Editorial provided by Secretaria de Tourismo, Mexico
As resort towns go, no other affords visitors so much to do in such a concentrated space.
A city of 100,000 people and visited by almost two million a year, the "downtown" area is made up of four principal avenues: Tulum and Yaxchilan, which run north to south, and Uxmal and Coba, which run east to west. Here, the streets are lined with fashionable shops, shopping malls, such as the Plaza Caracol, and restaurants (more than 250) that serve fare from all over the world.
As the sun sets and the last sailboats get pulled up onto the shore, a metamorphosis takes
place and Cancun switches into the high gear for which it is known. Nightlife begins, and after a
sumptuous meal, people fan out across the area, following all sorts of musical rhythms- from
reggae and rock & roll to Caribbean tunes and mellow, sexy jazz. People dance, listen or just kick back into the wee hours of the morning.
ANNUAL JAZZ FIESTÄ
For jazz lovers, The Annual Cancun Jazz Festival is not to be missed. This year, the festival takes place from May 2-3-29, with free music on the beach during the week and a closing beach party on Sunday. The main concerts will be on Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28 (both shows beginning at 6 p.m.). Taking the stage with the sun setting over the Caribbean blue sea, will be Ray Charles, Patti Austin, the Dukes of Dixieland, Manhattan Transfer, Tito Puente and the Latin Jazz All-Stars, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Each concert costs $38 at the gate; discounts are available for advance purchases. For details, call MusiCancun, INT-52-98-84-81-08. For information on tour packages, which include three nights' accommodations, call Interworld Tours, (310) 455-4114 or (800) 845-6622.
BUSINESS TRAVEL
With the opening of the Cancun Convention Center, Cancun is attracting a different sort of visitor these days, and is helping make Mexico a major player in the business travel market. Located on the seafront of Punta Cancun on the outskirts of town, the center is just 20 minutes from the international airport, and within walking distance of some 3,000 hotel rooms.
Able to meet business travelers' demands with a wide range of amenities, the center is fully
equipped for state-of-the-art audio/visual presentations and has a full range of communications
capabilities. The multiple meeting spaces within the sprawling center can be manipulated to fit
almost any need-- some spaces can hold up to 2,000 people. The lower two levels of the facility
house 52 stores for shopping convenience. For more information, call INT-52-988-3-01-99 or (800) 538-0424 In addition to the convention center, a number of city and beachfront hotels in Cancun offer convenient spaces and extras to suit a variety of business needs.
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GOLF
Cancun also has something special to please both the business and leisure traveler looking to spend some time on the fairway: the Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Course (INT-52-988-3-12-30). Considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging in Mexico, the 18-hole course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Standing in perfect harmony with the surrounding scenery, the course has managed to preserve the small Mayan ruins near the 12th hole.
WATER SPORTS
If you love the water, Cancun is determined to satisfy you. Snorkeling, deep-sea and shore fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing (sunfish, Hobie Cat), wate-skiing, jet-skiing and parasailing are all available in Cancun. While some of these activities might be offered through hotels, there are a number of marinas that also offer these services, such as the Marina Aqua Rey--(INT-52-98-83-10-22, ext. 5531), from which you can get a peep into the deep on the "submarine" Sub Sea Explorer, and AquaTours (INT-52-98-83-04-00 or 83-02-27).
WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN
Cancun's success due, in part, to its ability to cater to every kind of taste. In this spirit,
the town and resort offer accommodations in every category, and, depending on the hotel, might
include complimentary amenities that you would have to pay for elsewhere. Here are some of the
more interesting choices: One of the most luxurious hotels on the island, the Camino Real on Punta Cancun was selected as one of the Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel is made up of two distinct structures that are architecturally compatible: a four-story building around a Mayan ruin and a more modern high-rise. Rooms, some with Jacuzzis and balconies, are brightly decorated in the Cancun spirit, bright and airy with comfortable rattan furniture and pink and turquoise colors. The hotel has five restaurants, four bars, a disco, two beaches, a shopping arcade, three lighted tennis courts and an enormous pool. Rooms in the main building (some with ocean view, some without) start at $170/night, and rooms in the tower (all with ocean view) start at $195/night. Call INT-52-988-3-01¬00.
