MEXICO
Mucho Fiestas, Tequila, Zocalos, Mezcal, Kahlua & Party People
Photo by Chris Sabor on Unsplash
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Your holiday - Your way
COUNTRY GUIDE
BEST TIME TO GO - In the dry season between December and April.
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The wet season is May to October.
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Hurricane season runs from June to November on the Caribbean side.
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Lobster season runs June to February
VISAS -
STAY - Most hotels are available on Booking.com unless otherwise stated. It's best to get bookings with free cancellation and pay on site when you get there. Hotels chosen are usually 3*** or 4 or 5 if they are good value. They are chosen firstly for their location, value for money, positive testimonials regarding cleanliness and service and features like rooftop terraces and great views.
Since the end of Covid a lot of prices have gone through the roof. So if the selected hotel is out of your price range click on the location map and choose something cheaper nearby. Or you might prefer something else but try to stay in the same area.
FLIGHTS - Cancun International Airport (CUN) - is the largest airport in Mexico and has direct flights to 122 cities in 30 countries as well as 24 domestic flights. Mainly the flights go to North and South America as well as Europe so you may have to connect with one of these.
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Once you have bought your airline tickets don't forget to get some travel insurance to cover your outlay
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TIPS -
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Take your International Drivers License
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Start the trip on a Sunday to be in Merida for the Sunday Market and in Bacalar for Wednesday Party
SAFETY - the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the safest areas in Mexico
BUDGET - Mexico is a cheap country to travel around with the Yucatan area being a bit more expensive due to its popularity. Belize is also quite affordable.
POPULATION - 126 million
CAPITAL - Mexico City DF (Place of Mexi or Land of the War God)
RELIGION - Catholic 81%
ETHNICITY - Mestizo 62%, Amerindian 28%, Other 10%
LANGUAGE - Spanish
NATIONAL DRINK - Tequila
MINIMUM WAGE ANNUAL IN $US - $1817
CURRENCY - Mexican Peso MXN $1 - 24 MXN
NATIONAL DISH - Mole (chocolate chilli sauce with many ingredients)
GOVERNMENT - Federal Presidential Representative Democratic Republic
BORN - 27th September 1821
BIG MAC IN $US - $2.66
LITERACY - 95.4%
LIFE EXPECTANCY - 75
TOURISTS PER YEAR - 10 million
NO.1 TOURIST SITE - Chichen Itza
CHEERS - Salud
YUCATAN LOOP 28N
Part Road Trip
HIGHLIGHTS - Beaches, cenotes & cayes
IT'S GOOD TO BE IN MERIDA SAT / SUN FOR ZOCOLO MARKET FOOD & FUN
Cancun 3N
Chichen Itza 1N
Izamal 1N
Merida 3N
Campeche 2N
Chetumal 1N
Caye Caulker 3N
Tulum 4N
Playa del Carmen 2 + 1N
(+ Cozumel 2N) = 28N
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Yucatan hospitality
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Temazcal Ceremony - get purified
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Pink Lakes and Flamingos
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Margaritas @ Señor Frogs
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Lucha Libre - Mexican wrestling
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ATV ride through the jungle
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Buy the World's best hammock
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Explore Ambergris Caye - by golf cart
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See Sea Turtles laying eggs on the beach - May to October
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Cenotes - freshwater swimming sink holes
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The "Yellow City", "White City", "Rainbow City" & Two Magic Towns
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Chichen Itza - one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World" and UNESCO Site
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Swim with 12m / 20 ton whale sharks - the world's biggest fish! - June to September
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Swim with Turtles
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Drink Lizard Juice on Caye Caulker
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Chicken Poo Bingo
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Pirates
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The Blue Lagoon & the astonishing Blue Hole
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Lobster Binge & Lobster Fest in July
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Mud Bath
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Traverse the amazing Secret Underground River
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Dine in a Cave with a Cenote
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See Mexico's best beach & best island
Cancun - 3N
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Fly in and out of Cancun, Mexico's largest airport. This is a great way to enter Cuba as well. If you wanted to cut a week of the trip you could skip Belize and drop the car off in Tulum, or hang on to it. Sunday is the best day to start the trip if possible.
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Cancun is one of Mexico's premier resorts and has 12 km of beaches. Hotels are good value so start off relaxing in a nice waterfront place. Get ready for the best beach holiday ever. Or more correctly beaches holiday and they are some of the world's best. Plus culture, history, wildlife, the world's best hammocks, lobster pies and swimming in Cenotes.
