Cancun, Mexico

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Quick Tips:

Cheerfully accept all of the free travel books and guides at the airport. They contain free coupons, some of which are worthwhile. Always be POLITE, and you will be treated very well. TRYING to speak a little Spanish always helps. Avoid "all-inclusive" properties. The drinks are watered, the food is "so-so", and the staff may tend to be inattentive and/or rude. There are so many excellent choices for good food in Cancun that it is much better to dine around and enjoy yourself. (And bring some "stretch" pants.)

Best Way To Get Around:

Don't rent a car to get around Cancun City (Ciudad Cancun) and the island resort area. Buses are cheap, frequent (about every 5 minutes), and clean. If a bus is full, take the next one instead. Buy a map from "Map Chick" online. It is excellent! Tell the bus driver where you want to go. Kukulkan (Mayan "Sun God") Blvd. is the main road, and all major hotels are on it. Exception: Moon Palace, which is not really IN Cancun.

Quote: There are several types of rooms at the Hyatt Caribe, all of which offer an ocean view! The main seven story hotel building offers very comfortable rooms with tile baths and marble floors. All have patios (on the ground floor) or balconies. There is also a beachfront building with rooms overlooking the ocean and "villa" rooms which constitute the Regency Club. The club rooms also include a continental breakfast and drinks and snacks in the afternoon. There are three pools at this hotel: two smaller ones and a large main pool. The service is excellent and is "typically Hyatt". The location is also excellent, and public transportation (bus or taxi) is only a few steps away. The atmosphere here is chic but "laid back". Very relaxing! We love it!

Quote: La Habichuela (the string bean) has been at this same location since the early years of Cancun's beginnings as little more than a tiny fishing village. La Habichuela is a little off of the beaten path but well worth the effort! It is best to take a taxi for your first visit here. It is only about 4 blocks from Tulum Avenue, but it is much easier and probably safer to take a taxi.

The food here is excellent, and it offers some of the best shrimp and seafood in Cancun, which is saying a lot! The Mexican dishes are also very good. Try a Caesar salad prepared from scratch tableside. Dining is outside in a garden, with a few additional tables inside. The service is nothing short of absolutely superb. A Mexican beer called Superior is available here, and it is probably the best beer I have ever had, bar none! If you like beer, be nice to yourself and try it.

Two things to remember: If you want beef, try somewhere else, since it is not really what they are known for (beef tends to be tough here). Also, unless you REALLY like curry, don't order their signature dish of shrimp and curry in a coconut sauce. By the time I finished it, I was babbling in Punjabi.

We ALWAYS reserve an evening for La Habichuela. Don't miss it!

Quote: El Mexicano is owned by the same people as La Habichuela, and the food reflects it--it's always good! The cuisine is upscale Mexican without the "upscale" prices. As an added bonus, there is a nightly free floor show with live music and folk dancing. Call to check the show time. If you have a favorite Mexican song and know its name or are willing to hum a few bars, the mariachi band does play requests at your table. (A "propina", or tip, is expected. Twenty pesos will do fine for one song). Be forewarned that the horns can be rather loud if they are aimed at your ear!

The food and the service here are excellent. Try the beef and chicken en brochette! It's wonderful. Like beer? Try a "Superior". An excellent choice and at popular local prices. Remember, in Mexico, Bud, Miller, etc., are all imported and cost more than in the U.S. Frankly, Mexican beer is much better, so don't hesitate to try one.

El Mexicano is located next to the Plaza Caricol Mall near Punta Cancun (Cancun Point). If you get lost, ask. People will be glad to help you. Enjoy!

Quote: CAMBALACHE: Argentine beef and lots of it! The beef here is some of the best in Cancun. As good as "Ruth's" but less expensive. The portions here are tremendous! Try ordering one meat item like "Tenderloin en Brochette". My wife and I have never been quite able to finish one of these and we like beef! This is an elegant restaurant and neat, clean attire is required. Shorts are allowed. Located in the same shopping mall as the "Hard Rock Cafe" and "Rain Forest". Excellent food of the highest quality and reasonable prices for what you get. (About $45-$50 for two)

CASA ROLANDI: Northern Italian/Swiss. Our favorite Italian restaurant in Cancun and over the years we have tried them all! Top-quality food and made-from-scratch fresh pasta. Good wine selection. Resort dress code (neat and clean, shorts okay). Elegant fine dining and great Italian food! Located in the Plaza Caricol shopping mall (about $40-$50 for two). Reservations can be made on the Internet.