Blue Bay Club Cancun

Choosing a hotel is the first step in planning your trip.  For many families, all inclusive is the way to go.  No one has to worry about how much that hamburger cost or if the kids are going to clean their $20 plate.  Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are free flowing, letting kids stay hydrated without having to fork over money for every bottle of water or glass of juice.  Many all inclusive hotels offer kids’ clubs for both young kids and teenagers, with activities planned throughout the day.  The Blue Bay Club in Cancun has installations for kids and programs that run from early morning to late at night.  It’s not in the hotel zone of Cancun so it’s away from the “hustle bustle”, giving parents a chance to relax and soak up the Caribbean sun.  The beach is on the calm waters of the bay, perfect for small children and those looking to float the afternoon away.  Nightly shows include singing and dancing spectaculars in the on-site theater, family entertainment at its best.  The Blue Bay Club is a great choice for families looking for an escape, check out the Cancun Travel booking page for our fantastic deals, less than $100 per night!

The Great Parnassus is another family all inclusive, set on a gorgeous stretch of beach in the hotel zone of Cancun.  Kids will enjoy the “Rain Forest” mini-golf and the “Treasure Island” water park and parents can relax in the adults only pool.  With a special kids’ buffet, 24 hour room service, and a plethora of restaurants and bars, you’ll never be hungry or thirsty at the Great Parnassus!  Family rooms are available, with bunk beds and a capacity of two adults, three kids.  The recently reconstructed beach is huge, lots of room for flying kites, playing soccer or just building sand castles.  This is your “no worries” destination, everything at your fingertips and great service from the friendly staff.

Beachscape Kin Ha Villas

If all inclusive is not your thing, the Beachscape Kin Ha Villas may be the place for you and your family in Cancun.  Apartment style units with living rooms, dining area, kitchens and bedrooms make this your home away from home.  The beach at the Kin Ha Villas is gorgeous, a huge stretch of white sand on calm waters, many people say it’s the best beach in Cancun.  A nice pool with a shallow area, a small jungle gym area for kids and an onsite restaurant offering tasty treats and drinks, all you need for a relaxing trip with kids.  Having the kitchen is a fabulous way to stay healthy and stay on budget.  There are small grocery stores nearby or you can head into Walmart in town, stock up on the kids’ favourite drinks and snacks (and “adult” beverages for mom and dad if so inclined) without breaking the bank.  One, two and three bedroom units are available, making this an ideal choice for larger groups or families for a flat nightly rate rather than paying per person.  This is not a “party hearty” hotel, it’s laid back, relaxed, a spot to reconnect with your loved ones.

Swim with Dolphins in Cancun

The hotels are lovely and offer some great comforts and services, but make sure you get out and explore a little too!  The eco-parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha are ideal for families, flora, fauna, snorkeling and interactive exhibits, you’re guaranteed a full day of adventure.  Swimming with dolphins on Isla Mujeres is the experience of a lifetime, something for all ages to enjoy that the kids (and grown ups!) will never forget.  Older kids will enjoy a zip line adventure, while the whole family will be thrilled on a day cruise with Caribbean Funday.  With so much history and nature at your doorstep, it’s a great opportunity to explore and learn, Riviera Maya is a playground and classroom in one (but shhh, don’t tell the kids about the classroom part!)

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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!

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Mark Wilson guiding a young player at "Golf Para Todos"

This past Sunday, January 24th, 2010, the Mayakoba Golf Classic presented “Golf Para Todos” in the Riviera Maya.  “Golf Para Todos” is a free community event, inviting locals and tourists, experienced golfers and “newbies” to learn more about the game of golf and enjoy a social day at the beautiful Mayakoba practice facility.  Mark Wilson, the 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic champ, brought his expertise to the course this year, guiding young golfers, offering tips and tricks to adults and signing autographs as an ambassador to the great game of golf and the PGA TOUR.  Almost 1000 people came out to enjoy the day, to meet the PGA TOUR champ, and to practice their driving and putting skills.

Kids' area at "Golf Para Todos"

Even the tiniest children were invited to particpate, with wee golf clubs and patient instructors giving them a hand.  The free food and drinks kept everyone’s appetites satisfied, with  Yaxche Mayan Cuisine serving up local delicacies.  The event was a grand success, we at Cancun Travel would like to congratulate and thank “Golf Para Todos” for offering such a terrific day to the people of the Riviera Maya.  There were some talented kid golfers participating, perhaps this inspiring day has planted the seeds of a future PGA champ.  For more photos, please see our “Golf Para Todos” flickr set.

2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic Champ Mark Wilson

The Mayakoba Golf Classic is the only PGA TOUR event outside of the US and Canada.  This year’s tournament comes to the Riviera Maya February 18-21st, 2010 at the beautiful and challenging El Camaleón Golf Club.  The course was designed by Greg Norman, with cenotes (natural limestone sinkholes), jungle, mangrove and beach, it’s a unique venue without a doubt.  PGA TOUR professionals will be demonstrating their talent on the links and vying for the 3.6 million USD purse, including the 2009 champ Mark Wilson, John Daly and Boo Weekley.  Mexico will be represented by two top national players on the PGA TOUR, Esteban Toledo and Jose Trauwitz, we wish them lots of luck!

