Category Archives: Travel Tips
Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza
The Spring equinox usually falls on the 20th or 21st of March although the dates for the Spring Equinox may vary slightly from year to year.
What is the Spring Equinox?
On the equinox the sun is positioned directly over the equator. The word “equinox†means ‘equal night’ because the day is equal in length to the night. There are two equinoxes during the year, the spring equinox which falls around March 21 and the autumn equinox which falls around September 21. The day of the spring equinox marks the end of winter and beginning of spring.
Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza
The pyramid of Kukulcan, otherwise known as ‘El Castillo’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the greatest surviving monuments of the Mayan civilization. The spring equinox at Chichen Itza is the setting for one of the most spectacular sights you will ever see, the descent of the Feathered Serpent.
If you are lucky enough to see this incredible example of the Mayan people’s ingenuity and architectural genius you will be truly amazed. At the precise time of the spring equinox, the sun casts its rays on the NE stairway of the Kukulcan ‘El Castillo’ pyramid, creating a play of shadow and light which looks like a serpent slithering down the pyramid as the sun moves through the sky. You can see this vision for a few days – from around March 19th to the 23rd, but on the actual date of the equinox the effect is most dramatic. If you happen to miss this date you will get another chance during the autumn equinox on September 21 when the feathered serpent is again seen descending the great pyramid.
It tends to get very busy with thousands of people flocking to Chichen Itza to experience this phenomenon. Please take note there are very few hotels near to the ruins, but there are many tours available from Cancun which will bring you back after the event.
With thanks to my friends at the Cancun Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Experience Real Beauty under the Sea in Cancun
Ever thought of swimming under extremely crystal clear waters while observing the most incredible and beautiful marine species that inhabit the second largest reef on Earth?
We have good news for scuba diving and snorkeling fans. Stop dreaming and visit the spectacular paradise that awaits you in Cancun, considered one of the top places in the world for scuba diving. Whether you are an amateur or a professional diver, Cancun and its surroundings, offer some of the best natural landscapes and the highest quality in resources to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Visitors can admire the amazing wildlife including brightly colored fish found only under the radiant surface of the Caribbean Sea. Cancun’s coastline is found directly in front of the Great Mesoamerican Reef, an amazing system extending 450 miles all the way from Punta Nizuc to the Bay of Islands in Honduras and is the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere. This reef system is home to 100 coral species, 350 mollusks, and 164 species of reef dwelling fish, sea turtles, crocodiles, lemon sharks, dolphins and manatees, among other exotic creatures that are unlikely to be seen elsewhere. The best news is that you don’t have to travel many hours to dive since there are between ten to 12 coral reefs, some of which are located at only 45 minutes from the shore.
Cancun offers a wide variety of scuba diving venues offering the best in training-including the PADI certification- and equipment for both novice and experienced divers. Professional trainers and guides ensure visitors’ safety by arranging diving sessions for small groups of people at a time. There are more than 25 fully-equipped water sports centers and marinas that operate under strict environmental standards to avoid any harm to marine life. Under the supervision of certified guides, vacationers will have a fulfilling experience. Also, several hotels and resorts offer hour long scuba diving courses in areas of extremely shallow waters for guests who are interested in getting a taste of Cancun’s diving offer. One of the greatest advantages in Cancun is that water depth reaches a maximum of 100ft., which makes it the ideal and safest spot for both, beginners and pros.
In Cancun, variety is the norm. Tourists can choose between open water diving along the reef where they have the opportunity to explore sunken vessels- like the famous C58- or dive along natural caverns and cenotes (sink holes), some are so deep that are beyond the reach of sunlight. Cenote diving is characteristic of the state of Quintana Roo which has one of the longest cenotes route in the world. A complete cavern diving course lasts one week and includes a series of 14 diving sessions.
For those who prefer to go snorkeling, Punta Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Puerto Morelos offer the possibility to experience the marine wonders of the Mexican Caribbean, allowing tourists to have a close encounter with marine creatures such as tropical fish, sea monkeys, grouper fish, parrotfish, as well as invertebrates like jelly fish, crabs, lobsters and octopus. Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos is particularly attractive because the coral reef is located very close to the shore, keeping the waters calm and shallow- the perfect conditions to have a safe and enjoyable snorkeling trip.
