Welcome to our Cancun page. Please note that we have shown package prices in Canadian funds including air from Montreal, however, we can give you a quote from any departure city worldwide on request. Because of the large variance of rates from September 2004 to April 2005 we have shown the starting prices for each property. The exact price of your vacation will be determined by your date of departure and date of booking. Rates can be higher or lower than quoted
here. You will always be quoted the best price offered by our travel wholesalers at the time of booking. "Hotel-Only" rates are always available on request.
Cancun lies off the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Banking
Banks in Mexico are rapidly expanding and improving services. They tend to be open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, and often for at least a half day on Saturday. In larger resorts and cities, they can generally accommodate the exchange of dollars (which used to stop at noon) anytime during business hours. During times when the currency is in flux, a particular bank may not exchange
dollars, so check before standing in line. Some, but not all, banks charge a service fee of about 1% to exchange traveler's checks. However, you can pay for most purchases directly with traveler's checks at the establishment's stated exchange rate. Don't even bother with personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank -- the bank will wait for your check to clear, which can take weeks, before giving you your money.
Travelers to Mexico can easily withdraw money from ATMs in most major cities and resort areas. Universal bank cards (such as the Cirrus and PLUS systems) can be used. This is a convenient way to withdraw money and avoid carrying too much with you at any time. The exchange rate is generally more favorable than that at a currency house. Most machines offer Spanish/English menus and dispense pesos, but some offer the option of withdrawing
dollars. Traveler's checks denominated in dollars are readily accepted nearly everywhere, but they can be difficult to cash on a weekend or holiday or in an out-of-the-way place. Banks and other establishments in Mexico frequently charge a small commission when traveler's checks are used.
Currency
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. Paper currency comes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos, and 20 and 50 centavos (100 centavos = 1 peso). The current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this book, is around 10 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 10 pesos would
be equivalent to US$1.
Getting change is a problem. Small-denomination bills and coins are hard to come by, so start collecting them early in your trip. Shopkeepers everywhere always seem to be out of change and small bills; that's doubly true in markets.
Business Hours
In general, businesses in larger cities are open between 9am and 7pm; in smaller towns many close between 2 and 4pm. Most close on Sunday. In resort areas it is common to find stores open at least in the mornings on Sunday, and for shops to stay open late, often until 8pm or even 10pm. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 9 or 9:30am to anywhere between 3 and 7 pm.
Increasingly, banks open on Saturday for at least a half-day.
Safety
There is very little crime in Cancun. People are generally safe late at night in tourist areas; just use ordinary common sense. As at any other beach resort, don't take money or valuables to the beach. Cancun has a special corps of English-speaking Tourist Police to assist with directions, guidance, and more.
Water
Most hotels have decanters or bottles of purified water in the rooms, and the better hotels have either purified water from regular taps or special taps marked agua purificada. Some hotels charge for in-room bottled water. Virtually any hotel, restaurant, or bar will bring you purified water if you specifically request it but will usually charge you for it. Drugstores and
grocery stores sell bottled purified water. Some popular brands are Santa Maria, Ciel, and Bonafont. Do not drink water at small establishments that would not have purified water. Request drinks without ice cubes unless you are sure they are made with purified water.
Electricity
The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC (60 cycles), as in the United States and Canada. In reality, however, it may cycle more slowly and overheat your appliances. To compensate, select a medium or low speed on hair dryers. Many older hotels still have electrical outlets for flat two-prong plugs; you'll need an adapter for any plug with an enlarged end on one prong or
with three prongs. Many better hotels have three-hole outlets (trifasicos in Spanish). Those that don't may have loan adapters, but to be sure, it's always better to carry your own.
Drugstores
Farmacias (pharmacies) will sell you just about anything, with or without a prescription. Most pharmacies are open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. The major resort areas generally have one or two 24-hour pharmacies. Pharmacies take turns staying open during off hours; if you are in a smaller town and need to buy medicine during off hours, ask for the farmacia de
turno.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. English is spoken and understood to some degree in most tourist areas. Mexicans are very accommodating with foreigners who try to speak Spanish, even in broken sentences. For basic vocabulary, refer to appendix B.
Drug Use
It may sound obvious, but don't use or possess illegal drugs in Mexico. Mexican officials have no tolerance for drug users, and jail is their solution, with very little hope of getting out until the sentence (usually a long one) is completed or heavy fines or bribes are paid. Remember, in Mexico the legal system assumes you are guilty until proven innocent. Note: It
isn't uncommon to be befriended by a fellow user, only to be turned in by that "friend," who collects a bounty. Bring prescription drugs in their original containers. If possible, pack a copy of the original prescription with the generic name of the drug.
