Rainy Day Guide: 6 Great Activities to do in Cancun when it Rains

June 4, 2013 by

The most common concern that travelers have when planning their vacation to Cancun is regarding the weather. Will it rain? What is there to do on rainy days in Cancun?

If your vacation dates are between December and April, you won’t have much to worry about. This is not hurricane season and these are the driest months of the year. When it does rain, it is usually at night or for a brief afternoon shower. Rain will rarely interrupt plans during this time of year.

We start seeing more rainfall in May and more full days of rain instead of just a quick shower. Hurricane season (June to November) sees the highest amount of rainfall and tropical depressions can increase these amounts.

rainfall-cancunmap
Rainfall data courtesy of CancunMap.com

So…what is there to do in this sunshine-dependent vacation spot when it is raining? Here are some of my favorite things.

1. Visit a cenote.

cenote
Cenotes are unique to the Yucatan peninsula and there are many in the Mayan Riviera to see. They are similar to sink holes or caverns with fresh, cold water and stalactite and stalagmite formations. the weather really doesn’t affect you while you are swimming or exploring in a cenote, but when you exit you’ll be cold so be prepared with towels and dry clothes.

2. Snorkeling.

SNORKELING

Yes, snorkeling in the ocean. You are already wet, why not jump in the warm ocean? The visibility will be less then when the sun is shining, however on the plus side, there will be far fewer people. Of course this is not recommended if it is storming with lightning.

3. SubSee Submarines.

Subsee Cancun and CozumelThere is one in Cancun and one in Cozumel. These are great for the whole family to be able to see the ocean floor from the safety of the submarine. Again, visibility may be slightly diminished. Discounts on SubSee Cancun and SubSee Cozumel.

4. Museum.

Mayan-Museum30Cancun now has a Mayan Museum in the hotel zone. It is only about $5 per person and a great way to learn about the culture. Read more about the “Museo Maya” here.

5. Aquarium. Inside of Plaza La Isla Shopping Center at KM 12.5 in the hotel zone is the Interactive Aquarium. For only $10 USD you can tour the 13 aquarium tanks and see rays, pirahnas, moray eels, jellyfish, seahorses, scorpion fish and coral. It’s not a large aquarium but it is fun to see.

6. Shopping.  Cancun has several malls for you to get your shopping fix. In the hotel zone be prepared for higher prices and high-end stores. See more info about each mall here.

  • Kukulcan Plaza at KM 13 Higher-end stores like Hugo Boss, Harley Davidson & Oakley. On one end of the mall is Luxury Avenue and containsBurberry, Coach, Fendi, Cartier & Louis Vuitton.
  • Plaza La Isla Shopping Center at KM 12.5. This is one of my favorites because the stores are more trendy and there is more to see and do here. Stores include Tommy Hilfiger, Nine West, Guess, Diesel, Envy. Here you can also take in a movie or go through the Interactive Aquarium (see #5 above).
  • Forum by the Sea at KM 9 is a large multilevel plaza with shopping, restaurants, and entertainment which transforms into the Party Center hub at night.
  • Plaza Las Americas & Malecon Americas Mall in downtown Cancun. This is a large mall filled with trendy and affordable stores. It is quite close to the hotel zone and very modern.

CARM offers a shopping trip you can buy by the hour here. You can see the full list of by tours offered by CARM Tours & Transfers here.

Tip: Avoid going further into downtown Cancun if it is a full day of rain. The flooding in downtown is extreme and the driving techniques are terrible.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Things to do in Cancun, Travel Info Tagged With: , , , ,

Shared vs. Private Airport Transfers: Which option is right for you?

May 28, 2013 by

If you are traveling to Cancun or the Mayan Riviera, you’ll need to get yourself from the Cancun International Airport to your Resort, Hotel, villa, or rental casa. There are several modes of transportation to choose from and I’ll outline the pros and cons of each one here.

