Vancouver, Canada

 Spotlight: Vancouver is the biggest city in British Colombia, and has the third largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a population of 2.6 million. It is also one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. About 49.3% of the population are not native English speakers and the majority of residents belong to minority ethnic groups. According to the 2021 census, 14.9% of the population speak Cantonese, 11.5% speak Mandarin, 9.4% speak French, 4.7% speak Tagalog, 2.9% speak Punjabi, 2.3% speak Hindi, and 2.3% speak Vietnamese. Other languages spoken by at least 1% of the population include: Persian languages, Japanese, German, Korean, Portuguese, Italian and Russian. This diversity has helped the city develop into a popular site for international events, including: the 1954 Commonwealth Games, UN Habitat 1 (1976), The World's Fair (Expo 86), the World Police and Fire Games (1989 & 2009), APEC Canada (1997), the 2010 Winter Olympics, and several matches of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup - including the Final. It was also made the permanent home of TED Conferences in 2014.

Vancouver makes industry look interesting

Vancouver is the largest port in Canada

     Vancouver's aboriginal population has inhabited the area for thousands of years. Although a few explorers and trappers of European descent colonized the area in the early 1800's, it was the Fraser Gold Rush of 1858 that opened the floodgates, with more than 25,000 treasure hunters flooding the area with mining camps. The City of Vancouver was officially incorporated in 1886, the year that the transcontinental railroad arrived. In the year 1901, the census calculated the population to be 26,133; 120 years later, that number swelled to 662,248. 

Vancouver suburb utility boxes

Activities: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features a 450-foot long suspension bridge dangling 230 feet above the Capilano River. The bridge was originally built in 1889, from hemp rope and cedar planks. Over a century later, the bridge is anchored by steel cables, and could theoretically support the weight of 96 full-grown elephants. The crossing, which takes between 5-15 minutes, has been made by citizens of practically every nation on earth, including rock stars, movie stars and royalty. The park also features the Rainforest Canopy Walk - a 20 minute stroll through the treetops reminiscent of the Ewok Village in Star Wars - Return of the Jedi. The canopy walk starts in a reclaimed Tree House and follows seven suspension bridges that guide visitors from one treetop platform (about 110 feet above the forest floor) to the next. Another attraction is the Cliffwalk. The 700-foot walkway (made of wood and metal) hugs the side of Capilano Canyon, offering visitors spectacular vistas of the river and canyon from about 90 meters above the canyon floor. The narrow walkways are definitely not recommended for those who suffer from the fear of heights, but offer a heart-pumping experience for those who make the 15-30 minute stroll. Other highlights include the Living Forest Exhibit, the seasonal Birds of Raptors Ridge exhibit, the Story Centre (focusing on the park's history), the Kia'palano Totem Poles, and the Trading Post.

Capiliano Suspension Bridge

Totem Poles

Rainforest Canopy Walk

Rainforest

Cliffwalk

- Location: 3735 Capilano Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm; if you purchase your ticket online, you are asked to arrive within the 30-minute assigned window, but can stay as long as you wish (typically 2-3 hours).

- Cost: Daylight Ticket 8:30 am - 5:00 pm: CA$75/adult, CA$70/senior (65+), CA$64/student (18+), CA$49/youth (13-17), CA$28/child (6-12); Twilight Ticket 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: 25% less than the Daylight Ticket

- Things You Should Know: General admission tickets are a few dollars cheaper if purchased online.

- Walkways may be slippery when wet; and you should plan on them being wet, so be prepared. We didn't see the sun once during out 4-day sojourn in Vancouver. I've been told that the sun does shine on occasion, but the city averages between 160-170 days of rain each year.

- "Well-behaved" dogs are allowed at the park (on a leash), but all other pets are not permitted.

- The Suspension Bridge, Rainforest Canopy Walk and Cliffwalk are not wheelchair accessible. Other items not permitted are drones, selfie-sticks, strollers or crutches.

