Travel Guide Cancún. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotel recommendations. Quick view Mexico Travel etiquette Health

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Walter Rodgers
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02 02 03 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 04 04 07 07 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in

1 Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotel recommendations istockfoto LH.com/travelguide 01/12

2 02 Quick view a brief overview might be famous for its annual influx of American teenagers determined to live it up in the town s clubs during Spring Break but a Mexican Magaluf this is not. Largely built in the 1970s, its blocky seafront sits beside a series of beautiful white beaches overlooking the clear Caribbean Sea which teems with life all year round. Away from the water, is home to several Mayan ruins and charming museums, as well as a series of excellent restaurants and a smattering of upmarket malls. The nearby Isla Mujeres provides a tranquil alternative to busy. General Information Country overview Spicy as salsa roja, intoxicating as a shot of tequila, volatile as the volcanoes of the central sierra, surreal as a Frida Kahlo canvas, monumental as the pyramids of Teotihuacán and warm as its inhabitants, fills the senses, tweaks the intellect and nourishes the soul. Geography is at the southern extremity of North America and is bordered to the north by the USA, northwest by the Gulf of California, west by the Pacific, south by Guatemala and Belize, and east by the Gulf of and the Caribbean. 's geographical features range from swamp to desert, and from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation. Over half the country is at an altitude greater than 1,000m (3,300ft). The central land mass is a plateau flanked by ranges of mountains to the east and west that lie roughly parallel to the coast. The northern area of this plateau is arid and thinly populated, and occupies 40% of the total area of. General knowledge Key facts Population: 124 Million (estimate 2017) Capital: City. Language Spanish is the official language. Currency Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of M$1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of M$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 and 20 centavos. Note: The M$1,000 and M$500 notes can be difficult to change and are sometimes not accepted. LH.com/travelguide 02/12

3 03 Electricity 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual, but most sockets cannot accept a US-style three-pin plug. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 December 2020 period Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2019 Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 4 and 5 February 2019 Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 17 and 18 March 2019 Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 14 April 2019 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 18 April 2019 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 19 April 2019 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2019 Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2019 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2019 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2019 Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day): 2 November 2019 Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 17 and 18 November 2019 Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December 2019 Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December Año Nuevo (New Year s Day): 1 January 2020 Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 3 and 4 February 2020 Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birthday Benito Juárez): 15 and 16 March 2020 Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday): 5 April 2020 Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020 Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020 Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020 Primero de Mayo (May Day): 1 May 2020 Batalla de Puebla (Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla): 5 May 2020 Día de la Independencia (Independence Day): 16 September 2020 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day): 12 October 2020 Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day): 2 November 2020 Aniversario de la Revolución (Revolution Day): 15 and 16 November 2020 Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe): 12 December 2020 Día de Navidad (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. Casual wear is acceptable during the day throughout. At beach resorts, clothing is very informal for men and women. In City, however, appearance tends to be smart in elegant restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, punishable by stiff fines and even a jail sentence - although smoking in bars and restaurants is permitted if they have separate rooms or outdoor areas. LH.com/travelguide 03/12

4 04 Health Health Main emergency number: 065 Food & Drink Water in bottles or marked 'drinking/sterilised water' can be drunk without precautions. All other water should be boiled or sterilised before consuming. Milk in major cities, hotels and resorts is pasteurised, otherwise it will probably be unpasteurised. Travellers concerned about drinking unpasteurised milk will find powdered or tinned milk readily available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, cooked vegetables and peeled fruit. Other Risks Diarrhoea and sunburn affect some travellers. Outbreaks of dengue fever have occurred, chiefly in the southeast states of Chiapas and Veracruz and the northern border states of Chihuahua and Tamaulipas. Rabies is present. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Owing to the high altitude and level of smog in City, visitors may take some time to acclimatise. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone/Mobile Telephone Dialing code: +52 Telephone Long-distance calls are very expensive. Mobile Telephone Cell phones (teléfono celular) can be purchased inexpensively, and credit can be added by prepaid card. Of the major providers, Telcel (telcel.com) has the most thorough coverage. Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies but is pricey. Internet Internet is available in all regions. Most hotels in the mid-range and above categories provide computer terminals and/or wireless access. There are also many inexpensive cyber-cafés in cities and towns throughout. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Tulum Tulum, some 130 kilometers south of, is a unique Maya site unique because it s the only Maya ruin located right on the coast. A day trip to Tulum it LH.com/travelguide 04/12