U.S. Customs officials are on the lookout for diet drugs that are sold in Mexico but illegal in the U.S. Possession could land you in a U.S. jail. If you buy antibiotics over the counter (which you can do in Mexico) and still have some left, U.S. Customs probably won't hassle you.
Taxes
Cancun has a value-added tax of 10% (Impuesto de Valor Agregado, or IVA; pronounced "ee-bah") on most everything, including restaurant meals, bus tickets, and souvenirs.
Time
Central time prevails throughout most of Mexico. The states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and parts of Nayarit are on Mountain time. The state of Baja California Norte is on Pacific time, but Baja California Sur is on Mountain time. All of Mexico observes daylight saving time.
Nightlife
One of Cancun's main draws is its active nightlife. The hottest centers of action are the Centro Comercial Maya Fair, Forum by the Sea, and La Isla Shopping Village. Hotels also compete, with happy-hour entertainment and special drink prices to entice visitors and guests from other resorts. Clubbing in Cancún, still called "discoing," is a favorite part of the
vacation experience and can go on each night until the sun rises over that incredibly blue sea. Several big hotels have nightclubs (usually discos) or schedule live music in their lobby bars. At discos, expect to stand in long lines on weekends, pay a cover charge of $15 to $25 per person, and pay $5.50 to $8.50 for a drink. Some of the higher-priced discos include an open bar or live entertainment.
Weather
Mexico has two main climate seasons: rainy (May to mid-Oct) and dry (mid-Oct to Apr). Though these rains can come on suddenly and be quite strong, they usually end just as quickly and cool off the air for the evening. Hurricaneseason particularly affects the Yucatan Peninsula and the southern Pacific coast, especially June through October. However, if no
hurricanes strike, the light, cooling winds, especially September through November, can make it a perfect time to tackle the pre-Hispanic ruins that dot the interior of the peninsula.
Norte (northern) season runs from late November to mid-January, when the jet stream dips far south and creates northerly winds and showers in many resort areas. These showers usually only last for a couple of days. June, July, and August are unrelentingly hot on the Yucatan Peninsula and in most coastal areas, though temperatures rise only into the mid-80s to 90°F (mid-20s to 32°C).
Grand Voyager recommends the Frommer guides which are updated every year. Frommer's Mexico features gorgeous full-color photos of the white-sand beaches, mysterious ruins, and colorful market towns that await you. The authors have lived in and written about Mexico for years, so they're able to
provide valuable insights and advice. Let them take you to exciting cities, charming colonial towns, lovely beach resorts, ancient ruins, traditional Maya villages, and natural wonders, from the Copper Canyon to the whale migration off Baja. Also included are accurate regional and town maps (including site plans of the major ruins), a free color fold-out map, and an online directory for easy trip-planning.
Cancun Island is one long, continuous beach. The white sand is so bright it's like walking on salt and coupled with the turquoise blue crystal clear waters, it makes for some of the most breath-taking beaches in the world. By law the entire coast of Mexico is federal property and open to the public. In reality, security guards discourage
locals from using the beaches outside hotels. Some all-inclusives distribute neon wristbands to guests; those without a wristband aren't actually prohibited from being on the beach -- just from entering or exiting via the hotel. Everyone is welcome to walk along the beach, as long as you get on or off from one of the public points. Unfortunately, these points are often miles apart. One way around the situation is to find a hotel open to the public, go into
the lobby bar for a drink or snack, and afterward go for a swim along the beach.
Most hotel beaches have lifeguards, but, as with all ocean swimming, use common sense -- even the calmest-looking waters can have currents and riptides. Overall, the beaches on the windward stretch of the island -- those facing the Bahia de Mujeres -- are best for swimming; farther out, the undertow can be tricky. Don't swim when the red or black danger flags fly; yellow flags indicate that you should proceed with caution, and green or blue flags mean
the waters are calm.
Two popular public beaches, Playa Tortugas (Km 7) and Chacmool (Km 10), have restaurants and changing areas, making them especially appealing for vacationers who are staying at the beachless downtown hotels. Be careful of strong waves at Chacmool, where it's tempting to walk far out into the shallow water. South of Chacmool are the usually deserted beaches of Playa Marlin or Playa Ballenas (between Km 15 and Km 16) and Playa Delfines (between Km 20 and Km
21), noted for its expansive views. Swimming can be treacherous in the rough surfs of Ballenas and Delfines, but the beaches are breezy, restful places for solitary sunbathing.