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Activities: Lynn Canyon Park also features a suspension bridge. This bridge is approximately 40 meters long (130+ feet), hangs 50 meters (160 feet) above the river, and is more narrow (barely enough room for two people to pass) than the more famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. The wooden plank bridge also jangles around a lot more as you walk across, making it a completely different experience. The view from the middle of the bridge is breathtaking! After crossing the bridge, the park offers several different options. If you turn left, you can swim in the 30-foot Pool (providing it is warm enough). If you turn right, you can view the Twin Falls from the short wooden bridge that spans the river. Or you can explore the 617 acre park by hiking one of the many trails that connect the park with other parks in the area: Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake and Inter River Park. There is also an Ecology Centre that educates visitors regarding the history of the area and environmental concerns through various interactive displays and workshops.

Lynn Canyon Park Suspension Bridge

Lynn Creek

Twin Falls

- Location: 3690 Park Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from "dawn to dusk" - typically from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm in the winter, and 7:00 am - 9:00 pm in the summer. The Ecology Centre is open from 10:00 - 4:00 (Mon. - Fri.); noon - 4:00 (Sat. & Sun.)

- Cost: There is no entrance fee for Lynn Canyon Park. Parking, however costs CA$3/hour (maximum of 4 hours) between 8 am-6 pm from March 1 - October 31 (free from November - February).

- Things You Should Know: - Taking a picture from the bridge can be tricky since is bounces around so much when people walk. Try to find a time when it's clear of traffic.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

- Activities: The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre park with over 7,500 species of plants from around the world. As you wander the garden paths, you will see a plethora of vibrant colors (especially in the fall), small waterfalls, a giant chair, small totem polls, a statue of a giant owl, small lakes with fountains, and even a hedge maze. Among the various themed gardens you will find a stone garden, a medicine wheel, a meditation garden, a vegetable garden, a rose garden, and collections from around the world (Japan, Korea, Chile, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa, etc.). 

lake fountain

Photo Op

Totem poles

waterfalls

Fall Colors

- Location: 5151 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Garden is open from about 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during the winter, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm during the summer, and approximately 9-5 in the spring and fall (hours vary depending on the month). Plan on spending from 1-2 hours.

- Cost: Adults: CA$14.86, Seniors (65+): CA$11.88, Youth (13-18): CA$10.39, Children (5-12): CA$7.43.

- Things You Should Know: - A Garden Cafe is open during business hours.

- The Garden hosts various workshops and events throughout the year.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: Whistler is a resort ski community (about 120 kilometers north of Vancouver) with about 14,000 permanent residents and another 3,000 seasonal residents. The town hosted most of the alpine events during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Whistler's pedestrian village has won many design awards. Over 2 million visitors come every year - principally to ski and snowboard, but also for mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb. Another major event is the Whistler Film Festival, held over five days over the first weekend in December.

Home of the 2010 Olympics

Fun shelter to eat a snack

Fall colors

- Brandywine Falls is a huge waterfall about 116 kilometers north of Vancouver (just south of Whistler).

Brandywine Falls

- Shannon Falls is an even bigger waterfall about 60 kilometers north of Vancouver.

Shannon Falls

- Vancouver Island is less than 60 miles (100 kilometers) offshore from Vancouver. Some of the top attractions include: Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum, and Craigdarroch Castle.

- Harrison Hot Springs is about 132 kilometers east of Vancouver. It is a scenic lakeside village known for its natural mineral pools. The lake is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaks and jet skis. The lake also features a giant, inflatable obstacle course that is family friendly. It is also a popular destination for hikers.

