Hurricane season in the Caribbean is about to begin so we’ve put together a little primer of hurricane basics for travellers.  While it is unlikely that Cancun and the Riviera Maya will experience a hurricane this year, we do want to assure you that authorities are well prepared to handle any weather situation.   The safety and comfort of travellers is a priority for all in the region, no need to worry, just educate yourself for the “what ifs”.  Here are some tips for travelling in the summer season, truly a great time to visit, bargains galore, sunshine, sand and sea for the whole family!

1.  Hurricane season is technically June 1 to November 30.  An old sailors’ poem states:

“June too soon.
July stand by.
August look out you must.
September remember.
October all over.”

June is generally a pretty calm month in the Atlantic and Caribbean, but as the ocean temperatures start to increase in the summer heat, so do the chances of a tropical storm or hurricane.  Chances of a tropical storm or hurricane increase as the season progresses.  The worst hurricane to hit Cancun in recent history was Hurricane Wilma, wreaking her destruction over two days at the end of October, 2005.  Booking a vacation during hurricane season might be risky, but for the slight chance of a storm, you’ll find some great low season discounts!

2.  Buy travel insurance- It’s always a good idea, but particularly when travelling during tropical storm season.  Purchase your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, if you try to buy it once the storm has formed, you won’t receive coverage.  Travel insurance plans vary in what they cover, be sure to read the fine print!

3.  Monitor storm activity in the days preceding your trip-  While it’s not necessary to obsess or fret about the upcoming weather (and really, how accurate are the regular forecasts?), it is a good idea to check out what the experts are saying about storm formations.  Two great resources are the National Hurricane Center and Storm Pulse.  While storms are not always predicatable, travellers and travel agents should know if there is something brewing out there.  You will have a few days to make alternative plans or cancel your trip or hang in there to watch where the storm is going to go, if it’s going to increase in intensity or if it (hopefully) fizzles out.  For travellers visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya, you’ll want to monitor the activity in the Atlantic region.

4.  What to expect if you get caught in a hurricane-  If a hurricane strikes while you are travelling, the most important thing to do is stay calm.  The hotels and authorities have tried and true plans for keeping you safe and dry during the storm.  Cancun and the Riviera Maya have excellent evacuation plans, safe hurricane shelters and experience in emergency situations.  Ask just about anyone who was unlucky enough to be in Cancun for Hurricane Wilma, they will tell you they were well taken care of.  It might mean tuna sandwiches for a day or two, but you will be kept safe.  You can expect high winds, rains and flooding, thus it’s important to carefully follow the instructions of the hotel staff and authorities, they will keep you out of harm’s way.  Electricity will be cut, generally well before the storm arrives in order to prevent any accidents from live power lines falling, be sure to charge any gadgets when you have the chance.  You may be evacuated from your hotel, have a bag packed with essentials (you might want to grab some alcohol hand gel or baby wipes and extra toilet paper) and have all your vital documents together, a plastic bag can protect them from the elements.  Cel phone service may be lost during a storm, contact folks back home when you have the chance, let them know the name of your hotel and the location of the shelter if you are being evacuated.  Be sure to have some cash on hand, just in case, when the power is out credit cards don’t work and neither do ATMs of course.  The big complaint during Wilma was boredom, not much to do in a shelter, bring a pack of cards, books, pen and paper to journal the experience, and something to keep the kids occupied.

5.  Travel registries-  Whenever you travel out of country it’s a good idea to notify your home government that you will be abroad.  Residents of the United States of America can register online at the U.S. State Department Travel Registration site, Canadians can register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and British nationals can register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  For travellers from other countries, a quick internet search will locate your country’s registration requirements.

If you’re looking to travel during the storm season, don’t hesitate!  Go ahead and book, enjoy the low season deals!  Thousands of travellers take advantage of the great summer travel sales and never have any issues with storms, they are still a rare occurence in the region.  Be prepared, be aware and be safe.  Follow Cancun Travel on Twitter and on Facebook, we will be monitoring the Atlantic all season and will be sharing any warnings that come up for the Cancun and Riviera Maya region. Safe journeys everyone, here’s to a calm 2010 hurricane season!

photo courtesy Storms 411

“Family” and “tradition” are two words that define the Mexican culture and there is no better day to celebrate both than “El dia de los Niños” or “Children´s Day”.  Every year children throughout Mexico look forward to April 30th, a day where youth is honored, and people celebrate innocence, playfulness and the unlimited potential of the child.  While parents typically give small gifts on “Children’s Day”, it’s the time together that is most important.  Families devote the day to spending time with the kids, a day at the beach, a special dinner or neighbourhood party.