Transportation included in your vacation package. Check with your Travel Agent or, if you booked it yourself, check your travel documents. Many vacation packages are sold with shared transportation to the hotel included. This is handy, but be prepared for possibly longer wait times at the airport. Also, you’ll have no say-so in the pickup time at the resort so you may end up at the airport 3+ hours before flight time.

ADO busBuses. The bus company is called ADO. Plan on extended wait times for the bus to arrive and then to fill to maximum capacity. This option is better suited for more seasoned travelers. The bus will take you to the Downtown Bus depot. From there, you’ll need a taxi to your hotel. As of the date of this post, the Bus costs about $4 to the depot, then a taxi will cost you about $10 to the Cancun Hotel Zone for $3 to Downtown Cancun hotels. This is a great option if you are staying in a downtown Cancun hotel.

Shared Transportation. This is a great option if you are traveling by yourself or if you are looking to save some money. The vehicles are 10 passenger vans with luggage space. Keep in mind the total cost for your airport transfers and make sure to compare the total cost for shared vs. private transportation, especially if you have more than 2 people in your group.

Taxis at the Cancun Airport.  There are taxis at the Cancun Airport available for you, but this is our least recommended transportation. First, the cost is usually the same for ONE WAY as private transfer is for ROUND TRIP. Plan on spending $80-$120 USD for one way to Cancun hotels. Second, these drivers are not as secure and trustworthy as private drivers. For instance, you forget your cell phone, purse, backpack or other item in the taxi (happens ALL THE TIME), well, you are just out of luck.

Renting a car. This can be handy if you are staying in the Riviera Maya and you are a good driver. Be prepared for extremely aggressive driving in Cancun. This is not an option I recommend at all. Traffic is a mess, police purposely pull over rental cars for bribes, parking (especially in Cancun and Playa del Carmen) is a real bugger, and if you are in an accident the process here is MUCH DIFFERENT than back home and will surely eat up a lot of your vacation time.

If you do decide to rent a car, be sure to get the full-coverage insurance.  There are many car rental agencies at the airport. It’s best to book online in advance and go with an internationally known company. You can read more about car rentals here.

Private Airport Transfers.  I have saved the best for last. Of course, this is the transportation that I recommend not just because it’s what I do, but also because it is the best and I firmly believe that. CARM Tours & Transfers offers safe and reliable transportation from the airport to all hotels, villas, and rental properties in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.  Our door-to-door service is fast and hassle-free. I love selling a service I can stand behind 100%.

Prices per VEHICLE in US Dollars (one way / round trip)
Transfer Location 1-2 ppl 3-5 ppl 6-10 ppl Click to Book
Cancun Hotel Zone or Downtown $45 / $79 $49 / $89  $54 / $99 Book Here
Gran Puerto Juarez Ferry Dock $45 / $79 $49 / $89  $54 / $99  Book Here
Playa Mujeres $45 / $79 $49 / $89  $55 / $99  Book Here
Bahia Petempich $45 / $79 $49 / $89  $55 / $99 Book Here
Puerto Morelos $49 / $89 $55 / $99  $59 / $109 Book Here
Playa Paraiso $59 / $109 $65 / $119  $69 / $129 Book Here
Playa del Carmen & Playacar $69 / $129 $75 / $139  $79 / $149 Book Here
Puerto Aventuras & Xpu Ha $75 / $139 $79 / $149  $85 / $159 Book Here
Akumal $85 / $159 $89 / $169  $95 / $179 Book Here
Bahia Principe, Soliman Bay, Tankah $80 / $140 $90 / $165  $95 / $170 Book Here
Tulum $119 / $199 $119 / $209  $149 / $229 Book Here

Not sure which location your hotel is in? Just start typing in your hotel name here, click the hotel name and it will take you to the right  location to book your airport transfers.

arrival-terminal-2

CARM Tours & Transfers also offers transportation to areas further out. We can take you to Merida, Chichen Itza or Valladolid, Chiquila ferry dock (the ferry that takes you to Isla Holbox), Mahahual or Bacalar, Sian Ka’an Biosphere or Punta Allen.

