Tag: Mexico

If Money Machines Could Talk

Wouldn’t it be great to listen to what an ATM gets to hear on any given day? There’s an entire arch of a story line, starting with “Do you suppose this is safe?” to “Does it give out dollars or…

Sanity on Sanibel

Florida features so many destinations, and hotels are so numerous, that making a choice can be overwhelming. Even narrowing down a list of prospective hotels can be daunting. At the high end, chances are you won’t really go wrong no…

The Contrasts of Isla Mujeres

Expecting a day of tequila sunrises and snorkeling, the Brawny Sherpa and I set off by catamaran from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. The water was too rough for playing in, though, so, once on the island, we rented a golf…

Cancun Tours: How Good Is the Gray Line?

The Gray Line cruise via catamaran to Isla Mujeres was crowded but fun. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Three times on my recent trip to Cancun I wound up on a Gray Line tour, and my experiences ranged from “highly recommend—would sign up again” to a less-than-entirely-enthusiastic “you get what you pay for.” Working in 700 locations around…

Chichen Itza, Top to Bottom

A yellowed 1989 image of Chac-Mool at Chichen Itza. Photo credit: L. Tripoli

Even as my lawyerly side contemplated liability, I relished climbing the monuments at the Mayan city of Chichen Itza on my first visit there 24 years ago. I remember hearing stories of high-heeled women falling to their deaths on the…

Cancun for the Convenience

Cancún’s beaches and views appeal at any time of year. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

When heading to a place like Cancun, Mexico, I’m not going on a jungle-trekking adventure or anticipating anything much more rugged than rough water during a snorkel.  I’m going for a getaway from the daily stress of my workaday world,…

Why Belize? Why Not?

Belize Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

“How did you choose Belize?” is the question I most commonly hear, especially after I’ve been telling stories about my visit: the howler monkeys, jaguar prints, a jungle survival tour, bats at the window, a scorpion on the door, a…