Telchac Port

Located approximately 65 kilometers north east of the city of Mérida and 30 minutes from Progreso, Telchac Port is a port town in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its location makes it just far enough away from the denser population areas so that it keeps a special, slow, laid-back atmosphere.

This place has many convenient services, including the five star Reef Yucatan, private beach homes for rent, stores that offer groceries, vegetables and fruit, a bakery and several seafood restaurants, a small market and clinic, pay phones, a tortilla place, a harbor that has a gas pump, a hardware store, fried fish stands and much more. Although there are no banks here, you can find a town plaza shaded by beautiful trees and a park with a children's play area. One of the most attractive places to visit is the Mayan temples of Xcambo, three miles inland and a lighthouse on the small seaside walkway. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this place features quite good restaurants. For delicious seafood lunches it is worth visiting Bella Mar restaurant, about one mile east of the village. The ceviche, fried fish, shrimp cocktails, and fish filet are all superb.

During July and August, the main plaza is particularly dedicated to folklore as the fair is in town with stands offering foods, knick-knacks and mechanical rides. There are many family homes for rent during the off-season months, which goes from September to June. The Patron Saint of Telchac is San Diego de Alcala and the festivities take place in November. To get to Telchac Port by car, you should go towards Progreso and go east when you reach the beach. Or you can go to Motul, and head north to the beach from there.

Telchac Port is widely known for being small, slow and quiet, a place where you will find its inhabitants very friendly and polite. Being such a small village, you will feel at home quickly. The beaches are wide, sandy and perfect for walking. They are not packed with fishing boats, lots of tourists; break water sticks every twenty feet and all-pervasive houses like in other places. Swimming is good all year round. The water is safe, clean and with no rocks, currents or ebb tides around. This destination is for those people looking for a private and calm place to enjoy a pleasant stay.

A recommended place to stay in while visiting Telchac Port is Las Tunas, a comfortable home owned by the creators of the leading tourist guide of the state of Yucatan "Yucatan Today". This home in nestled amongst some 400 coconut trees and sits on a large, large beach front property on the Gulf of Mexico. It is separated from other homes – here they have no wall-to-wall neighbors. Set off the beach tourists will have a magnificent view of the pool, dune and the Gulf. The home features ceiling fans and AC in the bedrooms, for an additional cost. This is not a stark rental property, this is a home with sofas, chairs and beds that will make you feel at ease and comfortable during your stay.

Another option is staying at the Reef Yucatan Hotel. The Reef Yucatan All Inclusive Hotel & Convention Center is located on the virgin beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, in the area of Nuevo Yucatan. Less than 50 minutes to the Merida's International Airport, this is an all-inclusive resort nestled in an ecological area surrounded with pre-Columbian history. This resort has been designed to take care of the needs of both the international and domestic traveler who wishes to spend his or her vacation in a different way, while enjoying the comfort that can be provided by this five star complex. The hotel features five star accommodations consisting of 147 spacious rooms, 1 Junior Suite, and 1 Suite; all decorated in rich Mexican textures and floorings with a Yucatan Peninsula influence, enhanced by the exterior simulating a Mayan Village.

The resort has guest rooms for 1 to 4 people. The rooms feature king size or two queen beds in all rooms, balconies or terraces, ocean, pool, and garden view, air conditioned, satellite TV, and telephone. Services include all meals and snacks, unlimited domestic drinks, cocktails, wine, beer and liquors; recreational activities such as kayaking, ping pong, pool and tennis courts; nightly entertainment, and all hotel taxes and gratuities.

Among the resort’s facilities, we can name its 147 air-conditioned guest rooms with private terraces, the beach snack bar and pool, the lovely beachfront palapas, chaise lounge and towel service, tennis court, and a spectacular children's club, including mini-theater, soda fountain, arts and crafts center, secure playground, giant sandbox, wading pool, and TV room. Furthermore, the resort has a game room, a multifunction indoor theater and stage, a convention center with capacity for 600 guests, disco and video bar, a main buffet restaurant serving international cuisine, a snack bar for light fare, a boutique and gift shop, and mini golf, among other facilities.

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Discover the Yucatan's traditional Haciendas

Located in southeastern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatan Channel. The peninsula, which comprises the Mexican states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo, lies east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a northwestern geographic partition that divides the region of Central America and the rest of North America. Apart from its lovely beaches, amazing landscape and picturesque towns, The Yucatan Peninsula is also known for its lovely and traditional haciendas, worth visiting if you have the chance of travelling to the Yucatan.

One of these haciendas is Hacienda Chichen & Yaxkin Spa, in Chichen Itza, The Yucatan's oldest hacienda. Now a four star hotel with rooms in separate cottages, this cozy hacienda has pool, restaurant and new Yaxkin spa. It is quite close to the back entry of Chichen Itza, but the hacienda is charming all by itself.

Another option is staying at Hacienda Xcanatun, in Merida, which is an independently owned and beautifully restored hacienda, now a hotel and gourmet restaurant. Close enough to Merida to go for dinner, but situated in a little town and surrounded by harmony and silent. Among its main facilities and services, the hacienda features a deluxe health spa.

Lovers of these traditional haciendas will also enjoy visiting the Hacienda Yaxcopoil, in Merida. This is a hacienda that has been well conserved but not reconditioned. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time. The place features original furniture and tile floors, and has been the site of many photo shoots. The Casa de Maquinas in the back part is a great example of the kind of machinery that was used back in the day.