Spotlight: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Spotlight: Cabo San Lucas (Spanish for "Saint Luke Cape"), also known simply as Cabo, is a resort city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. "Cabo" means “cape” in Spanish, as in the cape of a peninsula, where two large bodies of water meet. In this case, Cabo is located at the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Cabo San Lucas and the neighboring San Jose del Cabo are often referred to as Los Cabos, and form a metropolitan area of more than 350,000 inhabitants, many of which are transplants from the United States, including many celebrities: George Clooney, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Britney Spears, and Madonna - among others. The Los Cabos Corridor has numerous resorts and timeshares along the coast between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas

The Cape of Baja California

Activities: Cabo San Lucas is rated as one of Mexico's top tourist destinations and is a popular stop for Cruise ships. Access to the area can be by ship, car (via Mexican Federal Highway 1), or airplane (Los Cabos International Airport). Some of Cabo’s main attractions include: beaches, scuba diving, Balnearios (spa resorts), the famous sea arch "El Arco de Cabo San Lucas," and a wide variety of marine wildlife including rays, sharks, mahi-mahi, and striped marlin. In the winter, pods of whales can be observed in the area. They bear their calves in the warm waters of the Gulf of California after traveling up to 10,000 kilometers (6,000 mi) from Alaska and Siberia. One of the most popular beaches along the Corridor is Chileno Bay, home to tropical fish, sea turtles, invertebrates and sponges. The clear waters offer snorkelers a cheap way to observe beautiful sea life up close and personal. Another option is to view the wildlife via a "glass-bottom" boat (which today are usually made from high-strength, impact-resistant acrylic or polycarbonate).

Fish as viewed from the glass-bottom boat

Another view of fish under the boat

A view through the bench

Travelling out to the Arch

     The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, simply known locally as “El Arco,” is a large, 200-foot tall (61 meters) granite arch located at the southern tip of the peninsula. It is adjacent to “Lovers Beach” on the Gulf side of the peninsula and “Divorce Beach” on the Ocean side of the peninsula. It is technically only accessible by boat since approaching by land would require a dangerous climb over large rocks by land. Approaching the arch by boat can be treacherous due to the clashing currents from the confluence of the two large bodies of water, so you should use a professional boat captain. Getting a clear picture might require some patience due to the large number of tourists that visit daily.

El Arco de San Lucas

The Arch from the Pacific side

Other unique rock formations include the Window to the Pacific, the Scooby-Doo Rock, and the Baja California Rock.

The Window to the Pacific

Baja California Rock

- Location: The southernmost tip of Baja California.

- Hours: Although the Arch is technically never "closed," most water taxis and tour boats are available from about 7 am to 6 pm. 

- Cost: Individual water taxis or glass bottomed boats are from $20 - $25 USD per person, but will probably be more expensive if you book it through a cruise ship. A private tour will allow more individual flexibility, but will probably cost about $150.

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know: - Make sure that you wear sunscreen or you will get burned.

Activities: Playa Corsario is a nice, tranquil public beach with crystal clear waters. The calm waters are perfect for wading, swimming, or snorkeling. Also, it is a lot less crowded than the more well-known Medano Beach. However, there isn't really any shade, so you might want to bring your own. Although it is within walking distance of where the cruise ships dock, it will take you about 5-10 minutes to walk there, so you might want to rent a taxi or uber if you are carrying heavy items or are travelling with small children.

Playa Corsario

Wading in the clear, blue waters

- Location: Right next to the Mexican Naval Base. From the Cabo San Lucas cruise port, you can simply walk down Boulevard Marina, passing the Sandos Finisterra and continuing just past the Naval Base.

- Hours: There is no gate, but recommended visitor hours are during daylight hours (roughly from 7 am to 6 pm) 

- Cost: Free

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

- Things You Should Know: - Since most tourists to the area don’t rent cars, travel within the city is often by taxi, uber, or buses (mostly used by locals, but a cheaper option for those with pesos).

Nearby: - San José del Cabo is about 49 kilometers north-east of Cabo San Lucas. It is known for its historic center, art gallery district, Plaza Mijares, and San Jose Estuary, and is also the location of the Los Cabos International Airport.

Todos Santos is a small tourist town about 76 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas. It is known for it’s Hotel California, art galleries, and Los Cerritos Beach (a surfing mecca).

