With spring break right around the corner, students from all over are getting ready for their trips down south.  Working out for that beach-ready bod, hitting the tanning bed and plotting their strategies to cruise as many parties as they can in their seven days of freedom.  Spring Break Cancun is a rite of passage for many, for years Cancun has been THE place to go in March.  Great deals for cash-strapped students, exciting nightclubs packed to the gills and sun, sun, sun make it an attractive choice for students from around the world.  So, what advice can we offer these exuberant travelers?  Here’s the Top Eight Spring Break Tips for college kids looking to have a good time and a safe time.

1.  Hotels-  Choosing a spring break hotel is the first step in the planning of your escape.  There are a few hotels that are known to be “party palaces” during Spring Break, chock full of young people rocking out on the beach and in the pool.  A long time favourite of breakers is the Oasis Cancun, not the most luxurious of hotels but they offer a bargain place to stay, all inclusive (read:  all the alcohol you can drink), wild entertainment and student bodies everywhere.

2.  Nightclubs-  Cancun discos and bars are the driving force of spring break, thousands of young people party all night long in “party central”.  Most of the discos in Cancun are centrally located at km 8.5 in the hotel zone.  The big nightclubs offer “all inclusive” entrance fees (called “barra libre” in Spanish), you’ll pay one price to drink and party the night away.  Prices are usually around $40 or $50 USD for open bar and entrance, though they do vary from club to club.  Don’t forget that while your drinks are included, tips are not!  Tip your bartender or server on your first drink to get their attention, it often helps in getting service throughout the night.  Never accept a drink from a stranger, keep your drinks in hand or in sight at all times, stick with your friends all night and try to be moderate in your drinking.  (Yes, I know, that defeats the purpose of Spring Break, but you can have a great time without ending up passed out on the sidewalk).  The hottest nightclubs in town include the incredible Coco Bongo, The City, Dady’O, Dady Rock, the Bulldog Cafe, Basic and Señor Frogs.  One of the best ways to start your nightlife experience is with a party hopper tour like the ¨Sunset to Sunrise Package¨, one price for several clubs, a guide, VIP service and open bar included.  Spring Break brings a lot of big time artists to perform in Cancun, ask around for the hot events, rumour is that Pink is performing this year at The City!  Drink safe, drink water in between cocktails, tip your waiters and watch out for your friends and you can have a fabulous, safe nightlife experience in Cancun!

3.  Food-  This is not something breakers usually focus on, students are not looking for the fine dining experiences that Cancun has to offer.  Most students will be staying at all inclusive resorts and can enjoy all the food they can eat at the buffets.  Others will venture out of their resort and will be easily pleased by the McDonald’s, Domino’s and Subways found in the hotel zone.  Students on a budget should also look for small “hole in the wall” places scattered around the party center, Taco Factory is an old fave, Choco y Tere’s and the hidden gem Xtabentun (hidden behind the Coral Negro flea market, it’s a great place to grab a torta and that last beer after hours).

4.  Money-  The currency of Mexico is pesos and while US dollars are widely accepted, you’ll be better off using the local money.  Prices are usually listed in pesos, you won’t have to worry about trying to calculate exchange in your head and you’ll find better deals when using Mexican money.  Don’t carry large amounts around with you, there are bank machines everywhere to withdraw what you’ll need for the day.  Notify your bank that you will be travelling to Mexico and using your cards, sometimes they’ll put a “hold” on any transactions that are out of your usual pattern so letting them know before you go will save you hassles.  Credit cards are widely accepted, though cash is usually easier at the clubs (and you’ll need some tip money on hand!)  If you arrive with US dollars, you can exchange your money at the hotel, banks or “casas de cambio” (exchange houses).

5.  Transportation-  The bus rocks in Cancun!  The hotel zone is just one long street so there is no way you’ll get lost.  For 7.5 pesos (less than 60 cents US), you can get anywhere you need to go.  Using exact change in pesos will make your life easier, no messing around with exchange and change on the often crowded buses.  The busses are an entertaining and safe way to travel, you’ll definitely meet some characters!  Taxis in the hotel zone can be very expensive, beware, if you are going to be taking a taxi negotiate the price clearly before getting in the taxi or have the bell man at the hotel help you out.  The bus is definitely the better option, especially for those travelling on a budget.

