Mexico Travel Tips & Information

posted by Donna-Lee on Oct 28

Xpu-Ha Palace, Palace Resorts’ eco-centered property located in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, is pleased to add the family pet to the guest list.

Starting in 2009, guests are welcome to bring a maximum of two pets (first pet is free of charge and the second pet is $50 per stay), at least five months old and less than 40 pounds, to the resort.

While at Xpu-Ha Palace, our furry friends will receive a welcome treat and water upon arrival, special bedding and personal water/food bowls, access to the Pet Club where they will be able to play and exercise in an intimate and secure area under the supervision of expert personnel, and a relaxing grooming session that will be provided once at the end of the pet’s stay.

For the safety of the animals, guests and staff, certain restrictions apply.

posted by Donna-Lee on Jul 23

San Miguel (population 60,000) is the only city on Mexico’s largest island, Cozumel – 28 miles (47 km) long and 11 miles (15 km) wide. Cozumel rests in the Caribbean 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Quintana Roo, some 42 miles (68 km) south of Cancún.

A scrub brush jungle covers the northern half of the island, which is virtually uninhabited (along with the southern portions, the interior and the windward east coast). A road loops the entire southern part along the sea, then cuts back into town, dividing the island in half. The windward eastern beaches, best suited to beachcombing and shell collecting, are rocky, dramatic, impressive, gorgeous and too rough and dangerous for swimming (Playa Chen Rio is the exception.) The leeward western beaches feature picture-perfect white sand, gentle lapping waves, warm turquoise blue water and a series of vibrant living reefs. They offer good swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Two ferry services – a car ferry from Puerto Morelos and a people ferry from Playa del Carmen – serve Cozumel from the Yucatán mainland. Reach Playa using one of the frequent public buses from Cancún’s downtown terminal; a cab will take you for about US $30 (negotiated). The ferry service from Playa to Cozumel (45 minutes, US $5) changes schedule as often as we change underwear so check at one of the ticket booths.

San Miguel also has an international airport with some direct flights from the United States and numerous 15-minute connecting flights from Cancún (call Aerocozumel at phone 98/84- 20-00). If you’re on a cruise, you’ll find taxis lined up at the pier to take you downtown or on an island tour. Even if you are just there for the day, we’ll point out the best places to eat and shop, as well as what to do.

Cozumel streets are laid out well and it’s easy to know where you are once you get used to them. Av. Rafael Melgar is the main road running along the western waterfront. It becomes the North Road and South Road out of the downtown. Streets running north and south, parallel to the water, are avenidas and those running perpendicular to the sea, east and west, are calles. The sole exception to this is Av. Benito Juárez, which cuts San Miguel and the island into northern and southern halves. The streets north of Juárez are marked norte and have even numbers (2, 4, 6, etc.). All the calles south of Juárez are sur and are given odd numbers (3, 5, 7, etc.). Vehicles traveling north and south are supposed to have the right of way, while those traveling east and west are required to stop on every corner.

Besides taxis (a good choice when going direct from one place to another), three types of personal transportation are available: motorbikes, bicycles and rented cars or Jeeps. Many major hotels rent motorbikes or cars and every street corner downtown near the dock has men hawking rentals. The prices are pretty much the same between individual renters, especially near the dock, but you could try going to some of the shops in town or waiting until the crowd disburses before negotiating.

Parking can sometimes be scarce in town so be careful of No Parking zones (including red curbs). Your car could be towed or the license plate removed so that you pay a fine at the rental agency.  If you are in a group, or want to really see every detail of Cozumel’s wilderness, try getting a good deal on a Jeep.

Last but not least, pick up a free Blue Guide to Cozumel, available all over the island and at the ferry. It has some valuable discount coupons and fun-reading tidbits.

posted by colin on Jun 26

In Mexico, scuba divers are often able to swim with the dolphins and sea turtles. To many, this alone is worth the cost of scuba diving.  Aside from swimming with sea animals, you can also spend your scuba diving trip examining the life and environment underwater.  Just a few of the many sea animals that you may see in Mexico include lobsters, eels, sting rays, and a large number of different kinds of fishes. The fishes found in underwater Mexico often include puffer fishes, spotted fishes, and parrot fishes. 