Cabo Pulmo National Park is 132 kilometers northeast of Cabo San Lucas. It is famous for being the best snorkeling and scuba diving location in the region due to its protected coral reef.

La Paz, the capital of Baja California, is 157 kilometers due north of Cabo San Lucas. This town is famous for its stunning Balandra Beach and Espiritu Santo Island, where whale sharks can be spotted swimming (seasonally).

 

Spotlight: Ensenada, Mexico

 Spotlight: Ensenada is situated on the Pacific Coast of Baja California, Mexico. Ensenada has a population of more than 280,000, making it the third-largest city in Baja California. The city is an important international trade center and home to the Port of Ensenada, the second-busiest port in Mexico. Due to its warm climate and proximity to the California cruise ports (67 miles south of the border), Ensenada is a major tourist destination. Ensenada was founded in 1882, when the small community of Rancho Ensenada de Santos was made the regional capital for the northern partition of the Baja California. The city grew significantly with the proliferation of mines in the surrounding mountains. The onset of Prohibition in the U.S. transformed the city into a popular tourist destination for Americans seeking entertainment and alcohol. Today, Ensenada is a major economic and cultural hub for Baja California. Ensenada is also home to the famous Baja 1000 off-road race every November, and the Baja 500 off-road race every June.

The Baja 500

Activities: La Bufadora is a popular tourist attraction on the Punta Banda Peninsula, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) south of the city. The blowhole is a natural phenomenon that is sometimes referred to as a marine geyser, but doesn’t have a thermal source as geysers do. The spout of seawater is the result of air trapped in an underwater sea cave, which explodes as a flume of sea water up to 100 feet (30 meters) into the air. Since the blowhole is the result of the rhythmic waves as they batter the coastline, eruptions occur approximately every 15 seconds, though some are much larger than others. An ancient legend to explain the phenomenon states that a whale got trapped in the rocky point and spouted water to attract the attention of its pod. Eventually the whale was turned to stone and remains fixed there to this day. 

Approaching the Bufadora

Eruptions reach up to 100 feet high

Wave entering the base of the Bufadora

     

Waiting for the next eruption

Close-up view

     The path down to the blowhole is lined with stalls of venders selling touristy items: T-shirts, hats, jewelry, knick-knacks, food items, etc. Most of these items are relatively inexpensive, compared to prices of U.S. tourist shops, especially if you know how to bargain for a better deal, however the venders are much more aggressive (especially if you show some interest).

Checking out the Souvenirs

- Location: Punta Banda Peninsula (35-40 kilometers south of Ensenada); take HWY 1 south from Ensenada toward Maneadero, and follow signs to the coast.

- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily

- Cost: Tours range from $25 - $65 USD; taxis to the site are usually about $25-$35 USD (500-650 MXN) each way, though you can often find cheaper rates going down than back to Ensenada. Parking will be 50-100 Mexican pesos, but there is no entrance fee.

Things You Should Know: If you use public restrooms, make sure that you have cash, because they do charge for toilet paper (usually about $1 USD).

- Many cruise lines offer guided excursions to the Bufadora. However, if you are fluent in Spanish, you can hire your own transportation down to the Bufadora. If you do so, make sure that you have a way back. While it is easy to hire an Uber or taxi to get down there, it is practically impossible to get an Uber to come pick you up for the return trip (believe me, I tried). Even if you have an agreement with the driver to wait for you for the return trip, there is no guarantee that he will wait if someone else offers him more while you’re out of sight. I know this from personal experience. Luckily, we hadn’t yet paid him for our return trip. There are a few taxis who park there waiting for passengers in similar situations, but they are well aware of the principles of supply and demand, and charge more than twice as much for the return trip – if you have cash. Most taxis won't take credit cards!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Activities: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadelupe serves as the headquarters for the Diocese of Ensenada. It was built from 1951-1984 in the Spanish Colonial style, making it look older than it really is. Some of the artwork that beautifies the cathedral include a statue of Christ the King, which stands atop of a pillar to the side of the sanctuary, and five paintings of Our Lady Guadelupe by Jose Lizaola.

