This glorious 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone. AQUA Cancun is right across the street from La Isla Mall and is only a short walk to Plaza Kukulkan. The hotel has a nice beach and an AMAZING pool area. The colors of the pools mimic the colors of the Caribbean Sea.

AQUA Cancun was recently voted one of the Top Hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. Spa Aqua was also voted one of the best spas in the world (and the only spa in Cancun to earn that honor).

Once you walk through the front door of AQUA Cancun, you’ll be in the lap of luxury.

2008 ROOM RATES–AQUA CANCUN

All rates are per person/per night (based on the number of people in the room).

August 17, 2008-December 20, 2008
Single: $250 USD
Double: $126 USD
Triple: $103 USD

December 21, 2008-January 9, 2009
Single: $613 USD
Double: $307 USD
Triple: $224 USD

Meals and drinks are NOT included in room rates, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner may be added. The costs for meals are:

Breakfast: $36 USD per person/per day
Lunch: $57 USD per person/per day
Dinner: $57 USD per person/per day

To reserve this hotel, please fill out our Hotel Booking Form.

If so, here is some legal advice that may come in handy. This was written by Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series www.medtogo.com.

If you run into legal trouble in Mexico, the U.S. and Canadian consulates may be able to provide limited assistance. Remember that the consulates have no legal jurisdiction in Mexico. Their main purpose is to provide you with information. As a visitor, you are subject to local Mexican law, which will interpret your actions and behavior. Mexican law is very different from U.S. or Canadian law.

If you are arrested in Mexico, ask the local authorities to contact the closest consulate. Consuls cannot act as your attorneys or have you released from custody; however, the consuls can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated in the same manner as Mexican prisoners. They can provide a list of attorneys and information on Mexico’s legal system, offer to contact the arrested person’s family or friends, visit on a regular basis, protest mistreatment, monitor jail conditions, offer dietary supplements, and keep the U.S. State Department or the Canadian government office informed of your situation.

There are basic differences between North American, Canadian and Mexican law and their judicial systems. For instance, in Mexico you are considered guilty until proven innocent, and you may be considered guilty of a crime by association. For example, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you will be detained in a jail until the circumstances of the accident are resolved. This may mean a lengthy incarceration, even if you are not at fault. Also, if you pick up a hitchhiker who is later found with contraband or weapons in your presence, you may well be charged with a crime.

Jail conditions in Mexico are very poor. Food and medical care is substandard. If you want good food you will have to have someone from the outside bring it to you. You may be extorted by other prisoners and required to pay fees for protection. So, do your best to avoid any actions that could land you in a Mexican jail.

If you become hospitalized in Mexico and cannot pay your hospital bill you cannot be lawfully detained against your will. If this happens or is threatened, call the ministerio público (district attorney) for help. For your city or town’s district attorney’s phone number and address, you may refer to the emergency information section of each city listing.

Typically, you will have to sign a waiver of legal recourse on entrance to a hospital or emergency room. In many instances you will be required to pay in advance or leave a deposit. All too many Mexican hospitals have complained that they have treated foreigners who later skipped on paying their bills. This strict policy is a result of this unfortunate practice. It is your duty to pay your bill and seek reimbursement from your domestic insurer when you return home. Make sure that you request thorough documentation of your treatment from your Mexican doctor(s) or hospital.

Here is the address and phone number for the U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun:

United States Consular Agency - Plaza Caracol II, 3er. Piso KM 8.5 - Zona Hotelera - Cancún, México 77500 - 011-52-998-883-0272

More Cancun tips can be viewed at www.cancunmx.com Click on “Traveler’s Resources” in the navigation bar. Tim

As I walked back out to the street, after finishing a recent portrait session on Playa Chac Mool (a public beach located across the street from Senor Frog’s, in Cancun’s hotel zone), I was treated to this view of the sun setting over the lagoon. Not a bad way to end the day, if you asked me.

Enjoy!

Recently, I visited the newly remodeled Aqua Cancun (formerly Fiesta Americana Grand Aqua). Prior to hurricane Wilma’s extended visit to Cancun in 2005, this was my favorite hotel in the area. I was heartbroken when I saw it following the devastation.