5 05 well worth making if only for the view of the ruined city framed against the gleaming white Caribbean sands and turquoise waves. But exploring the place that was once an important trading center, back in the days of the Maya, and discovering something of its history is also rewarding. Tulum, Q.R. Aquarium Brilliant for non-divers, Aquarium lets you get close to local marine life, among them sharks and dolphins, without getting wet. Activities include feeding the sharks from behind a perspex wall and getting close to some of the gorgeously colourful tropical fish. Plaza La Isla Blvd. Kukulcan Km , Q.R. Tel: Opening times: Daily Museo Maya de One of the most recent additions to s line-up of galleries and museums, the Museo Maya de is home to approximately 350 Mayan artefacts housed in three separate galleries. The admission price also includes access to the San Miguelito ruins. Blvd. Kukulkan km , Q.R. Tel: Opening times: Tue-Sun a-de-cancun/... Parque de las Palapas Designed by architect Agustín Landa Verdugo to echo the look of the city itself, the Parque de las Palapas is where locals go to relax. Great for a Sunday stroll, its paths are usually thronged with a bewildering array of traders selling everything from snacks to curios. Calle 10 Margaritas 22, Q.R. Xcaret A huge theme park celebrating Mexican culture, Xcaret boasts more than 40 attractions, a large stretch of jungle and a pristine chunk of Caribbean coastline. Snorkelling is a popular activity and when night falls, the park puts on flamboyant local dance displays. Carretera Chetúmal-Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282 Solidaridad Opening times: Daily LH.com/travelguide 05/12

6 Playa del Carmen, QROO Tel: Playa Delfines One of s loveliest public beaches, Playa Delfines offers creamy white sand, gorgeous ocean views and beautifully clean turquoise water. Several of the shops lining the sand rent out sunbeds, while others specialise in watersports among them parasailing. Boulevard Kukulkan Kilometer , Q.R. MUSA One of the world s most unusual art museums, MUSA is a collection of 500 modern sculptures all of which are located underwater close to the Manchones Reef. Although a dry visitor centre exists, most visits are done in a glass-bottom boat or as part of a scuba dive. Blvd. Kukulcan Km , Q.R. Tel: Opening times: Various musacancun.org/ Sian Ka'an A three-hour drive from, the Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve is one of s most important wild areas thanks to its enormously diverse flora and fauna. UNESCO listed since 1987, activities include boat tours, snorkelling on its pristine reef and exploring the site s Mayan ruins. Quintana Roo Museo Capitán Dulché A tiny museum located on Isla Mujeres, 13km off the coast, it charts the seafaring activities of Mexicans past and present. Afterwards, explore the rest of the little island, which, along with a bustling downtown area, boasts a number of beautiful coral sand beaches. Carretera Garrafon Km. 4.5 Lote Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Tel: Opening times: Daily Whale shark watching The seas off are a favourite with whale sharks and seeing 30 or 40 of the huge fish during a boat trip isn t uncommon. Most are to be found close to Isla LH.com/travelguide 06/12

7 07 Holbox and Isla Contoy, and diving or swimming with the sharks is usually included in tours. Blvd. Kukulkán Km 8.5, Mz 50, Lote 4,, , Quintana Roo Tel: Opening times: Daily Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas Thanks to a recent influx of well-heeled visitors, shopping in has had a makeover with several luxury malls opening their doors as well as a smattering of new standalone boutiques. Malls notwithstanding, downtown and the Hotel Zone remain the best places to look for a bargain, although if it s unique art and crafts you are after, Plaza Caracol (Bulevar Kukulcan) is second to none. The airy La Isla Shopping Village () is best for clothing and beauty products. Markets is home to two big markets Mercado 28 and Coral Negro Flea Market. Both specialise in quirky souvenirs as well as more traditional T-shirts, mugs and fresh produce. Shopping Centres There is no shortage of shopping malls in, with La Isla Shopping Village, Plaza Las Americas, Plaza Kukulcan and Luxury Avenue among the most popular. Restaurants Restaurants in Eating out is both cheap and cheerful in, although that doesn t mean there s any shortage of choice.everything from Mayan to Middle Eastern can be had. La Habichuela Sunset A institution, this lagoon-side restaurant serves up excellent Mexican and Mayan fare. Blvd. Kukulkan KM. 12.6, La Isla 77500, Q.R. Tel: Price: Expensive Bandoneon An Argentinean restaurant, Bandoneon has a menu that carnivores dreams are made of. Plaza Vivendi, Bonampak Zona Centro, Benito Juárez 77500, Q.R. Price: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 07/12

8 08 Tel: La Palapa Belga An open-air thatched restaurant in the heart of the Hotel Zone, it specialises in Belgian and French cuisine. Quetzal , Q.R. Tel: Price: Moderate La Destileria Unconventional Mexican dishes served up with tequila cocktails a museum dedicated to the drink is attached. Kukulkán Kilómetro 12.65, La Isla 77500, Q.R. Tel: Price: Moderate El Galeon del Caribe The seating might be plastic chairs but the seafood and the lagoon view are second to none. Kukulkan, Q.R. Tel: Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in is famous for its nightlife, with everything from huge nightclubs to beach shacks, tavernas and quiet bars on offer. The City This three-storey club claims to be the largest in Latin America and is famous for live acts. Blvd Kukulkan km , Q.R. Tel: Carlos n Charlie s LH.com/travelguide 08/12

