We recently stumbled into a great article about traveling to Mexico by Frank Basile, a writer for the Indianapolis Business Journal. The article, titled “Heading south of the border again and again” describes “the other Mexico”, whose beauty and magic are still unknown to many. Places such as San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, and many other places in Mexico which seem to have stopped in time.

“You are probably aware of the tourist attractions in the country, such as Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. In those locations, you see gorgeous beaches and world-class hotels and resorts and modern high-rise buildings, along with many of the well-known brands of hotels and restaurants.

Cancun, Mexico

 Photo by ericac718

But there’s another Mexico… There, donkeys walk on dusty roads and markets feature live chickens, hand-woven baskets and piles of dried chiles. It’s a country of gorgeous mountains, steep valleys, dripping jungles, rainforests, modern metropolises, old mission towns, Indian villages and vast coastlines. And its colorful history intersects with ours, including such famous events as the Mexican raid on the Alamo in San Antonio. Remember the Alamo? Sure you do. At least, a version of it.”

Oaxaca, magical place in Mexico

Photo by jpcunningham

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Photo by davecurry8

Frank also speaks of more known spots in Mexico, favorite to travelers from all over the world:

“Mexico has wonderful archeological sites, including Chichen Itza, Tulum, Monte Alban and Teotihuacan. In fact, Mexico has 31 World Heritage Sites, ranking sixth in the world in that important category behind only China (47), Italy (45), Spain (42), France (35) and Germany (32).”

Tulum, Mexico

Photo by jabarvizu

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Photo by Grey Noell

And of course, he also offers his point of view on the current drug violence in Mexico:

“Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. It is imperative that you understand the risks involved in travel to Mexico and how best to avoid dangerous situations. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Despite the violence, the Mexicans are some of the friendliest people we have encountered in our travels. For your next vacation, consider going south of the border, down Mexico way. Katrina and I might see you there.”

Frank Basile is an author, professional speaker, philanthropist, community volunteer and retired executive of the Gene B. Glick Co.

Link to the original article:

Travel: Heading south of the border again and again | Indianapolis Business Journal 

Thanks to Frank Basile for spreading the message: Mexico is an extremely big country, and while there currently is a very serious drug violence issue, not all of the country is engulfed by the violence. Resort areas such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and more, are safe and beautiful as always, and we invite you to come and discover them.

Take your time to explore this site, take a look at our infographics on safety in Cancun and the Riviera Maya and our Mexico Travel Warning Map. We are sure your most important question will be answered:

Is Cancun safe to travel? Yes, it is. Come and discover it!

Cancun, safe and beautiful!

Photo by wowitsstephen

Until next time, warm regards from Cancun. Stay safe!

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

With the assistance of our friends Bella & Ivan from esturisti.co, we developed a nice infographic showing distances from Cancun & Riviera Maya to the spots mentioned in the last USA Travel Warnings, along with statistics about violence in Cancun & Riviera Maya vs the rest of Mexico.

We will keep this document updated.; as soon as we get new data, we’ll modify the infographic to reflect the latest numbers and stats.

We hope its useful. Feel free to download and share it!

esturisti.co is a company that offers a set of tools that people involved in tourism such as hotels, lodges, call centers, and others can use to generate more sales.  We have the pleasure of knowing them personally and highly recommend their products and services.

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

Cancun, paradise in Mexico

With the recent warnings issued by the U.S. State Department about the violence in Mexico, it is understandable that many tourists are wondering: “Is it safe to travel to Mexico?”, “Is Cancun safe?”, and similar questions regarding the safety of coming to Mexico. We’d like to help keep you calm, and remind you that the recent waves of violence are all taking place in border towns such as Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana, etc. NOT in the beautiful paradise that is Cancun.

An extract from an article by Carol Pucci of The Seattle Times:

“It all depends on where you’re going.

As a new travel warning by the U.S. State Department points out, the areas of concern are not the beach resorts or historical cities most Americans visit, but rather the border towns, specifically Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros.

Too often in the past, these types of government alerts have taken a broad-brush approach, simply advising against travel to a country as a whole. What’s different about this warning, issued Sunday following the shooting in Ciudad Juárez of three people with ties to the American consulate, is its level of detail, and the way it rightly targets only towns where drug-related violence has been rampant.

This could have something to do with the fact that Mexico’s tourism economy is fragile, and the U.S. government doesn’t want to do anything that might damage it, but let’s hope it also has something to do with a new, more responsible approach to travel warnings in general.

As the State Department points out, millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year, and this isn’t likely to change. Nearly a million Americans live in various parts of the country, enjoying the benefits of an inexpensive retirement and low-cost medical care.

I just returned from seven days in Mazatlan and Sayulita, a surfing and beach town near Puerto Vallarta popular with many from Seattle and Portland. I experienced nothing out of the ordinary, except perhaps, fewer tourists than usual. Restaurants were lively and filled with Americans and Canadians who were there seemed to be enjoying their vacations with no hassles or problems.

The Mexican people, of course, are concerned about what’s happening in their country. They’re worried that the violence could spread, and worried about its effects on their own sense of well-being, tourism and the general economy. It was interesting to observe a military “show of force,” one evening in Sayulita when a truck with armed soldiers did a once-around the town square while bystanders ate ice cream and typed on laptops.

