Pampered Week in Cancun

If you want to be taken care of and have your every request answered, try the Moon Palace Sunrise in Cancun. This private, gated, all-inclusive resort has its own beach, a HUGE pool complex, bikes, disco, pee wee golf, numerous restaurants, kayaks and pedal boats, and our package included two tours (pick from six), a massage, and manicure and pedicure. A huge staff ensures that you get your drinks delivered at poolside, the grounds and your room are spotless, and all your needs are well met. A recently completed 18-hole golf course is on the property as well. Shuttle service to the other Palace resorts on the motel strip (Beach Palace, Sun Palace, and Cancun Palace) provide a change and let you realize just how special the Moon Palace is. You can eat at any of the resorts you choose.

Quick Tips:

Since you can catch a city bus at any of the motel strip Palace resorts, take a shuttle to one of them and ride a bus downtown. Shop at any of the three malls or the downtown market. I found the hotel gift shop to be priced at or below most of the other locations, however, so just shop at the resort if you like. Don't forget to bargain, bargain, bargain with native vendors.

Bottled water is provided at the resort and I recommend drinking it. The few times I was not careful, my stomach was unhappy.

Take plenty of sunscreen, as the sun's rays seem to have a greater effect here.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis from the airport are pricey and state regulated. The resort can arrange vouchers for round trip to the airport at about or per person. The resort shuttle to the motel area and city buses are other methods of transportation. Walking at the downtown market is not too bad but be prepared to be accosted every few feet with requests to look at the "almost free" merchandise.

Staying at the Moon Palace is a pleasure. The hotel rooms are fairly spacious and beautifully appointed. A Jacuzzi in each room lets you relax and look out the huge windows at vistas of lush well-tended vegetation or at the beach or pool, depending on location. I have never had a bad view. Each room has a small balcony with chairs and a hammock. The shower is huge, with marble walls and heavy glass door. Maid service is excellent and whimsical. We never knew what critter would be formed from the fresh towels each day--rose, deer, swan, etc. In-room refrigerators are stocked often with bottled water (unlike in Puerto Vallarta, I do not drink the local water in Cancun), beer, and soft drinks, included in your all-inclusive package. With all that you can do daily and the beautiful pool, you won't spend much time in the room, but will appreciate it when you do.

Whether you want to have an omelet or just toast for breakfast, the fare at the various Moon Palace restaurants is excellent. This all-inclusive resort allows you to eat at any of the many restaurants found at their multiple locations. From the taco bar in the lounge to poolside dining in a palapa, from the themed buffets to a la carte dining at the Spanish or Oriental restaurants (no shorts, please), all the food is well prepared and beautifully presented. Watch what you eat or your waistline will show it!

If you have gone to Chichen Itza or Tulum, you have seen the typical Mayan ruins. Ek Balam, recently opened (in 1996) to the public, is smaller, more secluded, surrounded by jungle, and definitely less disturbed by tourists.

We took this tour as one of the two offered by Palace Resorts with our package. There are six to choose from. Our guide, Rafael, was very informative and considerate of we older gringas who needed to be out of the tropical sun, stopping to lecture in every shady spot he could. While I would not climb the great pyramid at Chichen Itza, I did attempt the smaller one at this ruin and was well rewarded with a magnificent view of the jungle surrounding the ruins. Coming down is very steep so wear good walking shoes. Since heights bother me a bit, I came down backwards, which was the method of choice for several of us timid folks.

The tour included a stop at a native center where we watched ladies hand knotting hammocks. I bought a huge, beautiful one for $20 -- a real steal. Don't be afraid to bargain!

Lunch was also included, but while good, it was not of the same quality as the Moon Palace. This trip takes most of a day, but is worth the time.