Articles in the category Visit Tips
The 5 Best Beaches in the Mexican Caribbean
No matter where you are in the Mexican Caribbean; Cancun, Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, there is a beautiful beach to visit. Here are our favorites in no particular order:
Cancun- El Mirador/Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines is the best beach in the Hotel Zone, and guess what? There aren’t any hotels built on it! Loved by locals and visitors alike, at El Mirador (the other name for this beach) you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella and buy traditional snacks from beach vendors while you marvel at the aqua blue color of the ocean. El Mirador is located at Km. 17 in the Hotel Zone.
Isla Mujeres -Playa Norte
Take the ferry over to Isla Mujeres and when you get off, turn left and take a 5-10 minute walk. Now look to your left…that’s Playa Norte. A wide white sand beach with tranquil waters lapping at the shore, you can spend your day at a lively beach club or just plop your towel down and go it alone.
Playa del Carmen-Playa Mamitas
Playa Mamitas is one of the most popular beaches in Playa del Carmen. Located at the end of 28th street, this lively area of the beach is never boring. The sun, the sand, the surf, and the European flair of Playa make for a cosmopolitan day at the beach. One of the many beach clubs in Playa del Carmen is sure to perfectly match your needs and your personality.
Playa Isla Blanca
This beach is a secret jewel located 25 miles north of Cancun. So shhhhh…don’t tell anyone else. There are no convenience stores and the island is not connected to city services. There is no public transportation available, so you’ll need a car to get there, but it’s well worth the extra effort.
Tulum beach
Tulum arguably boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Lined with small boutique hotels and eco friendly cabañas, Tulum is a bohemian dream. The wide white sand beach seems to go on forever, so take a long walk and let the aqua blue Caribbean Sea wash your worries away. Tulum is located 80 miles south of Cancun.
We would like to thank Chitio Rendón, Philippe Martin, Javi y Lorna, leoncito352003, and Esparta for the lovely photos.
Have we missed any? What is your favorite beach in the Mexican Caribbean?
About the Author
Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
Things NOT to do in Cancun
You can find things you should do in Cancun all over the internet; take tours, go all-inclusive, don’t go all-inclusive, visit Chichen Itza, but what about the things you shouldn’t do? If you want to save a little money and have a great Mexican vacation, here are some suggestions for things you should not do in Cancun.
1. Don’t take a private taxi from the airport.
Regular street taxis are not allowed to enter the airport to look for fares, so the private taxi you take from the hotel will set you back about 60 U.S. Dollars. Oh my! You can take a collectivo (shared taxi) for about 15 U.S. Dollars per person. It may stop at a few hotels before yours to drop off other visitors, but what’s the hurry? You’re on vacation. In addition, it’s kind of fun to see other hotels that you might want to give a try on your next visit.
2. Don’t spend all your time in the pool.
The pool is nice, but look towards the east. You will see a white sand beach and that aqua blue water is the Caribbean Sea! It has a year round temperature between 78 and 84 degrees fahrenheit. You might get some salt in your hair, you might get some sand on your skin, but there is nothing like a dip in the ocean. If the sea is too rough in front of your hotel , walk down the beach and look for a calmer area.
3. Don’t over research and over plan.
You can research and you can plan, but if you schedule every moment of your vacation, you will be disappointed when plans have to be changed (and inevitably they will have to be changed) and you will miss out on the spontaneity that is the fun and exciting part of being on vacation.
4. Don’t overdo it.
When you’re on vacation it’s tempting to overindulge in the sun, the food and the drinks. However, do you really want a terrible sunburn? Heartburn? A hangover? These are things that can ruin days of your treasured vacation, so by all means, partake, but in moderation.
5. Don’t lose your tourist form
During your flight to Mexico you will receive an FM-T, a tourist immigration form, which you will need to fill out and present to Mexican immigration. They will return the bottom portion of the form to you. Keep it in your passport and don’t lose it. You will need it to exit the country and there is a hefty fine if you can’t present it at the airport.
Can you think of any other things to NOT do in Cancun?
About the Author
Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
Fun Beach and Pool Games and Activities for Children of All Ages
Is there anything better than a beach vacation? Well maybe if you add a hotel with a pool in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya to the equation! Beaches and pools provide healthy fun for the whole family. Think about it, if you and your family are goofing around on the beach, there’s no chance of anyone getting hurt if they fall down. In addition, swimming is a great aerobic workout. So get out those bathing suit and towels (don’t forget the sunblock), head down to the beach or pool and enjoy some of these games and activities that are fun for the whole family.
How about a beach ball race?