We will track your flight and we’ll be waiting outside the airport terminal with your name on the sign. Here I am after arriving to terminal 2 from JFK last year.

You can watch the video of getting through the Cancun Airport, however I have to apologize for the screaming child in the background. Life Happens ♥.

If you have any questions about which option is right for you, just give me a call, shoot me an email or hop on live chat. I’m happy to answer all of your questions.

Filed Under: Cancun Airport, Travel Info Tagged With: ,

Pet-Friendly Transportation in Cancun

May 26, 2013 by
My dog Bailey at the beach

My dog Bailey at the beach

 

Here at CARM Tours & Transfers, we offer a pet-friendly transportation service. It is recommended that you keep your pet in it’s carrier or crate while in the vehicle for everyone’s safety.

We can handle any size or number of pets in our private transportation vehicles. Book your Cancun Airport Transfers with pets here.

 

Mexico Dept. of Agriculture Requirements

  • If the pet is under 3 months of age, it requires a Health Certificate
  • If the pet is older than 3 months of age, it requires a Health Certificate and Vaccination card, specifying the application of rabies vaccine with a validity no longer than 1 year. These documents must be presented in original and copy.
  • It is very important to assure that the documents match with your pet data (age, breed, color, sec., etc.) and in this way avoid problems in the procedure of entering Mexico.
  • The HEALTH CERTIFICATE must be showed in headed paper with the printed Professional License or Photocopy of the medical Veterinary License who issues the certificate. WITH THE DATE no older than 5 DAYS, including the health status of the pet and that it HAS BEEN TREATED AGAINST ENDOPARASITES and ECTOPARASITES within 6 months prior to your trip and that it is free from any internal and external parasite.
  • Your pet will be physically reviewed by Official Personnal from Agriculture and Livestock Production Health from SAGARPA, and if coming from a country with presence of foot and mouth disease or from zones in risk, a prophylactic treatment will be given to your pet, free of charge.
  • The import of one or two pets is free. No animal bedding or similar products is allowed.

Note from former traveler to Cancun:

Now, we had had my dog’s health and vaccination records with us which stated that the vet had supplied external parasite medication. The Health certificate, however, did not specifically state that she was “free from parasites”. And, the inspector wanted not only that on the certificate, but also the specific medication given – eg, Frontline. It was a real hangup and we spent an hour in customs before we were able to move on, with a finger wagging from them and a warning for ‘next time’.

Information courtesy of www.DogFriendly.com

Tips for bringing your pet to the hotel

  • In the Lobby: Make sure to ask if pets are allowed in the lobby as even some pet-friendly hotels still do now allow them to be in the lobby.
  • In the Room: Never leave your dog alone in the hotel room. The #1 reason that a hotel chooses to not allow dogs is because people leave them alone in the room. Even well-trained dogs can cause damage inside the room or they bark or scare the housekeepers.
  • Use the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and use the deadbolt to guard against frightening the housekeeping staff.
  • Take your dog as far away as possible from the hotel and landscaped areas around the hotel. Some hotels even have a designated pet walk area.

Book your Cancun Airport Transfers with pets here.

Filed Under: Cancun Airport, Travel Info

Isla Mujeres day trip on the Lupita Catamaran

May 16, 2013 by

One of our goals is to actually GO on all of the tours we sell at CARM Tours & Transfers. This week we joined the catamaran “La Lupita” on their day trip from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. We had a wonderful time. You can book the catamaran Lupita for only $53 USD here.