 While the sea animals found underwater are the most exciting part of scuba diving, there are other underwater activities that you can participate in.  Many scuba divers enjoy diving along coral reefs that are found along the coast of Mexico.  Coral reefs are not only home to a large number of sea animals, but they also make for great adventures. You may find it exciting traveling in, over, or around the many different sized reefs. For good reef diving, you’ll love scuba diving and snorkeling in the dazzling waters of the Caribbean in Cozumel, Mexico.

posted by colin on Dec 28

Few places on earth cause as much amazement as the Riviera Maya. This is a 125-mile-Iong coastline that extends along the incredible turquoise blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean, on the eastern shores of the State of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula.

What makes the Riviera Maya so different from other coast­lines around the world? It has a large quantity of beaches with glistening white sand and mild surf. Near the shore, a low-ele­vation jungle, typical of the tropics, acts as a wall to the sea.

Practically impenetrable, it’s a habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna and for geological formations. Here are the “cenotes”-deposits of capricious shapes and different sizes, produced by the subterranean rivers that emerged to the surface over the course of millions of years. Facing the Riviera Maya’s coast is the world’s second-largest coral reef, making it an ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling.

The starting point of the Riviera Maya is Puerto Morelos. Just south is Playa Maroma, a 370-acre eco-park of tropical jungle, mangroves and cenotes, where travelers can enjoy biking, canoeing, kayaking, trekking and horseback riding. Playa del Carmen, the largest town in the Riviera Maya, offers the flavor of a small fishing village mixed with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Shopping, restaurants and nightlife center around Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida).

The resort area of Playacar is home to a number of upscale and all-inclusive resorts, more than 100 small archeological sites, the Xaman-Ha Aviary (home to more than 200 bird species)and Cavernas Sacbe, a rock cavern.

Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park offering a unique glimpse into the region’s natural surroundings and inter­active activities like snorkeling in under­ground rivers, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding and scuba diving. There’s also a natural aquarium, museum, botanical garden, Mayan village and unique folkloric shows at night.

The small bay and beach of Paamul, where turtles come to leave their eggs, offers visitors another of the region’s best spots for diving and snorkeling and is a great place for a picnic.

The upscale resort area of Puerto Aventuras offers the ideal location for visitors looking to relax in comfort and tranquility. Best known for the annual fish­ing tournament held here each May, this town centers around the Riviera Maya’s only full-service marina. The Cultural and Poly-Religious Center, the only one of its kind in the Riviera Maya, is also here. The 5 star Aventura Spa Palace is located adjecent to puerto Aventuras.

Continuing south, visitors will note Xpu-Ha, a large beautiful bay and beach with calm waters and great visibility, as well as Kantenah, another secluded beach area. Xpu-Ha is home to the Cenote Manatee, one of the largest cenotes in the region, and the Xpu-Ha Lagoon. Kantun Chi is a remarkable eco-park in the heart of the Riviera Maya that is excellent for snorkel­ing in freshwater cenotes and exploring the underground caverns. Its name means “yellow stone mouth” in Mayan.

Aktun­Chen features three caves filled with stalac­tite and stalagmite rocks, cenotes and an opportunity to see the Riviera Maya’s diverse wildlife.

The small town of Akumal, known as “the place of turtles,” is a favorite place of the endangered marine turtles, as well as for divers. It’s also well known for its eco­logical center, Ukana-I, which is used for both research and as a community center. Just north of Akumal is YaIku Lagoon, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

The beaches of Soliman Bay and Tankah are favorites for both locals and tourists. Further south is Xel-Ha (“the place where water was born”), a l50-acre eco-archeological park. An incredible nat­ural aquarium where the ocean combines with the freshwater springs and under­ground rivers, Xel-Ha is ideal for tubing, snorkeling and swimming. Xel-Ha is also home to macaws and is surrounded by a thick jungle, caves and cenotes. Archeological sites containing altars dedi­cated to Yum Chac are located nearby.

