1. BEYOND Cancun - My Travels On The Yucatan
My spouse and I fell in love with south america , specifically, the actual Yucatan Peninsula.
Most Americans' reaction, when we extol the actual virtues of vacationing within Mexicobelieve only
from the recent ugliness due to drug wars, or even of stories of extortion bymexican Police or even
thievery by an impoverished people. While it is true that south america has itsshare of
unpleasantness, so do numerous American metropolitan areas.
Talk to a born and selectively bred Californian, and New York is filled with rude individuals ,
rottingrubbish , sewer rodents , and dangerous criminals. Speak with a New Yorker, they believe that
California is rife with crazy, liberal NewAgers, earthquakes, oh yea , and dangerous criminals. Speak
with each of them after they’ve become achance to really begin to see the other side and usually
you’ll listen to a much much softer stance.
Once you’ve been treated towards the best south america has tooffer , you might improve your view
as well.
Our very first adventure was in 2004, when we stayed at a resort,some of those all-inclusive setups.
Thisone was small , only 28 rooms, with a dining room, reception , bar, separate diningpalapa, and a
beautiful figure-8 fresh water swimming pool. At that time , the swimming pool was clothing-
optional,something new for us and not for everyone , but an interesting adventure,nevertheless.
The initial cost of this vacation resort was $240.00 per night, that included the area and all meals ,
and most importantly with regard to my husband, all BEVERAGES. Ale , water, sodas , mixeddrinks ,
this location was truly all-inclusive.
Our room was impeccable, with tiled floors , white walls andsimple but stylish furniture. We'd read
there were lots of bugs , but we simply encountered several. Mostly bugs as well as lots of teeny
small geckos. My theory is they werepresently there first, these people didn’t ask for their jungle
home to be ripped out and abuilding placed on it.
There was a wait around staff, with a concierge that took proper care of everything. The waiter was
Isidro, that was a fantastic young man with a wicked sense of humor. One evening at dinner he or
she was trying to convinceme personally that the Filet Mignon really was made from monkey. The
concierge was Jeronimo, the kind of man who might get you anything you needed.
Our stay was five nights, we met a few truly memorable characters, swam naked within the pool and
not had to would like for a consume or ameal. One of the staff was always onhand to bring a person
whatever you needed. We skilled a monsoon, watched individuals ants i pointed out take apart the
small crab in about ten minutes, swamand snorkeled in the Caribbean- which was stunning blue-
green so that as warm like a bath.
We had pre-booked a scuba diving trip out of Cancun,and it turned out to be one of the worst
encounters of our life. It’s a day trip, you take a party boat out toIsla Mujeres, exactly where they have
points of interest from a turtle farm in order to volleyball, in order to waterslides. There were food and

2. drinkkiosks, this was all-inclusive, and you could board one of the snorkelingboats. The island was
fun for around twoseveral hours , although it will be a great set up for households with kids , not much
with regard to adults to complete. The scuba diving trip would be a disaster. These people crammed
forty of us on a boat intended for about half that , we were literally packed like sardines. These people
took the actual boat about six miles offshore,displaying us how to wear the actual mask and how to
utilize the life vest to float. They told us to put on our flippers andleap off the boat , not easily done
whenever you can’t reach your feet. As the boat purged , it became easier for those of us near the
front to get our flippers on, however it took some time to get thefeeling back in your legs. Even while
,the instructions are yelling at us to GET off the BOAT!
While on the sea , we looked like a bunch of refugeesbeing acquired by the coastline guard, forty of
us, bobbing around within the water in orange life vests. 10 or even 15 extra boatsexperienced also
eliminated out, so in small groups of forty , there were hundreds of us, all swimming close to our
respective boats. Evidently , someone from our group had a medical crisis , so theyloaded her
included and remaining. We werestranded !! They split us upward among theother boats, because ,
hey, what’s a few more sardines in the may , eh?
As boats were docking, snorkelers had been everywhere, hanging off the boats , and pier railing,
throwing their cookies.
