| Living in Mexico was an adventurous fairytale; due to | | | | variety of fascinating flora and fauna from basilisk |
| the variety of things to do, beauty of the country | | | | lizards to a diving duck. Cenotes are the entrance |
| and the kindness of its residents. I am originally from | | | | points to underwater caves, which are only safe to |
| Ohio but spent substantial time living in Mexico, | | | | go to with certified dive experts. Underneath the |
| studying the nature and history of this beautiful place. | | | | Yucatan peninsula there are a large network of |
| Here are some ideas and tips I learned from being | | | | underground caves that expert divers like to explore. |
| there that may help you on your next trip to the | | | | Do not attempt to dive these on your own, because |
| Yucatan Peninsula. | | | | it is dangerous. If you want to see what an |
| Using the public bus system is infinitely cheaper than | | | | underground cave is like, go nearby to the nature |
| taking taxis everywhere. If you are looking for | | | | park of Xcaret, where there are underwater caves |
| cheaper transportation to and from the airport, take | | | | for the public to swim in. |
| the bus to downtown Playa del Carmen or Cancun. It | | | | Speaking of Xcaret, it is a must to visit if you love |
| is easy and the bus stations are centrally located in | | | | nature. It is full of educational activities and fun things |
| both cities. You can choose to ride an air-conditioned | | | | to do for the whole family. Expect to spend an entire |
| bus for a small amount more than the non | | | | day there. There is swimming with dolphins, |
| air-conditioned bus. I would use either, whoever left | | | | horseback riding, exploring an ancient Mayan village, |
| soonest. There are bus schedules posted for local | | | | seeing Mayan dancing shows, snorkeling in a large |
| travel or throughout the country. The nicest buses | | | | lagoon, all built into the jungles. It is a top-class place, |
| when I was there were the plush tour buses for | | | | and even has its own small zoo, butterfly garden and |
| longer trips, called ADO. Really nice buses that cost | | | | aviary. I know, I used to be the main illustrator for |
| more but are worth it. | | | | the park years ago. The restaurants are atmospheric |
| If you need to make phone calls in Mexico, buy a | | | | and the food is good. Don't forget to see the Mayan |
| phone card there and use them from any pay phone. | | | | musicians do their flying pole exhibition, which is done |
| They can be used to call internationally as well. The | | | | all day long. They start on top of a pole, and "fly" |
| locals, many of which do not have phones in their | | | | down, while playing their instruments, while hanging |
| homes, use them all the time. You can buy them in | | | | from ropes by their ankles. You won't see anything |
| the Casas de Cambio (places where you can | | | | quite like it out of this region. Xcaret has a variety of |
| exchange your money into Mexican pesos). A note | | | | natural history exhibits near their large gift shop. It is |
| on exchanging your money, check around, to look | | | | a "must" for all. |
| for the best exchange rates as they may vary place | | | | If you want a fun trip by boat, go to Playa Linda (in |
| to place. | | | | the Hotel Zone of Cancun) and hop a boat over to |
| Those who don't scuba can enjoy the beauty of the | | | | Isla Mujeres. Aqua Tours has a big, luxurious yacht |
| underwater coral gardens and scenery by snorkeling. | | | | that goes over there a few times a day. On the way |
| Go to the scuba shops and inquire about what | | | | to the island, you are served drinks, are entertained |
| excursions they offer for snorkelers, or ask your | | | | by the staff and get a great view of the Cancun |
| resort's front desk if you can sign up for snorkeling | | | | coastline. Once at Isla Mujeres, you are taken on |
| tours there at the hotel. Wear sunscreen while doing | | | | excursions to places like Tortugranja (a sea turtle |
| this daytrip, don't expect a white t-shirt to protect | | | | farm, where they raise endangered sea turtles from |
| you, because it won't. If you don't use sun | | | | small to large), or Hacienda Mundaca (a supposed |
| protection, you will come back lobster-red, trust me. | | | | former estate of an ex-pirate, who built it for his |
| A word about avoiding Turista (Montezuma's | | | | love interest, according to local legend). They offer |
| Revenge, the Tourist Trots). These very unpleasant | | | | snorkeling, too. It's a fun day trip, and the shopping is |
| bacterial infections happen, frequently, to travellers. | | | | pretty good on the island, too. |
| To avoid spending most of your vacation in the | | | | Another interesting place to visit is Merida, the capital |
| bathroom recuperating, I suggest you don't eat raw | | | | city of the state of Quintana Roo (where Cancun is |
