Sian Ka’an Tours – The Authentic Yucatan

Twelve habitats comprise the 1.3 million acres of Sian Ka’an and with a human population of only 2000, visiting the reserve would allow you the chance to experience one of the few remaining vestiges of unspoiled earth. In 1986, the land became part of the UNESCO ‘Man and the Biosphere’ program, an attempt to “integrate human activities without compromising other forms of life contained within its boundaries.” At present, this cohabitation exists in coastal regions and small fishing villages. And at such an impressive ratio, the exclusive Sian Ka’an is sanctuary to both an array of ecosystem and the eco-savvy tourists that visit them.

At $4 a day, the reserve oversees a number of tours, escorting its visitors to the most traditional form of vacationing in the Yucatan. Canal and Bird-watching excursions provide a non-restricting means to explore habitats diverse of the flora and fauna, 103 mamalia, and 336 bird species that inhabit Sian Ka’an.

Canal Tour

• Follow a 1200 year old Mayan trade route.
• Visit ruins within the reserve.
• Observe lush flora and fauna unique to the reserve.
• Float down a freshwater river.
• Learn Mayan history.

All-Day Canal Tour

• Travel the waters by 23′ open-air boat.
• Experience the different ecosystems, plants, and birds.
• Navigate a natural canal Mayan trade route.
• Float along a freshwater canal as the current carries you downstream.
• Lunch and snacks provided.
• Walk through a Sian Ka’an garden.
• Cool off swimming at a cenote.

Price: $70/person. Transportation is provided to and from ME Cancun and other resorts of the Cancun hotel zone. The reserve limits its patronage to 12 people a day and recommends visitors bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunblock.

Sunset Bird Watching Tour
(Operates December – May)

• Tour of the largest natural protected area in the state of Quintana Roo.
• Includes bird watching, swimming and snorkeling in a cenote, and watching the sunset over reserve lagoons.
• Dinner

The Biosphere spans 75 miles, north to south, making up nearly one third of the Caribbean coast of Mexico. By visiting the reserve and taking any one of its tours, a typical Cancun vacation becomes personalized, something as unique as Sian Ka’an itself.

Cancun Nightlife Guide

Cancun nightlife is something vague Polaroids and questionable choices are made of. In the photograph are twenty multicolored blotches that could be people, but you don’t remember; some guy in a mask at Coco Bongo was draining a bucket of tequila down your throat. You pull a little closer, study it a little harder, and settle on a blotch that best resembles you. Its arms are doing something in the air and a ridiculous grin is smeared across its face, and even though you can’t tell exactly what is going on in the photograph, every blotch is smiling and seems to be having a great time. And then it comes to you, infinitesimal at first as though lodged somewhere between your brain and your mouth and you can’t force it either direction. It becomes all too apparent; that’s the night you—

However hazy the memory may be, it takes an experience to complete that though. The Cancun nightlife is known for its diversity. While clubs and bars continue to dominate most of the scene, resort hotels have begun opening their own facilities to compete; often hosting large parties and attracting any number of vacationing celebrities on any given night. The saying has been worn tired, but as the day turns to night, Cancun evolves into another city, offering something for everyone.

It may be a nightlife may be for everyone, but the clubs and entertainment in this guide are not. Generally attracting a younger crowd (18-32), they provide an atmosphere that can only be described as hysteric.

The City – The City is the largest club in Cancun and therefore has earned its name. Described as a “mega-entertainment complex”, The City is a wave pool leading to a multi-level club that features suspended entertainers and an enormous video and sound system. Every year sees a packed lineup of celebrity curated parties; one of the most memorable being 50 Cent’s for Spring Break 2005.

CoCo Bongo – It can’t claim to be the largest, but comes damned near close; considered by many as the hot spot of Cancun. CoCo Bongo is a nightclub of smorgasbord allure. It teams the widest variety of entertainment, décor, and activities into one bowl-shaped arena. A hanging stage, flying acrobats, on-bar conga lines, video screens that drop from the ceiling, foam and bubble parties, tequila—it’s what separates CoCo Bongo from the other clubs and sets it a tier higher than the rest.

