Cancun Excursions...and Reading
 

Hi there,

I'll be visiting Cancun in a couple of weeks for the first time; staying at Club Med. I have 2 questions - 1) They offer a number of excursions - Chichen Itza (sp?), PDC, Isla de Mujeres, horsebackriding, & others. Can any of you weigh in on these options? I should probably limit myself to two of these. I tend to like cultural activities, but have already been to Tikal in Guatemala, so I don't know if Chichen Itza will be more of the same. My Question #2 - I like to read books set in the location I'll be visiting or written by a well-regarded author from the country. SO - any great books you've read that were set in Mexico that will set the mood for me??? I think between the excursions, Club Med activities, and a good book, I should be set for the week!! Thanks in advance, Robin

I'd go to Isla Mujeres, but I wouldn't go on a tour. Take the bus to the ferry at Puerto Juarez, then the ferry to Isla Mujeres. Much cheaper, and you can do what you want once you get to the island. The ferry will let you off right in the middle of town. Nice restaurants, a little shopping and only a few blocks to beautiful Playa Norte, with more fun beach bars and restaurants. Or rent a golf cart and tour the island. Only caution is that you might not want to return to Cancun.... Jean

I totally agree with Jean. Go to Isla Mujeres, but do it on your own. It's very simple and easy. It's a nice little Island. The Caribbean side is absolutely beautiful, as is Playa Norte.

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I've heard great things about Isla Mujeres - I'm sold! I'll look into the independent way, as well.

Any thoughts on good books?? I leave on Saturday - I hear it's 90 degrees there - much better than the frigid weather we have here in NY today!!

I just finished a couple of really good books...

"Five People You Meet in Heaven" - Mitch Albom
"Blackbird House" - Alice Hoffman

There are some I read before that were great.

"The Lovely Bones" - Alice Sebold
"Eats, Shoots & Leaves" - Lynne Truss

Three really good ones for the Caribbean:

"An Embarassment of Mangoes" - Ann Vanderhoof
"Don't Stop the Carnival" - Herman Wouk
"The Dew Breaker" - Edwidge Danticat

Have fun and do be sure to go to Isla Mujeres on your own, and as Jean says, you may not want to return to Cancun, but you can always come back to Isla! :)

Have fun!

Here are two veryu good books, both write by very respected mexican authors:

- The Labyrinth of Solitude, by Octavio Paz. (Literature Nobel Price) an essay of the mexican psyche, traditions, etc. A must.

- Pedro Paramo y el Llano en llamas by Juan Rulfo.

Also you can read some of Mayan history, like the Popol Vuh.