Articles in the category Visit Tips

Tips for moving in and around Cancun|How do I get to…

After more than 20 years of living in Cancun, I’ve learned about the things that concern travelers and visitors in this paradise. Besides the weather (which can easily be followed on the web), adventurous and thrifty tourists wonder about transportation options. They prefer to discover the city vibe in a more authentic way instead of renting a car.  As a travel lover, I must say this the BEST way to really know the places and the people.

A) … my hotel for the first time?

One of the first challenges for you is how to get to your hotel. If the place you’ve chosen doesn’t provide transportation services, it could mean that your hotel or hostel is located in Cancun Centro/downtown Cancun.  (All of our resorts & hotels offer transportation services.)  The moment you leave the airport Arrivals gate, many people will offer you transportation.  Think twice.  These companies charge between $30 and $60 USD to take you to your destination, which is probably just a 25-minute drive away.  Instead, ask for the ADO bus stop, and for +/- $4 USD ($45 pesos) , a comfortable bus will take you to the main ADO bus station in downtown Cancun.  From there, a taxi driver will charge you no more than $3 USD (the minimum is $20 pesos or $1.70 USD) if your hotel is located in Cancun Centro.

If your hotel is in on the main tourist route, the Cancun hotel zone, it’s still a better deal to take the ADO bus downtown and then take a taxi, which will cost you between $6 and $18 USD, depending on the location of your hotel in the hotel zone.

B) …the hotel zone and the beaches?

The easiest way to get to the beach, besides walking, is to take the bus. If you’re staying downtown, find your way to Tulum Avenue (Cancun Centro’s main street) or  to Wal-Mart, two centrally located spots with continuous public bus transportation to the hotel zone, where the newly recovered beaches are.  From Tulum Avenue, take bus numbers 1, 2, or 27; from Wal-Mart, take bus number 15.  All buses are well identified with the Hotel Zone – Downtown sign marked on their front window.  Bus fare is less than a dollar ($8.50 pesos).  There are several public beaches in the hotel zone, but Playa Chac Mool (pronounced “shuck mole”); Marlin, and El Mirador are the nicest.

C) …restaurants, nightclubs, etc.?

It depends on where you want to go.  If you are going to a restaurant or a nightclub (most likely) in the hotel zone, read item  B above.  If you plan to stay in downtown Cancun, it’s a good idea to buy a map and then walk or take a taxi.  The taxi will charge you the minimum fare ($20 pesos or $1.70 USD).  Ask your hotel or hostel concierge for recommendations on where to find an authentic Mexican meal.  They will usually know some great spots.

D) …Playa del Carmen & Puerto Morelos?

Go to the ADO bus station (see item A above), and you’ll find convenient, comfortable buses that travel frequently (almost every 15 to 20 minutes) to your destination.  For $3 USD, you can go to Playa del Carmen and for a bit less, to Puerto Morelos.

When you plan your visit, take a look at our Cancun travel deals, I’m sure that you’ll find the right one to enjoy your next Cancun vacation.

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Jorge is the Social Media Executive for Yucatan Holidays. He is 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.

Ya’ax Che Spa | Well-Being the Mayan Way

The name Ya’ax Che means La Ceiba, the Mayan tree of life.  This tree can be found in the center of the world – its roots penetrate the infra-world, its trunk rests on the Earth, and its highest branches hold up the sky.  Its branches represent five points of reference: the East is the sun; the North is the feminine; the South is the masculine; the West is the negative; and the center represents the human being.

Ya’ax Che Spas are located inside each of our hotels, offering guests the opportunity to experience wellness and relaxation in a traditional atmosphere.  Designed to reestablish balance with nature of the mind, body, and spirit, our treatments combine ancestral Mayan wisdom with advanced body health techniques and state-of-the-art equipment.

The philosophy of YA’AX CHE SPA is based on the Mayan belief that as human beings, we are connected to everything that surrounds us: the universe, our fellow men, and nature.  Ya’ax Che Spa will help you rediscover this balance in the center of your universe.

Spa treatments are enriched by applying elements of nature with indigenous ingredients, such as lemon grass, lime, jasmine, aloe, cacao, sesame, ecological honey from the tropical jungle and flowers, to name a few, and the use of sacred sounds, herbal baths, quartz and other stones.  The ancient knowledge of these rituals is combined with modern principles in treatments to renew energy and balance the physical, mental, and spiritual self.

Plan your winter vacation with Yucatan Holidays, and indulge yourself in one-of-a-kind spa treatments in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.  The experience of luxury wellness is up to you.

