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Things to know about Cancun: Hotels and Accommodation

Rachel — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:58:37 +0000

Honeymoons and romantic vacations are always the reasons why people come to Cancun. The island is such a conducive place for romance that plenty of wedding destinations and anniversary celebrations take place here.

The hotels even offer packages for such events, and you can pick from a variety of these in many of the hotels in the area. They range from the super luxurious to the most budget-friendly accomodations. There’s also golf resort hotels, nude and adult only hotels and family hotels that are kid and pet friendly.

While still largely a romantic destination, vacationing in Cancun with your kids is definitely still plausible as some hotels, like The Royal Sands, offer packages that include activities that children may also enjoy. There are supervised events offered only for the children and babysitting services are also available.

The Royal Sands is also a fantastic place, if you are a sports enthusiasts, because this hotel is a golf resort. Or you can check out the Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort that comes with the breathtaking view of the Mayan Ruins, as well as a tennis court facility.

Hotels like these organize plenty of activities for their guests, including snorkeling, day trips, and diving trips.

If you’re into budget travels, be aware though that these hotels may be without facilities like a swimming pool or may have no in-house restaurants. Budget hotels are perfect if you’re really just looking for a place to sleep, as you tour the rest of the island in the day. Hotel Tankah and Hotel San Carlos Cancun are just some of the decent budget hotels in the area.

Things to know about Cancun: August

Rachel — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:11:53 +0000

August is the off-season in Cancun, which means that a lot of resorts have deals and special offers you can save on. If you want to visit Mexico with a tight budget, then this would be the ideal month to do it.

You have to contend with rainfall, however, as this is the start of the rainy season. And it’s different here in Mexico as the temperatures are higher at this time of the year. The weather can also get very uncomfortable as it is quite. The rains usually come during the afternoon, which means that you should do your activities outdoor in the early mornings. If you plan on going on a daytour, you may have to have rain gear prepared.

Many visitors, however, seem to not mind the weather, as the beaches are still filled with sunworshippers and swimmers.

Cancun beaches have rows of interesting restaurants that range from the pricey to the super affordable. The beach atmosphere make dining even more enjoyable.

If you come around mid-August, it’s actually the La Fiesta de Playa celebration, featuring concerts and different fun competitions, as well as dance parties. There’s also a special festivity by the lighthouse as Isla Mujares celebrates its Founding Day every August 17th.

The beach can be really crowded with tourists from nearby United States during Labor Day Weekend, and while this is not the holiday Mexico celebrates, it sure feels like there’s a party here in Cancun during those times.

Things to know about Cancun: November

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:35:05 +0000

Hoards of tourist come to Cancun around November, as this is the best time to be in the island. The rainy season has let up and there are loads of festivals too look forward to like the Day of the Dead.

Although Cancun is a tourist destination all year round, in November, the weather is drier, but the temparature drops slightly with the evenings and mornings a lot more cooler.

The climate remains ideal for sunbathing and swimming, or do different kinds of water sports, or visit landmarks at Isla Mujares or the Chichen Itza. Daytours and walks are perfect for the cool but bright November weather, so make sure to have good, comfortable shoes with you.

November also marks Mexico’s All Saints Day and Day of The Dead celebrations. It’s like Halloween in Mexico, and houses, including people, are decked with colorful decorations to commemorate their deceased loved ones. This is also considered a National holiday, so expect many establishments to be closed as everyone is in the mood for fiesta celebrations.

In the middle of November, there’s the Cancun International Film Festival, which film lovers will appreciate.

Since this month is also the start of the tourist season, it’s best to avail of hotel accommodations early and book ahead. If you’re low on budget and wasn’t able to make advance reservations, though, there are still a few low budget hotels in downtown Cancun. Take note however, that you will have to contend with the lack of facilities (like having a common bathroom for all guests).

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Location, Location, Location

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:58:44 +0000

Puerto Vallarta is a thriving expat community, which is most probably why a lot of tourists here feel right at home. There are plenty of Canadians, Americans and even Europeans who have settled here and have infused the life of the locals like their own.

