Cancun & Chichen Itza

Our Local Expert Says:

The smaller of the two Avalon hotels in Cancún.

Description:

This beachfront resort has only 28 rooms; each one individually designed . Decor features artifacts, plants, and wood ceilings. Suites include kitchens and two-person spa tubs on terraces or balconies. Facilities include a Venetian-tile pool, a two-floor restaurant, a contemporary bistro, and Cancun's original beach bar.

Description:

This is next door to, and owned by, The City. If you need a break from one scene, slip into the other.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located next to the El Rey archeological site, the museum and ruins offer a nice introduction into the history and culture of the region. Those interested in further appreciating the ancient Mayan culture, and with plenty of time to make longer trips, should try to visit Chichen Itza or Tulum also.

Description:

It's not just fun at the beaches and Cancún's shops; there are also some areas of cultural interest for those who like exhibitions or artistic expressions such as photography, sculpture and plastic arts. At the Museo del INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History), you will find great exhibitions year-round, displaying works by Mexican and foreign artists. Admission is free for most of the exhibitions and the works are distributed through several small rooms. Don't miss the best national exhibitions on your next visit to Cancún, a heavenly place full of fun and culture.

Our Local Expert Says:

The smaller of the two Avalon hotels in Cancún.

Description:

This beachfront resort has only 28 rooms; each one individually designed . Decor features artifacts, plants, and wood ceilings. Suites include kitchens and two-person spa tubs on terraces or balconies. Facilities include a Venetian-tile pool, a two-floor restaurant, a contemporary bistro, and Cancun's original beach bar.

Our Local Expert Says:

Recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this is the most famous site of Mayan ruins in the region. A "must-see" on anyone's list, this popular site can get crowded, particularly during equinoxes and solstices.

Description:

Chichen Itza, located approximately 120 miles west of Cancun, is the largest and most important site of Mayan ruins in the region. The expansive park can be seen in two or three hours and its main focal point is a large pyramid, called the Temple of Kukulkan (also known as "El Castillo").

Each year, crowds flock to the park for both the spring and autumnal equinox. On those two days of the year, as the sun sets, shadows appear on the stairs of El Castillo in such a way that it looks as though a snake is slithering down the stairs. The Mayan people had a great understanding of astrology and mathematics. The pyramid was built with such accuracy and regard to astrology that the phenomenon of the slithering snake can only be seen on the days of the two equinoxes.

The Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012 and there is great debate about what will happen at the end of the cycle. Some people believe the world will end, but experts on the Mayan civilization believe it will simply be the beginning of a new era; a rebirth. To learn more about the Mayan calendar, and about Mayan history, visit Chichen Itza between now and the end of 2012. 

Our Local Expert Says:

The smaller of the two Avalon hotels in Cancún.

Description:

This beachfront resort has only 28 rooms; each one individually designed . Decor features artifacts, plants, and wood ceilings. Suites include kitchens and two-person spa tubs on terraces or balconies. Facilities include a Venetian-tile pool, a two-floor restaurant, a contemporary bistro, and Cancun's original beach bar.

Our Local Expert Says:

Classy, sexy, stylin'…

Description:

If you still enjoy a night out, but have outgrown the "hot bod" and "wet t-shirt" contest scene, this may be the place for you. Though part of the Dady'O & Dady Rock compound, it is a bit more sophisticated, and just as fun.

Description:

Blue Bayou's main feature is its style of cuisine: Creole or Criolla, as it is known in Latin America. Specialties include Cajun chicken and long-grained rice, just as you'd have it in old New Orleans. The music varies from contemporary, to jazz, to Dixieland. After a long day at the beach, the soft lighting and atmosphere are excellent for catching up with old friends and for making new ones. Decoration includes a waterfall and beautiful gardens. Live jazz music plays during dinner. Expensive. Parking available, bilingual staff.

Our Local Expert Says:

The smaller of the two Avalon hotels in Cancún.

Description:

This beachfront resort has only 28 rooms; each one individually designed . Decor features artifacts, plants, and wood ceilings. Suites include kitchens and two-person spa tubs on terraces or balconies. Facilities include a Venetian-tile pool, a two-floor restaurant, a contemporary bistro, and Cancun's original beach bar.

Description:

As a tribute to the famed Puerto Madero of Buenos Aires, this trendy restaurant has quickly earned a reputation for its outstanding steaks and buzzing atmosphere. Overlooking the Nichupté Lagoon, the decor re-creates a 20th-century dock warehouse similar to what you'd find in the real Puerto Madero, with dark woods, exposed brick, and visible pipes. This steakhouse offers an extensive selection of prime-quality beef cuts, pastas, grilled fish, and shellfish, meticulously prepared with Argentine gusto. In addition to the classic carpaccio, the tuna tartar and halibut steak are favorites, but the real standouts here are the tender grilled steaks (particularly the rib-eye), served in ample portions. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine from the extensive selection, while viewing the sunset from the lagoon-side deck. Service is excellent.

Description:

At this popular club and restaurant, you get a party atmosphere, and an enthusiastic audience, all with the backdrop of one of the most exciting areas of the island. The restaurant serves a wide variety of traditional dishes, international fare, and snacks that are sure to get the party started before you hit the dance floor. Try out the spicy chicken wings or a well-seasoned fillet of fish. After dinner, this place is the perfect local to dance and sing the night away. The hosts often let their creativity run wild by devising games and fun competitions, and the atmosphere is always friendly and upbeat.

Our Local Expert Says:

The smaller of the two Avalon hotels in Cancún.

Description:

This beachfront resort has only 28 rooms; each one individually designed . Decor features artifacts, plants, and wood ceilings. Suites include kitchens and two-person spa tubs on terraces or balconies. Facilities include a Venetian-tile pool, a two-floor restaurant, a contemporary bistro, and Cancun's original beach bar.