Cancun After the Fact....

Spacious rooms with great views… you can open the sliding glass door to listen to the crashing waves as they lull you to sleep. Each room comes with a beautiful ocean view that is second-to-none, and the best part is that all rooms feature minibars (with a liquor dispenser) to mix your own drinks! The rooms also have air-conditioning, hairdryers, safes, and private balconies or terraces. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. The property's amenities include the three pools, swim-up bar, children's pool, nightly entertainment, nightclub ( I closed the place 3 nights in a row!), and direct access to the beach. Most nights they also bring in local dancers on the pool stage, and vendors around the pool are there to sell hand made crafts and such. You can get a real good deal on gifts right there!

There is always something going on day or night at this hotel, and your so close to everything. The all-inclusive plan covers all meals and beverages, snacks, non-motorized water sports, and use of hotel facilities. Other optional dining includes Brazilian cuisine at Rodizio Brasileno, or grilled items at the steakhouse (advanced reservations are required). For an additional charge, guests can enjoy banana boat rides, bike rentals, parasailing, scuba diving, and waterskiing. This hotel is about 13 miles from the airport, and I do advise you to prepay for shuttle transfers to your hotels as taxi prices are not regulated! You're also across the street from Plaza Caracol (shopping center) and 7 miles from downtown Cancun, which you can take the public bus for about 60¢. Within walking distance, you'll find Coco Bongos and Dady'O nightclubs! This hotel is great for travelers of all ages, and has something for everyone. As a travel agent myself I recommend this hotel to anyone!

The El Galeon I and El Bucanero are two authentic 17th-century Spanish galleon replicas, built in Spain in 1985. Step aboard and experience a pirate's attack. While sailing through the beautiful Mexican waters for about 3 hours, you will enjoy a delicious lobster or steak dinner. This is a great excursion for all ages—featuring pirate atmosphere, games, and entertainment. At the end, only one ship wins the battle!!

** Open daily, from 7 to 10:30pm
** Children ages three-and-under are free
** Bring money, a camera, and comfortable clothing
** website~~www.capitanhook.com

About an hour-drive south of Cancun, the "sacred paradise" of Xcaret (pronounced eesh-carette) is one of the area's most unique attractions. It is said that this was the ancient port of Pole, and that the Mayans used to come here to bathe in its waters, to purify their minds and bodies, before sailing to the nearby island of Cozumel to worship the goddess of fertility, Ixchel.

Natural splendor and beauty form a very interesting park with a variety of attractions. There are some small Maya ruins, but these are almost insignificant when you look around at the botanical garden, aviary, aquarium, stables, and butterfly farm. There is an exhibition with scale models of all the major archaeological sites of the Yucatan. There is also an inlet with clear waters for snorkeling, a lagoon for swimming and a beach for relaxing either in the sun or in the shade of the palapas. But, the most unique feature of Xcaret is its underground river that passes through caverns and underground channels. Put on a life vest and let the current take you slowly along.

In the evenings, Xcaret puts on its finery and shows you another aspect of Mexico in a spectacular evening show. It commences with a re-enactment of the ancient Mayan ballgame, and then you walk through a torch-lit underground passageway with candles, incense, and ancient music. Then, there is a 90-minute show in an outdoor theatre, with dances and music from the different regions of the country.