Maxim Beach Club – Hosts Cancun’s largest beach parties with DJs spinning global house and dance music, fire dancers, ME girls, and a different performance every night. As its name implies, Maxim Beach Club is hosted on the white shores of Cancun, at ME Cancun resort, and is open to the public.

Bulldog Café – Features Cancun’s greatest laser light show and live music. Although the club holds 2000, don’t be surprised if you see Bulldog bikini-clad girls in the mix. The Café has played host to many shows in the past including Radiohead, Naughty by Nature, and Shakira and conveniently sectioned into multiple areas, offering multiple atmospheres, and features a VIP room with Jacuzzi.

O Ultra Club & Terrace – A chic, intimate atmosphere of premium liquors and Euro-American house music. O Ultra Club is conveniently nestled between Dady Rock and Dady’O, so when the mood strikes, your night can transition, seamlessly, from one club to another. Built to hold 200 people, the walls, the décor, and the lighting have all been carefully orchestrated to provide guests with a sensual ambiance.

Pat O’Brien’s – O’Brien’s is not as crowded and overwhelming as its counterparts. It mirrors more of a bar atmosphere and is a great place to begin or end your night. Whatever you end up drinking at Pat’s, be sure to save room for their house Hurricanes.

The clubs and bars of Cancun run the gamut of head-imploding excitement to cool casual and relaxing. The aforementioned tend to tip the scale in favor of unbelievable nights and hazy mornings that will have you deciphering your own Polaroid. And say you still manage to deplete the stock; other clubs such as Carlos ‘n’ Charlies, Senor Frogs, Fat Tuesday, and Dady ‘O are all perfectly capable of keeping up and exposing you to Cancun’s wild nightlife.

City Beach Club, Cancun – Review

The City Beach Club was one of the last establishments to recover after the hurricane. With reopening in Sept 2006 it is clear that they have moved after a different clientele and are definitely more upscale than before.

Previously they catered for locals and tourists looking to party with regular bikini contests and even a surfing simulator.

Located at the rear of The City nightclub, the beach club caters for the well to do local and offers a menu devoid of the ubiquitous hamburger and fries. A group of expats living here decided to get together and have a family day out there.

Continue reading City Beach Club, Cancun – Review…

New Cancun Map

I just received a couple of maps recently, one for Cancun and one for Isla Mujeres, courtesy of Laura at Cancun Map. Laura and Perry have been producing these maps for several years now and have expanded both their range and the detail contained within each publication.

The maps are more than just a map though, they are a complete guidebook, and for only $8 (the price of a Whopper Meal at Burger King here in Cancun!)

The Cancun Map for example contains extensive information on 163 places to dine, 143 places to stay, plus details of 27 nightclubs/bars and 70 tours and attractions.

Continue reading New Cancun Map…

A Portrait of the Yucatan – Review

I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author Scott Bulger who sponsors our Cancun Pics Forum.

Scott is clearly a talented photographer and manages to capture some very poignant scenes away from the touristy areas of Cancun depicting people, wildlife and history.

From shoeshine boys to pea-pods, from jaguars to bullfighters, from Mayan ruins to Mayan dress.

Portrait of the Yucatan shows much of what can be called the real Mexico, the Mexico that many tourists, sadly, never see. Scott’s book is available via this link and is currently retailing at just $7.50 plus $2.50 shipping which is a snip at twice the price.

Continue reading A Portrait of the Yucatan – Review…

Video of Coco Bongo Show – Cancun

After my Review of Coco Bongo a few days ago I thought I’d add in a video of the Cirque Soleil like performers I mentioned. As you can see it’s spectacular and shows just a little of what the amazing atmosphere is like at one of the top nightclubs in Cancun.

There are thousand of amateur video clips of Cancun out there that are permitted to be reproduced and this is the ideal medium for them to be shared, so I’ll be adding more Cancun video clips regularly. I’ll also be taking some video to add to the blog myself.