| fruit (unless it's already peeled), and don't drink drinks | | | | located). It reminded me of Europe, with its lovely, |
| that have ice that isn't round, with a hole in it | | | | large mansions,outdoor cafes and stately buildings. |
| (purified water ice cubes). The large resorts' food is | | | | There, you will find the United States embassy, |
| safe, as far as I have experienced. I've stayed in a | | | | among others. If you need to replace a lost passport |
| few before moving to Mexico and never got sick by | | | | or talk to embassy officials, this is where you want |
| eating or drinking their food. Big resorts take | | | | to go. It is a very international place, worth the very |
| precautions against contaminated foods and drink. | | | | long bus ride from Cancun. |
| But, out on the street, those bacteria free float into | | | | Downtown Cancun has a few interesting places to |
| the food offered at taco stands (and I love those, | | | | shop. There are authentic food and crafts at Plaza |
| by the way), and wherever fruit is sold. If you buy | | | | 2000, or see Chedraui (a department/ grocery |
| fruit, peel before eating it. If it isn't peelable, then | | | | store), or Pelicano (another general merchandise |
| forget it. Drink purified, bottled water at all times. If | | | | store). I haven't been to Cancun since the |
| you go to day-long trips out in the heat, bring a | | | | devastating hurricane there, so check to see if these |
| gallon jug of water, you will need it. | | | | places are still in operation, if so, they are definitely |
| Hire only qualified tour guides through reputable | | | | worth going to. Take a bus or taxi to these places, |
| agencies (usually found through the hotels or your | | | | to get a more "authentic" Mexican experience. |
| travel agent). Don't use freelance tour guides | | | | Staying just in the Hotel Zone is fun, but not a slice |
| because I was told when living there that some will | | | | of everyday Mexican life. Try some of the great |
| make information up as they go along. Independent | | | | food stands where the locals go. I love the chicken |
| tour guides will approach you at places like the ruins | | | | cooked on spits everywhere, called "Pollo Rojo" (red |
| of Coba, Chichen Itza and Tulum, for example. Go | | | | chicken) due to the spices used. It is to die for and |
| with a tour group to these places. I liked the Apple | | | | incredibly cheap. If you see people on the street |
| tours, but there are many others that are good, too. | | | | selling tamales, try them, they are excellent and really |
| Ask around to see who are most highly | | | | cheap. I could easily eat my way through Mexico by |
| recommended. Chichen Itza is a big site, worthy of | | | | living on tamales (meat inside a corn-based "cake") |
| seeing, if you are going to choose a sight to see. | | | | and empanadas (meat turnovers) alone. If you buy |
| The pyramid there, called El Castillo, is spectacular. I | | | | bakery items in Mexico at the grocery stores, bear in |
| have been inside it (very, incredibly claustrophobic if | | | | mind that they use much less sugar than Americans |
| you decide to brave it up the narrow stairway inside) | | | | are used to having, in their recipes. I like the |
| and on top of it (steep stairs lead up to a few small | | | | Conchitas, breads shaped like shells. If you want |
| rooms on the top, where nobility would perform | | | | sweets, buy the cakes sold under the brand name |
| rituals, etc.) Take a camera and stop at the nearby | | | | "Bimbo" (yes, that is the name of it). It is a major |
| hotel for lunch if you have the chance. There was a | | | | bread and snack food producer in Mexico. |
| show there where dancers in Mayan dress | | | | Enjoy your stay in the lovely Mayan Riviera. Walk the |
| entertained us as our group ate there. It was a good | | | | beaches and admire that stunningly turquoise water, |
| break from the heat of sightseeing this ancient city. | | | | it is truly paradise. Enjoy the hospitality of the friendly |
| Word to the wise, bringing a family-size vat of | | | | and helpful Mexican nationals. Remember to have fun, |
| sunscreen wouldn't be a bad idea. And as much | | | | but remember, it is a foreign country, so obey their |
| water as possible. Walking around the site all day will | | | | laws and be respectful of the differences in culture. |
| dehydrate and bake you if you aren't careful. | | | | If you go, you'll want to go back again and again. I |
| Check out the cenotes (lakes of brackish water in | | | | know I did. The more you go, the more you know. |
| the jungle), accessed by taking buses or taxi, along | | | | Living in the Yucatan was an unforgettable |
| the Playa del Carmen-Tulum corridor. I liked going to | | | | experience, visiting there is too, so make it a |
| the Cenote Azul or the Cenote Dos Ojos. Cenotes | | | | memorable trip for yourself by seeing as much of it |
| attract nature, and while visiting them, I saw a | | | | as you can. You won't be disappointed. |