True Traveler: Insider's Guide

True Cancún

By Chanize Thorpe | November 1, 2011

True Cancún

The island of Cancún, Mayan for “Golden Snake,” is sandwiched between the pristine turquoise Caribbean Sea to the east and tranquil Nichupte Lagoon to the west. Add its stylish hotels and powdery, white sand beaches along with hopping nightlife, a healthy dose of authentic culture and history nearby, and you’ve got one heck of a vacation playground.

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You can’t go wrong at the massive, 2,400-room all-inclusive Moon Palace. Its 13 restaurants, 12 bars and laundry list of activities for tots to teenagers will keep everyone engaged (Carretera Cancún-Chetumal, Km 340, 998-881-6000).

Need a romantic escape? Check into the all-inclusive ME Cancún for their sleek Bali day beds that surround the infinity pool and its VIP section called The Level where rooms feature private Jacuzzis (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 12, 877-954-8363).

Away from the frenetic pace of the northern Hotel Zone, the luxe Ritz-Carlton, Cancún is both elegant and fun, with a Culinary Center offering a Mexican cuisine-cooking program (Retorno del Rey #36, 998-881-0808).

Food Fix

The new La Cantinita restaurant fronting Cancún’s bullring gives big bang for your peso. Before you order, the waiter brings out free shrimp soup, chips, salsa and nopales (cactus) (Ave Bonampak, 998-209-1370).

Indulge your taste buds at the hip Thai Lounge, tucked in the La Isla shopping center, with their spicy pad thai and tart lychee martinis (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 12.5, 998-176-8070).

Du Mexique’s tiny, romantic, seven-table restaurant/contemporary art gallery’s daily Mexi-French menu is at the whim of the inventive chef’s daily market haul (Ave Bonampak 109, 998-884-5919).

Night Out

Live bands pump up the jam at El Barezzito in downtown Cancún. Its outdoor terrace affords a great view of the Hotel Zone’s glittering lights (Ave Bonampak 2, 998-999-6633).

At the Roots Jazz Club, musicians lay on a mix of blues, funk and flamenco jazz for the low-key, mature crowd (Ave Tulipanes 26, 998-884-2437).

The Dubai Palace Casino is the city’s only venue open 24/7/365. More than 400 slot machines fill up the former Home Depot space along with a VIP room, blackjack, roulette and Texas Hold ’em tables. (Ave Tulum, 998-802-1966).

Don’t Miss

Grab the bus to Mercado 28, a bustling market where you can find affordable souvenirs from fun trinkets to comfy and colorful Mexican blankets (Ave Xel-Há).

Learn the difference, once and for all, between tequila and mezçal at the Tequila Herradura Sensory Museum. Naturally, samples are included (Blvd Kukulcan, Km 12.5, 998-176-8202).

The authentic Temazcal sweat lodge treatment at Live Aqua Resort is a near spiritual experience. This traditional Mayan and Aztec healing ritual uses water steam baths and warm stone treatments to liquefy your muscles (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 12.5, 998-881-7600).

Stone’s Throw

The Museum of Underwater Modern Art, in the protected National Marine Park, is where divers and snorkelers can see 400 submerged, life-like sculptures designed by artist Jason deCaires Taylor that make up an artificial, fish-filled reef (www.asociadosnauticoscancún.com, 998-883-1210).

Take the ferry for a day trip to Isla Mujeres and snorkel on the world’s second-largest barrier reef, then have a simple, but mind-blowing lunch of fresh “tikinxic”-style asado grilled fish at beachside Playa Lancheros restaurant. (South End Bahia, 998-877-0340).

Just 45 minutes south of Cancún lies the Xcaret eco-archeological theme park featuring a winding underground river, wildlife exhibits and entertaining shows like the papantla flying men (Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Fed Hwy, Km 282, 998-251-6560).

The Lowdown:

John Gray, a former Ritz-Carlton chef, now commands four restaurants around Cancún and nearby Riviera Maya. The California native moved to the region 18 years ago when he fell in love with its hospitable people. Here, his food favorites:

LOCAL EATS
Downtown Cancún is hidden away with places offering all kinds of Mexican favorites: I love Los de Jalisco (Ave Kabah). In the Hotel Zone there’s a little-known Japanese spot called Mr K’s that’s only 16 seats and serves passionately prepared noodles, sushi and pork belly (Blvd Kukulcán N, Km 9).

THE RIGHT MARGARITA
There are rules to a great margarita. You need fresh lime juice, quality reposado tequila like Herradura, and use orange-flavored liqueur instead of sugar for sweetness. Serve it on the rocks (never frozen!). I like to drink mine at La Habichuela at sunset (Margaritas 25, 998-884-3158).

SNACK SHACK
My favorite place to go on a Sunday afternoon is El Galeón del Caribe, right on the bank of the lagoon. Everything is cooked outside, and I go for ceviche and pescadillas (crispy fried fish tacos).

What $100 Buys You in Cancún

A huichol-patterned silk scarf from Mexican designer Pineda Covalin’s boutique at Luxury Avenue, the Saks Fifth Avenue of Cancún (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 13, 998-840-6100).

Two tickets to swim with the dolphins at Dreams Cancún Resort when booking through Delphinus World (www.delphinusworld.com, 998-206-3304).

A bottle of premium Clase Azul reposado tequila from La Destilería, which has more than 150 brands of tequila on its shelves. (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 12.65, 998-885-1086).

Golf (including bar cart and food) before 2 p.m. at the 18-hole, par-72, Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Course, with greens that skirt around Cancún’s Nichupté Lagoon. (Blvd Kukulcán, Km 7.5, 998-883-1230).

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Posted In: beach, beaches, Cancún, Caribbean, dolphin experience, golf, Hotel Zone, hotels, margarita, Mexico, ocean, resorts, restaurants, tequila

Chanize Thorpe: is a freelance travel writer based in New York City.

True Traveler: Insider's Guide

True Cancún

Thread Count

Food Fix

Night Out

Don’t Miss

Stone’s Throw

The Lowdown:

What $100 Buys You in Cancún

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