Halfway down the Paseo Kukulkan, at the posted 16Km mark, is the impressive Melia
Cancun, a daring example of creativity. A modern version of a Mayan temple, the hotel features
a massive atrium whose architecture flows naturally with waterfalls and local tropical flora. The
light pastel colors of the public spaces elegantly soften the atmosphere, and the rooms, many with
private balconies, are luxurious. The hotel also has a long list of attractive features, including five restaurants, four bars, two pools, an 18-hole golf course, three tennis courts, a health center and beauty salon. Room rates start at $170/night. Call INT-98-85-11-14 or (800) 336-3542.
If you are looking for all the amenities of one of the seaside hotels, the place to stay downtown is the Holiday Inn Centro Cancun, located at Ave. Nader 1, S.M. 2. This attractive,
four-story pink hotel with Spanish-style roof has a restaurant, two bars, a nightclub, a pool, a beauty salon and conference rooms. Single and double rooms start at $90/night. For reservations call INT¬52-98-88-74-55 or (800) HOLIDAY. Two more affordable yet pleasant hotels in town Page 3
are the Antillano (INT-52-98-84-15-32) and the Plaza del Sol on the beaches. At the Antillano,
single rooms start at $43/night and doubles start at $50/night. At the Plaza del Sol, both single and double rooms are $65/night.
DAY AND OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS FROM CANCUN--
Often overlooked by people traveling to Cancun, is the Colonial city of Merida, located about 200 miles east of the popular resort. Merida is perfect as a home base for visits to the famous Mayan sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Eccentric and bold, the city blends the classic charm and elegance brought by the Spanish with the long-lasting traditions of the Mayan World. Cast-iron grillwork and ornate wood-carved doors and window shutters cover the Colonial homes, and it is not uncommon to see women wearing traditional huipiles, (hand-embroidered traditional white dresses) calesas- horse-drawn carriages) rolling down one of the cobblestone streets.
Merida is home to the oldest cathedral in North America. Begun in 1561, the Renaissance-style church was built in a 36-year period, employing hundreds of Mayan laborers. Today, the church houses a replica of the Cristo de las Ampollas (Christ of the Blisters), a figure carved out of a tree said to have burned all night, yet appearing unscathed the next morning. A later fire caused its blister-like markings for which it is named.
Several Merida parks are perfect for taking time out from sightseeing: the Plaza de la Independencia with its "S"-shaped love seats or on Thursday nights to hear serenades by local musicians. The elegant Paseo de Montejo, which is several blocks from the cathedral, is beautified by extravagant mansions built in the 19th century by wealthy plantation owners. Wander among stalls selling everything from brilliantly colored flowers to local vegetables, pottery and hats at the Mercado Municipal.
The completion of the Hyatt Regency makes staying in Merida even more comfortable and
convenient than before. The 300 room hotel, located at Ave. Colon and Calle 60, features several
bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, two tennis courts, a jogging track, a health club and several meeting rooms. Single and double rooms in the Colonial-style hotel start at $150. Call (800) 233¬1234 or INT-52-99-42-02-02. One of the older hotels with real Colonial feel is the Casa del Balam, located opposite the Opera House on Calle 60. Rooms have wrought-iron work, painted sinks and cedar doorways. The hotel has a lovely courtyard with central fountain, black and white tile floors, a restaurant, two bars, a swimming pool, a sun deck and a gift shop. Singles and doubles start at $120/night. Call INT-52¬99-24-88-44.
GETTING TO CANCUN
These days, getting to Cancun could not be easier. Cancun International Airport lies just nine miles southwest of the heart of Cancun City and has planes landing from all over the world. In fact, more international flights serve Cancun than any other Mexico destination. From the US, Aeromexico, American, Continental, Mexicana and United fly directly from a long roster of cities. American and Northwest offer direct flights to Cancun from major Canadian cities.
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CANCUN-TULUM CORRIDOR
After "living it up" in Cancun, it's time to take advantage of the sights that distinguish this
area from any other place in the world. Heading south on highway 307 from Cancun, the 100-mile stretch of coast is known throughout the world as the "CancuncTulum Corridor." The road, which runs inland and parallel to the coast, winds through dense jungle occasionally marked by spectacular Mayan ruins and pocketed with quaint beachside villages. Just nine miles south of Cancun is an interesting stop that is worth a detour off the main road. At the Croco Cun, a massive breeding station, visitors can marvel at an assortment of more than 300 reptiles behind walled ponds. Here, visitors will discover how American crocodiles and Central American caymans are raised by taking newly laid eggs and placing them in temperature controlled rooms. The breeding grounds are open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and admission costs about $4/person.