Those who want to experience the peaceful mood of a fishing village can take day trips to Holbox Island, Contoy and Isla Mujeres conveniently located a few miles from Cancun. These islands combine tropical life with the charm of virgin white sand beaches and the Mayan heritage. While being popular destinations for snorkeling and scuba diving, visitors also have the opportunity to interact with nature above the ocean’s surface through activities such as bird, crocodile and turtle watching. Also, these places offer the opportunity to swim with magnificent creatures such as whale sharks (locally known as Domino whales), dolphins and manatees. Better yet, you can be a part of an expedition to discover the mysteries of the sleeping sharks cave.
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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
Pack to prevent wrinkles
Roll, roll, roll your clothes gently down the stream. Oh, okay, I got a little carried away. 
But it’s true! Rolling your clothes helps keep wrinkles to a minimum, And allows you to pack more clothes. Here is an Article from About.com that illustrates how to do this: http://goeurope.about.com/od/packingtips/ss/packing_tips.htm Tim
Travel Tips
When traveling, having the right attitude is everything!
In most cases, your attitude is what dictates whether you have a good vacation or a bad one. Certainly bad things can happen on a trip, or perhaps things will not be exactly as you expected them to be, but how you handle these situations will be the key to enjoying your trip or having a miserable time.
Several years ago, while vacationing on Cozumel, one of my traveling companions and I decided to make a day-trip over to Cancun to visit a dear friend. It was raining harder than either of us had ever seen so we quickly resigned ourselves to the fact that we’d not be enjoying the beach on this day. When we arrived in Cancun, we made our way to the hotel where our friend worked only to find that he had left early.
We could have been unhappy about this or about the weather, but instead we decided to make the most of our trip. We went to Sr. Frog’s and enjoyed a relaxing lunch over-looking the water. We ended up having so much fun that we stayed until around 2am , when we finally decided to make our way to the bus terminal to start our trip back over to Cozumel.
We had such a great time that day/evening that neither of us minded sitting on the hard floor of the bus terminal while waiting for our bus, being soaking wet from all the rain, and not even getting to see our friend.
Be open-minded during your travels and you will go home with many more happy memories than bad ones.
Travel Tips
“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” ~Ernest Hemingway
When traveling, it is not only more fun to travel with other people, but it can also be safer and much less expensive than traveling alone. If you choose to travel with companions, make sure you have similar traveling styles and similar interests.
If you enjoy sleeping late and then lounging by the pool all day, you probably don’t want to travel with someone that wakes at dawn and is constantly on the go for the rest of the day.
Even when you travel with people that you are compatible with, it is a good idea to spend some time apart each day.
Travel Tips
Before you travel, make photocopies of all important documents, such as your passport, travel visas, driver’s license, and credit cards. Leave a copy with someone at home and also take a copy with you on your trip. Store the copies in a different area than the original documents. If your wallet or passport are stolen, the photocopies will make it easier to get the replacements issued.
Also, make copies of any prescriptions for medications you may have to refill while on vacation, or for eyeglasses and contact lenses. You never know when you may break your glasses, lose a contact lens, or accidentally drop your bottle of medicine into the garbage can!
Travel Tips
When traveling to Cancun, many people select a hotel based on whether or not the property has a nice fitness center. A large number of hotels have health clubs, but while on vacation from work, household chores, and running errands, why not take a break from your workout routine too? No, don’t skip your workout altogether, but get out of the gym! There are plenty of ways to stay fit on vacation and still have fun!
Rather than jogging on the treadmill, go for a run on the beach. Instead of using the rowing machine, take a swim in the gorgeous Caribbean Sea, or go sea kayaking. Why not start the day by doing yoga on the beach, and follow that up with a fun-filled day of beach volleyball and water polo? You will still achieve your goal of working out while you are away from home, but you will feel more refreshed and energized by having mixed up your routine!