The new and improved Aqua Cancun has been open nearly a year and I am pleased to report that the hotel is just as breathtaking as it’s
predecessor!

The beach looks very nice as well.

The only complaints I had were not any fault of Aqua Cancun. I simply didn’t like the view on either side of the hotel. To the north, the new Westin Lagunamar is under construction.

To the south is the eyesore that was once the Occidental Grand. It has been sitting empty since 2005. I really hope that hotel is torn down soon because it is just plain ugly. (I’ve heard rumors that it was purchased and there are plans to build condos on that site.) Other than that…no complaints. The pool area at Aqua Cancun is gorgeous and spacious. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to find a chair or sun bed there. They even have sun beds that somehow hang and they rock back and forth. I’d be asleep in minutes if I snagged one of those sun beds.

Inside the hotel, the common areas and hallways are scented with all sorts of lovely aromas. I can only imagine that the rooms are amazing!

The hotel offers free internet access in it’s computer room/lounge area. I believe it is totally free but, before you start surfing the internet at the hotel, make sure there is not a time limit on this service.

After my visit to Aqua Cancun, I picked up a copy of Conde Nast Traveler. I found Aqua Cancun on the list of the world’s top 136 Hot hotels for 2008. Their spa, Spa Aqua, was also listed among the top 76 spas in the world! Pretty impressive for a hotel that has been open only a few months! Rosewood Mayakoba and Mandarin Oriental, both of which are located in Riviera Maya, also made Conde Nast’s Hot List for 2008. Mandarin Oriental’s spa, which they cleverly named Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, was the only other spa in this area to make the list.

Even though Aqua Cancun is not an all-inclusive property, security is pretty tight. Only guests are allowed on the premises. This hotel does NOT offer day passes. If you wish to use the spa or dine in any of their restaurants, you will have to make a reservation beforehand.

Aqua Cancun
Kukulkan Blvd., Km. 12.5
Cancun, Quintana Roo
Phone (From US/Canada): 011 52 (998) 881-7600

Spa Aqua
881-7600 ext. 7620

One thing that is Great about Cancun and Riviera Maya online friends, is their willingness to help newbies out, and sharing information with newbies and oldies. Some of my online friends I have known for over 10 years! Our accumulated vacation experience is a treasure trove of information for those seeking help with their vacation planning.

Here are just a few really cool posts form the past couple of weeks: Looking for a great beach south of Playa del Carmen; Tipping at an All Inclusive; How to buy Timeshare; Should you take Traveler’s checks?; Are you going to Cancun despite the economy?

These are just a few topics that may be of some interest to you. And of course, we are all looking for decent Air Fare!!! Tim

On July 1st, Club Sandwich Cafe (one of my favorite restaurants in downtown Cancun) will be having their annual Canada Day celebration. During lunch and dinner (starting at 12 noon), food will be 50% off!

The local media will be photographing the event. If you stop by around 2:30pm, there is a chance that you could be in the local newspaper. Of course, non-Canadians are encouraged to stop in and join the festivities!

Club Sandwich Cafe recently started serving breakfast. They now open at 8am and breakfast is served until noon. Their normal menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, Gyros (my favorite dish!), and delicious desserts is available from noon until midnight.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Club Sandwich Cafe
Avenida Tulum #9
Esquina con Calle Azucenas
Cancun, Centro
Across the street from Scotia Bank

Phone: 884-5762

Hours of Operation: 8am-midnight, Tuesday-Sunday

The Royal Playa del Carmen offers two day passes. They have a standard day pass as well as an extended version that allows you to stay at the resort for several hours longer.

Option #1: 9am-5pm
The price for this day pass is $80USD.

Option #2: 9am-11pm
The price for this day pass is $145USD.

Both passes allow you to use the pools, restaurants, and all public areas for the entire length of the pass. All meals, drinks, and the use of a towel are included in the price of a day pass.

The Royal Playa del Carmen is a luxury, all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen.

Please contact the hotel for more information. Their phone number is (984) 877-2900.

The Cancun Blog has been experiencing some “technical difficulties” over the past few days. In fact, the blog site was down for a couple of days. We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

The good news is that we are in the process of updating The Cancun Blog and will be making some BIG changes in the coming weeks. Please come back soon to see what surprises we’ve got up our sleeves. We are positive that our loyal readers (die-hard Cancun fans!) will be delighted with the new additions to the site.