Turquoise waters between Cancun and Isla Mujeres We checked in at Cancun Bay Resort & Marina, located at KM 3.5 in the Cancun Hotel Zone. Check in was fast so we had about 30 minutes at the palapa before the start of the tour. This worked out well since we had skipped breakfast and the palapa sold croissants and bottled water. We split one of each which cost us $36 pesos (~about $3 USD).Lupita Catamaran

At 10:00 AM we boarded the Lupita catamaran and headed to Isla Mujeres. With the sail raised it took us about an hour to get to the island. We were all given snorkel gear and jumped in the ocean at “El Farito” reef, which means “little lighthouse”. We saw tons of fish including the biggest barracuda I have EVER seen. Amazing. The snorkel guide had a sandwich baggie filled with something the fish really liked so we were surrounded by a school of brightly colored fishes. Large parrot fish, small trigger fish and lots that I could not identify.

snorkeling Isla Mujeres CatamaranBy 11:00 AM we were back on the boat, heading over to the island. Our first stop was at Isla Contoy dock. We had 1 hour free time on the island to shop, rent a golf cart, or hang out at the bars/restaurants. We skipped the golf carts and just walked around a bit, then ended up at the Isla Contoy dock bar where we watched an English fellow eat a scorpion pickled in Tequila. Good times!

Back on the boat for the trip to the beach club for lunch at 1:00 PM. The buffet was good food, as good as most all-inclusive resorts. Drinks here are not included, so be sure to bring some cash. We went back for seconds, then hit the lounge chairs. I loved this part of the day, so relaxing. There were hammocks in the shade and lounge chairs. We cooled off in the ocean, then just relaxed some more.

Isla Mujeres CatamaranWe boarded the boat about 3:00 PM to head back to Cancun. Just before we got there the captain set anchor and put up the spinnaker. The spinnaker is like para sailing, except you are anchored. The video shows it better than I can describe it. It is not very easy, however it looked well worth the effort.

The Lupita catamaran docked back in Cancun at 4:45 PM. I have to say that for only $53 per person, this was a fabulous day on the water, on the island, and it is a great value. This tour is not for the party crowd. The music was current, yet not so loud as to blast your eardrums. The crew was accommodating, yet no one was telling me to put my hands in the air and scream. For us (upper-30-something-couple) it was the perfect day getaway without some 19-year-old throwing up on my shoes.

For more information and to book your day trip to Isla Mujeres on the catamaran Lupita for only $53 USD, CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE TOUR.

Filed Under: Things to do in Cancun, Travel Info, Trip Reports Tagged With: , ,

New Cancun Maps from MapChick

May 15, 2013 by

The famous MapChick has just released the updated version of the Cancun and Isla Mujeres maps.  These maps are really more like travel guides. If you like to do your research before heading off to vacation, these maps are a must.

mapchick cancun mapThe Cancun Map is actually a 4 map set. The large map contains all the hotels in Cancun hotel zone, downtown Cancun and Puerto Juarez. But if you think you are just getting a map, you are dead wrong. There is a whole section on tips for getting around Cancun (bus info, taxis, public transportation, private transfers) which is invaluable for first-time travelers and seasoned vacationers alike. The maps also detail favorite restaurants, popular tours , walking tours and more.  I love reading the tips they include, like Hotel Zone on a Budget, Access to Public Beaches, Should you go All-Inclusive?, and their “off-the-beaten-path” restaurant finds.

The 3 inserts that accompany the large map are: Attractions, Restaurants, & Downtown. These are so handy to have…just the info you need when you need it. They also give you a wonderful overview of the “lay of the land” and where your hotel is located in reference to all the places you want to visit. This makes planning your tours, meals, and sightseeing trips much easier.

Once you order and receive your maps, plan on taking some time to read the tips and familiarize yourself with Cancun. This way when you arrive you’ll already have your bearings and you’ll be ready to start taking in the wonderful sights of Cancun.

The new 2013 / 2014 Cancun Map by MapChick is only $15 USD and they will be shipped to you usually within 24 hours. Click here to  Order yours today!

The map is large, so when folding you new map, just remember top down in half first, then accordion, then in half again. I’m the worst at trying to fold maps.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Travel Info

Whale Shark season officially begins May 15, 2013

May 4, 2013 by

Snorkel with Whale SharksIn Cancun we have the unique opportunity to snorkel with Whale Sharks when they migrate through our area from mid-May until mid-September every year. For the 2013 season, tours begin May 15th.

Whale Sharks are not actually “sharks”. They feed on plankton and they have no teeth. The average adult whale shark is 32 feet long and weights 9 tons.

