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• Isla = Island.

• Playa = beach.

• Punta = point.

• Puerto = port.

Plan on 8-14 days. FYI: Peak tourist season is Christmas thru April & it's extremely crowded, and more expensive. Jul/Aug are cheaper months, however, expect heat & summer storms.

For more worldly travel, see: Castles, Monasteries & Cathedrals, Portugal

• Calle = street.

• Azul = blue. Verde = green.

• Gracias = thank you.

• De/Del = of/from a person/place

Spanish Translations

Cozumel is 30 miles long and 10 miles from the mainland directly across from Playa del Carmen. The ocean waters are warm & clear with beautiful coral reefs making it one of the best scuba & snorkeling locations in the world. FYI: The main city in Cozumel is San Miguel, with passenger ferries to & from Playa del Carmen.

The Mayans began using the island of Cozumel around 250 A.D. They lived in peace until 1518 when it was discovered by the explorer Juan de Grijalva from Spain. The following year, Cortes set up a basecamp to strategize how the Spaniards would conquer the Mayan territory. Although piracy in the Caribbean began in the 1500's and ended in the 1830's - the scallywags below (center) apparently didn't get the memo! LOL.

• Cenote = say sen-O-tay, a water filled sinkhole.

• MX or MXN = Peso, Mexican dollar.

• Km = kilometer, 1 km = .621 mile.

• Transportation: rental car, Uber driver, taxi, Colectivos (minivan bus), bicycle or scooter.

• Activity tours: please book before you go, or risk it being sold out. See: Travel Services.

• Best time to visit: May-Jun or the cooler months of Oct-Dec. For weather: Travel Tips.

Zipline in Cozumel

Location = Zipline, meet at Awesome Flight. Carr. Costera Sur km 7. 9, 77688 Mexico. Their ziplining prices are slightly cheaper because you'll go with a group up to 10 people. They also provide transportation to/from the site. There's 6 zip lines and you'll have one hour of non-stop thrills flying thru the jungle canopy.

I was concerned about my fear of heights, but the towers make it easier going from platform to platform. Some ziplines in the USA make you walk across narrow wood planks to get to the next platform. Planks are strung together with ropes and spaced 1 foot apart - which means I have to focus on my feet which means a clear view of the abyss below! NO Bueno (not good). It's an AMAZING ride, and each zipline has a different height to launch from.... and that means some are faster, and some are.... just a blur!

More Fun Things to Do - Cozumel

• Jeep or ATV tours - at various locations.

• Jade Cavern Cenote tour - say sen~O-tay. Cozumel has 18 deep sink holes + 250 small ones.

• El Cedral Village - the oldest Mayan ruins from 800 AD. in Cozumel.

• Mini-Sub diving & Submarine tours.

Snorkel in Cozumel

Location = Snorkel, meet at Asta Bandera Monumental de Cozumel. Av. Rafael E. Melgar 131, Centro, 77600 Cozumel. Look for the Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour: see Viator Tours. You'll visit the turtle sanctuary, El Cielo reef, and Cielito sandbar. FYI: sunscreen is NOT allowed, so bring a "rash guard" shirt - it's SPF/UV fabric. Try Amazon for $18.00 USD.

Snorkeling allows you to leave the everyday world behind and become part of the ocean world. I spent an entire summer one year in Hawaii, snorkeling and discovering the calming, mesmerizing, and exciting world of water. The starfish are the size of your hand and brightly colored so their easy to spot against the sandy bottom.

Then out of nowhere, you can make out something gliding towards you - the incredible giant sea turtle. My heart started racing. Time to put these flippers to good use and followed Tommy the Turtle for a short distance. It was super AMAZING and beyond my expectation.

FYI: The closest airports are in Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum. The Mayans called Playa del Carmen, Xaman-Ha, meaning “waters of the north”. Playa del Carmen means Carmen's beach. It's located about 42 miles (68 km) south of Cancun and 10 miles by boat from Cozumel island.

Playa del Carmen is known for it's rainforests, white sandy beaches, and blue/green colored waters. I've been told the northern beaches are rocky with great snorkeling reefs. I like the southern beaches which are shallow with crystal clear waters - great for taking a couple hours to relax after playing hard for a few days. Playacar Beach is pretty peaceful & quiet. If you'd like a noisier crowd, head up to Playa Mamitas with 2 beach clubs - who charge for their services.

