scuba shops
air-conditioned bus. I would use and inquire about what excursions
either, whoever left soonest. they offer for snorkelers, or ask
There are bus schedules posted your resort's front desk if you
for local travel or throughout can sign up for snorkeling tours
there at the hotel. Wear the food offered at taco stands
sunscreen while doing this (and I love those, by the way),
daytrip, don't expect a white and wherever fruit is sold. If
t-shirt to protect you, because you buy fruit, peel before eating
it won't. If you don't use sun it. If it isn't peelable, then
protection, you will come back forget it. Drink purified,
lobster-red, trust me. bottled water at all times. If
you go to day-long trips out in
A word about avoiding Turista the heat, bring a gallon jug of
(Montezuma's Revenge, the Tourist water, you will need it.
Trots). These very unpleasant
bacterial infections happen, Hire only qualified tour guides
frequently, to travellers. To through reputable agencies
avoid spending most of your (usually found through the hotels
vacation in the bathroom or your travel agent). Don't use
recuperating, I suggest you don't freelance tour guides because I
eat raw fruit (unless it's was told when living there that
already peeled), and don't drink some will make information up as
drinks that have ice that isn't they go along. Independent tour
round, with a hole in it guides will approach you at
(purified water ice cubes). The places like the ruins of Coba,
large resorts' food is safe, as Chichen Itza and Tulum, for
far as I have experienced. I've example. Go with a tour group to
stayed in a few before moving to these places. I liked the Apple
Mexico and never got sick by tours, but there are many others
eating or drinking their food. that are good, too. Ask around to
Big resorts take precautions see who are most highly
against contaminated foods and recommended. Chichen Itza is a
drink. But, out on the street, big site, worthy of seeing, if
those bacteria free float into you are going to choose a sight
to see. The pyramid there, called Ojos. Cenotes attract nature, and
El Castillo, is spectacular. I while visiting them, I saw a
have been inside it (very, variety of fascinating flora and
incredibly claustrophobic if you fauna from basilisk lizards to a
decide to brave it up the narrow diving duck. Cenotes are the
stairway inside) and on top of it entrance points to underwater
(steep stairs lead up to a few caves, which are only safe to go
small rooms on the top, where to with certified dive experts.
nobility would perform rituals, Underneath the Yucatan peninsula
etc.) Take a camera and stop at there are a large network of
the nearby hotel for lunch if you underground caves that expert
have the chance. There was a show divers like to explore. Do not
there where dancers in Mayan attempt to dive these on your
dress entertained us as our group own, because it is dangerous. If
ate there. It was a good break you want to see what an
from the heat of sightseeing this underground cave is like, go
ancient city. Word to the wise, nearby to the nature park of
bringing a family-size vat of Xcaret, where there are
sunscreen wouldn't be a bad idea. underwater caves for the public
And as much water as possible. to swim in.
Walking around the site all day
will dehydrate and bake you if Speaking of Xcaret, it is a must
you aren't careful. to visit if you love nature. It
is full of educational activities
Check out the cenotes (lakes of and fun things to do for the
brackish water in the jungle), whole family. Expect to spend an
accessed by taking buses or taxi, entire day there. There is
along the Playa del Carmen-Tulum swimming with dolphins, horseback
corridor. I liked going to the riding, exploring an ancient
Cenote Azul or the Cenote Dos Mayan village, seeing Mayan
dancing shows, snorkeling in a you are served drinks, are
large lagoon, all built into the entertained by the staff and get
jungles. It is a top-class place, a great view of the Cancun
and even has its own small zoo, coastline. Once at Isla Mujeres,
butterfly garden and aviary. I you are taken on excursions to
know, I used to be the main places like Tortugranja (a sea
illustrator for the park years turtle farm, where they raise
ago. The restaurants are endangered sea turtles from small
atmospheric and the food is good. to large), or Hacienda Mundaca (a
Don't forget to see the Mayan supposed former estate of an
musicians do their flying pole ex-pirate, who built it for his
exhibition, which is done all day love interest, according to local
long. They start on top of a legend). They offer snorkeling,
pole, and "fly" down, while too. It's a fun day trip, and the
playing their instruments, while shopping is pretty good on the
hanging from ropes by their island, too.
ankles. You won't see anything
quite like it out of this region. Another interesting place to
Xcaret has a variety of natural visit is Merida, the capital city
history exhibits near their large of the state of Quintana Roo
gift shop. It is a "must" for (where Cancun is located). It
all. reminded me of Europe, with its
lovely, large mansions,outdoor
If you want a fun trip by boat, cafes and stately buildings.
go to Playa Linda (in the Hotel There, you will find the United
Zone of Cancun) and hop a boat States embassy, among others. If
over to Isla Mujeres. Aqua Tours you need to replace a lost
has a big, luxurious yacht that passport or talk to embassy
goes over there a few times a officials, this is where you want
day. On the way to the island, to go. It is a very international
place, worth the very long bus could easily eat my way through
ride from Cancun. Mexico by living on tamales (meat
inside a corn-based "cake") and
Downtown Cancun has a few empanadas (meat turnovers) alone.
interesting places to shop. There If you buy bakery items in Mexico
are authentic food and crafts at at the grocery stores, bear in
Plaza 2000, or see Chedraui (a mind that they use much less
department/ grocery store), or sugar than Americans are used to
Pelicano (another general having, in their recipes. I like
merchandise store). I haven't the Conchitas, breads shaped like
been to Cancun since the shells. If you want sweets, buy
devastating hurricane there, so the cakes sold under the brand
check to see if these places are name "Bimbo" (yes, that is the
still in operation, if so, they name of it). It is a major bread
are definitely worth going to. and snack food producer in
Take a bus or taxi to these Mexico.
places, to get a more "authentic"
Mexican experience. Staying just Enjoy your stay in the lovely
in the Hotel Zone is fun, but not Mayan Riviera. Walk the beaches
a slice of everyday Mexican life. and admire that stunningly
Try some of the great food stands turquoise water, it is truly
where the locals go. I love the paradise. Enjoy the hospitality
chicken cooked on spits of the friendly and helpful
everywhere, called "Pollo Rojo" Mexican nationals. Remember to
(red chicken) due to the spices have fun, but remember, it is a
used. It is to die for and foreign country, so obey their
incredibly cheap. If you see laws and be respectful of the
people on the street selling differences in culture. If you
tamales, try them, they are go, you'll want to go back again
excellent and really cheap. I and again. I know I did. The more
you go, the more you know. Living a memorable trip for yourself by
in the Yucatan was an seeing as much of it as you can.
unforgettable experience, You won't be disappointed.
visiting there is too, so make it
About the Author:
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats . Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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