Large signs on the Zona Hotelera's lagoon side, roughly opposite El Pueblito hotel, point out the small Ruins of the King. First entered into Western chronicles in a 16th-century travelogue, then sighted in 1842 by American explorer John Lloyd Stephens and his draftsman, Frederick Catherwood, the ruins were finally explored by archaeologists in 1910, though excavations didn't begin until 1954. In 1975 archaeologists, along with the
Mexican government, began restoration work.
Dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC, del Rey is notable for having two main plazas bounded by two streets -- most other Maya cities contain only one plaza. The pyramid here is topped by a platform, and inside its vault are paintings on stucco. Skeletons interred both at the apex and at the base indicate that the site may have been a royal burial ground. Originally named Kin Ich Ahau Bonil, Maya for "king of the
solar countenance," the site was linked to astronomical practices in the ancient Maya culture. If you don't have time to visit the major sites, this one will give you an idea of what the ancient cities were like. The ruins are now part of an elaborate dinner show, which you needn't attend to visit the structures. COST: $4.50. OPEN: Daily 8-5.
TULUM
This is the Yucatan Peninsula's most-visited Maya ruin, attracting more than 2 million people annually. Though most of the architecture here is of unremarkable Postclassic (AD 900-1541) style, the amount of attention that Tulum receives is not entirely undeserved. Its location by the blue-green waters of the Caribbean is indeed breathtaking.
The Tulum parking lot, just off the highway, has separate areas for cars ($1) and buses. There's an enormous cement slab building filled with burger joints and tacky shops selling junky souvenirs manned by aggressive salespeople. An electric shuttle car hustles visitors from the parking lot to the temples ($1 each way); otherwise it's a 1/2km (1/4mi) walk. Another small open market selling souvenirs is at the shuttle stop.
At the entrance to the ruins you can hire a guide, but keep in mind that some of their information is more entertaining than historically accurate. (Disregard that stuff about virgin sacrifices atop the altars.) Because you are not allowed to climb or enter the fragile structures, you can take in the ruins in two hours. You might, however, want to allow extra time for a swim or a stroll on the beach, where ancient Maya beached their canoes.
Tulum is one of the few Maya cities known to have been inhabited when the conquistadors arrived in 1518. In the 16th century, Tulum functioned as a safe harbor for trade goods from rival Maya factions; it was considered neutral territory where merchandise could be stored and traded in peace. The city reached its height when traders, made wealthy through the exchange of goods, for the first time outranked Maya priests in authority and power. When the
Spaniards arrived, they forbade the Maya traders to sail the seas, and commerce among the Maya died.
You enter the archaeological site through a low limestone gateway in a crumbling wall. Low-lying structures dot the site's 60-acre grassy field, wrapped on three sides by a 3,600-ft-long wall, formerly a double wall. The first significant structure is the two-story Temple of the Frescoes, to the left of the entryway. The temple's vault roof and corbel arch are examples of Classic Maya architecture. Faint traces of blue-green frescoes outlined in
black on the inner and outer walls refer to ancient Maya beliefs. Reminiscent of the Mixtec style, the frescoes depict the three worlds of the Maya and their major deities and are decorated with stellar and serpentine patterns, rosettes, and ears of maize and other offerings to the gods. One scene portrays the rain god seated on a four-legged animal -- probably a reference to the Spaniards on their horses.
The largest and most famous building, the Castillo (castle), looms at the edge of a 40-ft limestone cliff just past the Temple of the Frescoes. Atop the castle, at the end of a broad stairway, sits a temple with stucco ornamentation on the outside and traces of fine frescoes inside the two chambers. The front wall of the Castillo has faint carvings of the Descending God and columns depicting the plumed serpent god, Kukulcan, who was introduced to
the Maya by the Toltecs. The regal structure overlooks the rest of Tulum and an expanse of dense jungle to the west; the blue Caribbean blocks access from the east.
The other buildings at the site typically have flat roofs resting on wood beams and columns with few distinguishing features. Buildings were laid out along straight streets running the length of the site with a slight dip, or culvert, between two gentle slopes. COST: $8; use of video camera extra. OPEN: Daily 8-5.
EL Castillo, or Kulkulkan's Pyramid is without question the most impressive monument in Chichen-Itza. It stands in the middle of a vast esplanade encircled by several other important buildings, allowing the visitor to admire from a distance its perfect proportions and design. It is a masterpiece of Toltec-Maya architectural genius.