Forget about the sterotype that you see in movies and television about Mexico being quite provincial and small, or even impoverished. The truth is Puerto Vallarta is actually an upscale area.

The Hotel Zone, for instance, is almost similar in ambiance and atmosphere as the ones you see in California. The center of the city, in fact, hardly shows any sign of danger or desolation. This isn’t like New Jersey, where slums are seen within a block from a posh hotel.

All around, the area is a pleasant, middle-class community with a lot of expats living here for many years, with their kids and family. That’s not saying there are no desolated areas in this part of Mexico, however. Because there are quite a few, yet well-managed environments.

If you’re in the market to not just visiting Puerto Vallarta on short trips, but to actually find a house you can come to for vacations, the city center has reasonable rates.

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Nightlife

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:46:17 +0000

Puerto Vallarta has a vibrant nightlife with lots of parties, singing, drinking and dancing. There’s always something for everyone to enjoy. In fact, Puerta Vallarta has one of the best and most authentic nightlife spots here in Mexio.

At the Hotel Zone, visitors will find that there are numerous dance clubs and bars that, more often than not, is almost always filled with tourists. This is especially during the times between November and March, when visitors from everywhere arrive the most.

The city center is where the most active and bustling nightlife scenes are, where the clubs actually do well blending in what’s popular among the locals and nationals, with what is also a hit with tourists and guests. The city center also has a novelty gift shop, as well as a couple of tourist spots. If you don’t prefer going to clubs and bars during the night, then you can spend it shopping or looking for gifts to bring home to family and friends.

For the most part, nightlife is filled with Mexican or Spanish language music, which can be a new sound for tourists, or frustrating, if they cannot relate to it. But in plenty of cases, the tourists seem to blend in, get jiggy with the sound, and have a great time.

Prices at these clubs are offered at fairly reasonable rates, and the crowd is a mix of fashionable and trendy people, proving that in Puerto Vallarta, the fun never stops at the beach!

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: Beaches

Rachel — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:33:56 +0000

Puerto Vallarta has a gorgeous beach coast and there are about forty beaches you can find in the area, all offering different pleasures. The beaches are perfect for doing all sorts of water activitis including snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, jet skiing or wind surfing.

The most visited spots are the beaches found in Los Muertos, located in the Old Town and during weekends and holidays, this can be incredibly filled with people.

The northern part of Puerto Vallarta have more beaches that are suited for surfing and some of these are secluded and less populated.

One thing you should take note of when booking at a beach resort is that the downtown beaches are basicallys smaller. The Hotel Zone does offer a lot of wonderful beaches, but it’s best to check where you are booking your accommodation from. The downtown central area do not have beaches nearby at all, so if you have booked your stay here, be prepared to shell out extra for cab fares if you would like to go to the beach. Otherwise, if you only intend to get a tan working, your best bet is to stay in the hotel and enjoy the pool.

The water on the beach is actually cold, all year round, in spite the fact that this is a gorgeous tropical island, which is why you will find that most hotels also have pools with warm water even when the beach is a walking distance.

Things To Know About Puerto Vallarta: The Romantic Zone

Rachel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:24:40 +0000

In Puerto Vallarta, there is such an area called the Romantic Zone. What really is this place? Is it really “romantic”?

The “Romantic Zone” or Zona Romantica is actually a strip of hotels in Puerto Vallarta, where couples and lovers spend a few days to rendezvous. This is just a small section of the center of the city, located at the River
Cuale and is part of the Old Town of the island. Unlike the northern area, buildings and sights here are not updated, but there’s actually a nostalgic feel to it.

The Romantic Zone has a few family friendly hotels though, so you can actually bring your kids to this district, if you’re comfortable. The Romantic Zone also has a few hotels that gay couples frequent.

