Cancun Vacations: Isla Mujeres “Island Of Women”

If you are planning a vacation trip to Cancun, hop the ferry across the bay to the small finger-shaped Isla Mujeres. The name means “Island of Women” and there are a number of theories as to how the name came to be but it’s not because of the topless beach. The important thing is that it’s a great place to vacation in the sun.

On Isla Mujeres the atmosphere is much more relaxed and relatively quiet compared to Cancun or Cozumel. The number of tourists is much less than on the mainland.

The city is only about 10 blocks long and five blocks wide so don’t expect a whole lot besides the supermarket and cinema. But the natural sights are what you came for anyway.

There are accommodations to fit all budgets. Most are downtown and near the oceanfront. One of the better hotels is Posada del Mar with air-conditioned rooms overlooking the waterfront. The Cristalmar Resort and Beach Club is south of town has a great beach, pool and modern facilities. There are a number of budget hotels but be careful because the conditions and service vary greatly from day to day.

The outlying reefs are great for diving and snorkeling. The windward side is best but only when the seas are calm. The coral rocks are quite dangerous when the water is rough. Local dive shops provide day trips out to the farther reefs for snorkeling and diving.

Charter a local boat for a deep-sea fishing trip. Grouper, barracuda, tuna and red snapper are in abundance year round while in the spring you can catch the bigger fish like dorado, marlin and sailfish.

Every year the Club de Yates of Isla Mujeres puts on a sailing regatta near the end of April. Also, the Regatta Amigos takes place several times throughout the year. These events turn into one big party for the whole island with costumes, dancing, music, food and tequila.

At Playa Norte Beach (the previously referred to topless beach) is on the north edge of town. The water is shallow, blue and calm with cafes close by. Sailboarding and water skiing are popular as is the local three-wheeled floating “bike”. Not far away is another beautiful and quiet beach, Playa Lancheros.

On the south end of the small island is a reconstructed ancient Mayan temple. It sits on a cliff with a wonderful view over the ocean. This makes a good excuse to take a walk and see the island.

Garrafon Beach is the one spot that seems to draw the most tourists. Probably because it’s such a good spot for snorkeling. Avoid the crowds by going early. The beach has a coral reef that is perfect for beginner snorkeling and children. You can have fun actually feeding the fish. Not too far out you can get a look at some sunken cannon, an anchor and the resident angelfish.

If you go in October, don’t miss the Isla Mujeres International Music Festival. It starts on the second weekend of the month and goes for 12 days of music and dancing.

Luxury Travel Blog for the Resident

Family Resorts in Mexico

Vacationing with your family in Mexico offers many benefits.  Though many cities are associated with constant partying, there are also many activities that are designed for young children and teenagers.  Many children receive discounts at many popular tourist attractions.  Selecting an all-inclusive vacation package for the whole family is one of the best ways for everyone to enjoy their vacation in Mexico, without having to worry about the cost.

If you are interested in visiting Mexico with your family, you will want to examine some of the many attractions that are specifically geared towards children. These attractions and activities are ideal for making the most out of your family vacation.  Below is a summary of just a few of the many attractions and resorts that you may find exciting in Mexico.  For additional information, you are encouraged to contact your local travel agent or use the internet to guide you in your search.

Located on the Mayan Riviera is the Xcaret Theme Park.  The Xcaret Theme Park is a wonderful attraction for those who are looking for a family resort.  Located in Cancun, Mexico, the Xcaret Theme Park is a theme park that is often compared to Disney World or Disneyland.  Similar to Disneyland and Disney World, you can expect to enjoy a fun filled day at Xcaret, thanks to amazing rides and attractions.

An deep underground river is a popular feature of the Xcaret Theme Park.  You and your family can see plenty of beautiful tropical plants as you enjoy the river.  Xcaret is also host to many wild and exotic animals.  There is a butterfly pavilion, a coral reef aquarium, and you are given the chance to swim dolphins.  Many children, as well as adults, will be thrilled with this theme park.  In addition to the Xcaret Theme Park, Cancun offers many family friendly resorts.  To find a luxury resort that offers family oriented activities you may want to check on the internet or speak with your local travel agent. 