In honour of “Children’s Day”, we’ve got some ideas on how to celebrate family while visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya, kid-friendly days that will put smiles on everyone’s faces, youngsters and grown-ups alike.

For a magical experience for all ages, Xcaret Park is the ideal place to visit.  Babes in arms will marvel at the beautiful colours and incredible wildlife, the butterfly pavillion is always a hit, while toddlers and preschoolers will love the beach area and vibrant shows.  Paths can be navigated with strollers so mom and dad don’t have to worry about tired arms!  Older kids and adults will be thrilled with snorkeling in the protected lagoon area and swimming the underground river.  This is an “all-inclusive” day, everything you need for one price, food, drinks, equipment, entertainment and 80 hectares of natural beauty await.  This is the perfect way to experience all the incredible things the Riviera Maya has to offer, flora and fauna, water activiites, culture and history, a day the family will never forget.

For a full day of fun on the high seas and an island adventure, the Caribbean Funday tour is sure to please.  Start your day with a cruise on a double-decker boat crossing the bay from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, a tropical island paradise that was once a pirates’ refuge.  On arrival at Isla Mujeres, you’ll find yourself at a beautiful private beach club with incredible views!  Waterslide, kayaks, snorkeling, organized games and activities, the whole family will find something to enjoy.  The Caribbean Funday is an “all-inclusive” day, eat, drink and be merry and enjoy the facilities, play hard or just relax, this is a great family day.

The experience of a lifetime for your Cancun or Riviera Maya family vacation awaits at Dolphin Discovery.  Swimming with dolphins is a dream come true, an opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing marine creatures with their perpetual smiles.  Get a fishy kiss, an embrace or the ride of your life with the famous foot push, Dolphin Discovery in Cancun/Isla Mujeres and the Riviera Maya has programs suited for all ages and abilities.  Children as young as one year old will revel in this magical day.  In addition to dolphins, you can meet manatees, sea lions, sting rays and even have a chance to snorkel near sharks!  Create lasting memories of your family time together as you make new marine friends in paradise.

From all of us at Cancun Travel, we wish you and yours a very happy Children’s Day.  Hug your kids, remind them how special they are, forget about the messes/tantrums/runny noses, and heck, embrace your inner child and let loose, everyone deserves a little play time.

Sun setting over the lagoon, soft breeze in your hair, the sounds of a gentle saxophone playing, a glass of wine and a delicious dinner, all the ingredients you need for a perfect romantic evening in Cancun.  The Lobster Dinner Cruise is the only romance tour in Cancun, no young kids, no blaring techno music, no crowds, simply an ideal evening to share with that special person in your life.

You will start your journey at the Aquatours Marina in the hotel zone of Cancun at km 6.5, across from Playa Tortugas.  Once on board the stunning wooden galleon “Columbus” you will enjoy a glass of wine and live jazz music as you sail into the calm waters of the Nichupte Lagoon.  Soon you will sense the divine aromas of the outdoor grill, with steak, lobster and shrimp being cooked to perfection.  After dinner you can dance under the stars, gaze at the moon and fall in love all over again.

The Lobster Dinner Cruise Cancun offers two departure times, the 5:00 pm cruise allows you to witness a glorious sunset and the 8:00 pm brings you starlit skies.  For dinner you have the choice of surf n turf (steak and lobster), lobster only or a vegetarian option and open bar is included.  The minimum age for the tour is 14 years, no small children please! Guests are asked to arrive at the dock 30 minutes before departure time, bring your cameras to capture every moment.

This is a perfect excursion for Cancun honeymooners, wedding parties, anniversaries or anyone looking to celebrate love in paradise.  Contact Cancun Travel customer service representatives to inquire about group rates for your special occasions.  Book now and give your loved one the most romantic night of your Cancun vacation!  Transportation is available for our guests in the Riviera Maya for a small charge.

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!