Cancun Cenote Diving

March 16, 2009 on 12:46 pm | In All | 1 Comment

On your next trip to Cancun, take a step away from the Hotel Zone for a morning or afternoon and take just a short trip outside of Cancun for a unique experience perfect for the adventure traveler. Cavern diving, or Cenote diving, in Cancun is a popular activity sought by tourists interested in a little underwater exploration to add some excitement to their vacation. Cancun not only offers your typical open-water water dives, it also offers a cavern (Cenote) diving experiences in massive underground cavern systems.

Why Cenote Diving?
Cenote diving offers divers the unique experience of exploring underground, underwater ecosystems that is unlike any other dive locations. These freshwater caverns were formed over millions of years as rainwater from above seeped through the ground, creating hollow caverns. As time passed, portions of the ground above gave way creating openings to the caverns below.

Due to the freshwater composition of many Cenotes, visibility is an incredible 200 meters, making for an exceptional dive experience. Additionally, the shallow nature of the Cenotes also means longer dive times and moderate water temperatures. Because of these ideal conditions, divers of all skill levels are able to enjoy this unique experience.

As in many other caverns, stalactites and stalagmites cover portions of the top and bottom of the caverns. Laser beams of light penetrate the surface above, lighting the way and creating a unique and colorful underwater aura. Shadows and outlines of massive rock formations can be seen throughout. With regards to marine life, several species of blind fish and shrimp are commonly seen in the caverns, few of which grow very large. The large majority of the appeal and aura behind Cenote diving comes from the rock structures that have formed of the millions of years of the Cenote creation.

To explore the Cenotes just outside of Cancun, there is no special certification necessary other than a standard open-water dive certification. While advanced certification classes are available, there are many beginner dives that are safe as long as you’re working with an experienced guide. For advanced divers, there are several caves in the area that are slightly more difficult to dive. Again, an experienced guide is recommended for any cave dive.

Next time you’re in Cancun, take a leap of adventure from your luxury hotel to the underwater paradise offered by the Cancun Cenotes!

Cerveza en Mexico

May 29, 2008 on 5:00 pm | In All | 1 Comment

Beer and Mexico are practically synonymous—the light brews at least. The list of big names resonate old-world Hispania and are notorious outside their country of origin—Bohemia, Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo Especial, Negro Modelo, Pacifico, and Tecate.

Long-touted as a haven for the best beers of the world, the educated beer-connoisseur or casual drinking can correct and probably re-direct you to a more appropriate aisle.

But that does not necessarily discount Mexico from the arena of good brews.

There are a few beers with fairly recognizable names that come in a few other strains that are unfamiliar to other countries because, well, they can’t be exported.

• Corona Familiar – Comes in a quart and is stronger than normal corona, carrying a discerning taste that, in my opinion, is a little more inviting than its namesake.

• Corona Cerveca de Barril – Again, much better than regular Corona. A similar, but not too similar, taste to Corona Familiar except sold in smaller, “Mickey” bottles.

• Noche Buena – Made by Dos Equis and only shows its face around the Winter holiday season. Dark, Rich flavor that can not be exported beyond the Mexican border.

Whatever your taste—Pilsner, IPA, Stout, Lager—sampling a beer that has been freshly bottled is unlike an import; the difference is in the taste. Next time you stay in Mexico, take an afternoon to sit back and enjoy a cold one.

Dabbling in the Local Culture

May 23, 2008 on 10:01 am | In All | No Comments

When we think of culture, we thing of food, language, unique customs, and the arts. In Cancun, the latter is often depicted in bright colors and vibrant music that populated parks and street corners.

What often slips the minds of visitors to this popular Mexican city is that besides the chic Cancun luxury resorts, beaches, clubs and booze, it’s a full-functional society and economic-hub.

Equipped with a cornucopia of playhouses, theaters, and museums, living beyond Cancun’s ‘Hotel Zone’ is a fresh and unique experience.

Ballet Folklorico de Cancun

Located at the Cancun Convention Center, the Ballet Folklorico is a dinner show that features music and dance from every stretch of the country. Dinner-show guests should expect to pay around USD $48, which includes dinner, open bar, show, tax, and tip. However, you can opt for paying only USD $30 for the show and open bar, only.

Tickets are sold between 8am and 9pm at a booth at the Convention Center entrance.

El Mexicano Restaurant Folkloric Ballet & Mariachis

Located in the Costa Blanca shopping center and is a highly-recommended experience for all ages. Every performance includes live mariachi music, dancing, and a folkloric ballet. The restaurant is not to be understated, either, dishing out large, colorful plates of fresh and authentic Mexican foods.

Expect all performances to begin at 7pm and last until 11pm.

Casa De Cultura Art Center

Located at SM21 in downtown Cancun city. A hub of plays, art exhibits, and dance performances.