Puerto Morelos
Further down 307, Puerto Morelos is the first town the highway runs into. The lack of
tourists and generally peaceful mood, combined with easy access to the sea, have made Puerto
Morelos a very attractive getaway from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. Known ages ago as the
departure point for Mayan women making pilgrimages to Cozumel, the streets of the town are lined with shops, a few restaurants and a cantina. Puerto Morelos also is home to one of the nicest diving reefs along the coast, filled with caverns of coral and multicolored marine life.
Just south of the dock, where visitors pick up the ferry to Cozumel Island, is one of the newer hotel complexes sitting along an isolated stretch of white beach. The Caribbean Reef Resort
is a three-story, white stucco building with 22 roomy villas (one bedroom and studios available), a
pool, bar and beac front restaurant that is said to serve some of the best Texas ribs in Mexico!
Guests have at their disposal free use of windsurfers, Sunfish sailboats and tennis courts (rackets and balls available). Studio suites that accommodate four start at $140/day, and one-bedroom suites for six are $160/night. Call (800) 3-CANCUN.
Punta Bete
A little further down the coast (about 20 miles) is Punta Bete, a four-mile stretch of beach
with calm waters that makes a perfect place to stop for a swim. Swaying palms line the secluded
shores, while 30 feet out the ocean floor turns to rock making it ideal for snorkeling. In Punta Bete, Campout Kai Luum offers a perfect solution for "aspiring" campers who are just not willing to totally rough it. Although there is no electricity, there are maids who will clean
the modern beachfront tents daily, as guests relax on the hammocks strung up under their own palapa. Mornings are ushered in by sumptuous buffet breakfasts and Mayan chefs prepare different and creative meals under a huge palapa-covered beachside restaurant. Rates start at $58/person, double occupancy. Call (800) 538-6802.
Another seaside resort worthy of a visit is the Caba known as Capitan Lafitte, complete with a fine restaurant, swimming pool and game room. The charming stucco cabanas, equipped with ceiling fans, hot running water in private bathrooms, and double and king-sized beds, are cozy and
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comfortable. A skiff ride provided by the hotel will whisk guests to nearby Lafitte Reef, one of the most impressive snorkeling sites around. Rates start at $78/person double occupancy and include breakfast and dinner. Call (800) 538-6802.
Playa del Carmen
It used to be that visitors flocked to Playa del Carmen (about 30 miles from Cancun) only
to make the ferry ride to Cozumel Island. But today, the town's open-air cafes, quaint shops, minimarkets, cantinas and oceanfront malecon (boardwalk) attract more than just passersby. (Ferry rides to Cozumel leave about six times daily.)
Playa del Carmen offers a variety of accommodations --everything from camping grounds
and beachside bungalows to hotels and all-inclusive resort villages. A recent building boom has created several beautiful places to stay just south of the busy ferry dock area. The Continental
Playacar (800) 882-6684), a five-story pink building complex with 188 rooms and 16 suites, has
grounds that were carefully built around well-preserved Mayan ruins. Under the shade of the
thatched mini-palapas, deck chairs line two crystal swimming pools and a nearby bar just off the beach. The air-conditioned rooms have terraces overlooking the sapphire-colored Caribbean waters. Doubles start at $135/night.
Four miles south and about one hour from Cancun along the paved road out of Playa del Carmen is Xcaret, a once-unassuming cove inlet turned tropical waterside and eco-archaeological
amusement park. Winding in and out of wild jungle surroundings, the park's main attraction is an underground river ride. The ride guides life-jacket and snorkel-wearing visitors through cool water currents that flow through mysterious caves and man-made caletas (inlets). If you've ever wanted to swim with dolphins, Xcaret, which means "Nature's Sacred Paradise," is the place to do it. There's also horseback riding and a botanical garden. Once an important trading center for the Mayas, the park today has beautiful ruins scattered throughout. Archaeologists believe that the 60 buildings found in the area are only the tip of the iceberg in this mysterious area. The park is open Oct.-March, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and April-Sept., 9 a.m.-6 p.m, and costs $17/person.