6.  Safety-  Cancun is a very safe destination, tourism is the reason the city exists and everyone does all they can to keep the town safe.  That said, you must use common sense like you would in any large metropolis.  Always stay with a group, don’t wander off by yourself, especially at night.  Don’t flash cash around.  Do NOT attempt to buy or use illegal drugs, this will have serious consequences.  Do not pick a fight in the bars, just walk away, no need to spend a night (or more) in jail on your fantastic vacation.  Do not urinate in public, this may seem like a silly thing to say, but it’s probably the most common reason that breakers get into trouble.  Do not use the services of prostitutes.  Make copies of your identification and keep it in the hotel safe in case you lose your documents.  Register with your home country’s office of foreign affairs so they know where you are in case of emergency.  Do not swim in the ocean while drunk, there can be very serious undertows, the ocean is a powerful force and drinking and swimming do not mix.  Do not attempt any foolishness on hotel room balconies, many accidents here occur when people try to jump from one balcony to another while drinking.  Just bring your common sense, watch out for your friends and use your head!

7.  Tours-  While most students come here to whoop it up at the resort and party all night long, some might want to take advantage of the amazing adventures available in the area.  Always purchase your tours from a reputable agency, beware of time share sales people offering free tours, you’ll need to go to a presentation at their hotels and may lose a whole day.  We recommend booking tours in advance (we’re happy to help!) to avoid rip offs and ensure a spot on the tour.  Zip line through the jungle, explore underground rivers and cenotes at Aktunchen, or just keep the party going on a “booze cruise” like the Caribbean Funday.  For the experience of a liftetime, nothing beats swimming with dolphins on Isla Mujeres and you can combine your dolphin experience with a trip to the incredible Garrafon Park.  There is so much to do in Cancun, why spend all your days at the resort, get out and have an adventure!

8.  Health safety-  Round the clock drinking is often the focus of a spring breakers trip, but there are ways to minimize the hangovers and damage caused by too much alcohol.  Alternate your drinks with bottled water, with the heat and alcohol you will become dehydrated and run the risk of becoming seriously ill.  Don’t forget to eat, the buffets are always open, be sure to throw some fruits and veggies into your diet with the pizza and nachos, the vitamins and minerals will help you keep your energy up and aid in hangover prevention.  Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!  While getting a great tan is important, you must realize that the Cancun sun is fierce, you can get a burn in no time and that is no fun for anyone.  Heat stroke is common, particularly when drinking in the sun, be sure to wear a hat and drink more bottled water while playing tequila volleyball!  Do not ever drink and swim, even the strongest of swimmers are no match for the power of the sea.  The best way to prevent hangovers is to eat before you drink, take extra vitamins B and C and keep up on the water intake.  Have a piece of fruit before passing out for the night, you’ll thank yourself in the morning.  Don’t drink tap water, it’s ok for washing and even brushing your teeth, but stick to bottled water for drinking.  Some folks warn against ice in drinks, but it’s a myth, all ice in hotels and bars is made from purified water.  If you get sick on the trip, the hotels will have in-house doctors and nurses.  If you are seriously ill or injured, there are several fine hospitals in the area, but be prepared to pay for treatment, travel health insurance is not a bad idea.

And there you have it, our Top Eight Tips for Spring Break in Cancun.  We don’t mean to sound like your mom, we just want you to have a great time while keeping safe.  You can let it all hang out, what happens in Cancun stays in Cancun (unless you get caught on “Girls Gone Wild” cameras) but keep your common sense with you at all times, take care of yourself and your friends and treat the locals and your fellow tourists with respect.  Have a blast kids!

You are sitting in your office, staring outside at the grey skies and thinking about layering on two pairs of socks, thermal underwear and scarves and hats and making the trek home through the snow and slush.  In an effort to make yourself feel better, you search “cancun weather forecast” to escape for a moment to some tropical weather on your desktop screen.  Most of the time you’ll find the Cancun weather to be “hot and sunny, hot and sunny, hot and sunny” and you can live vicariously through the lucky souls who have made their winter escape.  Other times you’ll see “rain, rain, and more rain”, but truth be told, those forecasts are rarely accurate!  While forecasts may call for rain in Cancun, what we really see is a short afternoon shower (which is actually quite refreshing on a hot day) then back to “hot and sunny”.