The pyramid, sustained by a square base measuring 60 yards (55.5 mt) by side, is formed by nine terraced bodies with sloping walls whose faces are ornamented with protruding rectangular panels. On the center of each side of the pyramid rises a monumental stair way flanked by two straight balustrades. The four stairways lead to the platform that is at the top of the structure, where the temple was raised. The main stairway is on the
northern side of the building and is easily recognizable because at the foot of each balustrade, resting on the ground, is the formidable stone sculpture of a plumed serpent's head. The entrance to the sanctuary also faces north and consists of a portico divided into three doors by two columns shaped like rattlesnakes in the purest Toltec style: their heads forming the base, their bodies the shaft and their tails the capital of the columns. The temple's
vaulted chamber is borne by two pillars sculptured with the figures of warriors richly dressed, carvings that are repeated on the door jambs and are also Toltec in taste. The portico gives access to a narrow gallery that surrounds the temple, with openings to the other three stairways. The facade is adorned with a mask of God Chac above the doorway and a plain frieze between two thick, straight moldings, while the roof is crowned by merlons in the form of
cross-sectioned conches, a reference to Quetzalcoatl as the God of Wind.
El Castillo was devoted to the cult of Kukulkan; yet, Maya experts who have studied its structure believe it was also connected with the worshiping of the sun. This is why: each stairway has 91 steps; consequently, the four stairways total 364 steps, plus the upper platform that constitutes one more step, add up to 365 steps, or the number of days in a solar year. Each side of the pyramid has 52 panels, a number equal to the years in a
Toltec cycle. The nine terraced bodies that form the 4 faces of the pyramid are divided by a flight of stairs resulting in 18 sections, corresponding to the 18 months months of the Maya Calendar.
Another construction very similar to the one just described lies intact underneath. It is a pyramidal structure as well, - with a temple on top of it -, also formed by nine terraced bodies. Its stairway, however, has only 61 steps and the sanctuary is of a simpler style than the one above it, with just an inside shrine and an antechamber. The outside walls are adorned with entwined serpents, prowling tigers, coats of arms and rosettes.
This inner structure most probably was one of the earliest erected by the Toltecs in the Yucatan Peninsula and is an excellent example of the religious custom of superposing one monument above the previous one at the end of a cycle of 52 years. (One bundle year = 52 years) In the antechamber of the older temple archaeologists found the reclining figure of a Chac-mool (meaning "Red Claw", possibly a messenger of the gods) with shell incrustations in his eyes,
teeth and fingernails. Inside the shrine was the sculpture of a fierce - looking jaguar with open fauces, painted red and with spots of inlaid jade discs on his coat, his eyes made of jade balls and his fangs of flint, that probably served as a throne for the high priests. A beautiful offering was found on this seat, consisting of Turquoise mosaic disk delicately wrought. The entrance that leads to the inner structure is located at the base of the northern
side of the exterior pyramid
If you can make only one excursion while in Cancun you must make it Xcaret. Explore the undersea world without getting wet. Well composed aquariums illustrate the various types of reefs and their importance, along with hard-to-believe fish and aquatic life forms. There’s even a petting zoo where you can touch residents of the reefs. Saltwater flows freely between the aquaria and the
Caribbean, bringing along a variety of marine life. Experience a coral reef - one of our planet's richest ecosystems.
Stroll white sands, take a dip in the tranquil bay, drift in an inner tube, or view the ocean bed through the view port of a water-board. Reward yourself with relaxation, on the beach at Xcaret.
Bask in a pristine natural lagoon - the site of ancient Pole, revered by the Maya, and one of the finest examples in the Riviera Maya. You'll be surrounded by schools of curious, brightly colored tropical fish. Ringed by comfortable chairs, picnic tables and hammocks, the Blue Lagoon's sparkling ambience makes for great fun in the sun or superb relaxation. It's a
great place to learn to snorkel, too. Restaurant and snack bars are within a brief walk. Easy access to the water for children and physically challenged.
Make your dreams come true! Swim with the dolphins in Paradise, learn about them and play with them! Our Dolphin Aquarium gives you the chance to interact with them in a specially designed tank that simulates their natural habitat. The dolphins love to be petted and freely interact with their visitors in this program where the dolphins are the guides! Swimmers learn about the dolphin's strength and speed as
they are pushed along by the dolphins or feel them jumping over their heads. We are proud to say that this is probably the best ‘swim with the dolphins' program in existence, and visitors agree with us.