Puerto Aventuras
One of the newest and "upcoming" resort areas in the region is Puerto Aventuras. Located four miles south of Xcaret, the 900-acre self-contained resort has a 250-boat slip, private villas, the9-hole Puerto Aventuras Resort Golf Course (INT-52-987-3-51-09), a beach club, dive center and more than 500 luxurious hotel rooms. A popular stop is the CEDAM Underwater Archeology Museum that displays artifacts collected from a sunken Spanish merchant ship.
Akumal
Just 22 miles south of Playa del Carmen, Akumal is one of the prettier beaches, and a
favorite spot of divers. Once a large coconut plantation, the northern palm-lined area is known as Half Moon Bay, an exceptional snorkeling area lined with villas and condominiums. While some
come here for the outstanding diving opportunities, others just stroll the tranquil beaches, combing for shells and catching sight of the ample bird life in the area. There also is a small
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Mayan community here that offers their wares at informal markets in town. A family-oriented resort hotel located on the beach, the Club Akumal Caribe offers a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from two-bedroom suites (complete with two baths, living room
and kitchen facilities) to two-bedroom condominiums and bungalows. Activities include: diving,
kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, fishing, tennis, jungle walks, and a private pool. Satellite TV
is available and three restaurants are located on-site. Bungalow rates start at $72/night and two-bedroom condos start at $115/night for up to four adults. Call (800) 351-1622.
Other Beaches in the Area
There are several lesser-known beaches in the area that are worth a visit. Powder-soft sand and turquoise sea with swaying palm trees characterize Playa Chemuyil. A reef just off shore brings the waters to a quiet calm by the time they meet the shoreline, making for excellent swimming conditions. The beaches at Xcacel are no less spectacular. Laid-back visitors can ask to stay in any number of privately owned seaside bungalows for a marginal fee.
Xel-Ha
The Quintana Roo coast offers many wonderful options for experienced and neophyte snorkelers alike. But one place that stands out is Xel-Ha, a natural aquarium considered to be one of the biggest in the world. Ten acres of stunning lagoons, coves and inlets naturally carved into the area's soft limestone terrain are home to countless species of tropical fish. Located several miles south of Akumal, Xel-Ha offers visitors the opportunity to explore underwater caves, cenotes (sinkholes) and a partially submerged Mayan ruin. Rent snorkel gear and underwater cameras (available for $10 and $18, respectively) or head deep into the jungle to the far
side of the lagoon by glass-bottom boats. Xel-Ha also includes a shrine, small Mayan ruins
throughout the park, a maritime museum and a seafood restaurant. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily;
admission is $5/person.
Tulum
The only Mayan city built on the coast and one of the area's biggest attractions is Tulum,
the "City of the New Dawn." Here, a sense of drama is stirred when seeing one of the ruins for the first time -- its dark gray color in striking contrast with the crystal blue of the sea and sky. Tulum, built sometime in the 10th century but reaching its peak from the 12th to the 15th centuries, is believed to have been the only Mayan city still inhabited when the first Spanish conquistadores arrived. The site, made up of 60 structures that are as varied in shape as they are in the emotions they evoke, is home to the Temple of the Descending God. The largest of Tulum's structures, the temple was so named because of the winged god carved over its entrance. In the Temple of the Frescoes, 13th-century wall paintings depict traditional Mayan deities.
ISLAND HOPPING
One of the most attractive features of Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula is the variety of
island day trips travelers can take. Each with its own distinct character, the islands have been able
to preserve much of their Mayan culture with a profound concern for the environment, especially
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marine life.
ISLA MUJERES
Shaped like a fish and about five miles across from the Bay of Cancun is sla Mujeres, a
place that offers a quiet respite from the fast-paced, round-the-clock lifestyle of Cancun. Only five miles long and 1,300 feet wide, the island was first called the "Island of Women" back in the days of Hernandez de Cordoba's arrival from Spain in 1518. When he landed, some say, he was greeted by only women (the men were said to have been fishing). Another popular explanation claims that a large number of Mayan female clay figurines were found by the first Spanish conquistadores. Today, men and women flock here daily from Cancun to wade in the placid waters, listen to a little afternoon music on one of the many beaches, or snorkel in one of the several reef areas, such as the Manchones, Bandera and Tavos Reefs, all teeming with colorful parrotfish and angelfish. A good place for neophyte snorkelers is Garrafon National Park, located a couple of miles out of town. For more daring divers, there's a 68-foot dive into the renowned Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, said to often hold up to seven sharks at once. The town, which is sandwiched between sand and sea, is located on the northern tip of the island and is the landing point for ferries arriving from Puerto Juarez, Punta Sam and Playa Linda.