Other alternative is Hacienda Ochil. This hacienda is not a hotel, but has many interesting things to offer. It is lovingly renewed by the same architect that restored some of the most outstanding haciendas in the Starwood chain. The hacienda features workshops of local artisans who sell their work, and it also has a "demo" hacienda railway, a little henequen fields, a tiny hacienda museum and a real cenote that you don't have to climb up or down ladders to see. Furthermore, there is a great gift shop and a restaurant that serves authentic Yucatecan food and drinks. A great place to stop for lunch!

If you are travelling to the Yucatan Peninsula, you will also enjoy staying at the Hacienda Temozon. This is a great place to stay in, although rooms are not as secluded as at other Starwood haciendas. The hotel claims to have the best pool in the Yucatan. This is a great place to go for breakfast.

In the case that you are travelling with your beloved one, you will definitely enjoy Hacienda Santa Rosa, which is probably the most romantic hacienda. Quiet, modest and stylish... very much out of the way. It is the perfect place to go and stay for a few days.

In Hacienda Teya your vacation will be really memorable. This hacienda has made quite a business out of hosting events. It features a ballroom to die for, and a chic restaurant that serves authentic Yucatecan food. Besides, it is close to Merida, and features a convenience stop if you are driving towards Cancun. This hacienda is quite famous for its lovely restaurant. Hacienda Teya Restaurant was inaugurated in September, 1995, with the aim of offering its clients genuine, savory Yucatecan dishes, affectionately prepared by patient Mayan hands and served on original stone platters. The restaurant has a seating capacity for almost 300 guests, distributed among 5 different air conditioned rooms.

At Hacienda Uayalceh, an almost-completely-abandoned hacienda that must have been wonderfully attractive in its heyday, one can easily walk around. Located in a small town up the road a bit from Hacienda Temozon, this is one of the few abandoned haciendas in the area.

Options don’t end up here. Chunchucmil has a beautiful chapel, still used by the local Mayan community. It is attached to a magnificent Casa Principal, with gorgeous tiles and frescos still perceptible. The casa Maquina is open for the general public. If you happen to visit it on a weekend morning, you might be able to catch a local soccer or baseball game in front of the Casa Principal. This place is quite fun to take photos.

Last but not least, a hacienda worth mentioning is Hacienda Tekit de Regil. This is one of the most fine-looking and most elegantly repaired haciendas. It is not exactly open to the public. You might be able to talk a local caretaker into letting you inside, but even if you can’t go in, it is worth looking through the gates. The chapel looks like something out of Rome. And the mural painted in the hall in the front of the Casa Principal is a masterpiece.

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Mayapan Ruins

Mayapan is one of the largest Maya sites on the north-west part of the Yucatan peninsula, about 24 miles southeast of the city of Merida. The site is surrounded by many cenotes, and by a fortified wall enclosed more than 4000 buildings.

Mayapan, which means Banner of the Mayas, is deemed as the last great Maya capital, dating back to the start of the Common Era and getting its golden age in the Postclassic period. It is believed that this city once had a population of 12,000 inhabitants. Kukulkan II of Chichen Itza founded Mayapan between 1263 and 1283 AD. After his death, a hostile Cocoom family seized power and used Mayapan as a base to conquer northern Yucatan. They prospered through wars using Tabascan soldiers and intermarrying with other powerful families. The Cocoom ruled for 250 years until 1441-1461 AD when an unknown Uxmal based family named Xiu protested and defeated the Cocoom.

Two main periods have been identified at Mayapan. The earliest corresponds to the Early Postclassic, when Mayapan was a small center perhaps under the influence of Chichen Itza. In the Late Postclassic, from AD 1250 to 1450 after the decline of Chichen Itza, Mayapan rose as the political capital of a Maya kingdom that governed over northern Yucatan.

Mayapan's ancient splendor is still evident in its great buildings. There is a strong effect played by Chichen Itza, as seen in its chief building, a smaller imitation of the Castillo of Kukulcan. The main square was surrounded by government, administrative and religious buildings, as well as the homes of the ruling class. These structures were built over foundations of rows of columns, with temples and oratories, an altar at the back and benches along the sides. Visitors can also see the buildings known as "Observatories" and little sanctuaries illustrative of the ancient cities.

The ruins of Mayapan are renowned for their colorful murals, original stucco work and Chichen Itza-like "sun temple." The site is an active site, with a far-reaching research program that was carried out from 2002 through 2004 where many figurines, pottery, weapons and other artifacts were found. A rare finding on the site was a group of small bells, the use of which is unknown.

The ruins have several well preserved carvings on the site. Lovely birds adorn one of the walls around the temples. An exciting part of the site includes several statues with the heads removed. The decorated murals which are still visible feature the style used in the manuscripts of the post classic period. The murals depict scenes of war and events related to the death cult, indication of the cultural links with races from the high plains of central Mexico.

The architecture at these ruins is patterned after the attractive buildings at Chichen Itza. The large temple at the left is "El Castillo de Kukulcán" and bears a striking similarity to El Castillo at Chichen Itza. This was documented by specialists Catherwood and Stevenson. El Castillo is sixty feet high and one hundred feet square at the base. It features four imposing staircases, each twenty-six feet wide that rise to a path within six feet of the top. These staircases are all in a pretty bad condition; the steps are almost entirely gone, and you can climb up by means of fallen stones. The summit was a simple stone platform, of approximately fifteen feet square. It had no structure upon it, nor are there any vestiges. Mayapan's observatory shares a striking resemblance to that of Chichen Itza's, although not as high off the ground. Demonstrating the decline of Post Classic Mayan civilization, Mayapan was a poorer copy of the Toltec-dominated Chichen-Itza architectural style.

