By: Marcia Abramson
The Hotel Zone according to the local Cancunites fast became another Miami Beach with high-rise buildings, some becoming condos and time-shares. It also fast became a haven for college spring breakers who recognized the beautiful beaches, the calm sea waters, and the ideal weather and for about two weeks during the spring season, the young collegians take over the less costly hotels. But the rest of the year I have found many Long Islanders claiming this area as a Honeymoon Haven and a delightful place to bring the children for family fun in the sun.
Of course number one on my itinerary was a visit to Chichen Itza to see the ancient temples and ruins of this great Mayan city, just a two-hour drive from my hotel, the all-inclusive Moon Palace. I marveled at the remains of this ancient civilization with its pyramids, platforms, ball courts, and the El Castillo, the huge central plaza where the god Kukulcan (Mayan feathered snake) appears at the spring and fall equinoxes.
Another ruin not to be missed is the ancient walled city of Tulum with amazing pyramids, carvings, frescos, stone palaces and temples, dating back to AD 900-1500, formerly called Zama (Mayan for sunrise). About 7:30 a.m. is a good time to start for the 75-minute drive to Tulum before the crowds come since this ruin is the most visited archeological site in all of Cancun.
Since my last visit to nature's paradise park, Xcaret, I found many changes including a new 6,000-seat theater with a marvelous two-hour extravaganza of Mexican dancers from all the regions of Mexico, a demonstration of another form of soccer where the players can only hit the ball with their hips. Their maneuvers to get the ball were something to see. There is also a colorful midway with parades, many games of chance and delicious foods to sample. Another new addition to the park is a Panoramic Tower with free admission to take me soaring over this wonderful Eco-Archaeological Park. I saw the new Home Port and hotel being built nearby as well as an overview of the 200-acre park from the awesome Tower. Xcaret, which means little inlet, provides the whole family with a myriad of activities. The toddlers can play at the serene sandy beach while mom and dad can relax in hammocks at the beach provided by the park after a swim in the underground river.
I was also impressed with the facilities offered at Xcaret which included three restaurants, two snack bars and one cafeteria. There were many bathrooms on the property, showers, lockers, snorkel, equipment rental, artisans, wheelchairs, lounge chairs and beach toys for the kiddies, life jackets, medical service and care of personal belongings while swimming in the underground river.
Other new and enhanced features at this wondrous park were a mushroom farm, an aquarium, a butterfly house and the opportunity to see a family of jaguars or ocelots, the spotted mommy cat and the sleek black daddy cat. Interesting that the female baby came out spotted while the male was black like his father. I enjoyed watching them in a created natural habitat with caves, streams and natural stone walls. There is also a family of pumas on the grounds, adding to just some of the things that caught my interest as I walked through the park which I could honestly compare favorably with the world famous Tivoli Park in Copenhagen, Denmark which was Disney's inspirations for his wonderful theme parks.
Another new addition to the Hotel Zone in Cancun is La Isla Shopping Village not far from one of my favorite hotels, the deluxe Fiesta American Coral Beach. I explored this beautifully recreated Caribbean village in a guided open-air tram and found the inter-active Aquarium where I got to pet an over-sized well-fed stingray, did not choose to swim with the playful dolphins, and observed more sharks being fed than I ever hope to encounter. All in all there are over 120 specialty and entertainment spots and two wonderful restaurants. La Casa de las Margaritas has the best mango and strawberry margaritas and a wonderful cone shaped Parmesan cheese tortilla that I have ever tasted. Another restaurant, La Madonna, has an exquisite outdoor terrace for cocktails and fabulous home made pastas and sauces.
This is truly one of the most beautiful shopping centers I have experienced in my travels.
I also got to the Grand Opening of El Rey which bills itself as the place where undo Maya live and it is the first interactive Mayan village in Cancun. I was given a cassette player describing my voyage into the Mayan world. The Mayan family performers were actually recruited from their villages outside of Cancun. They recreated the rituals, customs and traditions of their ancient world in a setting most reflective of their early history. The authentic costumes, dancing, music and chanting in an authentic replica of a Mayan village replete with the regional flora.
The dinner served in the El Rey's palace dining room was typical Mexican and possibly Mayan complimented by a performance of music and dance by the Mayan families. You can discuss visiting these attractions with your travel professional on your next trip to Cancun.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
E-mail: mascribe@aol.com