Tours leave from Puerto Juarez, just 10 minutes north of Cancun. The boats are small and usually only hold 8-10 passengers. It takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes to get to where the whale sharks are swimming in the ocean. Once there, we take turns snorkeling beside these giant fish.

The tour costs $179 per person. You should be a good swimmer for this tour since you are out in the ocean. Every time we have gone out to see the Whale Sharks we also see lots of sea turtles and manta rays too. You can book your Whale Shark Snorkel here.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Things to do in Cancun, Travel Info, Trip Reports Tagged With: , , ,

April 2013 Weather in Cancun

April 30, 2013 by

April is a beautiful and busy time in Cancun. The Spring Breakers are gone. The pools are not frigid. The weather is warm, but not blazing hot like in the summer. April is Cancun’s driest month with just an average of 2 rain days, however this year has been extraordinarily dry.

High temps average 88.7 F (31.5 C) with low temperatures at 74 F (23.4 C) which is a pleasant temperature for anything you want to do outdoors. The water temp is a perfect 80 F (27 C).

April Weather in Cancun

Filed Under: About Cancun, Weather Report Tagged With: ,

March 2013 Weather in Cancun

March 31, 2013 by

March in Cancun is a crazy, beautiful time. The beaches are full of young bodies on Spring Break. Be prepared for crowded bars and night clubs that party until well after daylight.
The weather is all over the place…warm and sunny 85F one day and cold and rainy the next. We have put away our warm blankets 3 times, only to get them back out a few days later.

It is quite windy also. There were many days with strong winds which causes the ports to close. In Cancun there is a port authority that determines when it is too windy to allow boats on the ocean. On windy days your fishing, snorkeling and diving tours will be cancelled.

March weather in Cancun

Filed Under: About Cancun, Travel Info, Weather Report

Immigration and Customs forms Mexico and United States

March 21, 2013 by

When you leave the US or Canada for your vacation in Mexico, be prepared to fill out Customs and Immigration forms. It is helpful to know what these forms look like and what questions you will be asked.

The first two scans are your FMM, or Tourist Visa. You will be given this form to fill out while on the plane before you arrive to Mexico. This is a simple form that just requires the info directly off your passport.

When you arrive to Cancun International Airport, the first stop after getting off the plane will be at Immigration. Here the immigration officer will take the FMM form you filled out, keep the blue side and give you back the green side. The blue side is your Entry into Mexico and the green side is your departure visa when you leave Mexico. It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep the green part (with your passport) as you MUST have this to leave Mexico. What happens if you lose your FMM Tourist Visa while in Mexico. Every person must fill this out.

Also during your flight to Mexico you will be given a Customs Declaration form. Each head of household needs to fill this out. Again it asks for your basic passport info, how long you will be in Mexico, and how much luggage you have. Most importantly it asks if you are carrying 10,000 US Dollars or more, any meat, food, plants, chemicals, weapons, or merchandise for which you need to pay duty.

After you land and clear immigration, your next stop will be to pickup your luggage and go to customs. Your luggage will go through x-ray and you will hand the customs agent the form. There is a button that each person must push. If the button light turns green then you proceed to pickup your scanned luggage. If the button light turns red, your luggage will be searched.

When you leave Mexico you will surrender your FMM Tourist Visa and you will fill out the US Customs Declaration form. The US wants to know about your travel, where you’ve been and where you are going. The form asks again if you are bringing cash, meat, plants, merchandise, etc. You will give this form to the Customs agent when you land in the US.

For more information about traveling to Mexico and the paperwork you need to fill out, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Cancun Airport, Travel Info, Trip Reports Tagged With: , ,

Daylight Saving Time – Mexico changes time 1 month after the US and Canada 2013

March 10, 2013 by

Except for the border states, Mexico daylight saving time begins at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in April. Daylight saving time ends on the last Sunday in October. However those are different dates than in the US and in Canada. There is almost a full month of confusion between the date the US changes time and date Mexico changes time.

