Cancun, Yucatan

Saturday, December 10, 2016

ancun served us more like a starting point from where we traveled across the Yucatan Peninsula. I will never forget the colour of the sea and white sand between my toes. The beach is simply gorgeous. We stayed in Cancun just for three nights and honestly most of the days we were on the road. We rented a car right at the airport at our arrival, because we planned to visit the surrounding areas. One day we went scuba diving near Isla Mujeres (this one was totally unplanned), the second day we headed toward Holbox island and we stayed there for one night. The third day we visited Valladolid and Chichen Itza, but unfortunatelly we didn't make it to Merida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan and the largest city of the Yucatan Peninsula. The one thing I regret not seeing: Las Coloradas on the northern part of Yucatan. If possible, make sure you go there, because on photos it looks exceptional.

Cancun seems like Miami's Latin soul brother.

Things to see / do around Cancun ...

Isla Mujeres & Musa Underwater Museum - Scuba Diving

On our boat trip to Isla Mujeres the first day, we met two Croatian women, so we were quickly in the mood for enjoying our pina colada and listening to latin music. The drive to Isla Mujeres lasted for about half an hour, the staff on the boat was very nice and all of a sudden two men started walking around the tables and offering scuba diving adventure near the island. I have never been diving before in my life, so I was pretty scared. I always thought I could never do this, now I would do it again.

When we arrived to Isla Mujeres, the four of us (two couples) on the boat decided to go scuba diving. We had a meeting point at a pier down the main road on another boat.

There were two instructors, one of them younger, one in his middle age, grey haired, I remember his name was Fernando. He was driving the boat, while the younger guy was giving us the diving instructions. The only thing that bothered me, was that we were listening to the instructions while the boat was going really fast and because of the loud motor sound, it was impossible to hear everything. If it wasn't for Fernando, I probably wouldn't do it, but he managed to make me totally calm, when we went into the water. The younger guy seemed somehow in a hurry, like he wanted to get this over with. After about twenty minutes drive we found ourselves in the open sea. My heart was pounding. I remember Fernando saying: 'You'll go first'! At that point my heart stopped. For a minute I was like numb. Then I jumped in.

Where to eat in Cancun?

At our return to Cancun we arranged dinner at Hacienda el Mortero, which is in Zona Hotelera, right on the edge of Cancun's Party Zone, where all the main events are happening. The dinner at Hacienda was great, we were drinking margaritas, eating local mexican food, which btw. was delicious and of course listening to mariachi. We didn't go dancing, although some people let it loose and we enjoyed just by watching them. I would definitely recommend it.

Other great restaurants: Benazuza, Black Hole, Porfirio's Cancun, Puerto Madero (Argentinean restaurant), Peter's restaurant ...

Where to stay in Cancun?

We stayed at Ocean Dream BPR Hotel in Zona Hotelera. The hotel is situated just about 100 m away from the restaurants and Cancun night life. Plaza Caracol is 850 m away. It is a 30-minute drive away from the airport. The hotel has a pool right on the beach, just a few steps away from the blue-green sea. The rooms are nicely decorated, the views are stunning from all sides. There is free WiFi access in all the rooms. Although the hotel was being renovated, there weren't any noise issues, so everything was great. The breakfast was delicious, as well. I remember an omelette with chrispy bacon, warm bread and fresh orange juice ...

Things we missed ...

Cancun Street Food and Local Market tour

Plaza Caracol

Xel-Ha park

Xcaret Eco Park

Cozumel

On our way further south towards Tulum, we made one stop in Playa Del Carmen and from there we headed to Cozumel island, where we rented a scooter and went for some sightseeing and tequila tasting.