Unique rivers wind through Xcaret's naturally occurring system of underground rivers. Cool and refreshing, either of the Park's two subterranean river experiences are a great way to start your day. Life jackets and locking bags for your personal belongings are provided at the entrance to each river. Your belongings will be waiting for you at the end of your
adventure. There are multiple exits and stopping points along each river so you may take a break or explore. Easy and safe, even for non-swimmers. Xcaret's spectacular night show is an experience for all your senses: an epic celebration with the sights and sounds of a grand festival set in Mexico's golden years and the mysticism and splendor of ancient Mayan kings. It features a colorful fair, the
drama of the pre-hispanic ballgame and the ball of fire in the impressive Tlachco ballcourt, followed by an unforgettable gala performance of Mexico's regional music and dance. Over 200 performers in an incredible pageantry of color, sight and sound. Truly an amazing place to visit!
The Yucatan Peninsula, site of the Dos Ojos Cavern Dive, contains the most extensive system of under-water caverns and caves in the world; a place where much of this natural phenomenon is yet to be discovered!.For competent certified Open Water divers, we offer an opportunity to experience the world´s most incredible cavern dive in this Mayan realm of cenotes and lost worlds. You will float in crystal clear water through this
Yucatecan dreamland of natural cavern formations and feel the ancient and timeless forces of nature that carved these beautiful caverns. With a maximum depth of 30 feet (10 m) and never more than 150 feet (50 m) from air, there is 1,500 feet of cavern to see without ever leaving the light zone. These unique tours are guided by knowledgeable, certified cave divers in groups of four or less.
The first dive is a traverse from one cenote to another. During this 45 minute dive you will explore the vast cavern zone of Dos Ojos (Two Eyes). The crystal clear waters offers unlimited visibility and gives the feeling of flight, as you silently view the unbelievable beauty that has made this cenote so famous. The play of light and colors combined with the awesome formations make this dive a truly unforgettable experience. The second dive is to the
Caverna de Murcielagos (Bat Cave), which takes you through galleries ranging from huge columns and stalactites to very fine and intricate formations. This is truly a mind blowing area and often divers are so impressed that they come up to the surface speechless. This dive has been described as having the most intense beauty of any cavern in the world. A unique experience for sure.
Location: Do it at HIDDEN WORLDS, on km 243 Highway Cancun-Tulum, 2 min south from Xelha.You can get there easily by car or taxi from your hotel.
Recommendations:: NECESSARY walking shoes (tennis shoes or tevas are O.K.), insect repellent and drinking water, 3 mm full wet suit RECOMMENDED, camera, and small bag to carry everything... The Tak Be Ha Snorkel and Jungle Adventure is a tour for those who truly wish to get off the beaten track and experience a real adventure with nature. The tour includes walking, swimming, snorkeling, climbing ladders and walking over rocks and jungle
paths. This is not a Disneyland-type park; you will be going into the jungle and should arrive prepared.
Dive among sharks in an unforgettable, unique, safe and exciting way. Meet them face to face and feel adrenaline running through your veins only at the Interactive Aquarium at Plaza la Isla in Cancun hotel zone.
Location: The Aquarium is in Plaza la Isla Mall, in Cancun hotel zone.
Recommendations:: Swim suit and towel. Photograph and video camera is permitted.
Includes: Guide ( English Spanish ) , entrance fee ( to the Aquarium) , special equipment (Wet suit, visor, snorkel tube, shower, lockers and food for the sharks.)
MAYAN RIVIERA
Riviera Maya, is located along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, between Cancun and Tulum, the famous Mayan archaeological site. Large tourist developments and rustic lodgings are intermingled among the rain forests and the natural coastline. The Riviera Maya is
a place for adventure: diving, snorkeling, jungle walks, archaeological sites and ruins, underground rivers, cenotes, caverns, beautiful white sandy beaches, bays, mangroves, and inlets.On the coast of the Riviera Maya there are several locations of different importance, size and origin. The heart of the Riviera Maya is the city of Playa del Carmen, which can be considered specifically as a destination by itself. This city has the higher rate of growth
in the country. Here you will find all the services and support that you may require during your stay in the Riviera Maya, in addition, restaurants and shopping. Playa del Carmen’s commercial pier is the place where ferries transport people to and from the Island of Cozumel.
We encourage you to program a visit for the day to Playa del Carmen. At sunset, walk by the fifth avenue, look around its stores, and choose a restaurant to have a superb meal, this is something you cannot miss.
Tulum is the second town in importance in the Riviera Maya, denominated just as the famous archaeological zone, although it is a small town of just a few streets running parallel to the Federal highway which is in reality its main avenue. In Tulum you can find basic services that are no longer available in other coastal settlements of the southern part of the Riviera Maya.
