Page 11 - FlipBook

SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS
Schools of whale sharks—the world’s largest species of fish, which can reach lengths of 40 feet and a weight of about 11 tons on a diet
of plankton—migrate to the warmer waters near Cancún from May to September. During these months, thousands of people head to the shore, eager to swim beside these docile giants. Cancún-based EcoColors offers responsible whale shark snorkel trips led by certified guides. Tours to feeding grounds are regulated, and swimmers are prohibited from touching the creatures and using flash photography.
UNWIND ON A TROPICAL ISLAND
Funky Isla Mujeres lies about 12 miles northeast of Cancún yet seems a world apart.
The pace is languid here, and many people get around by scooter or golf cart instead of by car. Consider beginning your visit at the downtown waterfront then making your way to Garrafón Natural Reef Park, where parrotfish nibble
on coral in clear waters and hammocks sway invitingly beneath palms. Activities include snorkelling, kayaking, swimming and biking. Afterward you can toddle back to town along the island’s windward side for a bit of shopping and a seafood lunch before taking a ferry back to Cancún.
FOLLOW MAYAN FOOTSTEPS
The Tulum ruins may be the most photographed Mayan archaeological site in the region, but no picture could capture the
beauty of these pale gray limestone structures, set on bluffs above the turquoise sea. You can reach the ruins 80 miles south of Cancún in a rental car or by bus, or sign up for an organised tour. Just be sure to get there early in the day, before crowds mar the scenery. Shady trails wind past the well-marked buildings that formed a seaport for commercial trading between the 13th and 15th centuries. The largest, El Castillo, is thought to have been a lighthouse that helped guide ships through the reefs. Be sure to bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip in the cove below El Castillo. Small hotels and cafés line the long beach south
of the ruins. To wind up your visit, try the pasta or poached fish at Posada Margherita, a hangout popular among travellers.
San Bernardino
de Siena 011-52-985-856-2160; Calle 49 #238, Barrio de Sisal, Valladolid
Posada Margherita
011-52-984-801-8493; posadamargherita.com; Carretera Punta Allen km 4.5
lunch for two, AU$52
Tulum
011-52-983-837-0796; Hwy. 307, 80 miles south of Cancún
ENDLESS VACATION 9