Mayapan was the most important center of the Mayan civilization in the period before the Spanish conquest. This can be known from Mayan Literature and the first Spanish documentation of the region, which assures that it was the chief center of the Mayan civilization in the previous period to the arrival of the Hispanics. It remains uncertain if Mayapan really defeated Chichen-Itza, which continued to be populated even during Mayapan's dominance, but Mayapan itself was abandoned in the mid-15th century.

If you are planning to visit this place, getting to the wonderful Mayapan ruins is not difficult. Mayapan is located in the state of Yucatan, southeast of Merida on Highway 184. It is well marked and the road is in good conditions from Merida, past Mayapan all the way to Mayan Beach Garden. Mayapan is not a day trip from Mayan Beach Garden, but part of "the Mayan Loop", if you find yourself lucky to have the time to drive around the Yucatan Peninsula. If you are driving from Merida to the Costa Maya area, you will pass directly past Mayapan, so it is advisable to plan an hour to visit. Don’t miss the chance of visiting and exploring the ruins of this amazing site!

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The Blue Cenote

A cenote is a subterranean natural pit, or sinkhole, characteristic of the Yucatan Peninsula and some neighboring Caribbean islands, that is molded after the collapse of limestone substratum that leaks groundwater beneath. The term derives from a word used by the low-land Yucatec Maya, "Ts'onot" to refer to any location with accessible groundwater. Located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, The Sacred Blue Cenote, or Ik Kil Cenote is a cenote that charms tourists with its crystal-clear and healing waters and the natural and amazing flora and fauna that surround it.

Located in the eco-archeological park Ik Kil, in the northeast of Chetumal, and only 3 km from Chichen Itza, the Blue cenote is an idyllic natural wide pool which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The crystal-clear water that gathers down the cenote is warm and has a pleasant temperature of approximately 77° F. The stalagmites and stalactites formed in the inner part are real natural works of art. You will be astonished by the effect of sunshine in this cenote: the holes in the ceiling allow the sunlight to filter into the subterranean sinkhole, giving the scene a feeling of magic and enchantment. The great numbers of cenotes in Yucatan are a gem that should be seen and protected by everyone.

This cenote is safe for kids of all ages, who may find beautiful tropical fish. The Blue cenote is a perfectly round well-type cenote with exuberant vegetation and waterfalls. This is another ideal place for swimming in the clear blue water. 196 feet wide and about 130 feet deep, it is an open cenote about 85 feet from the surface. A grand stairway leads you down the steps into the water. Entrance is not expensive and the place is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. There is also an excellent buffet style restaurant here and bungalows for overnight stay.

Natural wonders abound in the state of Yucatan, and some of the most important and unusual beauties are the cenotes, which are estimated to sum up more than 6,000, although only 2,400 are registered. The Mayans named them “dzonot”, a term that the conquering Spaniards then translated as “cenote”. In the 16th century, these underground caves captivated the military commander Geraldo Díaz Alpuche, who described “cenote” as meaning "deep thing". According to a dictionary of Mayan pictograms, dzonot means "abysmal and deep". Cenotes are mystic, mysterious and unique in the world and were once the only resource of freshwater in the vast Yucatan jungle. For this reason and because they represented the gateway to the underworld, the cenotes were considered sacred places.

The cenotes constitute a very important part in the Mayan civilization, as they were the Mayans’ source of freshwater supply and because they had a significant religious meaning. Nowadays, we can enjoy these amazing natural wonders that invite us to know about the great Mayan civilization but also about the stunning Mexican nature. Do not miss the opportunity of visiting the Blue cenote and all its magic, you won’t regret it!

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Dzibanche

Situated in the southern Quintana Roo, close to other Mayan archaeological sites like Kohunlich, Chacchoben, Muyil and Oxkintok in the Costa Maya, Dzibanche is a very important Mayan archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its name in Maya means "writing on wood" and was named like that due to the numerous wooden lintels, found in the area, that had inscriptions that made reference to a calendar. This amazing temple is known as the Templo de los Dinteles (Temple of the Lintels), which stands on the uppermost point of the archeological region and stands vigil of the site. It is believed that this ancient city was originally a small village, dedicated to agriculture and farming.

Even though the great urban development of the city is set from 220AD until 800AD, the first settlement in this area began around 200BC. This Mayan site was abandoned around the year 1000. After that, farmers arrived on the site and occupied many structures and plazas during 200 years more. This ancient Mayan city is enclosed by tropical forest, diverse wild vegetation, and a diversity of tropical birds producing all kinds of sounds. Visitors will probably come across some very noisy parrots.

This archaeological zone occupies an extension of about 40 square meters. Only two of the four great architectonic complexes which constitute this Mayan city have been repaired. These are called Dzibanche and Kinichna. In the former structure, visitors will Building VI or Palace of the Lintels, from which its name derived. This structure has an influence of the typical architectonical style of Teotihuacan near Mexico City. From here tourists arrive at the Temple of the Cormorants or Structure 11 and the Temple of the Captives, which features carved humanoid figures in stone and Mayan glyphs.

At the East of the Palace of the Lintels travelers will find a Mayan pyramid, which has a temple on its top with two vaulted chambers. On the Xibalba Plaza, then visitors arrive at Structure 1 or Temple of the Owl. Its chamber functioned as a burial place, where archaeologists discovered the rests of a woman with offerings. Walking about 2km you will get to the Kinichna Group. Here there is a huge citadel of 3 levels and 3 temples upon a large base.