There are other small towns and settlements, like Chemuyil and Akumal, the last, an old port with a small town. Hotels and residential areas can be found in this place. Excellent for a relaxing vacation and to enjoy the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean, offering different options for aquatic activities such as squba diving and snorkeling.
The ethnic makeup of this area is indigenous in origin, belonging to the Maya race. There are also other races present, due to the influx brought about by the zone's economic development over the past 20 years.
ISLA MUJERES
Isla Mujeres is a small, calm island located to the north of Cancun. The island is colorful and natural, with both exclusive hotels and inexpensive lodgings. The delightful owner run restaurants and numerous handicraft stores of Isla Mujeres are fun to visit. Isla Mujeres has interesting natural sites and is surrounded by an attractive underwater diver's paradise perfect for sea adventures.
Isla Mujeres is a privileged place with a unique natural and cultural wealth in Mexico. This beatiful island combines the beauty of the Caribbean, the dense tropical jungle and the wonderful heritage of the Maya civilization. It stands out as one of Mexico's natural treasures, a truly delightful paradise on earth. In addition to its beaches and the stunning natural architecture of its cliffs, Isla Mujeres has archaeological
vestiges and marine parks with incredible natural reefs.
The beautiful island of Cozumel, the largest inhabited island in Mexico, is a paradise for divers from all over the world. The island is surrounded by more than 25 reef formations where divers of all ages and skills can enter into a completely
fascinating and different world: endless coral inhabited by immense shoals of colorful fish. The possibilities are interminable for both beginners and experts. East of the Yucatan Peninsula, on top of the age-old structures of the Mayan coral reef, the second largest in the world, stands the Island of Cozumel. Its name, derived from the word Cuzamil, meaning “island of swallows” in Maya, conjures up memories of its pre-Hispanic origin, the conquest of
America and the pirates and buccaneers that thronged its seas.
The Island of Cozumel measures 48 km from north to south but only 16 from east to west. On either side of the island, beaches form a long, white sandy coast. Gentle waves and transparent waters wash the western side of the island, while huge waves crash against the eastern side. Its flora and fauna have a number of unusual features and include certain endemic species, such as the dwarf raccoon and the Cozumel wren. Cozumel’s greatest wealth, however, lies
underwater.
Before the arrival of the conquistadors, the island was a major commercial and ceremonial center. During the colonial era, it was largely uninhabited, except for sporadic stays by pirates and turtle hunters. In the mid-19th century, groups of settlers arrived from the Yucatan Peninsula, fleeing the War of the Castes. The following years saw the development of the chicle extraction business on the mainland and Cozumel became
a center for collecting and subsequently exporting this gum. Jacques Cousteau’s declarations in 1960 about the richness of the coral reef surrounding the island made underwater enthusiasts aware of Cozumel’s existence. San Miguel de Cozumel, the capital of the island, is a peaceful old village, with all the charm of the Mexican Caribbean. The quality of its gastronomy, based on its excellent seafood, is legendary throughout the region.
Its provincial air does not make it any less comfortable or modern. Its days are sunny and full of unforgettable experiences, while its nights are ideal for those who enjoy discotheques and bars.
No trip is complete without gifts and souvenirs; the Mexican Caribbean offers a world of shops for you to choose from. As Mexico 's most popular tourist destination, Cancun has many fine shopping centers with everything from street side jewelry stands, clean grocery stores and several ultra modern and attractive shopping malls with every imaginable item. You'll find plenty of opportunities to purchase gifts, travel needs, sporting goods, quality liquor
and more. Cancun is a duty-free zone; here you pay the lowest prices in Mexico on items such as perfume, spirits and fine jewelry.
Cancun City , where most of the local population lives, is a picturesque site where you may be able to bargain, take your chance. Because of the rich cultural diversity of the region you can find all kinds of unique stuff. Along the right-hand side of Tulum Avenue , the main street downtown, is a sprawling market-bazaar where
people try to persuade you to look at their wares. Another good spot to check out souvenirs is Mercado Veintiocho (Market 28). Another good spot to check out souvenirs is Mercado Veintiocho (Market 28).
Plaza Kukulcan
This shopping center has more than 250 shops and boutiques in a close and safe environment, 6 specialty restaurants, bars, cafes, 2 theaters and bowling, as well as a Food Court offering 9 different options. Features international famous designers boutiques sheltered within a spacious, air conditioned areas with covered parking and elevator service for the physically challenged. There are many good reasons
why you should visit it when you visit Cancun .