Thank you for your patience and, of course, for reading The Cancun Blog.

Tim & Susan

A while back, I attended the final night of the Agave Spirits Challenge, which was held at Hacienda Sisal (a Mexican restaurant located in front of the Royal Sands resort in Cancun, Mexico). The Agave Spirits Challenge was a tequila tasting competition that was hosted by Tequila.net. The competition ran for several days and tequila experts from Mexico, USA, and Canada tasted nearly 100 different tequilas, mezcals, and sotols. There was also a competition for the best bottle design and packaging.

Here are some photos of the professional tasters in action…

This man, Ricardo Cisneros, holds the title of “The First Tequilier of the World”.

I was asked to photograph the final night of the competition, as well as help judge the bottle design competition.

My favorite bottle from the Bottle Design Competition

I have never been a fan of tequila, but thought it might be fun to see if there really was something out there that I would consider to be good tequila. (By “good tequila”, I mean something that doesn’t taste like lighter fluid or paint thinner.) After I took some photos, I moseyed over to the tasting table to try and figure out why so many people love tequila.

The Tequila Buffet! (aka The Tasting Table)

I tried several tequilas but, since mezcals are apparently even stronger than tequila, I avoided them like the plague. I was shocked and amazed to find that I actually LIKED a couple of tequilas. Who knew?! I especially enjoyed Reserva del Senor Almendrado, an almond flavored tequila. In fact, I liked it so much that there seemed to be a glass of the tasty nectar within arm’s reach for most of the evening.

Yummy!!

I had worked up an appetite from taking photos and sampling various tequilas. The nice folks at Hacienda Sisal obviously read my mind because, the next thing I knew, a buffet of delicious Mexican dishes magically appeared before my eyes. I have no idea what most of the dishes were called, but every single mouthful was wonderful. Everyone at my table raved about how great the food was. (I also looked at a menu and noticed that the prices were VERY reasonable.)

While we dined, a Mariachi band played. Hacienda Sisal has a live Mariachi band Sunday to Friday from 7-8pm, but I think this performance may have just been a special treat for the people attending the Agave Spirits Challenge. Regardless, the band’s performance was very nice.

I certainly wouldn’t call myself a tequila convert, by any means, but I did find the tasting competition to be incredibly interesting and fun…..and I found a couple of tequilas that I like.

If any of you are tequila fans, check out Tequila.net and Agave.net. You will find the results from the Agave Spirits Challenge on both sites.

During your next Cancun vacation, be sure to have dinner at Hacienda Sisal. You won’t be disappointed. To make a reservation, please call (from US/Canada) 011 52 998 848-8220. Hacienda Sisal is open nightly from 5pm-11pm. In addition to the Mariachi performance Sunday-Friday (from 7-8pm), there is a Mexican Show on Mondays and Wednesdays (from 8-9pm), and a Caribbean Show on Tuesdays and Thursdays (from 8-9pm).

Last week, I photographed 7 beautiful, bikini-clad ladies at Fiesta Americana Condesa. My male assistant was in heaven, needless to say. After taking gorgeous photos of the girls throughout the large pool area, on the beach, and in some other less-populated areas of the hotel, I looked around the grounds and realized I wanted to be on vacation. Since I didn’t have time to enjoy the hotel facilities on that particular day, I asked the concierge how much Day Passes were. After I got the scoop, I pouted and walked out…wishing I was on vacation. Because I have clients booked in the near future, a Day Pass at a hotel on one of Cancun’s breathtaking beaches will be all the “vacation” I get for now.

If you would like to enjoy the day at Fiesta Americana Condesa, the price of a Day Pass is $350 pesos.. The Day Pass allows you access to the beach (it is very nice!), pools, restaurants, and all common areas of the hotel from 9am until 8pm. The price includes 1 buffet (either breakfast or lunch), one drink, and the use of a towel.

As an added treat, visit the spa, Miiluma. It is open to the public and, after looking at the Spa Menu, I have decided that I want every treatment! After all, who can resist a Chocolate Wrap, Fruit Moisturizer, Flower Exfoliation, or the Four Hand Massage?