Museo de Antropologia e Historia

Located in the ‘Hotel Zone’ on the south side of the Centro de Convenciones. Cancun’s Museum of Anthropology and History and a large, multi-level sample of centuries of Mexico’s culture.

How America Travels to Cancun

May 22, 2008 on 3:59 pm | In All | No Comments

It’s strange, really, that despite all the downward economic trends, the hospitality industry is still strong as an ox and lively as ever. What’s especially surprising is the trend that sees vacationers gravitating toward the luxury all inclusive Cancun resorts which may or may not include Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort and Dreams Cancun—it does.

So who’s booking the suites and penthouse lofts and soaking in the decadence that is lavish resort life? Chiefly the younger, twenty to thirty-somethings with a penchant for chic, European style and with faster, streamlined intentions.

USA Today says they’re attracted to glitz-and-glam luxe resorts, like moths to a flame because of the experience—bigger beds, bigger TVs, heightened integration of technologies such as IPods and WIFI, and, more importantly, the one-on-one, all-for-you treatment they receive over the course of their stay.

Another factor is the low percentage of children. What used to be hotspots for babies and toddlers yammering on in a nonsensical blather, have been upgraded to luxury settings that guarantee a more identifiable and older crowd.

As Boston.com reports, vacationing surrounded by children is just “not appealing.”

Some vacationers even go as far as abstaining from resorts that cater to older children. You know, the spring break crowd, populated by co-eds across the nation.

“Nothing breaks your relaxation quicker than noise,” says Philip Ghorabegian, a “busy” Los Angelan Lawyer.

Enjoying your vacation to Cancun is not a product of effort or practice, but one that comes with the territory. When you step foot on the pillowy white beaches, something inside you clicks and the big meeting in the upcoming week, or the relentless client that’s been looming of your shoulder at work, seemingly disappear. The only planning for Cancun is where you are going to stay, when you are going to stay, and for how long.

Cancun pt. 2 – Tipping

May 18, 2008 on 1:12 pm | In All | No Comments

If you’re like me, tipping anywhere outside of a restaurant setting equates to confusion. Who do you tip? And if you do tip, then how much do you tip? It’s unsurprising, then, that this dilemma is something of a world-wide epidemic. Billions of people confront a similar scenario every day.

Tipping on vacation, however, is in a completely separate realm and elevates uncertainty to a new level.

In Cancun, there is a general set of guidelines assigned to tipping that can help you redirect your focus from the logistics of tipping, back to your vacation.

Daily maid service – At any luxury Cancun resort or other Cancun accommodation, maid services are not commonly tipped. It is a nice gesture and if service was profound for the entire stretch of your vacation, then a tip of 20 to 60 pesos, depending on how many shared the room, is perfectly adequate.

Tips should be left on a pillow, or unmade bed, or in the mini-bar; otherwise it will not be taken.

Dining/Bars – 15% is the recognized rate for good service at restaurants or bars. Note: Many establishments have begun tacking on an additional 10% to the bill, so be sure to adjust accordingly.

Supermarkets – It is customary to tip the person bagging your groceries about 5 pesos, or 50 cents.

Tour guides – Because guides provide a service they should be tipped according to your satisfaction. 20 to 50 pesos should be adequate.

Anything and everything else is fair game in terms of tipping. If extraordinary service is rendered, then don’t be stingy. Fish your pockets for a few extra pesos to express your gratitude; you never know, the result of such kindness could lead to new services or suggestions that make for a more memorable stay in Cancun.

Cancun pt. 1 – Commute

May 18, 2008 on 1:10 pm | In All | No Comments

You’ve spent the last five hours in a stuffy, close-quartered cabin; what sleep you had originally planned on was whisked away by an ensemble of crying babies and plane turbulence.

When you finally arrive to Cancun, its beauty eludes you as your only priority is getting to that luxury Cancun resort and crashing into a king-sized bed.

A taxi from the airport will cost you a non-negotiable 400 pesos, or 40 USD. A perfectly safe alternative are collective taxis, or collectivos, that you share with other passengers and occasionally detours for milk runs. Getting to the airport from anywhere else, however, is dramatically reduced to a negotiable 200 pesos.

Once you’ve slept the plane flight out of your system, recouped, and are ready to explore the city, there are only a few, but widely available, means of commuting to-and-from locales.

The bus is quite possibly the cheapest and most common form of transportation in Cancun, with fares costing approximately 7 pesos, or 70 cents. Cab fare, on the other hand, will spike a bit, but at around 6 dollars, the convenience can not be overstated.

If constant movement and countless outings are on the agenda, then renting a car should not be too far out of your realm of consideration.

A word of warning: Parking is limited in the hotel zone and the police in Mexico are eager to hand out tickets for traffic violations. With seatbelt fines at 22 USD and speeding tickets at 100 USD, anything but diligent driving could result in some unexpected travel expenses.

As long as you remember to bring small change and carry a basic set of Spanish phrases with you, Traveling about Cancun should become instinctive, and something of utility, not a source of anxiety.