(Or in my husband’s situation , his hotdogs ….. With onions and mustard)
We after that got totally back about the party boat (which was the lot quieter for the journey home)
and headed back to Cancun.
Cancun is a great location ifyou love to party, and that i would never recommend NOT heading there,
but we werepining for our peaceful little vacation resort. And we experienced fallen deeply in love with
the close by town, Puerto Morelos. We went there in order to catch the actual bus to another
excursion we'd booked, towards the ruins from Tulum. The actual travel agency there's Marand
journey , andshe can hook you up with nearly something on the Mayan Riviera.
The city is little , but developing. It is a fishing village , and then they were just starting to promote
travel and leisure , including scuba diving.
Even although our vacation resort was all-inclusive we used a restaurantpresently there. We were
enchanted not only by thescrumptious food, but by the customer support we skilled there. Our favorite
cafe was but still is ElViejo Pescador, which means old fisherman, and is run by the fishing
supportive. During that visit, we booked the snorkelingtrip through one of the owners, and while they
were a little more primitive within their efforts , it was much more enjoyable.We lucked out in that
people were the only guests about the trip, and we snorkeled at the reef the half mile out from the
city. The ‘guides’ had been a couple of teenagedlocals, one of whom was outstanding, using a great
time displaying us ‘his’reef. Our trip included lunch , at thePescador, and they treated us like honored
guests , something we have gottenused to as we possess returned towards the Yucatan, Puerto
Morelos and El ViejoPescador often.
During that first go to , the other trip was to the actual ruins from Tulum, and the ecological drinking
water park, Xel-Ha. The ruins site was breathtaking, because our enthusiastic guide showed us the

3. remains of peasant dwellings, respectable dwellings, temples or wats andthe primary buildings. The 3
mainbuildings were used like a calendar by the Ancient Mayans, who experienced an amazinggrasp
of astronomy. We would liked topossess spent all day there, but were relocated along in order to Xel-
Ha, an amusement park where iguanas roam free and you can backpack through the jungle ,
commune with native birds , visit a turtle breeding environment , or snorkel in amazing crystalobvious
lagoons. We decided that on the next trip , we’d invest an entire day there.
We had been reluctant in the future home, and that i often joke that I remaining fingernail marks on
the outdoor patio at the saltwater Club, being dragged aside kicking and screaming. Someplace
sunny and warm Reef membership closed like a resort, attempting to convert to individually-owned
condos. When we returned within 2006, storm Wilma experienced destroyed several of the buildings ,
as well as capturing the beach and swimming pool out to sea.
Our 2nd trip right down to Puerto Morelos, in march , 2006, was planned out months ahead of time.
We stayed 7 days, and used the experiences, negative and positive , in our preparing.
We booked a home rental through VacationRentals, and paid$700.00 for that week, for any 1 bed
room apartment –the middle floor of a 3 levelbuilding. Our condo was beautiful and spacious , with
tiled floors and windows everywhere , to allow see how to avoid andsea breezes. There were also
effective air conditioners, a fully appointed kitchen and a washer/dryer. During the stay, there is a pair
of“snowbirds” from mn staying in the floor floor condo , they were useful , giving us pointers on where
to consume and play.
Our first evening in town, we immediately consumed at the most popular restaurant, El Viejo
Pescador, but we were soon i'm sorry we did. Not because the restaurant wasn’t as good aswe
remembered, but the town chapel was using a fiesta. We wandered close to , watching the actual
churchfemales , buying tamales here, cookies there, until we were stuffed ! We stopped at an
additional restaurant for any drink,El Pirata, and located a familiar face. It was Jeronimo, from the
saltwater Club. Actually though it have been two years, he or she recognized us and we chatted for
some time , aboutthe actual demise from the resort and just how the town experienced grown. We
made sure to stop by often duringthe stay, and Jeronimo always had a smile and a good story, in
addition to goodmeals , for us!
We tried many dining places , including several many tourists would probably prevent. We fulfilled a
other American that recommended africa by evening , acafe a fifty percent mile out of town. Itwould
be a converted home , as many dining places are, and the dining area was a patio area, screened off
with mosquito netting. These people served toast whole fish , Rojo (snapper ) and shrimp ceviche.