Cozumel also offers many great attractions and activities that are designed for individuals of all ages, including children. Cozumel is ideal for family vacation, especially because it has one of the lowest crime rates in Mexico, as well as the world.  Cozumel is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs.  This often creates an incredible adventure and learning experience for children.  If your children will enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling, then you will want to plan a trip to Cozumel. 

With so many options for families, choosing a Mexican all-inclusive vacation is a great idea. The vacation package will also include items such as snacks, drinks, meals, as well as hotel accommodations and airfare.  Teaching children about various cultures and customs and letting them view the Mayan ruins first hand is an amazing lesson in geography and history. While education is nice, the above mentioned locations do not completely just focus on it. There are so many fun filled activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming, hiking, fishing, sailing, and parasailing. These activities are great for families with active children.

In addition to the above mentioned popular Mexican destinations are that are designed for the whole family, you may want to consider additional sights and attractions.  Mexico has so much to offer you and your family. In fact, you and your family may wish that you could stay in longer.

Mexico Beachfront for Sale: Lifestyle in Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancun - Pacific vs. Caribbean

 by Thomas Lloyd

 When many people think of Mexico beachfront for sale, they imagine it's the same everywhere you buy.  Not so.  Let's take, for example, two of Mexico's biggest real estate markets for expats - Puerto Vallarta real estate and Cancun real estate; a comparison of the two will show the contrast in style and the variety of opportunities.

Of course, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun share some important common factors, including:

- Beautiful beaches
- Full modern services and easy and affordable air access

Yet the two areas are very distinct in their visual style and lifestyle atmosphere.  Consider some of the following contrasts.

Sunsets vs. Sunrises - Condos in both locations offer splendid views.  However, since Puerto Vallarta is on the Pacific, facing westward, the views included the magnificent sunsets over the Pacific.  These views are incredible.  While Cancun doesn't offer sunsets it does offer beautiful views of the sunrise for those who enjoy rising early and drinking a coffee with the chill of the night can still be felt.   Cancun's views also include the unique turquoise of the Caribbean Sea, which is fairly unique to the area.

Hillsides vs. Lagoons - Closely related to the views is the style of the surrounding nature.  In Puerto Vallarta the surrounding hillsides actually form part of the views, and offer beautiful places for real estate owners to make little excursions into the countryside.  Around Cancun, on the other hand, one of the most enjoyable features of the natural setting is the naturally occurring lagoons, one of which is located directly "behind" the beachfront hotel and real estate area.  There  are also naturally occurring fresh pools called "cenotes" which are wonderful for sight-seeing as well as swimming.

Old town vs. New town - Both areas have developed into thriving, modern tourism and real estate regions.  Yet Puerto Vallarta grew up around an old town which still forms the center of the city, and still has little white homes and cobble stone roads.  Cancun, on the other hand, was created from scratch just over 40 years ago, and is defined by wide, easy-to-use access roads and completely modern buildings - much like a newer American suburb.

Tequila vs. Mayans - Both areas offer residents a good deal of history.  Not too far from Puerto Vallarta is the region where the famous liquor was born.  Near Cancun there are many fine examples of Mayan ruins, including Chichen Itza, one of the "New Wonders of the Ancient World."

For those who have been to both areas, the hard part is choosing between them!



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Region: Playa del Carmen property consultans

Thomas Lloyd graduated from Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a degree in Management/Financial Option Investments. He has been living, investing, and working professionally in Mexico for over 15 years. A Mexican Certified Realtor he is the current president of TOPmexicorealestate, you can contact him at (512) 879-6546.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Mexico-Beachfront-for-Sale--Lifestyle-in-Puerto-Vallarta-vs--Cancun---Pacific-vs--Caribbean/267598