9 09 A popular bar that stays open into the small hours, drinks are cheap and the atmosphere friendly. Forum by the Sea Blvd. Kukulkan Km 8.5 Local A , Q.R. Tel: Toro Rojo A quirky little bar opposite the bullring, Toro Rojo does excellent inexpensive cocktails. Bonampak esq. Sayil frente a la Plaza de Toros en el centro de Caribe 77500, Quintana Roo Tel: Coco Bongo A institution, Coco Bongo is a vast nightclub with good music and acrobatic performances. Blvd. Kukulcan Km 9.5 # , Q.R. Tel: HAN Social Room A slickly decorated drinking spot that has proved a hit with stylish locals and wellheeled tourists. Puerto Cancun Edificio Diomeda Local 16 y Tel: Calendar of events Calendar of events Carnival (Carnaval) Attendants to this annual festival celebrate the coming of Ash Wednesday in full flair with plenty of art shows, fireworks and nightly street celebrations. Watch shimmying dancers in brilliantly coloured costumes and impressive street parade floats while feasting on enough local food and drink to last through the fasting of Lent. LH.com/travelguide 09/12

10 10 28 February - 5 March 2019 Venue: Inception Music Festival Deemed the world s largest Spring Break festival, this month-long extravaganza has featured some of today s biggest artists, including Snoop Dogg, Avicii and Big Sean. Spring Breakers hit the beach during the day and pack the clubs at night as artists and DJs send EDM, hip-hop and mainstream music crashing through the speakers. March 2019 inceptionfest.com Venue: Various Day throws one of its biggest parties for its anniversary on 20 April. The festivities begin a few days early when locals serenade their city happy birthday backed by a mariachi band. The following days bring a traditional street parade and plenty of fairs, music and dancing. 20 April 2019 Venue: Bulevar Kukulcan El Cruce During El Cruce, breaststroke through crystal-blue Caribbean waters from to Isla Mujeres. Usually held in May, this 10km race passes the Underwater Museum and occasionally features rough waters. Too strenuous? Opt for the 3km race starting from Isla Mujeres, or watch the hundreds of swimmers depart from the shoreline May Venue: and Isla Mujeres Warren Hill s Jazz Festival Set amid a backdrop of a luxurious private beach resort, some of the world s top jazz artists come together on Memorial Day weekend for this annual jazz fest that will have visitors tapping and swinging for days October 2019 cancunjazz.com/ Venue: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Día de la Raza Streamers fly and piñatas swing as celebrates its Columbus Day on 12 October. s city centre bursts with life and festive music as impromptu fêtes pop up in the streets. Stroll through this bustling hub to fully witness this cultural phenomenon, but don t forget to watch the thrilling bullfights and decorative parades. LH.com/travelguide 10/12

11 11 12 October 2019 Venue: city centre Hotel recommendations Hotels in The Hotel Zone is dominated by big resorts but downtown and the nearby islands are home to a smattering of quieter, more stylish places to stay. Sotavento Hotel & Yacht Club Located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, near the beach, airport and shops, this plush resort even has its own yacht club. Calle Pescador km 6.5 boulevar cuculcan lote d 83, Quintana Roo Tel: Category: Expensive Casa Turquesa Boutique Hotel A beautiful boutique hotel with stylish rooms, an infinity pool and its own on-site art gallery. Blvrd Kukulcan , Q.R. Tel: Category: Expensive Le Blanc Spa Resort Great for honeymooners, this gorgeous luxury resort has it all romantic beachfront setting, infinity pool and haute cuisine. Blvd. Kukulkan Km , Q.R. Tel: Category: Expensive GR Solaris A sprawling resort with comfortable rooms, this hotel is usually peaceful but can get noisy in peak season. Blvd Kukulkan KM 20.5 Mz 55 Lote 59-2 Seccion A 2da Etapa 77500, Q.R. Tel: Category: Moderate LH.com/travelguide 11/12

12 12 Mansion Giahn Good-value B&B with clean rooms, swimming pool and friendly service. Calle Salinas # 30 Alfredo Bonfil 77560, Q.R. Tel: Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 12/12

Travel Guide Cancún. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotel recommendations. Quick view Mexico Travel etiquette Health

Travel Guide Cancún. Nightlife Calendar of events Hotel recommendations. Quick view Mexico Travel etiquette Health Travel Guide 02 02 03 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 04 04 07 07 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants 08 09 11 Nightlife Calendar of events Hotel recommendations istockfoto