2013 Daylight Saving Time Dates
Set Clock ahead Set Clock back
USA & Canada March 10 November 4
Mexico April 7 October 27

Exceptions: State of Sonora and Ten Municipalities along the northern border.

Here in Cancun we are on Central Standard Time, but from March 10th to April 7th we are on a different CST than in the US and Canada. Crazy, right?

Many people are confused during this time, especially when it comes to their [Read more…]

Filed Under: About Cancun, Travel Info Tagged With:

February 2013 Weather in Cancun

February 28, 2013 by

February in Cancun is a wonderful. High temps in the mid-80’s, lows in the upper 60’s, usually just before the sun comes up. It is also one of the driest months of the year. Water temp is an average of 78F/26C.

By the end of the month we are seeing warmer temps. The cool winter is left behind and replaced with high humidity. Average daytime humidity is 58%, while the nighttime humidity reaches a whopping 95%! You don’t feel this as much when you on close to the ocean as the breeze helps. The further into the jungle you go the steamier it gets.

February 2013 weather in Cancun

Courtesy of www.AccuWeather.com

Filed Under: Weather Report

New attractions in Cancun: Flyboard & Jetpack

February 28, 2013 by

There are 2 new and ultra-adventure activities in Cancun: The Flyboard and the Jetpack. Both use the same idea of water propulsion to lift a person into the air and across the water using Personal Water Craft (PWC) propulsion.

Flyboard
The Flyboard straps your feet onto a board much like a snowboard and your arms are strapped onto hand jets. The hose is connected to a JetSki that provides the water pressure. You maneuver by shifting your weight on the board and using the hand jets.

flyboard cancun

There are 6 locations to try the Flyboarding experience in Cancun or the Riviera Maya:

  1. Temptation Resort- Albatros Marina Blvd. Kukulcan Km 3.5 Hotel Zone
  2. Hotel Presidente Intercontinental- Marina Coco Tours‎ Blvd. Kukulcan Km 7.5 Hotel Zone
  3. Royal Resorts- Thomas More Travel Blvd. Kukulcan Km 16 Hotel Zone
  4. Kool Beach Club- Dani Sailing 28 Norte Mza 10, Lote 8 Centro, Playa del Carmen
  5. Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya- Marina Hotel Valentin Carretera Federal 307 Km 311, North Playa del Carmen (Playa Paraiso)
  6. The Royal Playa del Carmen Beach Hotel Constituyentes 2 Playa del Carmen

Basic Flight 20 minutes flight time for $100 USD, or you can upgrade to the Premium for $150 and get a full HD video of your flight. You will learn the basics of Flyboard flight with your Certified Flight Instructor. Book Now

Requirements: Minimum age 18 years, be a good swimmer and not have fear of heights, obviously.

Jetpack

Much like the Flyboard, the Jetpack attaches a water hose to a jetski with the equipment needed for water propulsion. A flexible water supply hose delivers power to the jetpack with pressurized water.

jetpack cancun

Jetpack is located at Plaza La Isla Mall Blvd Kukulcan, KM 12.5 Cancun Hotel Zone

Price is $149 for the Basic 20 minutes or upgrade to the 30 minute Premium for $199.Book Now

You must be 18 years of age to fly, however 16 or 17 year olds may fly with written consent from a parent or guardian.
Height requirement: between 5 feet and 6 feet 6 inches tall and a maximum waist of 46 inches. You must also be a good swimmer.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Things to do in Cancun, Travel Info

Mayan Museum open in Cancun

February 11, 2013 by

Mayan-Museum

On November 1, 2012, Cancun opened a new Maya Museum in the hotel zone, located at KM 16 Blvd Kukulkan. Investments of $15 million was used to launch the project; about 70% of which was obtained from the federal government through the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

The Maya Museum exhibits over 350 archaeological artifacts including relics that have never been shown as well as others that were discovered in recent excavations. The museum has three exhibition halls; two are permanent and one is for temporary venue for national and international exhibitions. One exhibit in particular is quite remarkable: a 14,000-year-old skeletal Mayan remains discovered in the underwater caves at Tulum.

