Cancun Airport’s second runway is ready and ASUR is inviting the general public to be the first to use it, with a 5-k and 10-k run

Cancun, Quintana Roo, September 22nd, 2009 – On October 10th, 2009, at 7:00 am, Cancun Airport will invite 2,000 runners to take advantage of a unique opportunity: to be the first to use its new runway in an once-in-a-lifetime race.

You can register online for this event at www.emociondeportiva.com. You can participate at a cost of $200 Mexican pesos per person (Approx. $15 USD), if you date. Following inscription, on October 10th, participants will have the chance to run a very special course: the Second Runway at Cancun Airport. Needless to say, the runway’s surface is in tip-top condition and is completely flat.

With an investment of $67 million dollars, the Second-Runway infrastructure project includes construction of the runway itself, an entirely new control tower and a taxiway bridge. The airport’s capacity will increase to such an extent that it will be able to serve some 28 million passengers per year. The airport at Cancun will become the first in Mexico to have the capacity of handling simultaneous takeoffs and landings on both of its two runways. In addition, the control tower, which will be more than 315 feet tall (96 meters), will be among the 20 tallest in the world. This translates into improved efficiency in “slots,” i.e. the runway-use time assigned to aircrafts, which will be to the benefit of both passengers and the almost 150 domestic and international airlines that fly in and out of the airport.

Other points worth noting about Cancun Airport:
•It is the best airport in Latin America and is among the top five in the world (according to Airports Council International).
•In nine years, capacity at the airport has doubled.
•It is an important motor for regional development; in the last nine years, the airport has invested more than $361 million dollars.
•The airport originally had 170,600 square feet of terminal-building area; it now has 387,140 square feet.

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About Cancun:
Cancun, the gateway to Mexico and the Mayan world, offers luxurious hotel infrastructure with more than 28,000 rooms, and is Mexico’s most beautiful and stylish destination. Opportunities for new experiences are everywhere, as the setting brings you into contact with both nature and Mayan culture like nowhere else.

Top-level gastronomy and nightlife; warm beaches with soft, white sand; crystal-clear, turquoise seas; and a location opposite the Great Mesoamerican Reef System, in tandem with Mexico’s world-famous hospitality, make Cancun an entirely unique tourist destination.

With Thanks to the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cancun Weather Your complete source for local weather conditions, local weather, forecasts, Cancun weather history, Travel delays, and more.

Mexican astronaut, Jose Hernandez, member of the Discovery Shuttle crew who is currently at the International Space Station, was interviewed by a TV station and while discussing Cancun’s beaches he stated that “even from here, they look amazing.”

Hernandez, who will be in space for two weeks, confirmed that from space “Mexico City is seen all lit up at night and Cancun’s beaches are easily distinguished.”

Hernandez joins the NASA Discovery crew, made up of four experienced and three novice astronauts, in transporting more than seven tons of food, supplies, spare parts and scientific experiments, including six genetically altered rats, to be used for bone marrow loss research.

During their two weeks at the International Space Station, three special spacewalks will be executed to install a new ammonia refrigeration tank and prepare the station for its new software port.

The Discovery Shuttle was launched from Port Canaveral on Saturday August 29th at 11:59 A.M EST and arrived at the space station on Sunday night.

With Thanks to the Cancun Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Vacation Tips for Cancun Mexico

Chef Gray Offers Nightly Blackboard Menu
Highlighting Flavors of Mexico

When we think of Mexican food, certain flavors and ingredients (chiles, beans, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and tortillas) and certain basic forms (tacos, enchiladas, tamales, salsas, and so on) often come to mind. We generally know more or less what to expect. However, once in awhile, what is put on the table in front of us, exceeds our expectations, a fact that is perhaps illustrated in great detail, by chef and restaurateur, John Gray. For the past 15 years, the California native’s four restaurants throughout Cancun and Puerto Morelos, and have garnered him a reputation as an innovative chef whose cuisine is based on the excellent raw materials of the region, but owing more to the culinary traditions of France and the United States, than to the “cocina mexicana” of our imaginations.

Therefore, Gray has cooked up a truly unique and enticing nightly Blackboard menu for the patrons of his first and signature restaurant, John Gray’s Kitchen in Puerto Morelos. During the month of September, diners will find Gray in the Kitchen every evening cooking up an array of creative dishes, made with the freshest local ingredients – all of which have been inspired by the flavors of Mexico.