Mark Wilson at Rio Secreto- photo courtesy Mayakoba Golf Classic Facebook Page

These lucky pros and amateurs will not only be working, they’ll be able to explore activities in the Riviera Maya.  Swimming with dolphins in Puerto Aventuras, playing on the beautiful beaches, checking out the great restaurants on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen or exploring hidden caves and cenotes at Rio Secreto, the players and their families will certainly enjoy their visit to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Tickets are still available for the Mayakoba Golf Classic, contact Cancun Travel to reserve your spot now!

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While Cancun may have a reputation as being “party central”, it’s also a lover’s delight.  Many Cancun hotels cater to couples in love, with a focus on relaxation, pampering and luxurious romantic pursuits.  Private dinners on the beach, couples massages, bottles of champagne and intimate jacuzzis for two, creative in-room decorations and just about anything your romantic heart desires are yours at the beautiful Bel Air Collection hotel.  The Bel Air is a hip boutique hotel, catering to lovers who wish to relax and be pampered, with gorgeous jacuzzi lanai suites, a luxurious spa and gourmet dining.  Their specialty is “amor”, ask for their romance package and give your loved one a Valentine’s Day in Cancun to remember.  Cancun Travel is pleased to offer some fantastic romance specials for Valentine’s day, Bel Air Collection deluxe rooms from only $53 USD per person per night, your lover will be thrilled and so will your pocketbook.

For those of you looking for  an upbeat sexy escape, there is nothing quite like the Temptation Resort Spa.  This adults-only Cancun resort offers titillation and excitement at its “sexy pool” (topless optional) and the wild nightly events in the onsite nightclubs.  The animation team is famous (infamous?) for their antics and sexy games, bringing out the wild side in guests and inviting everyone to lose their inhibitions.  Guests can also choose to relax at the quiet pool or enjoy a sensuous massage at the Tempation Spa if they wish to escape the action for a while.  The Temptation Resort Spa is thrilled to bring you the spirit of Valentine’s, with a whole weekend dedicated to lovers with kissing contests, “Perfect Couple” contests, “exotic” Spanish classes and sexy surprises for this special weekend in February.  Invigorate your senses and add some spice to your love life, book Temptation Resort Spa with Cancun Travel for Valentine’s Day and feel the sizzle in your soul.

For couples looking for the ultimate in luxury and romance, the Sun Palace Cancun is the place for you.  The Sun Palace is unique, the first “couples-only” hotel in Cancun.  No kids, no singles, just lovers in love looking to be spoiled.  Indulge yourself in this elegant all-inclusive resort, with double jacuzzis in the rooms, 24 room service, gourmet dining and exceptional service.  The Sun Palace Spa is one of the finest in Cancun, with an extensive list of services and rooms dedicated exclusively to couples massages and treatments.  The Sun Palace offers romance packages for honeymooners and special couples, with flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, private in-room dinners, aromatherapy menus and rose-petal filled jacuzzis.  The ultimate way to delight your senses and lose yourself in love, book your Valentine’s Day at the Sun Palace Cancun with Cancun Travel now.

Leave the box of chocolates at the convenience store this year, book a Cancun Valentine adventure and fill your hearts with passion and love.

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The Mayakoba Golf Classic is returning to the Riviera Maya February 17-21, 2010 for the third year running.  In 2007, the Mayakoba Golf Classic became the first PGA tournament to be played outside of the US and Canada and the event continues to grow and thrive. This year 132 professional golfers will be participating in the event, vying for the 3.6 million USD purse and enjoying the beauty of the Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen.

The El Camaleón Golf Club at Mayakoba is unique, one of a kind in the golfing world.  Designed by the world-famous Greg Norman, the course weaves and winds through jungle, mangroves and beach and even incorporates a “cenote” (natural limestone cavern) into its 7039 yard stretch.  A challenging and beautiful course, El Camaleón Golf Club also boasts a fantastic Mayan style club house and top of the line practice facilities.  The incredible design of Mayakoba and the El Camaleón Golf Club allows players to step out of their rooms and into a boat on the resort’s canals to be ferried to the first tee.  With views of the turquoise sea and the flora and fauna of the area, the Mayakoba Golf Classic is one of the highlights of the PGA TOUR season for players and fans alike.

The Mayakoba Golf Classic is dedicated to supporting local, national and international charitable institutions.  This year’s tournament is for the benefit of many charities, including “Golf Para Todos”, “The City of Joy Foundation”, and “The Lorena Ochoa Foundation” among others. For a complete list, please visit the list of Mayakoba Golf Classic Beneficiaries and lend your support to these worthwhile organizations.

Cancun Travel is thrilled to be able to bring you to this incredible PGA TOUR event.  Contact us for tickets to the Mayakoba Golf Classic and allow us to assist you in your Riviera Maya vacation plans.

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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.

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We hope that the new year brings you back to Cancun and the Riviera Maya and Cancun Travel will be here to assist you with all your 2010 travel plans.  Feliz Año Nuevo, Happy New Year!

(Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and join our Cancun Travel Facebook page, we’d love to hear from you!)

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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!

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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!

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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.

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