The atmosphere of this site is warm and calm, and it is not overrun by crowds of tourists, which visitors find quite relaxing and convenient. This site is situated at 81km west of Chetumal, the capital city of Quintana Roo State, on Federal Highway 186. Getting to the town of Jesus Gonzalez Ortega, you have to take a deviation to Morocoy town, and you will arrive at the archaeological site 2km ahead on an unpaved road. The most convenient way to get there is to rent a car or hire a local driver. If staying in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres, visitors can take a cruise in Cancun, which will take you to the Costa Maya port. There they can join one of the regular tours to the archaeological zones mentioned before.

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Chinchorro Banks

The Chinchorro Banks are one of the last unspoiled dive destinations this side of the world, and certainly in the Caribbean, the ideal destination to relax and get in touch with nature. Visiting this place is a truly amazing experience. This is a pristine virgin reef with astonishing visibility and a great diversity of fish where you can be sure you will have an unforgettable and unique diving experience. Situated about 20 miles off the coast of Mahahual, 80 km east of the city of Chetumal, Chinchorro is part of the Mesoamerican reef system and covers an area of about 300 sq. miles of which less than one percent is above water.

This is the largest coral island in the Northern Hemisphere, and the only one in Mexican waters. It is approximately 9 miles wide and almost 30 miles long. Here you can find 95 different species of coral and more than 200 different species of fish. The atoll is a continuous reef with six entries to the inner part of the reef. The shallow interior is up to 5 meters deep; in the exterior the dive sites vary from 3 to 40 meters in depth. The reef formation consists of both vertical walls and sloping walls.

As regards water clarity and temperature, visibility ranges from 60 to 200 feet, depending on the wind and sea conditions. Drift dives are done when strong currents are running, but many dives are done on sites with little or no current. During winter, water temperature is cooler, around 70°F, while summer temperatures are around 80°F. A light wetsuit is recommended even if you usually do not wear one. Diving here is an all-day activity with repetitive dives that can diminish body temperature. The best dive spots can be found on the eastern part of the atoll. The reason for this is that this is the place where many Spanish colonial ships and steam ships got stuck on the coral.

Marine life is rich and varied at Chinchorro banks. The reef is home to a spectacular diversity of marine life, and endangered sea turtles are abundant in the inner lagoon. Anemones are also found in great quantities; they are found in bright colors and have tentacles from which tube worms open plankton-trapping “umbrellas” that look like the feathers of exotic birds. Other reef inhabitants include numerous types of shrimp, crab, conch, snail, and worms. Many reef creatures are nocturnal and are rarely active during the day, others, if out, are quite wary. Of the 200 species known until present, the majority are colored tropical fish that tend to swim in schools.

Visiting the Chinchorro Banks is a unique experience not only because the tropical fish, but also the wrecks there. On the windward side of the banks, you can see a wide range of different wrecks from all time periods, everything from tankers and to a sunken German U-boat and XVII-century Spanish galleons. The remnants of at least 18 ships that sank between 1600 and 1800 have been discovered, and the reef has proved to be just as disloyal to modern ships. Chinchorro Banks is the perfect destination for real and intrepid divers. All about this trip is about diving, the experience is truly memorable!

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Kohunlich

Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula, about 66 km west of Chetumal, Kohunlich is a big archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Surrounded by dense sub-tropical rainforest, the site covers about 21 acres of extension, and it contains almost 200 mounts that remain mostly unexcavated. The city was elaborately planned and engineered, with elevated platforms and pyramids, fortresses, courtyards and plazas enclosed by palace platforms, all laid out to channel drainage into a system of cisterns and an huge reservoir to collect rainwater.

Although the site was settled by 200 BC, most of the structures were built in the Early Classic period, from about 250 to 600 AD. A lot of them are nowadays covered with dense vegetation and overgrown by trees. The city seems to have functioned as a regional center and stop along the trade routes through the southern Yucatan from Campeche and Rio Bec area to the west, and the cities along the east-coast and to the south, in the el Petén region of Guatemala and neighboring Belize.

The site is quite famous for the Temple of the Masks, an Early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by enormous human-like stucco masks. The temple was made around 500 A.D. and is one of the most ancient constructions in the area. After 700 A.D., the temple was covered with a structure that protected the masks and accounts for the marvelous state of their preservation today. You can access the site from the road that approaches the site from the north and leads into an enormous central plaza surrounded by pyramids and temple platforms. To the north you find a massive, raised acropolis, or citadel, with a palace complex around a courtyard to the north-west. Initially, there were eight carved masks bordering its central staircase; today only five of them remain, and three were looted.

With an exciting and rich past inherited from the early Mayans, Chetumal and the area around it, including Kohunlich, is a great place to spend an unforgettable vacation in the beautiful paradise of Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is the perfect destination to indulge yourself and enjoy the stunning views, the warm water, and the cool breeze that flows through the streets, and especially the friendliness of its people, who will make your feel their liveliness and happiness through their various celebrations and traditions, making your trip to Chetumal really pleasant.  If you are planning to visit the amazing archaeological site of Kohunlich, you can stay at the Explorean Kohunlich, a deluxe hotel created to provide the best hospitality services to travelers visiting Chetumal and Kohunlich.

The Explorean Kohunlich offers careful attention and a warm atmosphere that make guests feel at home. Nestled in the Quintana Roo jungle, the hotel is located at 1.6 km from the Mayan ruins of Kohunlich, 60 km from Chetumal the capital city of Quintana Roo, and 70 km from Chetumal’s airport. The Explorean Kohunlich is an intimate and exclusive hotel that combines luxury, comfort and first-rate service with the amazing wildlife that surrounds it.