Downtown Playa del Carmen has night clubs, restaurants, massage spas, and shopping. The main street, La Quinta Avenida bustles with activity day or night. I especially like it after dark - the strings of lights add a little sprinkle of magic and romance.

Dolphin Discovery

Location = Dolphin Discovery in Playa del Carmen. Highway Chetumal- Pto Juarez km 503 + 200 Punta Maroma. Entrance at Hotel & Marina El Dorado Maroma Solidaridad, which is about 30 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. The Dolphin Discovery is where you can meet your new friend - a playful & intelligent dolphin. FYI: NO cell phones or cameras are allowed so this dolphin photo is from Florida. Also, sunscreen must be biodegradable.

The Dolphin Discovery has 3 different programs. The Dolphin Encounter: You stand on an underwater platform and pet them, and maybe get a hug. Nope, that's not good. I mean, if you've made it all the way here and standing within feet of a dolphin - GO FOR IT. The Swim: your dolphin buddy will swim upside down as you ride on his belly. He'll also push you while you're on a boogie board. Now that was AWESOME FUN. Water zoomies with a dolphin is the best. They also have a Royal Swim program.

Xcaret Park

Location = Xcaret, pronounced: Ish-car-et. Just south of Xplor at Carretera Chetumal. Puerto Juárez km 282 Int. B Colonia Rancho Xcaret, 77710 Playa del Carmen. Xcaret Park does have a variety of fun things to do, like swimming in lagoons or catching a show. However, it's a ripoff.

#1. You must buy a Photo Pass to get photos from Auto-Photo sites or photographers. NO phones or cameras allowed. #2. Some of their Parks close at 5 pm, so you have to buy another ticket for the night activities. The admission cost is over $100 USD and is similar to Disney Land/World. At Disney you CAN take photos, and it's open until 11 p.m. or 1 a.m.

My opinion = if you can't take your own photos AND have to buy 2 tickets - I WILL BOYCOTT.

More Fun Things to Do - Playa del Carmen

• Surfing, kite boarding, and parasailing.

• Snorkeling tours.

• Buggy tours thru the jungle & Mayan Village.

• Rio Secreto Underground River and Preserve.

• Sailing on a catamaran.

Location = Ecopark Kantun Chi. Carretera Federal Cancún-Tulum, km 266.8, Puerto Aventuras, 77734 Playa del Carmen. Ecopark Kantun Chi is a really nice park and includes lunch, snorkel equipment, kayak, lounge chairs, 5 cenotes, and hammocks - that's what I call a total package experience.

Ecopark Kantun Chi offers 3 different guided tours or you can create your own and go at your own pace. Check out the underground grotto - it's super cool with stalagmites & stalactites. I also love diving into the warm cenote waters - they're so crystal clear and beautiful. The Ecopark is in a world of it's own - where you can explore at a more relaxed pace and discover all it's unique beauty.

Tulum is pronounced: 2-loom. Tulum is more of a laid back city, but with a night life from beach bars to nightclubs. Tulum is well known for it's gorgeous beaches, incredible cenotes, and Mayan archeological sites.

Have to say - I got a little freaked out by the enormous iguanas we ran into. Yes, plural. It happened twice. Luckily they don't look like they're going to charge - it's more like they're soaking up the warm sun and appear to be delighted to pose for photos. But still....I point, click, toss him a peso for the photo (!) and back away.

Parque Nacional = Tulum National Park

Location = 5GXP+FV Parque Nacional Tulum. Caleta Yalku S/N, 77780 Tulum. Open 7 days/week from 8 to 5 pm. During tourist season, it's much less crowded either early in the morning or after 2:00-ish pm. Bring extra water during the warmer months. Also, it was really helpful to hire a tour guide - only about $35 USD. Bring your swimsuit & swim at the beach below the ruins. Don't you just love ancient historical sites?

The Maya people built cities throughout southern Mexico and several countries further south. The Tulum ruins were built sometime between 700 and 1100 A.D. or around 1200 to 1450 AD depending on which website you're reading. It's interesting that there's an inscription on a stone that references 564 AD.

By the end of the 1500's, it's said they Mayans abandoned the settlement. It's believed that diseases brought in from the outside world killed many, and the Spaniards either killed or forced the remaining out. The Maya people did survive luckily, and still live in several of the countries they once flourished in.

Originally, the Maya built a defensive wall 10 to 16 feet high, 26 feet thick, and 1,300 feet long along the back of the site that ran parallel to the Sea. The 2 side walls were about 560 feet long with watch towers at the north & south ends. The sheer size of this wall makes this sight one of the most fortified of all Mayan sites.

