Cancun Dreams
I'm writing this blog on a plane to Cancun (I opened a packet of mayo for my turkey wrap and nearly sprayed the passenger next to me!), where I've now been 3 times over the past couple of months. Yes, someone has to make sure the water color is still blue! :) It's amazing to me the transformation of the Cancun hotel zone from a spring breaker's dream to the much more cosmo, south beach vibe it has now.
The look and feel of Cancun changed completely just over 3 years ago when Hurricane Wilma overstayed her welcome (actually, she wasn't welcome at all), sitting on top the peninsula for 50 hours before leaving a path of destruction not seen since Hurricane Gilbert in the late 80's. The reconstruction didn't happen overnight, but today you would never have known a category 5 came through the area just 1000 or so days ago.
Now, don't get me wrong. Carlos & Charlie's still has the 30 foot tall margarita's in the souvineer plastic cups, and at next door Coco Bongo the party doesn't really start till 1am (or so I hear :). And of course Senor Frog's is good for some table dancing after a couple of strong ones at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. But, these are mainly (no disrespect to Daddy O's) the only main games in town for the late night club scene. Many all inclusive properties which attracted a younger crowd have either been replaced with very high end, contemporary resorts (such as the beautiful Le Blanc, the cool Me by Melia, and my favorite place on the strip, the adult only Royal Cancun) or condominiums and ownership properties loaded with wall to wall glass and gated security.
Yet, it's another new attraction that has everyone jumping for joy at the Dreams Cancun. Dolphins actually live in a lagoon inside the resort, and in some rooms you can watch them by day from your balcony! Its in a perfect location on the tip of the "7" geographic formation of Cancun, and also has full basketball courts which is extremely important for a corn fed, Mellencamp lovin Indiana boy like me!
If you want "old school" Cancun, however, it can still be found, and in a renovated, new look and style. The Oasis Cancun is still a sight to behold, with the longest beachfront access in Cancun and plenty of twenty somethings to keep the people watching crowd pleased. The Barcelo Tucancun isn't glitzy or glamory (ok, I just ordered a 10am $7 Miller Lite so my grammar is fading phast), but it has all you need, all inclusive, good price, and right across the street is the tequila distillery restaurant which is not to be missed. Finally, Riu Palace Las Americas is top shelf in all aspects, and I love the location where you can litteraly jog to a taco stand, then be back on the beach in 5 minutes flat.
Then again, last time in Cancun I jogged with my blackberry typing emails in one hand and a Corona in the other. I got to Margaritaville 40 minutes later, ordered a blue something er other, then jogged back stopping at OXXO to pick up a 6 pack of Modelo. They don't call me Caribbean Jim for nuttin !
Email me any questions or comments you have about Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, or for that matter any destination in the Caribbean or Mexico (or Bermuda! Henry VIII's pub is the place to be with piano player Dave Boodle at the helm) at caribbeanjim@cheapcaribbean.com and I'd be happy to answer it...even while jogging with a brew :)
The look and feel of Cancun changed completely just over 3 years ago when Hurricane Wilma overstayed her welcome (actually, she wasn't welcome at all), sitting on top the peninsula for 50 hours before leaving a path of destruction not seen since Hurricane Gilbert in the late 80's. The reconstruction didn't happen overnight, but today you would never have known a category 5 came through the area just 1000 or so days ago.
Now, don't get me wrong. Carlos & Charlie's still has the 30 foot tall margarita's in the souvineer plastic cups, and at next door Coco Bongo the party doesn't really start till 1am (or so I hear :). And of course Senor Frog's is good for some table dancing after a couple of strong ones at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. But, these are mainly (no disrespect to Daddy O's) the only main games in town for the late night club scene. Many all inclusive properties which attracted a younger crowd have either been replaced with very high end, contemporary resorts (such as the beautiful Le Blanc, the cool Me by Melia, and my favorite place on the strip, the adult only Royal Cancun) or condominiums and ownership properties loaded with wall to wall glass and gated security.
Yet, it's another new attraction that has everyone jumping for joy at the Dreams Cancun. Dolphins actually live in a lagoon inside the resort, and in some rooms you can watch them by day from your balcony! Its in a perfect location on the tip of the "7" geographic formation of Cancun, and also has full basketball courts which is extremely important for a corn fed, Mellencamp lovin Indiana boy like me!
If you want "old school" Cancun, however, it can still be found, and in a renovated, new look and style. The Oasis Cancun is still a sight to behold, with the longest beachfront access in Cancun and plenty of twenty somethings to keep the people watching crowd pleased. The Barcelo Tucancun isn't glitzy or glamory (ok, I just ordered a 10am $7 Miller Lite so my grammar is fading phast), but it has all you need, all inclusive, good price, and right across the street is the tequila distillery restaurant which is not to be missed. Finally, Riu Palace Las Americas is top shelf in all aspects, and I love the location where you can litteraly jog to a taco stand, then be back on the beach in 5 minutes flat.
Then again, last time in Cancun I jogged with my blackberry typing emails in one hand and a Corona in the other. I got to Margaritaville 40 minutes later, ordered a blue something er other, then jogged back stopping at OXXO to pick up a 6 pack of Modelo. They don't call me Caribbean Jim for nuttin !
Email me any questions or comments you have about Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, or for that matter any destination in the Caribbean or Mexico (or Bermuda! Henry VIII's pub is the place to be with piano player Dave Boodle at the helm) at caribbeanjim@cheapcaribbean.com and I'd be happy to answer it...even while jogging with a brew :)
posted by A word from Caribbean Jim at 7:43 AM
2 Comments:
When I think of Cancun I think of coconuts and booze. I guess that's what I think of anytime I think of anything tropical, or exotic.
I was in Cancun once and stayed at the hotel with the human-sized chess board. It was crazy. Fun place!
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