Mexico is very easy to travel to, regardless of where you live in the USA. If you are on the West Coast, Cabo San Lucas is an easy trip. If you are on the East Coast, Cancun is an easy trip. Being an East coaster, Cancun is my place, so much so that I purchased a small timeshare there so I can return easily. The Westin Lagunamar provides everything I need for a simple beach vacation. Timeshare owners receive discounts on food and onsite activities. All rooms have views of the ocean, although some are better than others.
On the property is Templo del Alacrán, aka Scorpion’s Temple, named for a scorpion sculpture that was found inside. There are numerous iguanas running around here as well. Rooms in building 1 have a view of the temple.
Directly across the street is a large, high end shopping mall called La Isla. There are many different restaurants there if you are looking for variety. One of our favorites is Cambalache. We recently discovered a very expensive Japanese restaurant there called Ryoshi. I mention it because both of my kids (THE PICKIEST EATERS) said it was the best Japanese food they had ever eaten. They tried and liked everything and it truly was fantastic. We also enjoyed the ambiance there, which included a koi pond.
Another good restaurant is La Parilla. If you walk through the mall, past the aquarium and towards Hooters, make a right and you will find a couple of restaurants on the water. My family thoroughly enjoyed our meal there and it has a nice view. The Lighthouse Restaurant is next door if you wanted a closer of view of the lighthouse. They tried to charge us for pictures with sombreros on, but then gave me a rose for Mother’s Day.
Going on a street food tour is also a fun experience in Cancun. The guide takes you to truly authentic little restaurants and then to a local market. If you are looking for souvenirs, this is the place to go.
Before returning us to the hotel, he took us to a place to see some amazing street art. The area is a cross from the school but used to be very dark and a little dangerous. Apparently the art has helped clean up the area.
Day trips from Cancun
XEL-HA
XEL-HA is a fun day trip with kids. Rather than ride in a crowded bus, we opted for private transportation to and from the park. The park had a truly lazy river that was wonderful and had some shade to protect us from the heat. There are also zip lines, ropes courses and a few water slides as well if you were willing to climb the stairs to the top of the tower.
We also had an opportunity to do the dolphin experience, which was pricey, but a once in a lifetime experience that felt worthwhile. There are a lot of other animal experiences if you choose, but one that you don’t have to pay for is posing with the parrots that you see throughout the park.
Many tours easily combine Xel-ha with a visit to Tulum, but we didn’t want to add extra length to our day. We look forward to seeing Tulum on another visit.
Chichen Itza
Another great excursion from Cancun is traveling to Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It makes for a long day, but we found it very worthwhile. We chose to do a private tour because my kids were only 4 and 7 at the time and I knew it would be easier for all of us if they were kept entertained. Our driver guide, Edgar, was fantastic and delighted my children with stories as we walked through the ruins. He took us to a chocolate factory as well as a cenote, all of which was enjoyable for the kids.
Isla Las Mujeres
Isla Las Mujeres is an easy day trip from Cancun. You can take a taxi to the public ferry at Playa Tortugas. The ferry at Puerto Juarez is a little less expensive, but it is further away and better to use if you are coming from the airport or downtown Cancun. Upon arrival on the island, I highly recommend renting a golf cart. It is fun to drive around the island, just be aware of the MANY speed bumps, some that are easy to miss. There are great snorkeling spots, good restaurants and a laid back vibe on the island. My family really enjoyed the sculpture park at Punta Sur, the easternmost point in all of Mexico and the highest elevation in the Yucatan.
MUSA
MUSA is a popular destination for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike and another easy excursion, whether you are staying in Cancun or Isla Mujeres. There are many providers, both big boat and small, that offer these excursions. We chose to go with Total Snorkel Cancun, a great choice because it was a small boat with only 9 patrons and we were taken to four locations. The first was to see three sunken cenotes, the second to see turtles and rays, the third to see a small part of MUSA and a fourth to see a sunken boat that has become a reef. The water was fairly choppy, but the views were perfectly clear and teeming with fish. There is an opportunity to purchase pictures, which I found worthwhile and not too expensive.
The Cancun airport has a few lounges to choose from. In Terminal 4, there are two choices. The Mera Business Lounge can be accessed via the Platinum American Express Card and t he Air Transat Lounge accessed via Priority Pass. I’m a fan of lounge hopping, so I checked out both. My review of both can be found here.
There are many concerns about safety in Mexico. I can honestly say that my family is careful, always taking prearranged and private transportation. Use caution and you should be fine.