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Fort of San Felipe in Bacalar

Built in 1733 under the order of Don Antonio de Figueroa y Silva, field marshal of Yucatan, the Fort of San Felipe, in Chetumal, was constructed to protect the population from the recurrent attacks by pirates from the Caribbean and to protect the region from harassment from the traders in Campeche wood. During the second half of the 19th century, in the so-called War of the Castes, the fortress once again became the scene of battles for the ownership of the fortress. After the town was sacked by pirates in 17th century, the fortress was completed in 1730, and therefore can be visited today. The fort been restored and sits looking over Lake Bacalar in the center of town. The fort is built in the form of a four-pointed star and has a moat of 4m of depth. San Felipe has a museum, which contains plaques both in English and Spanish, and there is parking nearby.

As regards the fort, it is surrounded by a wall. From the ramparts, visitors can look across Laguna Bacalar toward the "pirate's channel" which allowed boats to enter the lake from the Caribbean and the Bay of Chetumal. The Fort of San Felipe is almost 280 years old and provides visitors a rich view into the history of Bacalar and the nearby region, from early pre-Hispanic times through the Caste Wars. Situated on the eastern edge of the city's town square, this beautiful stone Fort is surrounded by a deep moat.

The structure includes not only canons and ramparts, but also a wonderful museum with historic artifacts, murals depicting the city’s history, and interactive computer exhibits on the Caste Wars and pirates and their lives. The manifold displays here include quite a few very well-maintained objects from Bacalar's past like models of boats from the 17th century, muskets, cannon balls, canons, sabers, ancient navigational instruments, and a pirate's skeleton, discovered during excavations at the Fort. The Fort is open six days a week from 9:00 am de 7:00 pm, and closed on Mondays. Admission for foreigners costs $60 pesos. In the case of Mexican citizens, adults pay $25 pesos, children, students and teachers $13 pesos, and on Sunday, Residents of Quintana Roo have free admission. Visiting this historical Costa Maya museum is an experience worth living.

The Museum's director, Joseas Montalvo Yama, is a knowledgeable expert and accomplished artist who knows many details about the Fort's history. A Temporary Exhibits Hall is open from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm. The director offers a diversity of art classes as well as workshops for kids and young adults at the fort. You just need to call him to learn what courses are being offered and when the classes are held.

San Felipe fortress is located in the center of town. Built in the 16th century to protect the city against pirates, the fort has been well preserved and inside it contains an awesome museum in which to admire the fort’s rich history. Don’t miss the opportunity of visiting this amazing fortress on your next visit to the paradise of Bacalar!

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Lake Bacalar

Close to Chetumal, the state capital of Quintana Roo and the youngest of all the capitals in Mexico, Bacalar is a beautiful city which offers a unique contact with nature. Surrounded by protected natural areas, marvelous landscapes, and unusual architecture, this city is offers an atmosphere of calm and lavish hospitality. Here you can plan an excursion deep into the jungle, where you can enjoy the intense color of the flora and admire the fauna in its entire splendor. There are also archaeological sites, concealed in thick forests, of outstanding beauty and historical importance, as well as amazing natural lagoons and lakes, like the Lake Bacalar.

Lake Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of the Seven Colors for the different tones that its water takes, offers an unrivaled landscape. The salt water and fresh water currents mix and together with the capricious sun, generate multiple variations of blue to intense green. The white sandy bottom turns the crystalline water pale turquoise in shallow areas, morphing to vivid turquoise and through a spectrum to deep indigo in the deeper center. Colors shift with the passing of the day, making a mesmerizing backdrop. To add even more attraction to this picture, the striking lagoon is flanked by mangroves.

Deemed as Mexico's second-largest lake, Bacalar is in fact a lagoon, with a series of waterways leading ultimately to the ocean. Fed not by surface overflow but by underground cenotes, it is almost 50km long. Visitors will glimpse the turquoise water long before they reach the town of Bacalar, about two-thirds of the way down, where they must go for swimming or kayaking. This peaceful place is ideal for water sports, mainly diving, since there are many sub-aquatic caves to be explored. Diving around the paradise of Lake Bacalar guarantees an unforgettable experience for those interested in this amazing activity. The extraordinary topography, plant and aquatic life offer a stimulating dive for the beginner as well as the more advanced diver.

This lagoon is, without a doubt, a retirement paradise. With a length of some 50 miles from North to South it seems like a wide crystal-clear river flowing through the jungle. Its majestic waters are enhanced by the deep green tone of the mangroves and reed beds. Besides, this is one of the most interesting places for investing in Mexico. Water front lots and condos are still affordable. Safe and serene, this magnificent lagoon is now becoming the preferred retirement option for American and Canadian senior citizens. Furthermore, young investors are now buying property foreseeing a fast future growth in the whole region.

Located in Chetumal, this is the second largest sweet water lake in Mexico and still the best kept secret. Although its spectacular scenery is still little known by international tourism, this will soon change since developers, retired or semiretired citizens, tourism and local authorities are now realizing the enormous potential of this extraordinarily beautiful area. The scenery guarantees a peaceful stay and therefore some relaxing and memorable vacations. Visit Lake Bacalar in Chetumal and found it out yourself!

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Museum of the Mayan Culture

The state capital of Quintana Roo and the youngest of all the capitals in Mexico, Chetumal is a picturesque city which offers a unique contact with nature. Surrounded by protected natural areas, marvelous landscapes, and unusual architecture, this city offers an atmosphere of calm and lavish hospitality. Here you can plan an excursion deep into the jungle, where you can enjoy the intense color of the flora and admire the fauna in its entire splendor. There are also archaeological sites, concealed in thick forests, of outstanding beauty and historical importance.