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Head into town for a change of pace and check out the Mexican Wrestling and Street Food in the downtown area. Go swimming with Whale Sharks to step things up a bit. Don't worry, they're really big but they only eat plankton.
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You could hire a scooter to get around, get your hire car early or just use the convenient bus system. There is plenty of nightlife to keep you going, the Margaritas at Senor Frogs are pretty good and you may or may not want to join the infamous "Boobs Cruise". Have a scroll through the Cancun Tours below ⬇️.
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Stay at or near the Mayan Monkey Cancun **** - excellent location close to the beach and near the Party Zone, dorm or private rooms, outdoor pool, terrace, restaurant, bar and evening entertainment.
Día de los Muertos
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Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
Photo by Richard Hoskinson Unsplash
Chichen Itza - 1N
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Grab a rental car🚗 and head off to the town of Valladolid a little over 2 hours away. Get it for 10 days, pick up in Cancun and drop off at Chetumal Airport.
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Situated around here are some of the most spectacular cenotes (natural swimming holes) on the peninsula. Go for a swim and let some fish nibble you but don't leave your valuables in the car. Have lunch at the scenic restaurant overlooking the Cenote Zaci. Make your way to Chichen Itza and check in to your hotel a short walk away from the attraction. Spend the afternoon relaxing around the pool or having a massage if you like.
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If you can afford it stay at the 16th Century Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa *****
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Or for something more economical the Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza ****.
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Or the even cheaper Hotel Okaan ***** - all have outdoor pools, free parking, restaurants, bars and spa & wellness centres.
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Next morning an early visit to Chichen Itza to beat the crowds. Try to avoid Sundays when there is free entrance for the locals. Back to the hotel and relax until check out.
Izamal - 1N
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Hop in the car and an hour up the road is the 2000 year old Mayan Yellow City of Izamal. It is officially designated a Magical Mexican Town as part of a government program. Although day tourists pass through not many stick around overnight so you'll experience an authentic town mostly yourself. There are 4 ruins in the area and unlike Chichen Itza you can climb these ones. There is a lot of colonial architecture (all yellow) which makes it an interesting place for a wander. If you don't feel like walking there are colourful horse and carts waiting at the main plaza. Try some of the local dishes that have Mayan origins. There isn't much in the way of nightlife here but you'll find a few bars scattered about the place.
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Stay at or near the plaza at the Izamal Plaza - free parking, outdoor pool
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Photo by journey.app on Unsplash
Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
merida - 3N
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From the "Yellow City" to the "White City". Another hour along the road you will find the world hammock capital and beautiful colonial city of Merida. Do yourself a favour and buy one while you are here. Every Mexican town has a main square called a zocalo and this is where the action happens and is the place to be. You will find open air cafes, ice cream parlours and craft shops selling hammocks, among other things. The one in Merida is particularly attractive and very lively on weekends. On Sundays there is a can't miss Food Market highlighting the local specialties. There is a free walking tour which is worth doing and a good Mayan museum.
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A day tour to see pink lakes, flamingos, ruins, cenotes and some beach time is a must. As is a cooking lesson. Also nearby is the Chicxulub crater from the meteor that killed off the dinosaurs but there's not much to see these days. There is a museum to give you some idea on the massive impact this event had on the planet.
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Try the local dishes, dive into the nightlife, stroll the famous Paseo de Montejo and visit the cafes and just enjoy being in this very pleasant town.
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Stay at or near the Maison del Embajador **** - free parking and pool, just north of the main plaza / zocalo where most of the bars are located.
Campeche - 2N
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The next coloured town is the stunning fairy-tale UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rainbow City of Campeche. It is 2 hours south on the west coast of the Yucatan. Stay in the beautiful old town where you'll be spoiled for choice of high quality cafes, restaurants and bars. The city had a pirate problem in the old days and the wall it built to protect itself still surrounds the cobblestone and pastel coloured old town.
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International tourists haven't discovered this place yet so prices are very reasonable. Get your Pirates of the Caribbean vibe going with the nightly sound and light show or a sunset cruise on a pirate ship. The biggest pirate attack in history occurred here when twenty ships attacked. Spend a couple of days getting to know the place and enjoying the al fresco dining and nightlife in Calle 59.
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Stay at or near the Castelmar Hotel **** - street parking or secured parking available and a swimming pool. Very close to the main square, Calle 59 Food and Bar Street and the sea.