All Inclusive Vacation in Cancun & the Riviera Maya

Whether you’re with family, friends, or your partner, planning your vacation is an important thing to do and is something that must be done thoughtfully. If you’re looking for a great travel deal or an indulging experience regardless of the price, Cancun and the Riviera Maya have a large number of options for everyone. What usually motivates travelers (especially when it’s a family or a honeymoon trip) is convenience, like getting a special price that includes meals, drinks, entertainment, transportation, and other great activities in a quality, all inclusive package.

“Once favored by budget-minded couples and swinging singles, all-inclusives are now going upscale,” says Christian L. Wright from Condé Nast Traveler, and he’s right. The all inclusive concept that once referred to cheap buffet meals, low-class alcohol, and poor accommodations has now changed completely – and for the better.

Some of the most amazing, luxurious, and renowned hotel groups have discovered a perfect place for their mega resorts in the Riviera Maya, all of them offering tourists the all inclusive experience.

We know you want it.

The northern hemisphere is starting to welcome chilly weather, rain, and snow. Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe are looking for warmer temperatures, sunny days, and pristine beaches. The Riviera Maya and Cancun have all that and much more. The Mexico Caribbean is known worldwide for its endless summer atmosphere, and if you add the opportunity to have a complete, carefree experience at a nice resort, what else can you ask for?

Yes, we are All Inclusive!

Today, talking about all inclusive vacations means that you pay one price, a one-time only fee, and (depending on the resort) you won’t have to worry about transportation, meals, drinks, tips, outdoor activities, and if you’re lucky, about the nightlife. (Some resorts have their own bars and/or nightclubs!)

And we’re talking about worldclass meals at fine restaurants with the best chefs; for instance, El Alebrije (fine Mexican food) or  Kotori (Asian fusion) at Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort. This is a whole new concept in all inclusive vacations.

If you’re traveling with kids, you don’t have to worry either. At this premium resort, a wide range of activities for children are available. If you prefer to have a romantic evening, you’ll be able to request a qualified babysitter so you won’t have to worry about a thing.

If this isn’t enough, in addition to the all Inclusive services – and for a very reasonable price – the resort can coordinate some great tours to visit all the must-see places in the area (like the  Mayan ruins) or maybe just spend a whole day relaxing at a unique spa. It’s up to you.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are perfect yearlong destinations, so the only thing you have to do is start looking for the best deals (yes, these upscale resorts have really great options for different budgets, depending in the season). Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, in the heart of the Riviera Maya, is one the best options available. This luxurious resort offers not only premium, all inclusive services, but it includes a bonus: access to a private nature park with 10 cenotes and three rivers for swimming, snorkeling, diving, or kayaking, and hundreds of acres for hiking, bird watching or bicycling. Now, THAT’S all inclusive.

Enjoy  360° views of your next all inclusive resort, Hacienda Tres Rios.

Mexican Temazcal: A Pleasure at Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort

Linda Barnard, The Star’s online newspaper movie editor, had the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable purification experience. This “lover of saunas” with nine other people from different countries were indulged at Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort with the temazcal, a steam bath “combining the relaxing heat with an Aztec-Mayan ritual.” Being guided by a local shaman ─ “a healer, mystic and guide and a respected position among cultures around the world” ─ Linda and her companions spent a purifying evening with the “chance to become one with the universe inside.” After the temazcal session, they dipped into the chilly water of a cenote to finish with some tea and platters of fresh fruit. Don’t you wish to pamper yourself this way? Read the complete story of Linda Barnard in The Toronto Star’s website.

The shaman ouside of the temazcal at the eco friendly, endless luxury Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort

Three Mexican Treasures to Discover: Chichen Itzá, Tulum & Cobá

Immerse yourself in the best discoveries of ancient Mayan civilizations. The archaeology sites of ancient Mayan ruins are some of the “must-sees” and “must-dos” on your vacation in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Chichen Itza, recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is an archaeology site with exceptional pre-Hispanic Mayan ruins. Tour its sacred grounds, and see the astounding Kukulkan Pyramid. Then be awed by the shadowy image of a Kukulkan (snake) slithering down the pyramid stairs during the spring and fall equinox. Or experience the natural glow of the Sacred Cenote (a cave-like sinkhole with natural wells). Discover some of the most spectacular Mayan architecture at this impressive site.

Another “must-see” archaeology site of Mayan ruins is Tulum, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Mayan empire. Tulum is known as one of the most exquisite cities built by ancient Mayan architects. Once a Mayan fortress to the east of the Mayan region, Tulum was built on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, surrounded by rainforests. Experience the spiritual and cultural history of this distinctive site.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to many important archaeology sites of Mayan ruins. Coba, another “must-see” site, is distinguished by its unparalleled natural beauty. Surrounded by a majestic rainforest, unique cenotes, and various native plants and animals, including exotic birds and other wildlife, Coba offers both man-made architectural wonders and natural wonders of the Yucatan.

Discover the treasures yourself, you have been invited.