The winter months of Cancun are generally fantastic weather months, not too hot, not too cold, with temperatures averaging 27 C/80 F, with very little precipitation and low humidity.  The days are perfect for laying on the beach, exploring Chichen Itzá, going for a snorkel or visiting Xelha or Xcaret.  It’s wise to pack a light jacket and pants as the evenings may get cool, but during the day you’ll be able to show off that gorgeous bikini or your cool new board shorts and catch a great tan.

Cancun weather (like weather everywhere) unfortunately is not always predictable.  While the winter “norm” is lovely and warm, the area can be affected by cold fronts called “nortes”.  “Nortes” bring cold weather, wind and occasional rain showers.  This past week has been unseasonably chilly in Cancun, with temperatures going as low as 15 C/59 F at night.  While this may not seem cold to those of you covered in snow, it is definitely not what Cancun is accustomed to.  The current cold front is affecting almost the entire country of Mexico and the southern United States, bringing warnings from the Mexican government to bundle up, keep children warm and to show extreme caution in heating homes.  Houses in Mexico are built to stay cool, central heating is non-existent and it is a challenge for many to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Tourists who have come to the area seeking tropical temperatures are feeling disappointment in the turn of the weather, though they are making the best of it and bikinis and board shorts are still on parade at hotel pools and beaches.  Fortunately, “nortes” usually pass in a short period of time and we should be back to sunburns and sweat in no time!  Looking at this week’s Cancun weather forecast, it appears that things should be turning around by the end of the week. Thursday’s predicted high is 28 C/82 F, a big improvement over the last few days.  While it is currently chilly, the skies are blue, the sun is shining and tourists are out and about enjoying their vacations.

A cool day in Cancun has got to be better than a bitterly cold day at home!  We at Cancun Travel send you warm wishes from south of the border, if you are thinking of making a great winter escape, we´re here at your service to help with all your vacation plans.

I’m back from another tough morning on the beach, happy to report that the project has reached the Omni and should be at the Tri-Royals in a few days!  I took some photos today of the area behind the Ritz, Le Meridien, Cancun Palace and the Marriotts.  Stunning!  Yes, there is a “ledge” of sand near the sea, but it’s not insurmountable and hopefully it will even itself out soon.  Here are your pics….

Le Meridien Beach During Reconstruction (Dec. 22/2009)

Le Meridien Beach After (Dec. 29/2009)

Cancun Palace Beach Before (Dec. 22/2009)

Cancun Palace Beach After (Dec. 29/2009)

You can see the whole set of photos from today in our Cancun Beach Recovery Dec. 29 Flickr set.   Cancun Travel will continue to update, we’ll have new photos next week, stay tuned!

If you are a Cancun lover, you’ll know that we are in the midst of a huge beach reconstruction project to rebuild the beaches that were lost in the hurricane in 2005.  So far the project is a huge success, with many hotels and public beaches gaining 80 to 100 meters of sand!  Some spots along the strip had been reduced to nothing, just rocks and water crashing against the barrier walls.  Now, the stretch of sand is huge, perfect for football, lazing in the sun, flying kites or romping in the surf.  I’ve been monitoring the project and every time I trek out to the hotel zone a big “WOW” comes flying out of my mouth when I see what they are accomplishing.  They are moving fast, the place looks great and hopefully more and more tourists will return to Cancun for the beaches that we are accustomed to.

The photos above show the incredible difference a couple of weeks can make.  This is located at Playa Marlin, near the Villas Marlin and Barcelo Tucancun.  So great to see the massive change in the beach!

The best news of the morning is that the beach behind the Royal Sands hotel is now open.  They’ve moved lounge chairs and umbrellas down to the sand and people were flocking to the new stretch of beach.  The pipes have been removed from about half of the beach behind the Sands, the project continues to move south from there.