Bacalar Lagoon - 2N
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Off to another magic city (Pueblos Mágicos) for a couple of nights - Bacalar - the"Maldives of Mexico"! Get some cash before you leave as there aren't a lot of ATMs in Bacalar. It is a long drive so get an early start. Stop off for lunch somewhere along the way. The town of Xpuhil 300kms away will probably have the most choices.
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This secret paradise has a freshwater lagoon with 7 shades of blue. Good for kayaking or a boat tour and definitely a must see. Stop for a swim at the spectacular Cenote Azul just before you arrive. It has a restaurant as well. Check into your hotel and find an over-water hammock and put your feet up and cool off.
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Get up early for the sunrise. Kayak or take a boat tour through the famous Pirate Channel. If you want some jungle adventure head out to the Kan-Kin Ziplines which are 10 mins up the road. Stroll through the town. Have a nice meal at lakeside restaurant La Playita. Head to the Zocalo in the evening for some entertainment. Here are a few more restaurants and bars to choose from.
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For lunch on your 2nd day head down to Los Rapidos. Float / snorkel through the rapids, eat at the restaurant, have some water hammock time drinking a few icy cold beers - don't forget your Crocs, or other water sandals. Don't miss it!!
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Stay on the waterfront - here are some of the better value options from south to north - all have free parking and all but one has beachfront with kayaks etc, the other one is very close and has a rooftop terrace -
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Hotel Sun Ha Bacalar *** - Rooftop Terrace and good location close to everything
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The Yak Lake House - Hostal (Adults Only) - best location in town in the centre of everything - combination hostel / hotel where private rooms are 10 times the price of dorm rooms. It has a Bar, Wednesday Parties (which should be your first night here) and a Campfire - a good choice of you want to socialize and have a good time.
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Casa Lamat - has a Restaurant, Spa & Wellness centre & beachfront
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Seven Blue House Village & Lodge - has a swimming pool
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Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
chetumal - 1N
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No rush to leave today as Chetumal is only a half an hour away. Check into the hotel and drop your gear off before you return the car. Off to Belize tomorrow so enjoy a last night on the Boulevard Bahia with it's street-food and carnival atmosphere. Head to the big clock just before sunset. There's even a party bus called the Bule Buzz!
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Stay at or near the Hotel Noor **** - 5 min walk from the ferry pier, 10 min walk from the Night Market, sea views, swimming pool, a good restaurant. & bar
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Photo by Monica Leonardi on Unsplash
Caye Caulker Sunset
Caye Caulker - 3N
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Belize used to be called British Honduras until 1973 and was the last colony on the American mainland. The British Army has retained a presence here since independence. Belize has 12 colours on its flag, the most in the world. There is a real Caribbean feel to the place compared with the rest of Central America which is more like Mexico. No rush today as the ferry to Caye Caulker doesn't leave until mid-afternoon. It takes 3 - 4 hours.
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There are also water taxis between both Cayes and Chetumal which suit better with their departure times. Have a look in the Belize Cayes Tours below⬇️.
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Stay wherever your budget allows you. the northern end of the island has most of the bars and restaurants but it is pretty compact and easy to walk around. Caye Caulker Beach Hotel **** - excellent location close to restaurants and bars, great rooftop terrace, convenience store downstairs, beachfront
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Snorkel with sharks, dive the world famous Blue Hole, eat cheap lobster and BBQ seafood, drink sundowners at the beach bars at the Split and and groove to the Reggae. There's heaps of great restaurants and bars to try out and a good nightlife to make this an unbeatable beach holiday destination.
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Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
Ambergris Caye
ambergris CayE - 3N
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Just in case you haven't had enough beach life yet you're back on the boat for the 30 min ride to Ambergris Caye. Ambergris is a product expelled from whales that is used in perfume production. It is very expensive, illegal to trade in and is known as floating gold. There is a more diverse range of resorts here so lash out if you want. Grab a golf cart (don't forget to carry your license) and start exploring the island (which in reality is a peninsula).
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Stay at or near Ambergris Sunset Hotel *** - outdoor pool, roof terrace, 2 restaurants & bar.
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Or Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant *** - private and dorm rooms, beachfront, restaurant and bar, swimming pool and close to the Palapa bar.
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Or the Voyager Sun & Reef Hotel *** - excellent central location,
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If you're a diver the world's second largest barrier reef lies off of the coast of Belize. There's more to do here than on Caye Caulker and the nightlife is more lively. Fishermen will be happy to see a choice of fishing tours including deep sea fishing for sailfish. Visit the Belize Chocolate Company, eat and drink and enjoy live music at the Palapa Bar & Grill which is out over the water, try these restaurants, eat lobster, do a sunset / dinner / booze cruise and play chicken poo bingo.
