Tláloc Puga

 1:37 AM EDT, Wed October 16, 2013
(CNN) -- How many have you been to? And do you agree with the rankings?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/travel/cn-traveler-top-cities/index.html?sr=fb101613bestcity1p

Mark Rogers, Special for USA TODAY 8:34 p.m. EDT October 11, 2013

Who comes to Cozumel? Scuba divers in search of thrilling dive sites in crystal-clear waters. Families looking for an affordable Caribbean beach holiday with a Mexican tang. Eco-tourists intent on exploring protected areas, both on land and in the sea. Cozumel is in the business of tourism and the island knows how to extend a welcome. Its people are friendly. There's luxury for those who seek it, but there are reasonably priced hotels and restaurants for those on a budget. Island life encourages people to be good neighbors. In fact, Cozumel was named "Island of Peace" in 2009 by the International Committee for the Banner of Peace.
Cozumel has been landing on Top 10 diving lists for years now. The destination ranks high for the visibility of its waters and its colorful coral reefs teeming with a variety of fish that include nurse sharks, sea turtles and moray eels. Cozumel also stands out for the sheer number of dive sites — more than 40. These range from a sunken Spanish galleon to Palancar's huge mounds of coral studded with red gorgonian fans. The island has about 50 certified dive operators; the larger resorts or small dive-dedicated hotels have on-site dive operators, too. PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification courses are also available for novice divers. While dive conditions are relatively safe, guides are recommended.(If nothing else, they'll lead you to prime sites to explore.)
Tip: For an all-out scuba holiday, schedule a visit during the annual Cozumel Scuba Fest in December. Divers fly in from around the world to share their knowledge and to learn about Cozumel's unique ecosystem.
Much of Cozumel remains undeveloped and protected, ensuring the island's natural beauty will flourish. Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park contains Chankanaab National Park, which contains an inland coral reef, the only one in the world. In order to protect the lagoon environment, where 60 species of fish live, swimming is forbidden.
Travelers wanting to stay dry can still explore Cozumel's famed reefs with Atlantis Adventures submarine ride. Visitors board a U.S. Coast Guard-certified submarine and dive to depths of 100 feet. The 40-minute underwater journey takes the sub to Chankanaab, to view coral reef formations and the denizens of the reef.
The operator Underwater Adventures offers traditional snorkeling and dive excursions. They also make it easy for non-divers to replicate the experience of scuba with Sea Trek and Snuba, which allows participants an experience similar to scuba. SeaTrek provides visitors with an oxygen-supplying helmet which allows them to walk underwater and experience the reefs much like a diver would. Snuba is a little different because users will be swimming underwater without having to surface for air, since they'll be connected to the surface via an air tube. Both of these underwater activities can be enjoyed by kids as young as 8 years old.
Dolphin Discovery offers up-close encounters with dolphins, from a simple pat on the dolphin's head to an experience that puts them in the water with these beloved sea mammals. There's also an educational component to the program.
COZUMEL'S MAYA PAST
The island has several ancient Mayan sites. The largest is the pre-Hispanic settlement of San Gervasio, the largest archaeological site on the island of Cozumel. The ancient Mayan site of El Cedral is tucked away in the jungles of Cozumel and can be explored via four-wheel drive vehicle or — for an Indiana Jones touch — on horseback. The Museum of the Island of Cozumel centers on the island's Mayan heritage, wildlife and pirate past. Maya Zone is a replica of a Mayan village where visitors can learn about the Maya's intriguing ancient culture and see first-hand how they farmed centuries ago.
Buena Vista Ranch is located on the island's rugged east coast. Here vacationers can ride horseback through Cozumel's lush countryside.
Golfers can tee off at the Cozumel Country Club's championship 18-hole, par 72 golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.Practice tees, a practice bunker, chipping greens and a putting green give golfers plenty of space to warm up. The course has the distinction of being singled out as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary." The Playa Azul Invitational Cozumel Golf Tournament is held at the course during the last week of April. The two-day event invites local players and visitors to square off in five categories: Men's A, B &C; and Ladies A & B.
Tip: Tee time reservations at Cozumel Country Club must be made three days in advance.
Annual events beckon visitors to join in the fun. Unlike Rio or New Orleans, Cozumel's pre-Lenten Carnival is a five-day family-friendly event with parades, music, lots of dancing and the chance to indulge in regional food and drink.
The island's port town of San Miguel is packed with boutiques, nightclubs and more than 90 restaurants and cafes, including popular tourist traps like the Hard Rock Cafe, Carlos 'n Charlie's and Señor Frogs The town hums with activity seven days a week but takes it down a notch on Sundays, when locals promenade through the town square in their Sunday best, dancing to a live band. Visitors are invited to join in, making it a wonderful opportunity to mix with the locals.