Their own portions tend to be generous, the actual beer is cold(and $1 the bottle) and they take great
care to determine that you are happy andwell-fed. We consumed there many times.

4. We stopped by a restaurant possessed by a pair of Italiansisters , Giaconda, in which the Bruschetta
and Tiramisu tend to be as inviting as the environment. Uniquely decorated with art gallery
postersconverted into wall water features , and a Michelangelo behind the actual bar, a person almost
forget you are on a little residential street in south america.
We ate fish and shrimp tacos from Nisha’s, the rooftop cafe with views of the city square. Nisha’s
specialty was Chayadrinking water. Chaya is a grow native to the actual Yucatan, similar to spinach.
Chaya is combined withpineapple juice to make a tea/fruit fruit juice that is because refreshing
because it is nutritious
We made that all-day trip to Xel-Ha, a refuge that makesthe whole trip useful. You canpurchase an
all-inclusive package, which covers your food and drink, in addition to your scuba diving gear. (you
keep the snorkel as a memento ). We snorkeled in the lagoon, venturing because farout as we had
been permitted, whilst schools of Sheepshead and AmberJack held uscompany. There are rock and
roll formations in order to explore, exactly where you’re likely to see Clown Fish, blue Tang and
dozens of other brightly colored fish.
You can get an innertube and drift along the laid back riverthat circles the actual park, backpack
through the jungle , stretch out on a chaise in order to sunbathe, or even snooze aside in a sleeping
sack.
We jumped off the “Cliff of Courage” and explored a good underwater cavern.
During our very first trip presently there , we discovered the food to become substandard,but two
years later , they had stepped up their game. We consumed at a buffet that provided both nearby fare
and tourist-friendly cuisine , with decent results. The actual bartender only at that buffet found
ourtable to motivate us to try a tasty Tequila, in addition to some b razil beer. Both were excellent !
We made the actual trip to Xel-Ha on a open public bus, these people have fantastic public
transportation, and the trip house in a Collectivo, whichtend to be taxi vans that fill to capability as
they drop the freeway. The actual collectivo drops at the main highway, and taxis wait around at the
crossroad to take you away to town, a couple.5 mile trip down ajungle road. The taxis are reasonably
priced, the actual drivers all wear thoroughly clean white shirts and are nicely groomed,although their
aggressive driving occasionally takes your breath way. Within three outings to Puerto Morelos, we
have never bothered renting a car, by no means seeing the requirement. Between these 3 methods
of transportation ,it’s best to leave the actual driving towards the locals!And while a few may think that
taking the bus sounds dangerous ,I am much more afraid of inadvertently breaking the law, driving
the wrong way or even endingupward incredibly lost.
We took a jungle tour on ATV’s, had been we were skilled thefirst of many cenotes, underground
caves and swimming pools , carved by the fresh watermoving through the limestone that makes in
the Yucatan Peninsula. The first was call Boca de the puma corporation (Boca is mouth), which in
fact had a small opening , leading to the claustrophobic marine cave. It was a bit unsettling to
easeyourself into the awesome water, that is said to possess healing powers , and a bit scary while

5. you explored narrow passageways, occasionally needing to submerge completely. The actual guides
had been helpful and the group wasn't too big, but that particular cenote is not one I’d care to go into
once again. The second cenote was a large , open capped pool, with a zip-line. We took becomes
flying out over the cenote, dropping into the water.
On my husband’s 2nd trip, i positioned personally so I could photograph him as he fallen. I noticed
him hit the water, difficult , and everybody up top , collectively gasp. He was O.k., but their hands
tucked almostsoon after take-off.
After the two cenote visits, the group was riding the actual ATV’s upward a deserted stretch of road,
goofing around. NOt really acquainted with an atv , I braked too hard, turned the machine upward
onto the front wheels and went soaring over the handle bars. I arrived directly in front of the
machine,which was coming over on top of me personally , and intuitively curled upward , so my
feettook the weight. My hubby and several others were there immediately to lift itfrom me and that i
escaped with some road rash and a few bruises, as well as astory to tell.