La Isla
La Isla Shopping Village is on the Nichupte Lagoon under a giant canopy. It is a shopping center with more than 150 national and international stores, therefore it is the most important commercial center in Cancun 's Hotel Zone. This amazing shopping and entertainment center states the transition from one millennium to another. Primarily, due to its untraditional mall infrastructure which preserves the
natural beauty and attractions which Mexico 's main tourist pole has to offer. Yet, this open-air architecture counts with the most advanced technology and optimized comfort, the finest stores and entertainment facilities at international level in this region. A series of canals and small bridges are designed to give the place a Venetian look. You can not miss it!
Plaza Caracol
Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, Plaza Caracol offers the visitor the finest in international and Mexican brands in an atmosphere designed to guarantee the best in shopping and dinning experiences. Plaza Caracol is the only mall offering the service of the U.S. and Canadian consular offices.
Plaza Flamingo
In shopping and dining, Plaza Flamingo is the ultimate experience. Here you will find the biggest names in the Fast Food industry and a complete assortment of restaurants with different types of food. Don't forget to visit this mall when you visit Cancun .
Wonderful food is Mexico's gift to the world, and the Mexicans take cooking very seriously. Cancun is also a paradise for gourmets. You can find just about anything to eat with any kind of ambience. Many of the restaurants have live music and decor that when combined with the cuisine and excellent service makes for a memorable dining experience.
It only takes an afternoon stroll by the Boulevard
Kukulkan where you will not only get your appetite whetted but you'll be seduced by the architecture and the settings: breathtaking sunsets on the lagoon's piers, candlelit Mayan gardens, avant-garde verandas in glass, teak and frosted glass, elegant and fresh indoors with thematic decor… as well as the genuine smile from the people that will serve you, will make more than impossible resisting to treat yourself.
Although many people visiting Cancun stay at all-inclusive hotels, it's great to try something new as a change from your hotel fare. Eating in Cancun is a real treat. There is such variety everything from fast food joints serving burgers and fries to elegant dining rooms with a wide range of cuisine from Italian to Japanese and, of course, authentic Mexican.
These are a few of the most popular ones:
Club Grill
This is the place for that special night out. Cancun's most elegant and stylish restaurant is also among its most delicious. Even rival restaurateurs give it an envious thumbs up. The gracious service starts as you enter the anteroom, with its comfortable seating and selection of fine tequilas and
Cuban cigars. It continues in a candlelit dining room with shimmering silver and crystal. Elegant plates of peppered scallops, truffles, and potatoes in tequila sauce; grilled lamb; or mixed grill arrive at a leisurely pace. The restaurant has smoking and nonsmoking sections. A band plays romantic music for dancing from 8pm on.
Cuisine
INTERNATIONAL
Hours
Tues-Sun 7-11pm
Address
Km 13.5 Paseo Kukulkán
Location
In the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cancun Island
Reservations
Reservations required
Dress Code
No sandals or tennis shoes; men must wear long pants
Phone
998/885-0808
Prices
Main courses $30-$40
Credit Cards
AE, DC, MC, V
La Dolce Vita
Casually elegant La Dolce Vita is Cancun's favorite Italian restaurant. Appetizers include pate of quail liver and carpaccio in vinaigrette, and mushrooms Provencal. The chef specializes in homemade pastas combined with fresh seafood. You can order green tagliolini with lobster medaillons, linguine with clams or seafood, or rigatoni
Mexican-style (with chorizo, mushrooms, and chives) as a main course, or as an appetizer for half price. Other main courses include veal with morels, fresh salmon with cream sauce, and fresh fish in a variety of sauces. Recently added choices include vegetarian lasagna and grilled whole lobster. You have a choice of dining in air-conditioned comfort or on an open-air terrace with a view of the lagoon. Live
jazz plays from 7 to 11:30pm Monday through Saturday.
Cuisine
ITALIAN, SEAFOOD
Hours
Daily noon-midnight
Address
Km 14.6 Av. Kukulkan
Location
On the lagoon, opposite the Marriott Casa Magna, Cancun Island
In a garden setting with soft music playing in the background, this restaurant is ideal for a romantic evening. For an all-out culinary adventure, try habichuela (string bean) soup; shrimp in any number of sauces, including Jamaican tamarind, tequila, or ginger-and-mushroom; and Maya coffee with
xtabentun (a strong, sweet, anise-based liqueur). Grilled seafood and steaks are excellent, but this is a good place to try a Mexican specialty such as enchiladas suizas or tampiqueña-style beef (thinly sliced, marinated, and grilled). For something totally divine, try Cocobichuela, which is lobster and shrimp in curry sauce served in a coconut shell and topped with fruit.