 http://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/caribbean/cozumel/things-to-do/2013/10/11/cozumel-activities-guide/2948899/

Mark Rogers, Special for USA TODAY 8:56 p.m. EDT October 11, 2013

Cancun is a well-oiled tourist machine capable of handling the lodging needs of all comers. The destination earned its tourism wings back in the '70s and has been fine-tuning its offerings over the years. Modern Cancun has shed its party-hearty image and grown into a beach resort destination with much to offer families, honeymooners, eco-tourists and well-heeled travelers.
Cancun is laid out along a 14-mile sandy peninsula that mimics the shape of the number seven. The beaches along the top of the seven are referred to as north beaches and the beaches running down the long side of the seven are the east beaches, often referred to as Cancun's Hotel Zone. This is where you'll find the iconic resorts associated with the destination, such as Marriott CasaMagna Cancun Resort and Hyatt Regency Cancun as well as newcomers like Secrets The Vine Cancun and Hard Rock Cancun.
Vacationers looking for luxury will have several AAA Five Diamond Award-winning hotels to choose from, including Ritz-Carlton Cancun and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. These awards are not handed out lightly and once a resort has achieved AAA Five Diamond status it's a constant effort to maintain the highest standards to hold on to the distinction.
Almost all of Cancun's high-end resorts have sophisticated spas offering a range of treatments, including Maya-themed treatments, such as the Mayan Cacao massage at NIZUC Resort & Spa.
If golf is central to enjoying a Cancun getaway, book a room at the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort where duffers can tee off on the only signature Jack Nicklaus course in Cancun.
Most vacationers will gravitate toward one of Cancun's all-inclusive beach resorts. These make it easy to stay on a budget, since a guest's room, meals and most activities are included in the rate. In some resorts even the tipping is included, so it's conceivable that a tourist could check in and leave their wallet in the safe until it was time to check out. Not all the activities at an all-inclusive resort are included, such as spa treatments, dining perks like a private dinner on the beach, and motorized watersports (think jet skiing and parasailing). Many of the all-inclusive resorts have kids clubs and teen clubs, keeping younger travelers absorbed in their vacation while parents catch some downtime.
Some of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Cancun are the Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort, Le Blanc Spa Resort and Dreams Cancun, which has the Delphinus Dolphin Experience, where guests can swim with dolphins for an extra charge.
In contrast, there are two offshore islands that have become closely associated with a Cancun vacation -- Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox -- where travelers can enjoy barefoot elegance in rustic boutique hotels in a serene, natural setting.

 http://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/caribbean/cancun/hotels/2013/10/11/cancun-mexico-lodging-guide/2962991/

Mexico City, Oct 2 (EFE).- The arrival of tourists by air to Mexico grew by 8.5 percent in the first eight months of this year, compared with the same period in 2012, the Tourism Secretariat said Wednesday.
From Jan. 1 through Aug. 31, 8.11 million foreign tourists traveled by air to Mexico, compared with the 7.47 million who arrived during the same period in 2012, said the secretariat regarding the figures provided by the INM immigration agency.
In August alone, the number of foreign visitors by air rose 12.1 percent compared with the same month in 2012.
The top country of origin for the people who visit Mexico is the United States, contributing 5.55 million tourists between January and August, which represented an increase of 8.9 percent over the same period the year before.
The report emphasized the growth in the number of visitors from Colombia, 58.4 percent; Russia, 51.3 percent; Peru, 46 percent; and China, 30.3 percent, during the first eight months of 2013, compared with the same period last year.

By DAMIEN CAVE

Published: September 21, 2013 215 Comments