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Cancun For Fun
in the Sun
by Valerie Summers
From
my balcony, just steps from the powdery white beach, the colors of the
Caribbean blended from pale aquamarine, to deep turquoise to navy blue. Giant clouds, like white cotton candy,
floated through the robins egg blue skies. Palm trees and thatched umbrella shaped canopies offered shade from the
sun. Multi-colored parasails floated
by. The only sound was that of the
waves lapping up on the sand. This was
my first sight of Cancun as I awoke the first morning of my visit.
Xel-Ha
(pronounced Shell-Ha), just a few minutes drive away, was my next stop. It is an extraordinary natural water park
where visitors may swim the dolphins, snorkel, take a siesta in a hammock under
a sea of palm trees, dine in any number of restaurants or indulge in a
massage. Environmentally aware, the
goal of Xel-Ha is, in addition to providing a first class recreational
facility, is promoting respect for this peaceful escape and the whole of the earth.
No blaring music intrudes on the tranquility
of this forested area.
Back
at the hotel, I explored its 250 acre site, complete with a par 72 golf course
built around Mayan ruins. There were
tennis courts and a fine spa which included all the usual pampering services. I dined at the romantic seaside Sirenita
restaurant, where I enjoyed a gourmet dinner of local seafood topped off with a
elaborately presented flaming Mayan coffee, watching the moonlight create a
path of light on the gentle waves of the Caribbean. The
next day, I headed off in the opposite direction towards the downtown area of
Cancun. Buses ran more than frequently
and I picked one up just outside the hotel. I found it an economical and pleasant means of transportation.
I visited the crafts market where silver,
onyx, clothing and souvenirs were displayed in abundance. Bargaining was expected.
I stopped at the newly opened Interactive
Aquarium which included two unusual features…the first, a glass walled aquatic
tank filled with a variety of colorful fish and man made coral replicas also
included a diver with whom visitors could communicate. The diver answered visitors’ questions and
explained and described the various inhabitants of the underwater
environment. What may well be the only
one of a kind experience, a clear Plexiglas tank which hold up to three people
is lowered into the shark tank where visitors may feed the predatory creatures
. Guests don wet suites, climb into the
tank which filled ¾ of the way with water and through holes about the
circumference of a grapefruit, are able to attach shark food attached to
poles. For approximately 15 minute, at
a cost of $60, visitors may experience a feeding frenzy of sharks in the
“comfort” of their Plexiglas cage. There
is plenty to do during those balmy Caribbean nights and I enjoyed a real
theatrical treat at Cancun’s brand new theater where 80 elaborately costumed
members of the Ballet Folklorico de Caribbean presented a show stopping
extravaganza. The talented troupe all
hailed from Cuba. From Castro to Cancun, these talented dancers temporarily
escaped from poverty to paradise. Cancun is Mexico’s first planned tourist development.
Shaped in the form of the number seven, the
area’s Hotel Zone, is lined with deluxe
hotels and the downtown area, offers shopping, a theater and convention
center. A haven for the aquatically
inclined, boating, fishing, diving and swimming opportunities abound at some of
the world’s most beautiful beaches. Visitors seeking excitement will find plenty of it at the bull
fights. For honeymooners and
anniversary celebrations, it just doesn’t get more romantic. Relaxation, activity, romance, excitement
and entertainment are there for every taste and desire in beautiful Cancun. For information:
Hilton
Cancun Beach & Golf Resort Mexicana
Airlines has been serving visitors to
Cancun since 1973. Their efficient,
nonstop flights include service from Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Orlando
and Buenos Aires. As a bonus for
passengers, they recently became a member of the Star Alliance. Cancun’s modern airport is conveniently
situated just minutes away from the Hotel Zone of Cancun. 800-531-7921
http://www.mexicana.com.mex Xel-Ha -Updated 11-16-00- |
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TM
Eager
to explore more of the tropical
paradise, I left my room at the Beach Club of the Hilton Hotel and wandered
around the exquisite aquatic landscaping. Seven pools cascading into one another finally appeared to spill into
the sea. At the largest pool’s center, a swim up cocktail
bar, was devoid of guests at that time
of day, but later in the afternoon was enjoyed by swimmers, stopping for a
refreshing pina colada or margarita. I continued on my way over to the hotel’s
main building and after a filling buffet breakfast the colorful Spices
Restaurant, I was ready to check out the area.
Just
30 years old, Cancun is one of Mexico’s
most popular tourist destinations. Situated at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, the area is equally famous
for both the modern and the ancient. It’s hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and shopping areas
are brand new. The area, however, has
been known for many years as the site for ancient Mayan ruins. First on my agenda was a visit to Tulum, one
of the area’s most visited Mayan ruins, just a 40 minute drive from the
hotel. Tulum is the only walled city
the Mayans ever built on the Caribbean coast. They remain remarkably intact.
A
knowledgeable guide added immensely to
my visit, explaining is history and pointing out details I would other have
missed. The site was magnificent and
popular with visitors who mostly appeared in groups, led by guides. Several frolicked below the cliffs on the
beautiful beaches. A definite plus was
an early morning visit before hoards of people crowded the area.
I
boarded an open air tram for a ride to the head of the Xel Ha River, picked up
some snorkel equipment at the rental hut, donned my gear and entered the river
at an inlet of Mangroves where a fresh water spring fed the inlet. I floated down the river, spotting schools
of yellowtail, an occasional brightly colored parrot fish and a baby sting ray.
The rest of the afternoon was
spent, eating, drinking and reading a book in the comfort of my hammock before
returning to the hotel.