The Cathedral of our Lady Guadelupe

Spanish Colonial style architecture

The entrance to the Cathedral

- Location: The Cathedral is located at the intersection of Calle 6ta (Sexta) and Avenida Floresta in Colonia Obrera, a neighborhood of Ensenada.

- Hours: The Cathedral opens for daily Mass and Rosary times; the best time to visit if after Mass on weekdays

- Cost: free, though you are welcome to donate

- Things You Should Know: The Cathedral is usually only open shortly before service times, and for a short time afterwards.

- Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: - The Pai Pai Ecoturism Park is 20 kilometers south of Ensenada (along the route to the Bufadora). The park offers ecotourism adventures, animal encounters, and ziplining.

Las Canadas Canopy Tour is about 24.3 kilometers south of Ensenada. The Adventure park features hiking and ziplining.

Islas de Todos Santos (All Saints Islands) are located about 9 miles off the coast of Ensenada on the outer edge of All Saints Bay. You’ll have to rent a boat to get there, but it offers some of the largest surfable waves in North America.

The Valle de Guadelupe is located 41.4 kilometers north of Ensenada. This valley is famous for its many grape vineyards, and accompanying wineries.

 

Spotlight: Cancun, Mexico

Spotlight: Cancún is the most populous city (almost 1,000,000 inhabitants) in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The city is situated on the Caribbean Sea, on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, just north of Mexico's Caribbean coast resort area known as the Riviera Maya. Interestingly, the word "Yucatan" means "I don't understand you" in Mayan, which is how the Mayans responded whenever the Spanish asked where they were. The city’s name, Cancún, is derived from the Mayan name kàan kun, composed of kàan 'snake' and the verb kum ~ kun 'to swell, overfill'. Ironically, this so-called 'nest of snakes' has become one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations. Cancún has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons and an average temperature ranging from 83-95 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season runs from late August to November, the dry season from November through April, and the summer months variable due to unpredictable hurricane conditions.

After the Spanish conquest of the region, most of the Mayans living around Cancún died or migrated elsewhere. Modern Cancún is a planned city, designed as a profitable tourist destination by the government. FONATUR (the National Fund for Tourism Development) was used to construct the city in 1974 as an Integrally Planned Center. The population boomed throughout the late 20^th century, growing by an annual average of 62.3% from 1970-1980, and its tourism growth outpaced even the most optimistic projections. In 2023, a record 21 million tourists visited Cancún. Although Cancún had initially avoided the violence associated with the drug trade that has plagued much of the country, violence in the urban center has been on the rise since 2018.

The Beaches of Cancun

Cancun 2023

Activities: Most hotels in Cancun are "all-inclusive" - so many visitors spend their entire vacation on the hotel property enjoying the amenities. While each hotel is different, most will provide a similar set of options. Some of the amenities include: a variety of restaurants (Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Thai, American, ice cream snack bar, pool-side bar, etc.) that serve all-you-can-eat buffets or fine dining with unlimited food and drink at no additional cost; a variety of swimming pools that are designed for different activities (swimming, relaxing with a drink, volleyball, or tanning); use the sauna or enjoy the spa treatment (full-body massage - costs extra); a variety of instructional classes where you can learn a new dance or how to do Pilates, a variety of evening entertainment (the "Chef's dinner," listen to live music, watch a "Michael Jackson" dance medley, watch a sand artist, etc.); work out at the fully-stocked gym or Yoga center; enjoy the hot tub in your bedroom; and beach access, where you can sit in a lounge chair under a large sun umbrella and read, soak in the sun, play beach volleyball, snorkel, rent a kayak, look for sea turtles, or bob in the waves.

Michael Jackson Dance Medley

Chillin' in the Infinity Pool

Casual dining

- Cost: Since it is an all-inclusive resort, most things are included in the cost. However, there are some things that cost extra, or are only available to those with premium memberships - otherwise, how would they be able to entice you to pay for a premium membership.