The work is currently between the Royal Sands and Le Meridien.  Work should commence very soon on the Cancun Palace and the Marriott hotels.  Here’s a “before” photo behind Cancun Palace looking south towards the JW Marriott, will have some “after” shots soon!

You can find more photos on our Flickr page, here’s today’s Cancun beach recovery set.  Don’t forget to join our Cancun Travel Facebook page to share your own photos with us, we’d love to have you with us!  Stayed tuned for more updates and Happy Holidays from Cancun Travel!

The Cancun beach recovery project continues to move ahead in bringing back the gorgeous beaches that were destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.  With an investment of $71 million USD, the work will restore the beaches of Cancun’s hotel zone (east side), Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.  As of today, the beach reconstruction workers have reached The Aqua hotel (around km 12.5) and will continue south.  Two hotels on the strip (the Gran Caribe Real and The Royal) had faced legal difficulties with the project and were told they would not receive the beach treatment, but an agreement has been reached and they are being included in the beach reconstruction.

Big New Beach Behind Bay View Grand

The work that has been completed from Punta Cancun down to The Aqua hotel shows a huge stretch of white sandy beach, 80-100 meters wide.  The sand is still settling and there are areas that have a “ledge” where the sand has naturally eroded.  It is still a spectacular beach and access to the ocean is only minimally impeded.  The large pipes that were brought in to carry the sand have been removed from the area as far south as Le Blanc, but there is a fenced area running parallel to the sea where vehicles are passing from one end of the project to the other, simply be cautious when passing between the fences on your way to the sea.  It is expected that the project will reach the Royal Sands this weekend or early next week.

Behind Plaza Forum Before

Behind Plaza Forum After

Current Work Behind The Aqua (Dec. 8/2009)

Tourists are eager for information about this project and while many are asking “when will the project be at my hotel?”, it’s really difficult to guess.  The project is moving quickly, but, as nature can impede the progress, it’s virtually impossible to say “your hotel will have sand” for a specific date.  It’s estimated that the project will be completed by February, definitely in time for spring break.

To give you another “before” photo and an idea of why this project is so necessary, here’s a look behind the Villas Marlin from around the Barcelo Tucancun.  In a very short while (probably less than a week), this beach will have a whole new look, I can’t wait to have the after photos for you!

Cancun Travel will continue to bring you Cancun beach recovery updates, stay tuned!  Don´t forget to follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook for all the latest.

Things are looking up, way up for the beaches of Cancun.  The beach restoration project is in full swing and the sand is flying!  There are two dredgers working, currently bringing sand from a deposit off of Isla Mujeres called “La Ollita”, but plans suggest they will be switching to the Cozumel source by next week.  Using the sand from Cozumel had been causing controversies and delays in the project but the authorities have ruled that they can move ahead as planned.  As of today, they have covered approximately 700 meters of beach, from the Sunset Hotel up to Punta Cancun.  The area that is complete includes the beach behind the condos Bay View Grand, Carisa, Palma and Girasol, the public beaches at Chac Mool and Gaviotas, the area behind Playa Cabanas (the beach club at The City) and they are currently working behind the Krystal and over towards Dreams.  They should finish at Dreams this week and start working their way south.  The Cancun part of the project should take about three months to complete before they move on to Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.  When more specific scheduling details become available, we will be sure to share them with you.

I took a trip out to the beach this morning to check on the progress and my jaw literally dropped.  The only words coming out of my mouth were “WOW WOW WOW”.  I went to the same spots as exactly one week ago and the difference is spectacular.  Where once there were rocks, there is now a beautiful stretch of sand.  Behind the beach club at Playa Cabana, there was nothing last week, the water was crashing against the cement wall a few meters drop from the deck.  Now the sand stretches for about 80 meters and comes right to the top of the wall at the beach club.  It’s truly incredible what they have managed to accomplish in one week.  Here are a couple of before and after comparison shots for you……

Cancun Travel will continue to bring you updates on the progress of the beach recovery, with more photos and some videos to come.  Check out our Flickr Beach Recovery Cancun set for more pictures of this incredible project.  Don’t forget to join the Cancun Travel Facebook page, share your own photos and videos with us, we’d love to hear from you!