Sun and I went to Mexico to the Yucatan region, stopping at Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. We had an awesome holiday with fun parties in Cancun and Playa, the quiet, the beach in Tulum.

Things that you shouldn’t miss:

SEE:

Valladolid (pronounced - Bayadolid) is a small Maya town 2 hours north of Cancun.

Cenotes (pronounced SEE-Notes): Sinkholes with exposed rocks containing natural fresh water.

Chichen Itza - is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization

El Castillo is the center of Chichen Itza , a step pyramid with a square plan that has stairways on all four sides

Cozumel: A 45 minute ferry ride from Playa. Take a boat ride to the middle of the ocean to see amazing masses of School of Fishes straight out of Discovery Channel. (Sorry no photos of underwater this time)

Watching the sunset at Cozumel Pier

EAT:

Mayan cuisine: Pork Pibil, Chicken Pibil - Meat roasted in banana leaves

Tacos al Pastor - Most amazing!!

Habanero salsa - to burn your mouth

Sopa de lima - Chicken soup with lime

Lobsters, Shrimp, and all the fresh seafood

Tres Leches - Cake that has 3 milks - Recipe here.

PARTY:

Coco Bongo, Cancun- Biggest nightclub I have ever been to with performances lined up for the entire night mixed in with amazing local music. Before you get in, find out where the party is, as the clubs have an understanding of their BIG nights. While we were there, Sat was Coco Bongo.

Le Bodeguito del Medio, Cancun- A Cuban bar with live music and awesome mojitos, also its apparently a famous club in Havana.

Fireshow at Blue Parrot,Playa: Sip a cocktail by the swings in the bar.

Deseo Lounge, Playa - is a sister property of Basico, the place we stayed. It has an amazing rooftop pool lounge with trendy people and great music.

Diablito Cha Cha Cha, Playa is funky, retro and cool and is a great place to see and be seen.

RELAX:

Beaches are pristine and breathless.

Ocho Tulum: Take a Yoga class with Andrea, during sunset listening to the waves overlooking the sea. It was an experience that Sun & I wont forget!

Treat yourself to a Spa, and indulge! I recommend the Mayan Clay body wrap.

SLEEP:

Me Cancun is part of Me By Melia, a fashionable hotel with art, design and the whole hotel is like a lounge with music, darkness and sensuality. Was also home to the suite in MTV Real World Cancun 2009.

Maxim Beach Club

Ocean Front Room

Infinity Pool at Me, Cancun

Basico, Playa del Carmen: A concept boutique hotel, that is modeled after the Mexican Industrial Revolution of 1950s.

Suite ( but no ocean view)

Cool Lobby

Pool and Rooftop Lounge

Coqui Coqui, Tulum is a heavenly spa and guesthouse right on the pristine end of the Tulum Beach. Check out the HOT owners: The Selby

P.S: TO DO

1. Convert all your $$ to Mexican pesos.
2. Ask everyone to tell you the price in Pesos.
3. Drink bottled water ONLY.
4. Negotiate for the half of any vendor’s initial price.
5. Mexicans are such friendly people, when in doubt, seek help. Most of them understand English so even if they don’t speak it, they can help you with sign language.
6. Be floored with their hospitality!
7. Water that you use in Tulum is salty, I had to use bottled water for brushing my teeth.
8. The hotel zone of Tulum along the beaches, uses solar power to convert into electricity. Hence there is limited availability of electricity. Pack your hairdryers and chargers as you cannot use them.
9. Enjoy the remote nature.
10. Stargazing in Tulum is incredible, take a night out and sleep on the beach!