Tulum - 4N
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Early start today to be at the ferry terminal at 7.30 am an hour before your 8.30 am departure. Don't forget to have some cash ready for departure tax. It takes an hour to get back to Chetumal. Head straight to the ADO Bus Station and make your way to Tulum on the Maya Riviera where the jungle meets the sea. It has become one of the most popular destiinations on the planet. The bus ride is a little over 3 ½ hours. Make your way to the hotel which is 6km south of town on the beach.
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Stay at or near the Punta Piedra Beach Posada *** - beachfront with a pool, restaurant and breakfast included
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Or Tunich Jungle Cabanas - in a great location 1minute walk from the beach, has a restaurant that does breakfast 7am - 7pm, a bar and coffee house.
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La Conchita Tulum **** - beautiful beachfront location
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For a place that's perfect for lazing around doing nothing there are a hell of a lot of things to do. Such as Laguna de Kaan Luum a large cenote you can play on the edges of. Have a mud bath, hire a kayak or even a drone. Half an hour north in Akumal you can swim with turtles. Visit the cliff top ruins and the adjacent beach. Spend the day relaxing in a beach club. Visit Paradise Beach, the best one in Mexico. Go on a cenote crawl. Explore the town, Pueblo Tulum. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Have an ATV ride through the jungle.
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Tulum Ruins and Beach
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To get around and see the sights you could hire a scooter or use the public Colectivos where you wave them down and let the driver know where you want to get out. Or you could get a taxi or a hire car.
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The standard of restaurants is very good as are the bars and nightlife.
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Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash
10,000 Cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula
Playa del Carmen - 2 + 1N
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It takes an hour to get to Playa del Carmen. You could take the bus, a shuttle or even share a taxi. The bus station is in the area you want to to stay in PDC.
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Hotels are much better value here than in Tulum. Stay in the centre of the action near the ferry terminal for Cozumel. There are cheaper ones nearby but their ratings aren't great. Stay at or near the Capital O Mimi Del Mar ***** - right on the beach with a restaurant and terrace if they have a half price deal going.
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Or the Hotel Posada Sian Kaan Playa del Carmen *** - jungle design, great location for nightlife, beach & transport, outdoor pool and everyone gets a terrace.
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Experience the magical Secret Underground River. Maybe one last Cenote or two. Go for an off road jungle experience. Get cleansed in an ancient Temazcal Ceremony. Learn a little Salsa dancing. Plenty of shops on La Quinta for those last minute presents. Head to the beach, hit the Happy Hours or go out on a Booze Cruise. Great food and drinking scene. Have dinner in a 10,000 year old cavern.
Cozumel - 2N (Or 5N If you can)
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After a couple of nights leave your main packs at the hotel and take the ferry over to Cozumel, Mexico's best island. Your day pack should be fine to live out of for a couple of days. You could easily spend 2 weeks here so this will just be enough to lure you back one day.
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Get a place near the waterfront, main plaza and where the ferry comes in. Stay at or near Hotel Mary Carmen *** - in a great location with a garden and sun terrace.
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Rent a scooter or jeep and do a lap of the island. Make a day of it (the numbers correspond to the stops on the map) -
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Visit the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
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Drop in on a few beach bars, and a naked beach
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See the lighthouse and go for a free boat tour of the lagoon
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Have a seafood lunch with a sea view and water sports
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Visit one last cenote
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Spend a few hours in a beach club
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Go horse riding on the beach
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Eat ancient recipes at the Mayan Cacao Company
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Go snorkeling, have a massage
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Go for a submarine ride
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Check out the many view points along the way - that's a lot to pack into one day, just pick out the bits you like
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Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & more.
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There is world class snorkeling and diving here, off road adventures, deep sea sports fishing, an adventure park, swim with the stingrays, great food and nightlife and you are facing west for a change so expect some spectacular sunsets.
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Make your way back to Playa del Carmen for one last big night to celebrate the best Beach Trip ever!! Then sadly head off to Cancun Airport already planning your next adventure. Or better yet flying to Havana with plenty of good times to come. See Trip # 16 Cuba Discovery. You can fly to one end of the island and then fly back here from the other end. Also have a look at Blancaneaux Ridge in Hotels and Flores Island in Islands.