This city, said to be the foundation of the mixing of the Maya and Spanish cultures, would be rather empty without a center completely dedicated to the Mayan culture. This is a culture that stands out among other pre-Hispanic cultures for its prodigious scientific advances and the enigmatic disappearance of this people from all the principal Maya cities. With the help of modern science, the museum scientists provide a remarkable collection of handicrafts, mock-ups, studies and reproductions of articles from the era. Everything here is planned to help us better understand the wisdom of the Maya. This museum, deemed as the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state, is completely dedicated to the Mayan culture. It features an important collection of authentic works and reproductions of classical works, and tells the development of Mayan culture, its roots, and the several aspects of their daily life.

For those visitors who know much about the amazing Mayan Culture, the Museum of Mayan Culture is the perfect starting point. This is a modern museum that would fit well in any city, as it features interactive exhibits and models of most Yucatan sites decorated around a jungle theme. It is important not to get confused and think this museum is the Chetumal City museum, just a few blocks away on the same street. While the City Museum is interesting, it is rather small and focuses only on Chetumal.

The museum features many models of Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. If you have the chance of visiting these ruins, it is especially interesting. The museum is entirely dedicated to the complex and amazing world of the Mayan civilization. Through the exhibits you can understand Maya social classes, politics, and customs; Maya architecture; their use of plants for medicinal and domestic purposes; and the Maya calendar. One of the most remarkable displays is the three-story Sacred Ceiba Tree. The Maya used this symbol to comprehend as well as to explain the relationship between the cosmos and Earth. The first floor represents the roots of the tree where the Maya underworld, Xibalba, reigns. The middle floor is the tree trunk, known as Earth, or Middle World, home to humans and all their trappings. The top floor is the leaves and branches and the 13 heavens of the cosmic Otherworld.

The Museum of Mayan Culture, which opens Tuesday to Thursdays from 9-7, Fridays and Saturdays from 9-8, and Sundays from 9-2, is a great opportunity to learn more about this fantastic and unique culture and civilization. Don’t miss the chance to visit it on your next trip to Chetumal!

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Quintana Roonian Institute of Culture

With an exciting and rich past inherited from the early Mayans, Chetumal is a great place to spend an unforgettable vacation in the beautiful paradise of Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is the perfect destination to indulge yourself and enjoy the stunning views, the warm water, and the cool breeze that flows through the streets, and especially the friendliness of its people, who will make your feel their liveliness and happiness through their various celebrations and traditions, making your trip to Chetumal really pleasant. Among the main attractions on Chetumal, you can visit Kohunlich, Bacalar town, bay and beach, Dzibanche, Chinchorro Bank, the Fort of San Felipe, the Blue Cenote, and the great variety of museums. In this category we find the great Quintana Roonian Institute of Culture, an organization aimed at keeping and promoting Mexican culture.

Located in Yaxchilan Avenue, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, the Quintana Roonian Institute of Culture is an institute created with the aim of organizing, investigating, and coordinating the different cultural events in the State of Quintana Roo. The institute's purposes are, among others, to investigate, register, defend, conserve, market, and promote culture, to spread knowledge of cultural demonstrations and of National Cultural Heritage of Mexico, to contribute to national development, and to enlist the participation of the community and private sector, and to encourage international integration. It is the organization main function to formulate and execute the policies and strategies of the State in regards to cultural development, cultural conservation, and the diffusion and investigation of affairs related to the Cultural Heritage of Mexico.

The Institute was established to stimulate, preserve and share the values and regional and national traditions expressed in the institute, as well as to promote citizenship participation and guarantee their free access to the different artistic disciplines. This institute has the goal of executing, evaluating, and following cultural measures for the State, coordinating activities that encompass the involvement of different institutions with similar aims. Moreover, this institution takes action in the establishment of programs and financing to cultural activities, giving priority to the creation of financial funds for State’s artists, whose works contribute to the achievement of the Institute’s goals. Besides, it checks the correct functioning of the State arts schools, and proposes the establishment of new ones to foster training and improvement of Quintana Roonian artists. The Quintana Roonian Institute of Culture equity includes all movable and immovable property, resources and subsidies given by the federal or state government, gifts from the social and private sector, etc. The Institute offers many interesting artistic and cultural activities and programs.

Close to the Quintana Roonian Institute of Culture, and in order to safeguard the history of Chetumal for future generations to come, Chetumal’s city museum was founded. Apart from being one of the oldest edifices of Chetumal, this museum gives examples of striking architecture as well as classy interior decor. There are six rooms filled with photographs, furniture, weapons and many other objects related to the rich history of these brave people.

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Chetumal's beaches

Surrounded by protected natural areas, marvelous landscapes, and unusual architecture, Chetumal offers an atmosphere of calm and lavish hospitality. The state capital of Quintana Roo and the youngest of all the capitals in Mexico, this is a picturesque city which offers a unique contact with nature.  Here you can plan an excursion deep into the jungle, where you can enjoy the intense color of the flora and admire the fauna in its entire splendor, or stroll along its magnificent beaches. There are also archaeological sites, concealed in thick forests, of outstanding beauty and historical importance.

Although Chetumal is much more than a tourist destination, any description of this paradise city would be incomplete without a brief summary of the marvelous stretches of cool, golden like sand. Strolling along the coast in Chetumal is what anyone would desire, and it’s all at no cost – all beaches are open to the public. The majority of the hotels overlooking the beaches offer lounge chairs laid out under palapas, which are a kind of thatched umbrellas, to shade visitors from the significant effects of the strong Caribbean sun.

