Weekend in Cancun

When you first arrive, check into the hotel then set out on an afternoon catamaran cruise. Get your first taste of the azure waters of Cancun with a swim or snorkeling off the boat, or just relax and enjoy the warmth and the sunset. After you're back on land, try dinner at Hacienda El Mortero, where the sound of mariachi will drift by as you sample excellently prepared traditional Mexican cuisine on the terrace overlooking the ocean. Le Meridien gives you the...

When you first arrive, check into the hotel then set out on an afternoon catamaran cruise. Get your first taste of the azure waters of Cancun with a swim or snorkeling off the boat, or just relax and enjoy the warmth and the sunset. After you're back on land, try dinner at Hacienda El Mortero, where the sound of mariachi will drift by as you sample excellently prepared traditional Mexican cuisine on the terrace overlooking the ocean. Le Meridien gives you the best of both worlds during your short stay. It's located in the hotel zone but is surprisingly quiet, and it is elegant and upscale but also incredibly relaxed and tranquil. There are beautiful grounds and pools, and all of the rooms are spacious and overlook either the lagoon or the sea.

Take a day trip to Isla Mujeres, a laid-back tropical island full of little shops and cafes just fifteen minutes from Cancun by ferry. You can rent a bike or golf cart to travel the length of the small island to find the best shopping or beaches. There are a number of great places to stop for lunch on Isla Mujeres, in particular Bamboo, which has relaxed yet superb Asian fusion, and La Cazuela M & J, where you can grab a sandwich or burger on the beach. On...

Take a day trip to Isla Mujeres, a laid-back tropical island full of little shops and cafes just fifteen minutes from Cancun by ferry. You can rent a bike or golf cart to travel the length of the small island to find the best shopping or beaches. There are a number of great places to stop for lunch on Isla Mujeres, in particular Bamboo, which has relaxed yet superb Asian fusion, and La Cazuela M & J, where you can grab a sandwich or burger on the beach. On the island, you should definitely snorkel on some of the reefs surrounding the island. There's also the Turtle Protection Center, sunken ships, the ruins of a pirate's settlement, and zip-lining, swimming with dolphins, and hiking among Mayan ruins at Garrafon Eco-Park. Take the ferry back to Cancun for dinner at La Destileria. There's authentic Mexican food on the menu, but more than anything the focus here is on the tequila, with dozens of kinds you've never heard of north of the border on the menu and the best margaritas in town.

Take the training course if you need it, then head out to some of the best reef diving spots with Nautilus, well-respected as one of Cancun's best diving centers. They also offer wreck dives and cenote dives, and you'll always feel comfortable regardless of your experience level with their incredibly experienced and personable guides. Have lunch back on land at Puerto Madero, where the dedication to Argentinean cuisine shines in the fresh seafood and amazing...

Take the training course if you need it, then head out to some of the best reef diving spots with Nautilus, well-respected as one of Cancun's best diving centers. They also offer wreck dives and cenote dives, and you'll always feel comfortable regardless of your experience level with their incredibly experienced and personable guides. Have lunch back on land at Puerto Madero, where the dedication to Argentinean cuisine shines in the fresh seafood and amazing steaks. Since you won't have enough time to visit the big ruin sites further away, take an afternoon trip to the nearby ruins. Visit Zona Arqueologica El Rey by cab, where there are remains of ancient Mayan structures, and bring some bananas and bread to feed the hundreds of iguanas and birds that have made this their home. You can either take a cab or ferry to also visit El Meco, the site of an ancient port where there is still a pyramid, beautiful grounds, and other remnants. Both these sites are usually much less crowded than Chichen Itza and Tulum, yet equally historic and pretty impressive in their own right. In the evening, relax at Lorenzillo's on the lagoon with a cocktail and have incredible lobster and seafood on the terrace.