There are also plenty of shops and bars, as well as restaurants in the area, so this is also a place for pairs to go on dates. Be prepared to see nothing extra ordinary about the establishments though, at least nothing that stands out compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta.

Best Places to Visit in Mexico: Cuernavaca

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:36:23 +0000

Cuernavaca offers the loveliest weather in Mexico all year round. It’s the kind of weather that’s perfect for an afternoon stroll all year round, unless of course it rains outside. Tourists love to visit this place because of this fine weather, that seems to compliment the attractions and sites in and around the city. Cuernavaca is home to many art museums, cultural and historical structures, which makes for a picture perfect backdrop when you want to capture moments of your trip to Mexico.

This town can be reached via Mexico City in mere fifteen minutes. Its locals are friendly and generally speak English, which makes it easier for tourists. The best thing about being here is that compared to other cities in Mexico, Cuernavaca has goods moderately priced. Spending for items, tokens, souvenirs and food would really mean getting the bang for your back.

Much like many of Mexico’s places, Cuernavaca is a mix of the old and the new. There are trendy shops here, as well as traditional markets where you can bargain. There are nightclubs and hangouts here, as well as the usual hangout spots for locals, where folk music and dancing is the way to have fun. There are also waterparks around the city, which makes this place a wonderful vacation spot for families with children.

Located at the southern region, you will love the authenticity of Cuernavaca!

Best Places to Visit in Mexico: Merida

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:07:35 +0000

Merida used to be called the Modern Maya and it’s located in the Yucatan Peninsula to the north of the Gulf of Mexico.

As one of the oldest cities in Mexico, it has a distinct Spanish colonial look and feel to it. The streets definitely feel as though you’ve stepped into time, as these are the exact streets that were built hundreds of years ago. Many of its buildings and structures are also very old and solid. Merida’s architecture is a sight to behold and going around the city by foot would most definitely be a pleasure trip.

Merida’s main square is called the Plaza Mayor where the Cathedral is, as well as a lot of shops and smaller churches. Tourists can get a bargain at many of the handicraft shops or bill themselves inside the one of the hotels to be conveniently located in the town proper area. The main square is crowded every Sunday, where the atmosphere feels like a large market fair.

Just a few blocks to the plaza is Paseo de Montejo, known as the fashion district of Merida. The stores and restaurants here are slightly upscale, and this is where most banks are located. Popular and trendy night hangouts are also foud in this district.

Some would say that Merida is like one big theme park, because of the mix of old and new. Though populated with almost a million people, Merida is one of Mexico’s most tranquil and safest cities to explore.

Best Places to Visit in Mexico: Mexico City

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:22:10 +0000

If you’re traveling to Mexico with the kids, the best place to go to would be nothing less than Mexico City. There’s something about this place that openly expresses their love for children, in many restaurants and establishments.

Mexico City has Chapultapec Park, which is perfect for spending a family friendly day. This park has a large zoo, which we’re sure everyone in the family will find delightful. It also has pony rides for the younger kids and rowboats for the bigger kids. The whole family can also enjoy biking around the park. Conveniently, there are several rentals there and the price is reasonable.

If you’re looking for entertainment, you can watch weekend concerts where performers include acrobats and pole dancers. This is definitely not your usual singing and dancing!

Mexico City also has the El Museo Del Nino or The Children’s Museum. It’s a site where kids can both learn and enjoy anything from History to Science. The museum is very much hands-on and kids are allowed to touch the items on display. The more they explore, the better they learn all about it.

There is also the National History Museum for the bigger kids. This place is an actual castle once the home of Emperor Maximilian.

Visit the Ciudad de los Niños or City of Children, where kids dress up and pretend to be firefighters or bakers and actually do their service to earn their keep. It’s one way the city is helping orphaned kids.

Zocalo is also a place that’s not easily missed when you’re in Mexico. It’s the heart of the city, where art, culture and modernities converge. Zocalo is full of shopping centers and restaurants in the midst of many museums and other points of interest you will surely treasure with every visit!