In many beaches you can find the low seawater and the even bottoms make these beaches the perfect options for the whole family. Children will find the ideal place for playing and swimming, while parents will have the chance of enjoying an interesting variety of restaurants, bars and water activities. Visitors can choose to relax on some amazing beaches. With regular shuttles to popular destinations, high-wave action, beach volley, and a wide range of bars and restaurants, these three beaches have everything you need to spend a wonderful day. Some of these magnificent beaches offer higher waves and breezier conditions than their northern counterparts.

If you are a sailboarding or parasailing enthusiast, you will also find a good beach where the higher wind speeds offer the best conditions to practice these sports. You will find daring tube rides, sand volleyball, and the chance of also practicing parasailing. There are many magnificent beaches that, apart from soft golden sand and surf, offer a breathtaking view. In the case that you love reef diving and snorkeling, the city itself does not offer diving but you can go to Mahahual to dive and snorkel, with access to Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Mahahual is best known for its diving with the world famous Chinchorro Reefs off the coast. The beaches here are totally secluded and mostly natural. 

The beaches at Chetumal are all wonderful and amazing, you just have to decide on which one will be your next stop! Chetumal is like a canvas on which a master painter has captured the color of the rain forest, the lightness of the beaches, visited only by the local fishermen, the brightness of the colors of the wildlife, and the diverse architecture of the wooden houses with their red, slanted, roofs in the style of 'Old Chetumal'. Enjoy Chetumal in the striking, turquoise and jade hues of the bay, the pleasant, soft breeze that blows up and down the streets, the sweet songs of the migratory birds, and the amazing golden beaches. 

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Private – Puerto Vallarta Downtown (per vehicle)

One of the most attractive destinations in all Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is the ideal place to forget the routine, relax and enjoy the golden beaches and amazing beauties of the colorful landscape. Puerto Vallarta a great variety beaches with the most fantastic natural scenery you will ever see. If you are to take some exciting but also relaxing holidays in Vallarta, you may need to rent a car to move from one place to another with total freedom, or need a transfer service from the airport to the hotel, to the hotel to a museum, etc. Puerto Vallarta has many rental companies that offer a lot of possibilities to rent a car or a transfer service and enjoy wonderful vacations on the beautiful Mexican Pacific coast.

Apart from its lovely beaches, Puerto Vallarta has a downtown area worth visiting. Situated in the center of the Bay of Banderas, one of the main natural bays in the world, the downtown area is the location of the original fishing village that turned into a world-renowned tourist destination. This area of the town has a particular magnetism and character of its own. In the town square you will find the Palacio Municipal (City Hall) and the Cathedral Guadalupe, which is Puerto Vallarta's most famous landmark. A mile-long boardwalk known as the "Malecon" runs along the downtown oceanfront street, Paseo Diaz Ordas, a street where you will find shops, restaurants and night clubs overlooking the turquoise sea. Downtown streets are crowded with shops where you can buy anything a tourist could want: decorative plates, silver and other jewelry, t-shirts, bags, magnets, postcards, and ornaments. You will find many art galleries, specialty stores, traditional marketplaces and dining establishments.

North American Travel is a great possibility when it comes to visiting downtown Puerto Vallarta. The company features low prices, great service, and a modern and first-rate fleet. The company’s car rental stations in Puerto Vallarta are situated everywhere, close at hand, whether in city centers, airports or railway stations. No matter if you are seeking a rental car, a lease, replacement car or van, North American Travel will be glad to serve you at its car rental stations in Puerto Vallarta. The company offers brand new rental cars, shuttles to many locations, all inclusive prices, 24 hour roadside assistance, and 24/7 service in most major airports. The company offers its private transfer service to tourists interested in visiting Puerto Vallarta downtown area. This service costs US$100 one way, or US$175 round-trip per vehicle.

Whichever your option is, in North American Travel you will find the best service and personalized attention at your disposal to enjoy a wonderful stay at Puerto Vallarta. North American Travel is a company that offers car rental benefits to businesses, individuals and families with fast, welcoming, inexpensive service with a personal touch. Without a doubt, renting a car will provide convenience of driving where you want and when you want, and in North American Travel you will find a wide range of options to choose from.

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Puerto Vallarta Transportation

One of the most popular tourist destinations in all Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect destination to forget the routine, relax and enjoy the golden beaches and amazing beauties of the colorful landscape. Puerto Vallarta offers a wide range of different beaches with the most fantastic natural scenery you will ever see. If you are to take some exciting but also relaxing holidays in Vallarta, you may need to rent a car to move from one place to another with total freedom. Alamo, U Save and Europcar are car rental companies that offer many possibilities to rent a car and enjoy wonderful vacations on the beautiful Mexican Pacific coast.

In the case of Alamo Rent a Car, this is a quality-oriented, well-known company that serves the rental requirements of airport travelers. The company offers low rental fees and an inconvenient-free client experience at the most important travel destinations. The company offers a large and modern fleet of vehicles, with cars from the best and most recognized car brands. Among the vehicle types, the company features a wide variety of alternatives depending on the car characteristics. In the SUV category, for example, you can select a GM Tracker 6.2 or similar, or a Nissan X-Trail 2.5 or similar. Both models fit five passengers, three pieces of luggage, power steering, air bags, air conditioning, ABS brakes, automatic transmission, 2 WD, and AM/FM stereo radio and cd. These are the perfect option if you are travelling with a large family or group of friends.

With more than 200 car and truck rental locations around the world, U-Save is a company that offers car rental benefits to businesses, individuals and families with fast, welcoming, inexpensive service with a personal touch. Without a doubt, renting a car will provide convenience of driving where you want and when you want, and in U-Save you will find a wide range of options to choose from. One of these alternatives is the Ford Edge, an exclusive and roomy vehicle in which you can drive in style and comfort with your family or friends, while enjoying a high-performance driving experience. Whichever your option is, in U-Save you will find the best service and personalized attention at your disposal to enjoy a wonderful stay at Puerto Vallarta.