Our most interesting trip for that trip , and probablyso far , was with an American called Goyo. We
fondly make reference to him because Papayoyo. Their daughter is Nisha, the actual rooftop cafe
owner, and he books jungle tours out of her location. To say that he is an unusual character is much
like saying drinking water is wet. His “tour” was an experience we discuss tothis very day.
Our first stop was the actual “school” he or she was building in the jungle ,a the spanish language
Language engagement school as well as a spiritual middle. There were numerous small dwellings
underconstruction , as well as the outside communal kitchen , “sweat hut” and conference circle. The
place was not yet inhabited,but he had volunteers working on it. TheLanguageSchool was to maintain
a more human friendly dorm-type environment and tuition would be billed , but the religious
centerwould be run like a commune, with your room and board bartered for function. The deserted
commune raised comparisonsin order to Jonestown and we jokingly told Goyo we didn’t would like
any Koolaid. He possibly didn’t get the joke or even chose todisregard it, and while he didn’t seem at
all threatening, merely a bit wacky , wehad been eager to depart the place.
He after that took us to a big and spectacular cenote, which was deep, broad , and though protected ,
the roof was 20 feet above water. He allowed us in order to swim and explore, i paddledclose to on
my back marveling at the magnificent ceiling of limestone stalactites,while he or she dove down , with
merely a snorkel, towards the bottom from the pool. Despite being a heavy smoker, he or she stayed
down for nearly five minutes. He or she claimed that he just experienced life by perishing each day,
and this underwater ritual was adaily reminder of how valuable life is.
Exploring the actual jungle was amazing, as he was and expert within everything. I'd multiple
mosquito bitesthat no ointment was helping soothe, so he crushed up a few plant leaves and
smearedthe drain on them, they believed instantly better and had been gone in a few days. He told
stories from the locals, nearby plantsand animals, and detailed a wide variety of healing herbs to be
found within the jungle, the heads content spun.
The last part of our trip was lunch with his buddy , a womanthat lived within the jungle together with
her husband and kids. These people owned the actual land which there was the small cenote, for

6. which these people charged admission , they stocked a very little store/souvenir remain , and she
offered embroidered items , dish cloths , blouses,dresses and dresses. She ready a lunch of chicken
and macaroni, black coffee beans and hand made tortillas, which was divine. We washed it down with
cans of Cocacola , truly a mixture of two worlds.
We returned in order to town a few eight several hours later, exhausted andrelieved.
We encountered Goyo during following years’ go to. We saw Nisha first and she or he told us that her
father was spending most of his period at the jungle school, and rarely found town. He'd many guests
, mostly youthful people and we found him the next day, waiting in the coffee shop for one of those
youths. He was advertising on a website with regard to young people that wanted to volunteer time in
overseas andonce we were talking to Goyo, the actual young man showed up. He was from north
CA, and had thumbed their way down , even hitching a ride on a container ship, and walked into the
coffeestore , disheveled and dirty, clearly ecstatic to become nearer the hot meal , showerand a bed.
We relayed that story in order to myteenaged son, intimidating to send him to Papayoyo if their
grades didn’t improve!
The '06 trip also included a scuba lesson to complete a 35ft divenear the reef, the instructor would be
a local that got their dive instruction certification at a dive school a few miles from our house. It is a
little world, after all ! We got roped into a timeshare presentation,exactly where their techniques were
just this side of kidnapping! we also made another bus/collectivo/taxiexcursion towards the
WalmartSuperCenter within Playa delete Carmen. Presently there we discovered one of ourfavorite
Tequilas, grandma Centenario Anejo. In the states it is $60 per bottle, presently there it was $26.
Between the Tequila and the mexican Coffee we fell deeply in love with , our bags were a great deal
heavier. Add to that the enormous hammock we were dumbenough to think would be a good idea,
and our trip home was more troublesome thangetting there!
Once once again , we were hesitant to leave and immediately started planning the next trip.
Costa Rica all inclusive