- Things You Should Know: You should bring with you several dozen small bills (American dollars are encouraged) to tip the workers who will be on hand to carry your bags, set up a lounge chair on the beach, bring you a drink, etc.

- You will be "encouraged" to attend a "90-minute" tour (that will likely turn into 3 hours) in which you will be shown all the amenities that the resort has to offer, and the benefits of membership (which is divided into different categories - diamond, platinum, gold, etc. - each with different benefits). The benefit of taking the "tour" (sales pitch) is to get hotel credit that you will be able to use to offset the expensive taxes that you will otherwise have to pay out of pocket. The disadvantage of taking the tour is that you will have to endure a 2-3 hour high-pressure sales pitch by your host (who gets paid on commission), which will be followed up by at least two of his/her associates that will offer progressively less-expensive options. It was easily the least enjoyable 3 hours of our vacation, but the $500 credit paid for our taxes as well as our dolphin excursion and spa appointment.

Hotel lobby from our 3-hour "90-minute tour"

Activities: Dolphinaris Mexico is an animal encounter that allows visitors to "swim with dolphins." The Marine Mammal Habitats are designed to allow visitors to interact with these vivacious creatures in an open-air environment. There are multiple pools, and each visitor is treated to a variety of dolphin encounters including: a kiss, a hug, a handshake, and a short ride in which you hold onto the dolphin's dorsal fin as it pulls you through the water for about 10 meters. It was definitely a fun, unique experience!

The Pools of Dolphinaris

Dolphin "Hug"

Swimming with Dolphins

Playing with Dolphins

Dolphin Kiss

- Location: Plaza Isla Cancun, about 12.5 km. from the hotel district.

- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. 

- Cost: Anywhere from $49.50 - $149 USD, depending on which package you are able to find.

- Things You Should Know: This activity is often available as a way to use your "hotel credit" that you are given as part of the package deal you get with your all-inclusive resort. Of course, when "purchased" this way, you won't be able to get the discounts that you could normally find on your own, but it is usually one of the more popular ways to use your credit.

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Activities: Tulum is a Mayan city about 130 kilometers south of Cancún. It was built in the 13^th century, during the Mayan post-classic era. The main thing that differentiates Tulum from other Mayan ruins is its location on the seashore, where it served as a major port trading in jade and turquoise. In addition, Tulum was protected by a 784-meter limestone wall that enclosed the city on three sides. The wall was seven meters thick, and varied between three and five meters in height, with five doors to enter the city. Although many of the structures no longer exist, the most prominent structure, El Castillo, stands on a 12-meter limestone cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. In front of the Castillo is the Temple of the Frescoes. Inside this well-preserved structure, visitors can view a large mural painted in three sections: The first level represents the Mayan world of the dead; the middle represents the living; and the final, highest piece is of the creator and rain gods. You can also see the Casa del Cenote - a two-room structure built on top of a cave with a staircase leading down to a cenote. The walls of the house were built at a seven degree angle to slow down the wind and allow it to survive hurricanes. The Temple of the Wind was built on top of a cliff overlooking several shrines. The holes in this temple would whistle when hurricanes were approaching, giving the Mayans advance warning to seek shelter. When you get tired of exploring the ruins, you can sit and relax on the nearby beach – a luxury unavailable at other Mayan sites.

El Castillo of Tulum

Temple of the Wind

Casa del Cenote

Tulum's Coastline

- Location: Coordinates, 20°12′53″N 87°25′44″W / 20.21472°N 87.42889°W; About 130 km. south of Cancun

- Hours: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. 

- Cost: 515 MXN (about $28 - $30 USD); cards are accepted, but cash is recommended

- Things You Should Know: - Sundays are free for Mexican citizens and residents, so it will be crowded.

- You will see dozens of iguanas lounging around the site. They are wild and should not be approached - they may bite you. If an iguana starts moving its head up and down rapidly, it is a sign that it is feeling threatened.