The object of this game is for players to push a beach ball with their nose, while swimming, to the other end of the pool. The first player whose beach ball reaches the end of the pool wins.
Here’s another kind of beach ball race:
Players should remove their shoes and hold a beach ball between the knees. First one across the finish line wins! Try it in the sand.
Marco! Polo!
An oldie but goodie. One person whose eyes are kept closed shouts “Marco” and the other players respond with “Polo”. The person who can’t see then tries to tag one of the others. When he/she does, that person will be “it”.
Sand Games
Bury each other in the sand, dig a hole in the sand, play tic tac toe in the sand, build a sandcastle. Isn’t sand great?
Swim and Hunt for Treasures
Toss homemade objects that will sink, and are not sharp, into the pool. Have the players close their eyes, then scatter the objects around the pool. Count to three, have them open their eyes, and they must start diving for treasures. Whoever gets the most treasures wins.
Umbrella Racing?!
Place at least two closed umbrellas on the edge of the pool. Players take off from the edge of the pool farthest away from the umbrellas. After racing to the edge where the umbrellas are, each player grabs one and opens it. The open umbrella must be held above the surface of the water as the player swims back to the side where they started. First one there wins.
Jewelry?
Look for sea shells and stones that have a natural hole in them. When you get home you can make jewelry out of them with just a chain or a leather strap. It will make a great memento from your trip.
And don’t forget about these classic fun activities: beach or pool volleyball, kite flying or Frisbee.
Did we miss any?
About the Author
Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
10 tips for a Romantic Valentine’s Day in the Riviera Maya
Couples have been trying to create romance in their relationships since the beginning of time, yet every Valentine’s Day many frantically search for a way to make the day memorable for their special someone. There are many ways to celebrate this special day, but for the truly romantic, spend this February 14th doing something unique and special with the one you love.
Here are 10 great ways to spend Valentine’s Day in the Riviera Maya:
- Relax and Recharge: Leave behind the stress of daily life and surprise your special someone with a soothing moonlight couples massage on the beach.
- For Music Lovers: There are many restaurants and bars in Cancun and Playa del Carmen that feature live music. Cozy up with a cocktail (and your honey of course) and groove to their smooth sounds.
- A Day in the Sun: Pack a picnic basket and your swimsuit for a romantic day on the white sand beaches of the Mexican Caribbean. Swim in the crystal clear, turquoise blue Caribbean Sea, and then watch the sun set and that lovely afternoon light wash over your loved one’s face.
- For Night Owls: If you prefer moonlight over sunlight, plan a nighttime beach champagne picnic under the stars, and begin an endless night on the Riviera Maya’s magical beaches.
- The Adventurous Couple: If you are one of those couples who connect during the adrenaline rush of a great adventure, Cancun and the Riviera Maya offer some great options for you this Valentine’s Day. Fly over the jungle canopy on a zip line or discover nature’s wonders in underground caves and cenotes.
- Cooking for the Heart: If the expression “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is true, then reach his (or her) heart by learning to create some special recipes in the Riviera Maya. If you prefer someone else doing the cooking, enjoy a delicious meal at one of our restaurants that range from Mexican to international cuisine.
- The Language of Love: Since Spanish is such a romantic language, romance your partner and tell him or her how much you love them, in Spanish. “Te amo” = “I love you”.
- Give a Little: While reconnecting with your special someone on a romantic getaway, consider including a tour from Kanché, a non-profit civil association that uses the proceeds from its tours to generate socially oriented projects that help the environment and the community.
- Reconnect with Nature: With its lush green jungles and soft white sand beaches, the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula offers you many wonderful ways to reconnect not only with your partner, but also with nature. Visit a preserved nature park and enjoy a day of hiking through the jungle or snorkeling or scuba diving in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
- Do Not Disturb: Spend the entire day with the “do not disturb” sign on your door at one of our all inclusive, luxury resorts. Enjoy the company of your partner in private while relaxing in a soothing bath or bubbling hot tub.
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About the Author
Kristin Busse is currently a travel writer but has worked in many different industries. She lives in Cancun, Mexico and plans to use her diverse experiences to write about the Yucatan Peninsula from her unique perspective.
Discovering Xplor in the Rivera Maya
A very sweet “Adios” is the last thing I heard before the zip line guide grabbed my harness and threw me off a very high tower. The next thing I remember is finding myself suspended high above the Yucatan Jungle in mix of fear and awe.
I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I was asked to visit Xplor Adventure Park and like a bad writer, I failed to do my research. I arrived wearing workout gear and not knowing that water shoes would have been a great idea. But it all worked out in the end it was a day well spent indeed.