The archeological site of Tulum (“walled city”) offers some of the most impressive Mayan ruins anywhere. Built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this site contains more than 60 well-pre­served structures. Tulum also offers beauti­ful beaches and cenotes, including the well known Calavera, the Grand cenote and the Car Wash. Located inland, Coba is one of the most important archeological sites in the Riviera Maya. The main pyramid, Nohuch Mul, is 138 feet tall, the highest on the west side of the Peninsula.

To the extreme south of the Riviera Maya on a small peninsula is Sian Ka’ an Biosphere Reserve, which offers an oppor­tunity to explore mangroves, ancient Mayan canals and the almost untouched wilderness of the jungle. Only a limited part of the reserve, a large protected area of 1.5 million acres with more than 62 miles of the Great Maya Reef, is open to tourists. Located within the Reserve are Boca Paila and Punta Allen, a village with only 600 inhabitants whose livelihood is dependent on spiny lobster fishing.

The southernmost point in the Riviera Maya is the town of Felipe Puerto Carillo, considered a central point for all Mayan communities of the area. It provides a glimpse into the past, as the town has pre­served much of its ancient Mayan culture. Its numerous historic and archaeological sites include The Temple de la Cruz Parlante (Temple of the Talking Cross) and a cultural center from the last century.

posted by Donna-Lee on Nov 17

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	Xcaret is a great eco-park on the coast. Make it an all day affair to get the best value. The park is loaded with amusements: snorkel the underground river, an aquarium, butterfly exhibit, sea turtles, ruins, Mayan village, beach, dolphin swim & more. Then experience Xcaret at Night. A firelight Mayan ceremonial dance, Indiana Jones style dry cave, and fantastic amphitheater for regional music & dancing from around Mexico. Located just south of Playa Del Carmen.
	Xel-Ha; Explore a Natural Wonder. The waters of Xel-Ha are a combination of salt water from the seas and freshwater from the underground rivers. There is also a collection of Mayan ruins in the Xel-ha archaeological park This provides a habitat for a variety of fish, birds and other wild life. You can enjoy snorkeling, tubing, biking and just walking around this beautiful area.
	Aktun Chen Dry Cave and Jungle Tour- you won’t want to miss this cave, the sign is just south of Akumal along the highway. A walk through Aktun Chen is as close to “dry cave diving” as you’ll get. A great example of the extensive caves in the area. The variety and number of stalactites is staggering! Great monkeys too. Located just south of Akumal.
	Cenotes One of the most unique features of the Riviera Maya are its “cenotes” which are literally the liquid life of Quintana Roo. Cenotes are natural oasis pools in the jungle fed freshwater by the submerged caves which honeycomb the underground. Many of these cenotes can be visited on organized snorkel-swim tours while others with signs along the road simply require a fee to enter.
	Tres Rios Ecological Park- open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Enjoy unlimited use of bicycles on jungle paths, canoe trips on the jungle rivers, Kayaks on the beach, snorkeling, diving and swimming in the cenotes (springs), rivers and beach. Beach chairs, hammocks and palapas available at the beach. Located just North of Playa del Carmen.
	Selvatura Adventure jungle tour 19K west of Puerto Morelos on the road to Central Vallarta (west side of highway 307). Enjoy a combination zip line (tyrolean traverse) jungle canopy tour, biking and cenote swim. Prices $40-60 usd depending on package purchased. Food and beverage, souveniers are available at the main lodge/outfitting center. Certified guides.
	Yaax Che Jardin Botanico- This is a great botanical 1/2 day trip to see tropical plants and trees native to the Yucatan peninsula, identified with tags in a natural setting. The gardens have paths which lead to varied environmental zones, a senic overlook, small Mayan ruins and an example of a traditional Maya “palapa home” and “chiclero” camp. Monkeys and birds are not uncommon to see. Located on hwy 307 just south of the entrance to Puerto Morelos.
	Xaman Ha Aviary- Xaman Ha Aviary is a wonderful natural habitat for some 60 species of tropical birds who populate the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula. Here you can see roughly 200 individual birds living in harmony with one another, all within an open-air sanctuary that has paths and trails leading to the birds’ preferred nesting areas. Xaman Ha Aviary is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya in Playacar, Playa del Carmen. Hours: daily 9am-5pm.

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