“The Nightly Blackboard Menu allows me to experiment with the dynamic flavors found in Mexican ingredients.” He continues, “By no means, am I transforming The Kitchen into a Mexican restaurant, rather, for this one month I am giving myself complete culinary freedom and allowing myself to be inspired by my daily surroundings….may it be the ‘Cocina Economica’ or small, Mexican diner menu featuring homemade Mexican staples; going down to the beach to see what the local fisherman caught that day or whatever ingredients peak my interest in the market on a given morning. It’s just exciting to be able to offers diners a nightly surprise of my interpretations of dishes that are full of generous flavors and textures, and of course which showcase high quality, local ingredients.”

The Kitchen, which opened in 2002, has become a true culinary destination and a gem of a find in Riviera Maya. In fact, the two-story building, which is nestled in a neighborhood of purposely, modest homes and typical Mexican restaurants just blocks away from the beach, actually offers diners the opportunity to feel as if they are dining in Gray’s own home.

Gray designed the building’s interior and exterior to be reminiscent of a cozy, European bistro. As such, he offers guests an experience full of intimacy, perfected by optimal lighting; a well appointed neighborhood bar; warm color scheme; California-inspired bay windows and arched view into the open kitchen. A unique piece of art greets guests as they walk into the restaurant, a drawing of “A Melting Clock.” The design was spontaneously offered to Gray by a visiting German tattoo artist, who pronounced that the drawing should be painted on what was then a plain, gray wall – that in fact resembles a canvas.

A loyal following of celebrities, world-renowned chefs, foodies, politicians and locals alike have all become charmed by John Gray’s approach to ambience, service and classic interpretations that fuse international flavors and ingredient pairings within each selection. As Puerto Morelos has become a destination for the discerning traveler, Gray has been able to offer his clientele the highest quality cuisine, all while offering a diverse selection of wines from around the world, with his newest offering being his own – John Gray’s Private Barrel Selection 2008, El Corazon. In 2008, John Gray visited the Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico’s main wine producing region, to work in collaboration with a renowned sommelier to personally hand select outstanding vintages from the region’s most acclaimed and small production vineyards. The experience offered them the opportunity to ultimately create a lesser known, yet exceptional, Mexican wine, El Corazon.

As the sole chef representing Mexico in the 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival; John Gray is the owner of four successful restaurants and one bar/lounge located throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico: John Gray’s Place in Playa del Carmen; La Suegra de John Gray on the beach of Puerto Morelos; John Gray’s Downtown in downtown Cancun and The Den at John Gray’s Place, is adjacent to John Gray’s Place in Playa del Carmen.

With Thanks to the Cancun Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Health and Safety Tips for Cancun Mexico

Cancun, one of the preferred destinations for Americans, gets ready to receive all the visitors who want to take advantage of the incredible packages and deals that hotels, parks and attractions are offering for Labor Day 2009.

Orbitz travel expert, Jeanenne Tornatore, has named Cancun one of the top five choices for Labor Day travelers. With 75% hotel occupancy, Cancun offers superior hotel infrastructure, international cuisine, amazing archeological sites and unparallel customer service to all Labor Day travelers who wish to escape to Caribbean paradise.

Cancun Labor Day Offers include but not limited to:

• Xel-Ha Natural Aquarium: Labor Day 10 Package includes a 10 % discount on entrance fees, Snuba, manatee encounter, snorkeling lessons, Sea Trek and much more. Visit www.xel-ha.com for more information to make your reservation today.
• The Omni Cancun Hotel & Villas: 4th night free in all room categories, including Junior Suites and 3 bedroom Villas and advance purchase discounts of 10 to 15% off leisure rates. For information, consult their web site at www.omnicancun.com or call toll free 1-800-843-6664.
• The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun: Enjoy your 4th or 7th night free and a $100 food & beverage credit with a 4 night minimum stay or $150 food & beverage credit with a 7 night minimum stay, making it truly sensational. Visit westin.com
• Paradise Riviera Cancun in Puerto Morelos: Upgraded room available (Superior Category) at reduced rates. Book August 13-31, 2009 to receive this great offer good August 23- September 30, 2009. Visit http://www.paradisusrivieracancun.travel
• Azul Beach & Azul Sensator: Save up to 45% on Azul family-oriented Suites, only $125 per person per night. Book today through Oct. 31, 2009 and travel anytime now through December 22nd, 2009. Visit www.karismahotels.com.
• Hotel El Rey Del Caribe: This intimate hotel is offering guests who pay for 3 nights get 1 free night or pay for 5 nights and get 2 nights free. Offer valid until December 15, 2009. Visit www.elreydelcaribe.com to book or for more information.
• JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and Casa Magna Marriott Cancun Resort: Book for 4 nights and get one night free and guests who book at least 3 days in advance receive a $60 discount. Visit CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort
• SolyMar Cancun Beach and Resort: Book at least 3 nights during the Labor Day weekend and receive September 7th free. Visit www.solymarcancun.com
• Hyatt Regency Cancun- For a limited time only guests can enjoy a rate of $76.00, taxes not included. Visit www.cancun.regency.hyatt.com
• ME Cancun: Book August 20 – September 10, 2009 and upgrade yourself to the next level of indulgence. Travel anytime from time of booking through December 20, 20009. Book standard deluxe lagoon view and indulge in a superior accommodation. Visit www.mebymelia.com
• Royal Hacienda: For only $449 enjoy 5 days, 4 nights at the latest member of the Royal Resorts collection, a five-star hideaway on one of the finest beaches. Package includes 5 days, 4 nights at The Royal Haciendas and 2 tickets to Xcaret Park or 2 tickets to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Call 1-888-838-7842 or visit http://www.royalresorts.com
• Ritz Carlton Cancun: Special Labor Day rate of $202. Guests are required to pay at time of booking. Visit for www.ritzcarlton.com
• Hotel Batab Cancun: Labor Day rates for 1-2 person bookings only $48 and includes an all-American breakfast. Visit www.hotelbatab.com
• Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita: Guest will enjoy the September Special, 1, 2, Free staring at $241 and includes 3rd night free, 3rd bottle of wine free, when paying for two and 3rd Spa treatment free, when paying for two. For set up dinners (at the beach, at the pool , etc) 3rd will be free when paying for 2 or get the second set up with 33% off, added values and free nights are cumulative, every 2 nights paid get the third night free, every 2 bottles of wine get the third free, etc. Special is applicable to wines that are not part of our Endless Privileges Program in any of our restaurants. To book or for more details visit www.ZoetryResorts.com
• CasaSandra Hotel (Holbox): Book at least 4 nights including Labor Day, September 7th, and receive one night free. Visit www.casasandra.com
• Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun: Book now and receive 25 % off on accommodations, food & beverage and spa treatments. Visit www.fiestamericana.com?cancun
• Gran Melia Cancun: Upgrade yourself to a new level of luxury, book from August 20th to December 20Th. Receive a complementary upgrade to royal service category, when booking deluxe ocean view room. Visit www.granmeliacancun.com
• Aqua Cancun: Take advantage of the Fall for Less promotion which offers 35% discount on deluxe ocean view and ocean front accommodations and 25% discount on food & beverage and spa. Guests can also indulge in the Vive Aquí, Vive Aqua Promotion which includes double occupancy ocean view accommodation, a hand massage and cocktail upon arrival, aroma therapy in room menu, ocean side lounge, late checkout and 15% discount on all food & beverage during their stay. Offer valid now through December 23, 2009. Visit www.feel~aqua.com or call 01 800 800 AQUA and mention the promotional code PROMDF0252.
• Cancun Clipper Club: Labor Day promotion offers 50% discount for single and double occupancy and includes breakfast. Visit www.clipper.com.mx or email reserve@clipper.com.mx
• Excellence Riviera Cancun: Summer Fall Special 35 %, book before August 31st, 2009 and Travel from now through December 23rd 2009 and obtain 35% discount. Visit www.excellence-resorts.com
• Excellence Playa Mujeres: Summer Fall Special 35 % book before August 31st, 2009 and Travel from now through December 23rd 2009 and obtain 35% discount. Visit www.excellence-resorts.com

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About Cancun

Cancun is located in the northern part of the southeastern Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The island of Cancun is in the shape of a “7” and is bordered to the north by the Bahia de Mujeres; to the east by the Caribbean Sea; and to the west by the Nichupte Lagoon. Cancun is Mexico’s largest tourist destination and boasts 146 hotels with a total of 28,808 rooms.

Opportunities for new experiences abound in Cancun, which offers visitors an ideal setting for interacting with nature and discovering Mayan culture.

With Thanks to the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau

Vacation Tips