If you’re wondering what Cancun is like, or if you’re
thinking of where to go for your next excursion, here’s my take on this little
slice of paradise.
If you’re looking for the full-out tourist experience,
Cancun is the place for you. Almost every hotel in the city boasts a beautiful
ocean view, and I was amazed when I threw open the curtains to my room and saw
a magazine-worthy seascape.
In addition to picturesque views, Cancun boasts an array of
activities, from the vacation basics—jet skiing, kayaking, etc.—to more
adventurous fare like swimming with dolphins, parasailing, and even underwater
cave diving. The options are endless, and it can be a bit overwhelming when it
comes to planning out your itinerary. My tip? Do some research online ahead of
time, but don’t book it. The hotels you stay in usually offer discounts and
better rates for their guests, so wait to see what deals the concierge might
throw your way.
As a marine animal lover, I jumped at the chance to swim
with dolphins. Unfortunately, personal cameras were not allowed during the
activity, so I don’t have any pictures. But for those who have never gotten a
chance to play with dolphins before, it was definitely a surreal experience
that belongs on everyone’s Bucket Lists. I waded into a shallow pool where I
got to pet, feed, and play with two beautiful Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. I
even got a little kiss on the cheek from one of them! How’s that for once in a
lifetime?
In the evening, I ventured out into the city, in hopes of
dining on some of Cancun’s famous seafood. With such a diverse array of fish to
try, I couldn’t get enough, and I even got adventurous. When offered a choice
between the Red snapper and the Snook, I went with the latter, which the
waitress told me is “Mexico’s version of the sea bass.”
Pictured: Snook. Not
to be confused with Snook-i.
When it comes to nightlife, Cancun isn’t much different from
a party capital, like say, Las Vegas or Los Angeles. Let’s just say that MTV
isn’t exaggerating anything on their Spring Break specials. Now I didn’t dance
on tables or anything, but I did have a good time in my own way…
Yes, I so happened to grab a random balloon that the
bartender was passing out decided to pose with it. How’s that for a crazy
night? But the next morning, I was ready to put away my party dress and put on
my bikini—and a snorkel. After all, what’s a good trip to the ocean without
some snorkeling?
Okay, I lied. I was actually TERRIFIED of snorkeling, and I
had been ever since I went snorkeling in the 8th grade and got
tangled up in a stalk of 200-ft. kelp while my friend found a small dead fish
in her flippers. Really. Not. Fun.
But after a lot of persuading, I swallowed my fear and
decided to be a good sport in the face of my arch nemesis, Seaweed. My worries
were momentarily quashed the moment I realized that I would be driving this on
my way to the snorkeling area:
(I think the proper
phrase to describe my mood would be: “I’M ON A BOAT!”)
I, along with other snorkelers who were part of the tour,
drove the little speedboats out past the mangroves and the blue lagoon into the
coral reef, already packed with other snorkelers happily bobbing along the
surface. Cancun is home to the second largest coral reef in the world, and is
teeming with many different types of fish and life.
Luckily, my second snorkeling experience was a vast
improvement upon the first, and I even started to enjoy seeing the fish just
keep swimming—at least until I found myself surrounded by a UCLA-sized school
of them, each larger than my head. But just as I started to think, “Oh, boy,
here we go again,” I adjusted to my new friends and had a fun time exploring
the rest of the reef.
Then came my third and final day; I had accomplished a lot,
but I had one more thing to cross off my list before going back (back) to Cali
(Cali). What more perfect way to say good-bye Cancun than to spend some time in
the air looking over it? Just half an hour after having breakfast by the pier, I
found myself on a small boat that seemed to be rocking a little too hard on the
waves, laced up to a parachute.
Parasailing is quite similar to sitting on a swing, where
your feet are dangling from down below and you are supported by harnesses and
straps for chairs. To be honest, I expected to go a lot faster and was bracing
myself for a wild ride. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was
no scarier than...well, sitting on a swing. Unless of course you’re terrified
of heights. Then, you’re fresh out of luck.
The overall experience was quite serene and relaxing. I had
the opportunity to gaze upon miles and miles of turquoise and crystal blue
waters, hear the sound of waves crashing along the shore and see hundreds of
happy beachcombers, some of who waved hello from down below. I felt a bit seasick from the rocking boat, but the beautiful view was enough to calm my churning stomach.
This was basically visual Pepto Bismol.
Being in Cancun and having the chance to experience the
wondrous beauty of what nature has given to us was like living in a dream
world, an escape from an urban life that most of us live in every day. Just
looking at these pictures, I can feel the ocean breeze on my face and hear the
sound of waves crashing outside my balcony. If you’ve ever thought of taking a
little sojourn south of the border, I hope that this has helped you decide that
you should definitely go to Cancun.
And, just for a parting shot, this picture pretty much sums up how I felt the
whole time in Cancun.
Until next time,
Tiffany
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