Maya Museum hours are on Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM, with extended hours on Thursday (7 AM to 10 PM). Tickets cost $5 USD per person for access to both the Maya Museum and Mayan ruins of San Miguelito, next to the museum. Kids under 13 and adults over 60 years old get free admission. On Sunday, admission is free to local residents with official identification.

Photos courtesy of J. Michel Photography

Filed Under: About Cancun, Travel Info Tagged With: , ,

January 2013 Weather in Cancun

January 30, 2013 by

January is the coolest month of the year in Cancun, yet still perfect beach weather. You can swim in the ocean and sunbath in the warm Caribbean sunshine. The average high temperature is 81F (27C) and the average low at night is 67F (19C). The water temperature is 81F (27C).

It is coolest in the early morning and we reach our peak highest temps in the early afternoon.

There are a few days where long pants or light jackets are appropriate, however t-shirt and shorts are worn most days.

January 2013 weather in Cancun
Courtesy of www.AccuWeather.com

Filed Under: About Cancun, Weather Report Tagged With:

Spay & Neuter Clinic for Cats and Dogs in Cancun

January 12, 2013 by

CANDi Spay and Neuter Clinic Jan 2013This is one of the things we volunteer our time for and love doing. The spay and neuter clinics in Cancun have become very popular and this week the goal is to spay or neuter 1,000 animals. These clinics are sponsored and organized by CANDi (Cats And Dogs International), headed by Darci Galati. Their efforts to help control the stray population and the number of unwated cats and dogs has been truly outstanding.

In the photo above you can see the surgery area in the back behind the blue screen. After surgery the dogs come to the Recovery tables on the right. Once they begin to wake up the animals are moved to the floor to be with their owners as they come out of anesthesia.

The clinic is held in Bonfil, close to the Cancun Airport, from Jan 11 to Jan 16. After the clinic is over there will be a concert on Isla Mujeres starring country singer Craig Moritz. Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to the animal shelters.

This is a great cause to volunteer for; during your vacation you might want to check out which local programs you can donate your time or money to. Vets, vet techs and volunteers fly in from the US and Canada to organize these clinics. We are very appreciative for everything they do to help the animal overpopulating in Cancun.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Stuff for Locals Tagged With: ,

Lost Tourist Visa Card – What happens if you lose your tourist visa while in Mexico?

January 1, 2013 by

When you arrive to Cancun International Airport you are issued an FMM form (Forma Migratoria Multiple). This form is your Tourist Visa. The Immigration agent at the Cancun Airport will stamp it and give you half of it to keep until you leave Mexico. Most visas are valid for 30, 60 or 90 days. You MUST keep up with this important document. Put it with your passport and your [Read more…]

Filed Under: About Cancun, Cancun Airport, Travel Info Tagged With: ,

5K race on Isla Mujeres Feb 9, 2013

January 1, 2013 by

There is a 5K Run / Walk race on Isla Mujeres on February 9th to benefit the stray dogs and cats on the island. The money raised will help provide the spay and neuter clinics, as well as animal adoption efforts.

The race will start and finish at JAX Bar & Grill, the starting time is 8:00 AM.

Categories:
Adult women
Adult men
Girls 17 and under
Boys 17 and under
Teams – 5 person

Entry Fee: $30.00 USD

Come over to Isla Mujeres to run for this wonderful cause.

5K Race Isla Mujeres

Filed Under: About Cancun, Travel Info Tagged With: ,

Duty-free shopping at the Cancun Airport

December 31, 2012 by

When you leave Cancun Airport to head home after your vacation in Mexico, you may want to take a few things back with you. Almost everyone has a list of friends, co-workers, nieces and nephews for which to buy souvenirs. There are some good markets in Cancun, like Market 28, however it is handy to grab these items on your way out of Cancun at the Duty-Free shops at the Cancun Airport.