Tulum National Park was strategically chosen by the Maya due to the beach access where a major trading hub had been developed, and for the nearby cenotes - water filled sinkholes - that provided fresh drinking water, and believed to be the way to the underworld. The Mayans were especially advanced in astronomy & math, predicting events like solar eclipses & planetary movement. They also had pretty sophisticated writing & number system. Their calendars are also surprisingly accurate.

The Mayans were very religious with various gods who they believed influenced their daily lives. To find favor with their gods, they sacrificed blood (not always to the point of death), art, and food. You will see carvings & symbols of their gods around the site.

The 3 major structures at the Tulum National Park: the Temple of the Descending God is found in many places in the site and is the descending god is sculpted with his head down, with wings and a headdress. Temple of the Frescoes was used for religious purposes, and an observatory where they monitored the sun's movement and it's 2 stories high. El Castillo (the Castle) is located on the cliff's overlooking the sea. It was used as a lighthouse for traders coming into the port below. It also has carvings of the "plumed serpent" deity Kukulcan, a prince who became a priest and great leader.

Tulum National Park also has ruins of El Palatio (the Palace) or House of Columns as it's called was the dwelling place for Maya leaders. And finally the dwelling for Halach Uinic - the ruler & high priest of the village. The site truly is a cultural marvel in a stunning landscape.

So, how'd they live without refrigeration? Sometimes, I think it would be nice to live their simpler life..... hunting, planting, and basket weaving. Maybe for a month or two, as I'm not a fan of creeping & slithering things, or humidity. Also, a grocery store for some variety would be nice.... with a butcher & a baker.... oh yeah, and a sporting goods section for a bicycle, sunscreen, and something to fix the leaky roof. Ha ha - just being goofy!!!

Tortuga Cenote

Tortuga means "turtle". Hey, do you remember the Pirates of the Caribbean movie when Capt. Jack (Johnny Depp) talked about his secret place called Tortuga?

Well get a load of this me Mateys - I FOUND IT. Actually, there's also Tortuga Island off the coast of Haiti where many a pirate would shelter.

More Fun Things to Do - Tulum

• Mayamar Fantastic Jungle - stairs lead you down to an underground cavern, and nature preserve.

• Akumal Monkey Sanctuary - for the protection of monkeys & other rescued animals & birds.

• Coba Mayan Ruins - just like Tulum, these ruins are also spectacular.

• Casa Tortuga Tulum - explore 4 cenotes & 2 underground caves, different packages available.

Vacation Travel Tips

• Average high/low temps = Summer 91/76 deg F. (32/24 C). Winter 82/65 F. (27/19 C).

• Rainfall = average 56 inches / 1430mm per year. Months with the most rain Jun-Oct. Sept/Oct are highest 9.3/8.5 inches.

• Humidity = Mar-May is very humid/hot. Dec-mid-Mar gets cool winds.

• Hurricanes = Possible from Jun-Nov, especially Aug-Oct.

• Water temps = Range from 79 F/ 26 C to high's of 84 F/ 29 C.

• Sargassum seaweed = they can get record amounts washing in. It blocks the beach, has a strong sulfuric/acid smell, and can threaten health.

• MUSTS: passport, take minimal cash & exchange dollars into pesos before travel for best rates, travel credit card or pre-paid debit card with reasonable lower limits.

• Safety - be aware of surroundings. Use a front backpack or diagonal purse that's zipped - make it hard to grab/be pick-pocketed. Carry minimal money. If you're alone - don't go down alleys, sit next to the bus driver. Don't wear expensive jewelry. Don't carry phones in your pocket. Put valuables in the Hotel's safe & hide money in a bible in a bottom drawer. Don't stand out, blend in.

• Hiking - backpack items: cell phone, water, bug spray, biodegradable sunscreen, whistle, flashlight, pocket knife, and light jacket.

• Trash - Pack out what you pack in.

• Travel – take a buddy & tell someone your travel plans.

• Poisonous/dangerous on land - crocodile, jaguar, 5 venomous snakes & some are active at night. Spiders: black widow, brown recluse, hobo, and tarantulas, certain moths & Gila monster lizard.

• Poisonous/dangerous in water - 16 sharks species, bull sharks swim in salt & fresh water, Portuguese Man of War, jellyfish, sea urchins, crocodiles and snakes.

• Other Wildlife - Coati, tapir, agouti, capybara, monkeys, iguana, bats, sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and whales.

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