- Outside the archeological site, among the many tourist shops, some of the local Mayans like to put on a show called Danza de los Voladores ("Dance of the Flyers"). In this performance, five of them climb a 30-meter beam. Four of them hang upside down from ropes, and swing in a circle as they are slowly lowered to the ground, while a fifth person, the caporal, remains on top, playing a flute and drum while directing the ritual.

Danza de los Voladores

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Activities: Xel'ha Water Park is a natural water park named after the Xelha archaeological site of a pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. Xel'ha means "where water is born" - an appropriate name due to the number of underground rivers that flow into the park. According to legend, the Mayan gods appointed three guardians to protect this natural wonder: the Iguana (guardian of the earth), the Pelican (guardian of the sky), and the Fish parrot (guardian of the water). The theme park was founded in 1984, and centered around a natural inlet and lagoon, allowing its creators to seamlessly create a dynamic waterpark that blends in with its natural environment. The natural aquarium is inhabited by hundreds of species of aquatic plants and animals, including a sea turtle reserve and stingray cove. There is also a dolphin area where visitors can "swim with dolphins." A shark fence along the outer border keeps large predators out of the park, making it safe for visitors to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the lagoon, and explore dozens of underwater caves and grottos that have been carved out of the natural limestone. Due to its ecological practices, Xel'ha became the first tourist park to receive an EarthCheck Gold certification in 2014. In addition, Xel'ha retains 75% of its habitat due to its Rescue, Reproduction, and Reforestation of Native Plants Program.

     Some of the park's attractions included in your admission are: the Scenic Lighthouse (with a 40-meter high viewing platform,and water slides that encircle the tower); floating down the river of Xel'ha through mangrove forests in an inner tube; exploring Xel'ha Cave; jumping off the Cliff of Courage (15 meters high); riding the Salpichanga ziplines; playing in "Children's World"; Iguana Grotto and El Dorado Cave; the Xel'ha Wall (remnant from a pre-Columbian city); the Path of Consciousness (a nature walk through Xel'ha's natural forests); Chacah's Garden (a cultivated garden paradise of trees and plants typical to the region); Xel'ha Nursery (an educational center cultivating native flora); swim in Xel'ha's natural cenotes; Queen Conch Sanctuary; and biking along nature paths. There are also some additional activities that cost extra (between $40-$100 USD each): Power Xnorkel Xel'ha (snorkeling with a personal motorjet); Sea Trek Discover (walking the seabed with a diving helmet and gear); Manatee Encounter; Stingray Encounter; Sea Trek Stingray (a more immersive underwater experience); Adrenalina Xel'ha (speedboat ride in the lagoon); Zip-bike Xel'ha (explore Xel'ha on a zipline bike); Spa Xel'ha; and Fish Therapy (natural skin treatment with fishes nibbling off your dead skin).

Xel'ha - El Faro Mirador

Lazy River - Extreme Style

Exploring one of the many natural canyons

Ziplining

- Location: México, Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Km 240, locales 1 & 2, módulo B, Playa del Quintana Roo, Mexico, 77780: Located 122 kilometers south of Cancun, and 13 kilometers north of Tulum

- Hours: Open daily from 8:30 am to 6 pm. 

- Cost: $116 USD for all-inclusive tickets; although some activities have an additional cost 

- Things You Should Know: - Wear some sort of water shoes or water socks to protect your feet since you will be walking on a variety of surfaces in between going in the water.

- The park provides free bicycle transport between some key areas of the park.

- Only bio-degradable sunscreen with titanium oxide and zinc oxide is permitted in the park.

- The All-Inclusive benefits include: breakfast, lunch, snacks, an open bar, plus unlimited snorkeling gear and lockers. However, some activities cost an additional price (see above).

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: Ek Balam is located 172 kilometers west of Cancun.

- Chichen Itza, named one of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World," is 197 kilometers west of Cancun. (see previous post)

- The Island of Cozumel is approximately 100 kilometers south of Cancun, and can be reached by car via a ferry.