[youtube_sc url=QCjalmyCeek width=530]

The shops are located in all the departure terminals. It is not possible to access these stores upon arrival. Duty-Free Shops are accessible on departures only. Some of the most popular shops are Sr. Frogs, Sunglass Island, Hard Rock Cafe, Oprendi & Ocean Blue. You can buy liquor, cigarettes, t-shirts, and souvenirs of all kinds.

Map of the Cancun Airport Stores: http://www.asur.com.mx/asur/ingles/aeropuertos/cancun/map.asp

Cancun Airport Departures Area

Cancun Airport Departures Area

There are also food court areas at both terminals, including a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., California Pizza Kitchen, Johnny Rockets, Starbucks (of course), Margaritaville, Domino’s Pizza, Peking Xpress, Guacamole Grill (fast food), Burger King, Baskin Robbins, TGI Friday’s, drug store and convenience store.

Now, there are limits to what you can take back with you when you leave Cancun. Each person can bring back $800 USD worth of items purchased in Mexico, duty-free, including:

  • One liter (33.8 ounces) of alcohol (provided the resident is 21 years or over)
  • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars that are not of Cuban origin (1 carton)

Items brought from the duty-free shop may [Read more…]

Filed Under: About Cancun, Cancun Airport, Food & Drink Tagged With: ,

Chichen Itza Light & Sound show renovations

December 30, 2012 by

The Light & Sound show at Chichen Itza ruins closed down back in August of 2012 for renovations. Their expected down-time was 6 months. It is a shame that the show was closed during the winter solstice when Chichen Itza saw record numbers of visitors.

In my opinion this was a long-overdue renovation. For many years the light & sound show was sub-par by most people’s standards. It was not a laser light show, instead they just lit up the main pyramid with different colored lights. The “sound” portion of the show was a looped recording in Spanish. There were translator headsets available for rent for 25 pesos each, however they were first-come-first-serve and were not guaranteed to work. Seating was very limited with most people having to sit on the ground. Many visitors to the light & sound show were disappointed over the last several years.

There is still no reopen date for the Light & Sound show, but when it does open we will go check it out for you. I will post photos and video of the new show. I hope to be amazed. It would be wonderful to recommend this tour to people traveling to Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

Filed Under: About Cancun, Trip Reports Tagged With: , , ,

Road Trip to Mayan Ruins – Part 2 Chichen Itza

December 23, 2012 by

Chichen Iza

We left Ek Balam and headed back to the toll road, Hwy 180, and headed west toward Merida. There will be another toll plaza, where the right lane exits to Chichen Itza and pay $59 pesos. You have 10-15 minutes to go and just follow the signs. We encountered some road work in the town and it was hard to see the sign. But you make a left where you must go left or right. This trip is roughly 50 km / 35 mi. and just under an hour. Parking was $22 pesos.

Chichen Itza Ruins

Chichen Itza Ruins

Entrance tickets to Chichen Itza were $177 for Foreigners, $125 for Nationals and Students with an FM2 or FM3, and $38 if you have the INAPAM (basically a Mexican AARP card). Students must have serious proof to get the lower rate, being Estudiante on your FM2 or 3, or a valid student ID from your school. Sundays are free for Nationals, Students and those with INAPAM cards. This is quite a commercial place as you will see. Guides are available and the prices are posted. $60 US but you can share that with a small group. We were approached by a man, 84 years old, who was not an official guide and offered to guide us for $400 pesos, came down to $300 and, after we visited the restrooms, came at us again for $200. We later saw him with a group of four people so free enterprise seemed alive and well.

Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and is most depicted in photos of the majestic El Castillo (The Castle), and is 25 meters/82 feet high. It is straight ahead as you enter the park and you are drawn to it. It is a captivating experience and we could not get enough pictures of this marvelous site. You can no longer climb El Castillo. If you stand in front of the pyramids as you travel around Mexico, you will often see guides and visitors clapping in unison. The acoustics reflect the sounds back [Read more…]

Filed Under: Travel Info, Trip Reports Tagged With: ,
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