Europcar is another great possibility when it comes to renting a car in Puerto Vallarta. The company features low prices, great service, and a modern and first-rate fleet. The company’s car rental stations in Puerto Vallarta are situated everywhere, close at hand, whether in city centers, airports or railway stations. No matter if you are seeking a rental car, a lease, replacement car or van, Europcar will be glad to serve you at its car rental stations in Puerto Vallarta. The company offers brand new rental cars, all inclusive prices, 24 hour roadside assistance, and 24/7 service in most major airports.

You can rent the model of car you wish at the Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. Renting a car will give you the chance of visiting whichever place you want, as free mobility is one of the reasons you will be prefer to rent a car and enjoy some wonderful holidays!

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Daily travel outlook in Air Canada

Established during the 1930s, Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline and the world's tenth largest passenger airline, according to the amount of destinations. With its chief office in Montreal, Quebec, Air Canada's operating subdivisions include Air Canada Cargo and Air Canada Jetz. Air Canada Vacations, a supplementary service, offers packages to almost 100 places. Together with its regional associates, the airline operates on more than 1,300 daily scheduled flights.

If you are you looking for weather conditions for your flight at Air Canada, the company provides an everyday outlook for possible disruptions to Air Canada flights and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz. When forecasted weather or other conditions may cause flight delays and possibly cancellations, affected airports are listed on the airline’s webpage by date, region and city. You can automatically receive alerts for delayed or cancelled flights on your mobile device or by email, signing up for Flight Notification. You can register for the company’s Flight Notification service to receive delay or cancellation information, or gate change details for your Air Canada or Air Canada Express flight. Notifications can be sent directly to your text-messaging-enabled phone or your email address.

Apart from the daily travel outlook, at Air Canada you can also find the status of a specific flight, as the company provides the Flight Status tool, which features up-to-date flight departure and arrival information. This tool is also available as an application for your mobile; you can download the mobile timetable now with your Air Canada BlackBerry App or your Air Canada iPhone App. Now you can use the Air Canada iPhone App to find and book flights, view flight details, select your seat and share your itinerary with family and friends. It’s the complete mobile experience in the palm of your hand!

Searching for flight schedules is very easy. Once you have entered Air Canada’s webpage, you just have to visit the Timetable (flight schedules) and easily find out about flights, destinations, time of departure and arrival, and connecting flights. You only need to enter the place of departure, your destination, and the dates of departure and return. Automatically, you will have access to all the available flights, class, seats, trip duration, and all the services provided (like meals, etc.). After you have decided on the most convenient option, you can simply book your flight! You can also make hotel reservations, rent a car or find out about special discounts.

Traveling with Air Canada is a guarantee of a safe, first-rate and comfortable flight. The company has the most modern aircrafts, a friendly and attentive staff, and the well-known world-class service. Passengers from all over the world choose to fly with Air Canada, as it operates to a wide range of national and international destinations. The company provides a well-arranged and organized flight schedule and daily travel outlook, which passengers can access from everywhere, at any moment. You can check available weather conditions, destinations, flights, class, seats, trip duration, and all the services provided. Whether alone or with your family, for business or for pleasure, do not hesitate to choose Air Canada for your next journey!

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Late or delayed baggage in TACA flights

Established in 1931, TACA Airlines is a company that boasts more than 80 years of history. It connects the Americas together through its four Hubs in Colombia, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Peru, and its features its extensive route network from Canada to Brazil, flying to 50 destinations in 22 countries. Its fleet consists of Airbus 319, 320 and 321 and new Embraer 190 aircraft. Moreover, its regional operations service 39 destinations in Central American countries with a fleet of ATR-42, Short SD360, Twin Otter and Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. 

In TACA, the intention is that all passengers arrive at their destination on the same flight as their luggage, with the baggage in the same conditions as it was when it was checked in. Nevertheless, sometimes some unfortunate situations do occur. If your baggage did not arrive on your flight, you should notify the company as soon as possible in the office at the airport, before leaving the airport. Once there, you must complete the “Baggage Claim Form” found in the Baggage Office at the terminal (which is usually in the baggage claim area). If you've already left the airport you can file the report through an online form to report baggage irregularities. You have up to 21 days from the date you completed your flight to file a formal claim with either the Airport Baggage Office, via the company’s website, or through the baggage call center.

Once the claim is made, a baggage customer service consultant will get in touch you in a maximum of 2 days to help you resolving your problem. Any traveler who is not a resident in the destination country and whose free baggage allowance did not arrive on the same day of travel has the right of getting compensation for basic necessities. Reimbursement for delayed luggage receipts must not include alcoholic beverages, luxurious items or payments in expensive restaurants.

At TACA, you can know where your luggage is using the baggage tracer. Your baggage details are entered into the company’s worldwide computerized baggage tracing system, and you can have access to it to find out about your items. Baggage reports will be received when the Airline has been the last carrier under a single contract of carriage, notwithstanding which airline issued the ticket. Only expenses for basic necessities are valid if the passenger did not receive his or her baggage and is not a resident of the destination country.

The company’s policy is to transport all delayed luggage pieces in a maximum of 24 hours, except in circumstances beyond the control of the airport, such as lack of flights, high season, bad weather, among other reasons. The Customer Service Advisor will keep you constantly informed about the status of your baggage and let you know as soon as it is received. You now have a reasonable time from the date the flight landed to officially make your claim to either the Baggage Office at the respective airport, the baggage call center or through the online form to report baggage irregularities and inconveniences you may have.

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