After swinging through the jungle like a spider monkey, I opted for the cave swim. I swam in a subterranean river meanwhile observing thousand plus year old stalagmites, stalagmites and stopping for the occasional photo. It was an activity that touched the adventurous side of my heart and exposed me to type of nature that I have never before seen. From there, I paddled on a raft through a cave and partook in some off road explorations in an amphibious vehicle, through caverns and over suspended bridges. It was a day full of adventure and I only got to experience a small portion of it.
Before I knew it, the park was closing and everyone was leaving to go home. I felt like a little girl at the amusement park that couldn’t get enough and would have gone all day if allowed. When it was all said and done, I sleepily ended my adventure with a tour of park’s souvenir shop and made the hour journey north back to Cancun.
Kristin’s Recommendations
1. Make a visit to the park’s souvenir shop first. It is where you can buy water shoes if you didn’t pack some for your trip to Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
2. Don’t worry about food, the park has done an excellent job at setting up food and beverage stands throughout the park. With hammocks and toilets nearby too!
3. Knowledge of Spanish is not needed. All park guides are bilingual and are eagerly willing to assist you in either Spanish or English. Actually, when zip lining from one tower to another; it is fun to switch languages on them. For some of them I spoke English and to others, it was Spanish. But shh that’s our secret.
Take a look at more photos in our Xplor Gallery.
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About the Author
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
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The Whale Shark Adventure | Cancun – Isla Mujeres
If you visit Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Holbox or Isla Mujeres take one day off the beach and wake up early to enjoy one of the most exciting adventures. Join our expert tour guides for the unique experience of swimming with WHALE SHARKS; season is coming to an end next month!
Do you have an underwater camera? Don’t forget to bring it or get one for less than $20 USD! If you want to see all the photos, click in our Whale Shark Adventure Photo Album.
Have you ever image to swim with the biggest fish on earth? Will you do it? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We want to know!
A Spa of the Senses: The SenseAdventure Tour
It is an adventure like no other, an adventure of the five senses. Mr. Gerardo Carrera Saucedo and the sense adventure staff at Hacienda Tres Ríos Nature Park and Spa Resort in the Riviera Maya have carefully crafted a tour to engage all five senses either in harmony or one by one: The SenseAdventure Tour™.
It reunites the soul with nature and rekindles the inner-child. Taste, touch, smell, see and hear the uniqueness of the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The distinctive and matchlessness flavors, flora and wildlife of the region make this luxury all-inclusive resort’s nature park the perfect place to experience a tour of the senses.
The adventure team guide sense adventure seekers through a small portion of the three hundred twenty-six acres of natural untouched beauty that is nestled next to the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea. Upon completion of the tour, adventure goers experience a type of feeling, warmth, relaxation and happiness that no in-spa massage could accomplish.
About the Author
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
Some Ideas to Travel Green | Earth Day 2010
From turquoise blue oceans to exuberant vegetation, Mother Earth has given us striking, beautiful places to visit, one being Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Unfortunately, as travelers our visits tend to strike the environment in a negative way.
Responsible, sustainable tourism is necessary if we wish to preserve the sustainability of the environment and the beauty of the colorful coral reefs of the Caribbean, the white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya, and the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are certain actions we can take as responsible visitors to compensate for the damage we have caused and prevent further deterioration of our ecosystems.
Making these small gestures will help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats, while still ensuring an exceptional vacation as we enjoy the natural wonders of the Riviera Maya.
Before you leave for your Riviera Maya or Cancun vacation, make your home eco-friendly to help save the environment and help you save money.
*Turn your water heater to the lowest setting.
*Adjust air-conditioner or heater thermostat to the lowest level.
*Turn water off from the outside connection.
*Unplug appliances and switch off surge protectors.
*Discontinue your newspaper delivery during your vacation.
Environmentally conscious hotels and resorts with “green” policies such as Hacienda Tres Ríos in the Riviera Maya are contributing to a more responsible, sustainable tourism industry. When arriving to your resort, make these small gestures and you’ll l help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats:
*Request your room towels and sheets not to be changed everyday.
*Turn off AC, heater, lights, and TV when you are not in the room.
*Take shorter showers and shut-off the water while you apply soap and shampoo.
*Open shades for natural light, but shut them when you’re out to maintain the room temperature.
*Use biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
*Do not feed or disturb fish, animals, plants, and other living creatures.
*Do not buy souvenirs made out of animal or plant parts.
*Do not litter and use recycle bins when available.
*Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions to counterbalance the emission from your vacation, otherwise known as carbon offsetting.
Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, one of Yucatan Holidays world-class resorts, developed a set of Best Environmental Guidelines as a foundation for its planning, construction, and operation. The Green Team—composed of engineers, architects, and scientists—is in charge of following the Tres Ríos’ mission for sustainable luxury tourism in Mexico; this means ensuring the conservation of the area’s jungles, mangroves, and dunes without sacrificing luxury and comfort.
Visit the Yucatan Holidays website and discover how the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort offers you a real green travel experience for this Earth Day 2010
Chichen Itza and the Spring Equinox | Yucatan Holidays
Visit Chichen Itza next March 21st to witness the magic of the Spring Equinox.
Seen in different indigenous cultures throughout Mesoamerica as a feathered snake, Kukulkan, will make its descend on the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula this March 21st during the spring equinox at Chichen Itza.
Kukulkan–or Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec tradition–represents a mystical deity surrounded by a number of legends and stories. In the Yucatan Peninsula, Kukulkan ruled over Chichen Itza during the 10th Century.
One of the many legends that surround the feathered snake is that of Quetzalcoatl of the Aztecs who arrived to the Yucatan Peninsula after he was exiled from the Toltec capitol of Tula. After promising the Aztecs to return, he arrived on a bed of snakes to rule the Mayans of the Gulf of Mexico.
Every year, thousands of people travel to Chichen Itza—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—to witness the symbolic descent of the deity. This incredible example of the Mayan’s architectural intelligence is created when the sunlight bathes the western part of the pyramid’s main stairway. Seven isosceles triangles are formed and compose the body of the 37 yard-long serpent that creeps downwards until it joins the serpent’s head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. Kukulkan—the feathered snake—descends twice a year during the spring and autumn equinox.
An equinox occurs when the sun, in its orbit around the earth, passes directly over the Earth’s equator making the length of daylight and evening hours equal. The word equinox is derived from the Latin word for equal “aequus” and “nox” meaning night. The fall equinox happens on September 22. The snake descends from around March 19th to the 23rd, but its effects are most dramatic on the actual day of the equinox.
The Mayan archeological zone, Chichen Itza (on April 3rd, Elton John will be performing live from there.) is composed of a number of Mayan ruins, the most prominent and famous being El Castillo or the grand pyramid.
Kukulkan’s pyramid was built for astronomical purposes. The staircase on all four sides is made of 91 steps on each side totaled with the last step on top equal the 365 days in a solar year. The event is the most dramatic display of Mayan astronomical knowledge encoded into architecture.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience only has a 72-year time window—from 1976 to 2048—so book your vacation with Yucatan Holidays to witness the spring equinox in Chichen Itza.
Swimming with Dolphins and More at Isla Mujeres
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Isla Mujeres (25 minutes from Cancun) to enjoy my Dolphin Encounter and to spend the day participating in numerous activities that are part of the tour. Everything started when we departed from El Embarcadero in Cancun on the Dolphin Princess, a very nice 3-deck ship, which included a complete breakfast and drinks. The ship arrived at Dolphin Discovery park where a dolphin show awaited us.
After the show and some training about the signals that dolphins understand, we where ready for our dolphin encounter. It lasted around 30 minutes, and we had the chance to touch, swim, and learn many things about these gorgeous animals: definitely worth the experience!
After enjoying some fresh drinks, we headed to Garrafon Natural Reef Park (only a 5-minute drive away). This park is incredible and totally worth visiting for a day. It’s large, clean, and surrounded by beautiful island landscapes with very kind, helpful staff. Among the activities on our tour were kayaking, snorkeling along the reef (awesome even in chilly water), and my two favorites: the bicycle tour to the southern tip of the island and the zip-line.
The bicycle tour took us to a part of the island with ancient Mayan ruins, such as a temple built to the moon goddess, Ix-Chel; then to the Cliff of the Dawn, the first place in Mexico to get the sun’s rays in the morning; and finally to a sculpture park. These were some of the most interesting and beautiful highlights of my day.
The zip-line was another fantastic activity of the tour. The adrenaline flowed as I prepared to climb the 42-foot tower built at the highest point of the park and then launched from nearly 100 feet above sea level. It was priceless!
We concluded the day by indulging in a buffet meal with a wide variety of Mexican dishes, and resting on one of the hammocks in the peaceful Hammock Garden. I’m sure that the Dolphin Encounter and Garrafon Park tours will be among those you will never forget (and not regret)!
Contact Yucatan Holidays for more information on the amazing tours we have for you and the unparalleled travel deals for this winter.
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Jorge is the Social Media Executive for Yucatan Holidays. A travel lover & tennis player living in Cancun. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter to find out the latest travel deals in Cancun & the Riviera Maya.
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