Cuisine
GOURMET SEAFOOD, CARIBBEAN, MEXICAN
Hours
Daily noon-midnight
Address
Margaritas 25
Location
Cancun City
Reservations
Reservations recommended in high season
Phone
998/884-3158
E-mail
habichuela@infosel.net.mx
Prices
Main courses $12-$35
Credit Cards
AE, MC, V
Mango Tango
The beauty of dining here is that you can stay and enjoy a hot nightspot. Mango Tango has made a name for itself with sizzling floor shows and live reggae music, but its kitchen deserves attention as well. Try the peel-your-own shrimp, Argentine-style grilled meat with chimichurri sauce, and
other grilled specialties. Mango Tango salad is shrimp, chicken, avocado, red onion, tomato, and mushrooms served on mango slices. Entrees include rice with seafood and fried bananas. Creole gumbo comes with lobster, shrimp, and squid, and coconut-and-mango cake is a suitable finish to the meal.
Cuisine
INTERNATIONAL
Hours
Daily 2pm-2am
Address
Km 14.2 Paseo Kukulkán
Location
Opposite the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cancun Island
Reservations
Reservations recommended
Phone
998/885-0303
Prices
Main courses $12-$57; dinner show $40
Credit Cards
AE, MC, V
Maria Bonita
In a stylish setting overlooking the water, Maria Bonita captures the essence of the country through its music and food. Prices are higher and the flavors more institutionalized than at traditional Mexican restaurants in Ciudad Cancun, but this is a good choice for the Hotel Zone. There are three sections:
La Cantina Jalisco, with an open kitchen and tequila bar; the Salon Michoacan, which features that state's cuisine; and the Patio Oaxaca. The menu encompasses the best of Mexico's other cuisines, with a few international dishes. Prix-fixe dinners include appetizer, main course, and dessert. Trios, marimba and jarocho music, and mariachis serenade you while you dine. A nice starter is Mitla salad, with slices of the
renowned Oaxaca cheese dribbled with olive oil and coriander dressing. Wonderful stuffed chile La Dona -- a mildly hot poblano pepper filled with lobster and huitlacoche, in a cream sauce -- comes as an appetizer or a main course.
Cuisine
REGIONAL, MEXICAN, NOUVELLE MEXICAN
Hours
Daily 6:30-11:45pm
Location
In the Hotel Camino Real, Punta Cancun (enter from the street), Cancun Island
EL Castillo, or Kulkulkan's Pyramid is without question the most impressive monument in Chichen-Itza. It stands in the middle of a vast esplanade encircled by several other important buildings, allowing the visitor to admire from a distance its perfect proportions and design. It is a masterpiece of Toltec-Maya architectural genius.
Dive among sharks in an unforgettable, unique, safe and exciting way. Meet them face to face and feel adrenaline running through your veins only at the Interactive Aquarium at Plaza la Isla in Cancun hotel zone. 
This shopping center has more than 250 shops and boutiques in a close and safe environment, 6 specialty restaurants, bars, cafes, 2 theaters and bowling, as well as a Food Court offering 9 different options. Features international famous designers boutiques sheltered within a spacious, air conditioned areas with covered parking and elevator service for the physically challenged. There are many good reasons
why you should visit it when you visit Cancun .
La Isla Shopping Village is on the Nichupte Lagoon under a giant canopy. It is a shopping center with more than 150 national and international stores, therefore it is the most important commercial center in Cancun 's Hotel Zone. This amazing shopping and entertainment center states the transition from one millennium to another. Primarily, due to its untraditional mall infrastructure which preserves the
natural beauty and attractions which Mexico 's main tourist pole has to offer. Yet, this open-air architecture counts with the most advanced technology and optimized comfort, the finest stores and entertainment facilities at international level in this region. A series of canals and small bridges are designed to give the place a Venetian look. You can not miss it! 
Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, Plaza Caracol offers the visitor the finest in international and Mexican brands in an atmosphere designed to guarantee the best in shopping and dinning experiences. Plaza Caracol is the only mall offering the service of the U.S. and Canadian consular offices. 
In shopping and dining, Plaza Flamingo is the ultimate experience. Here you will find the biggest names in the Fast Food industry and a complete assortment of restaurants with different types of food. Don't forget to visit this mall when you visit Cancun .
Wonderful food is Mexico's gift to the world, and the Mexicans take cooking very seriously. Cancun is also a paradise for gourmets. You can find just about anything to eat with any kind of ambience. Many of the restaurants have live music and decor that when combined with the cuisine and excellent service makes for a memorable dining experience.