You come to Cancun for some fun in the sun, you’ve got all your tours planned and a tight tanning schedule. What do you do if you are faced with (GASP!) a rainy day?
1. Shop! Cancun is a shopper’s paradise, from high end boutiques to bargain souvenirs in the markets, if you’ve got the urge to splurge, there’s a place for you. Treat yourself like royalty in Plaza Kukulcan’s “Luxury Avenue”, home to Ferragamo, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Ultrajewels and more. Silver and diamonds are popular items in Cancun, be sure to look for the “.925″ stamp on the silver to ensure it’s authenticity. If rain is keeping you off the beach, why not have a little downtown adventure, pay a visit to Plaza las Americas with a wide variety of stores, boutiques, department stores and restaurants. You’ll always find something here that you won’t find back home. Market 28 downtown is a bargainer’s paradise, handicrafts, arts, souvenirs, jewelry, handmade hammocks and of course the obligatory t-shirts, and as the vendors will tell you, it’s “cheaper than Walmart”. Bring an umbrella, the market is mostly covered, but you’ll need it for the journey. Other malls in the hotel zone of Cancun include Plaza Caracol, Plaza Forum and Plaza Flamingo. Paying in pesos is your best bet, no need to worry about exchange rate calculations and you’ll often get a better price when paying in the local currency.
2. Let’s roll, let’s bowl! You probably didn’t think of going bowling on your tropical vacation, but it’s a great way to pass a couple of wet rainy hours. The 2.02 Bowling Alley and restaurant is located in Plaza Kukulcan and for the downtown adventurers, Planet Bowl Entertainment Center is located in the lovely mall called Paseo Cancun.
3. Go back in time and marvel at ancient artifacts in the Archaeological Museum of Cancun, located on the first floor of the convention center at kilometer 9.5 of the hotel zone. With over 800 items collected from local Mayan ruins and a variety of displays about the Mayan culture and history, the museum is a great way to forget about the rain and learn about the local culture. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm and there is a small entry fee.
4. You gotta have art. Plaza la Isla in the hotel zone is home to the Pelopidas Gallery, a unique space devoted to the visual arts. With it’s collection of “Faux Arts” (original reproductions created with the same painting techniques, pigments and surfaces of the original authors, endorsed by a certificate of authenticity), you’ll find yourself peering into the world of beauty of Da Vinci, Gaugin and Lautrec. The gallery also hosts rotating exhibits of renowned and up and coming international artists in a variety of mediums.
5. Stick around your hotel and get to know your fellow guests. Most hotels offer rainy day programs, with art or cooking classes, karaoke contests, Mexican bingo, Spanish classes and so much more. Ask your concierge for information specific to your hotel and join in the fun.
6. Indulge in a spa day. A little rain always has an upside, it could be a hot stone massage or a facial or spoiling yourself with a delicious chocolate body treatment. Many Cancun hotels have spas onsite with a wide range of treatments available to make you forget all about the wet stuff outside. For an extra special rainy day romantic treat, book a couples massage and let the outside world fade away. The Cancun spa experience will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenate.
7. Catch a flick! You might enter the theater while it’s pouring rain only to come out to discover blue skies and sun. Plaza la Isla is the hotel zone home to a five screen theater and if you head downtown you can have a “VIP” experience in the cinema in Plaza las Americas. Theaters will show movies in English with Spanish subtitles (though often animated films are dubbed into Spanish, be sure to check before buying your tickets!)
8. Try your luck at the Play City casino. With video gambling and sports betting, it’s a great diversion for the over 18 crowd. Located in Plaza Kukulkan, Play City is open in the afternoons and evenings for your wagering pleasure, with a well stocked bar and helpful bilingual staff. Who knows, if Lady Luck is on your side you might just be able to afford another shopping trip!
So, no need to fret about rain ruining your vacation, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Perhaps the most relaxing of all is sitting on your balcony and enjoying the peace of a tropical rainfall while marveling at the wonder of the deep blue sea. Or, what the heck, pull a little Fred Astaire and go singing and dancing in the rain, you’d be wet in the pool or ocean anyway! Live each moment of your vacation as an adventure and an experience, a rainy day in Cancun is still better than a day at the office.