Shops selling everything from coral and silver jewelry to hammocks and Mayan figurines are abundant in town, as are diving shops.
For those who wish to stay the night, the Cabasas Maria del Mar (INT-52-98-77-02-13) offers an interesting assortment of rooms. Decorated by local artisans, the rooms combine Spanish and Mayan-style furnishings with colorful folk art. Beds are not mandatory either; some rooms are equipped with hammocks. Rooms here start at $60/day, which includes a delicious Continental breakfast.
On the northernmost tip of the island is the newly renovated, all-inclusive Costa Club (INT¬52-98-77-01-22), which has 94 rooms, 60 villas and six suites. The white beach in front of the hotel is dotted by a palapas as is swimming pool and swim-up bar. Outdoor dining, a coffee shop and a number of activities organized by the staff make this one of the most well-equipped and charming hotels in the area.
ISLA CONTOY
Bird watchers and nature lovers should not miss this side trip to Isla Contoy located about
one hour from Isla Mujeres. A National Wildlife Preserve and bird sanctuary, Contoy Island is one of the reasons why one-third of the world's known species of birds (1,018 total) can be found in Mexico. Flamingos, brown pelicans, cormorants, herons and magnificent frigate birds can best be seen at dawn and dusk, when they swoop down on empty stretches of beach. Tours leave daily from Isla Mujeres and cost about $35.
COZUMEL
Lying 12 miles east off the Yucatan Peninsula and a short 40-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen is Cozumel Island, considered by many to be one of the top five dive sites in the
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world. The island, which took its name from the Mayan language Ah-Cuzamil-Peten (the island of
swallows), is generally flat with dense jungle filling the interior. Handsomely lined by white sandy
beaches with rough surf on the eastward side, and calmer waters on the westward side, the 24-mile-long island is dotted by rocky strands and spectacular coral reefs along its perimeter.
Because less than five percent of the island is developed, wildlife and marine life have
flourished on and around Cozumel and is a principal draw for visitors year-round. During the month of July, people quietly watch as baby sea turtles, raised in the local hatchery, are released and slowly make their way down the sandy shores to swim freely in the Caribbean waters for the first time. For more information about turtle watching, call the Museum of the Island of Cozumel at INT-98-72-14-34/75.
Inland, the dense jungle shelters herons, iguanas, egrets, armadillos and a variety of birds.
At Chankanab, an underwater preserve, swimmers can float in a mesmerizing marine landscape filled with schools of yellow and black sergeant majors darting in and out of black, red and white coral formations.
In the town of San Miguel, where most of the 60,000 island residents live, the paved streets are lined with tourist shops, dive shops and restaurants, some of which serve traditional Mayan dishes such as pollo pibil and tikin xik (chicken and fish dishes). The island offers a variety of accommodations, some right on the beach and some in town. One of Cozumel's most romantic and secluded hotels is the Presidente (INT-52-98-72-02-22 or (800) 447-6147), located on the end of the southern hotel zone. The hotel, which has its own beach, features 253 rooms (some pool/garden side, some sea/beach view), three bars, a pool, Jacuzzi, two lighted tennis courts and one of the finest restaurants (Arrecife) on the island. Standard rooms are $195/night; Superior rooms, $235/night; and Superior beachfront rooms are $275/night.
For those interested in snorkeling and scuba diving, the Cozumel Reef hotel is perfectly
located directly in front of one of the most spectacular dive sites. The hotel, with rooms with
balconies overlooking the ocean, has three restaurants, three bars, two pools, a gym, two lighted
tennis courts and a dive shop. Singles and doubles start at $200/night. Call INT-52-987-2-26-22
for reservations.
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Mexico Travel Associates, Carolyn Files, P.O. Box 1498, Imperial Beach, Ca. 91933
