Plan your next vacation to Mexico!

Cancun is the top destination for the folks seeking to get away from the cold winter in North America. After all.. Sun N Surf is the best cure for those winter blues.

Top 3 ways to enjoy Mexico

Turquoise Blue Waters

1. For the comfort-seeker: Pamper yourself at an All-Inclusive resort. Spend a day lazing on the beach, enjoying the beach-side service provided by the resort, the package includes beach chairs, showers, fresh towels, drinks with service on the beach, and food. Spend some time playing in the breathtaking turquoise waters of the ocean. Play beach volleyball, take a dip in the pool, read a book while sun-bathing or play pool volleyball. Watch a sunset from the comfort of the Jacuzzi, take a night-time stroll along the beach , watch a breathtaking moon rise over the ocean, listen to the waves crashing on the shore and count the stars on a clear still night. Try a different restaurant every day in your resort, watch a show in the evening and enjoy live music. Sound like a perfect way to unwind? The Hotel zone is the jewel of Cancun situated on a strip of land between the lagoon and the ocean. It boasts of plenty of all-inclusive hotels and resorts. Book in advance to get a good rate.

2. For the adventure-seeker:  Cancun has an array of water-sports to offer for all kinds of thrill-seekers.

View from Condo

Jet-ski, para-sailing, wave-runner are just a few examples. The Jungle tour offers a unique experience to ride your own motorboat to the middle of the ocean and experience the amazing and colorful under-water world by snorkeling.

View of the Lagoon at sunrise

The tour is offered by Aquaworld in the hotel zone. Other thrill seekers may want to spend a day in Xcaret adventure park. There are many more adventure activities such as swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, etc but they all cost money. It is tempting to do them all but be picky and do a combination tour for discounts if interested in more than one. Make your adventure cheaper by staying at a condo right on the beach in the Hotel zone.

Chichen-Itza

3. For the culture-seeker: Mexico is home to the Mayan civilization and is a treasure trove of culture and history. Visiting the Mayan ruins and learning about their history is an enriching experience. Of course Chichen-Itza is the top pick being one of the new wonders of the world. Tulum is known for its awe inspiring setting among the turquoise ocean and beautiful restored gardens. Visit Coba to experience climbing up the

Tulum Ruins

pyramid. Palenque and Uxmal are few more ruins worth visiting if you have the time. Another part of Cancun culture is it's rocking nightlife. Coco-Bongo is a unique club featuring 22 live shows and amazing lighting effects with flying acrobats, smoke machine, balloons and confetti streamers.

B's tip: Buy coco-bongo tickets for $45 on the street. You may have to haggle for this price. The price at the door is $65(M,T,W) and $75(Th,F,S,S).

Want to experience it all? Here is a sample 6 day itinerary along the lines of our trip this December

GR Caribe Resort

Day 1 - Check into an all-inclusive resort such as GR Caribe. Take a stroll on the beach. Watch the sunset and moon-rise.

Day 2 - Laze on the beach, play in the ocean. Swim in the pool. Play pool-volleyball.

Sunset

Day 3 - Laze on the beach. Take the jungle tour in the afternoon. Watch a Latino-night show at the resort. Dance to live music.

Day 4 - Laze on the beach. Play beach volleyball all afternoon. Watch Masquerade night show. Check-out of resort. Check-in to beach-front condo Girasol in Hotel zone. Goto Coco-Bongo which is 2-min walk from the condo.

View from the bed

Day 5 - Watch sunrise from comfort of the bed.Take bus to Tulum and Coba. Walk along the beautiful ruins and learn about the Mayans.Take the 'collectivo' (shared stuttle) back to Cancun.

sunrise view from condo

Day 6 - Watch another beautiful sunrise. Take a full day bus tour to Chichen-Itza. Swim in a cenote (a natural sink-hole), marvel at the architectural splendor of the ruins and learn how the Mayans lived thousands of years ago.

Day 7 - Watch yet another sunrise from the room. Checkout and fly back.

Tulum Ruins

B's tip: Rent a car for days 5 & 6. Public transportation is available but language is a major problem if you do not know Spanish. 

B's tip: Completely avoid the touts at the airport and hotel convincing you to attend sales presentation for discounts in tours. It is a big waste of time. Instead get discounts by bargaining while signing up for tours.