The bottom line: If you’re planning a vacation soon to Mexico, by all means go, but heed the State Department’s advice and use common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where drug dealing might occur.”

Read the full article: How safe is travel in Mexico?

Check out this graph showing the total crimes per capita by country, which clearly shows Mexico way below other countries, including the USA. Mexico is ranked at #39. Graph courtesy of my dear friend Kelly! (Thanks Kel!)

My good friend Jack Tyler, a long time lover of all things Mexico, had the kind gesture of sending me a very complete spreadsheet (which he compiled himself) comparing the American deaths from January to July 2010 in Cancun vs other cities in Mexico. (Thanks, Jack!)

American deaths in Mexico 2010 (click to open)

You can also read our post about the safety of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya: “Is Cancun Safe?”; including testimonials from both tourists and “ex-pats” living and working in Mexico.

Don’t take it from us, take it from other tourists that have enjoyed this beautiful paradise. Read some Cancun testimonials.

Cancun

More useful links and articles about safety in Cancun and Mexico:

More tips for a safe Spring Break Cancun 2011 – Even more useful tips about beach safety, sunbathing, money exchange, public transportation & getting around Cancun, information about Downtown Cancun, Clubs, bars & discos, using your smartphone to find deals and promotions and more. Check them out!

8 tips for women traveling to Cancun for Spring Break 2011 – Alana Rivero, a young Mexican woman living and working in Cancun as a travel copywriter shared with us these special tips for the safety of women coming to enjoy Spring Break 2011 in Cancun. Don’t miss them!

Is Cancun Safe? You bet! – A post with testimonials about the safety of Cancun and Riviera Maya, from “ex-pats” living and working in the area.

Is Cancun safe for Spring Break 2011? Top 10 tips for your safety Coming to Cancun to enjoy your Spring Break 2011? We talked to a local doctor and came up with this list of Top 10 tips to ensure a safe & fun Spring Break Cancun 2011. Check it out!

Is it safe to travel to Mexico for Canadians? –  Information about safety in Cancun and Mexico for our Canuck friends.

“Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The answer is yes.” Lots of actual facts & data to help you be relaxed about your upcoming trip to Cancun, Riviera Maya or Mexico in general.

Gloria Guevara, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism debunks fears and fictions about the safety of traveling to Mexico in an interview with Travel Weekly.

Check out our  post, Is it safe to travel to Cancun?, an ABC News Travel list of the 7 safest places to visit in Mexico. Cancun tops the list, of course!

External links and information about safety in Cancun & Mexico

What are other travelers from different parts of the world saying about the safety of Cancun and Mexico? Check out the following links.

Mexico Tourism: Is Cancun Safe for Visitors? USA Today says so. – Kitty Bean Yancey from USA Today wrote yet another article covering the topic on safety in Cancun and Mexico. Including testimonials from US citizens currently enjoying this beautiful destination as well as American and Canadian citizens living and working in Cancun. Come read all about it.

Is It Safe To Visit Mexico? – A very complete post by Aysha Griffin, an American travel writer.

“Is it safe to visit the resorts and popular tourists destinations, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen, etc? Probably as safe as it has ever been. The decent, kind-hearted Mexicans, who know the value of tourism, welcome you. … be aware of your surroundings, as you should no matter where; and continue to visit and enjoy the diverse scenery, culture, food, climate and genuine hospitality of Mexico.”

Why I’m Not Afraid of Mexico – An excellent post by Candice, a Canadian 20-something traveler.

“… danger is real, but it’s real anywhere. Get schooled about the places to go and the places to avoid, don’t go venturing down any shady alleyways, mind your own business and be polite. Do your research. Being smart will get you a lot further than being afraid.“

More amazing spots to discover near Cancun

Have you heard of El Cuyo, Yucatan? A hidden treasure, very close to Cancun.

Tulum, Mexico is one of my favorite places in the planet, and its just a 1 hour drive away from Cancun. I love it!

We hope to see you soon. Have a safe & fun vacation!

Mexico is waiting for you

Don’t forget to follow us at Facebook & Twitter to stay updated about the safety of Cancun and Mexico in general.

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

Cancun for Haití!

Update 20/01/10 16:30 PM

Red Cross Cancun sends us this urgent message:

We need more DIAPERS, BABY FOOD, SOAP, CANNED TUNA, SURGICAL MASKS! THANK YOU!

Thank you for helping us help!

Update Wed Jan 20:

You can donate cash to Haiti by sending a SMS (with TELCEL) in Mexico!

Dear Friends,

If you are in ANY part of MEXICO and want to help Haiti donating CASH, you can do so by sending a SMS (Works in TELCEL carrier) to 8888 entering the numeric amount of your donation, which can be 100, 200, 300, or 500 MXN pesos. It gets charged to your monthly bill or to your pay as you go plan, and the money goes straight to the people of Haiti! I just donated 100, how much can you donate? Thanks!

More info (page is in spanish)

Update Mon Jan 18:

Hi friends!

The Red Cross Cancun is sending us this message:

“We need lots more diapers & baby food! Thanks so much for helping us help!”

So there you go, lets continue helping Haiti in Cancun!

Thank you!

Dear friends,

In case you haven’t heard about it, there was a MASSIVE earthquake in Haiti, that killed thousands of people and damaged thousands more; leaving people homeless instantly.

Downtown Port au Prince after Earthquake

From Wikipedia:

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake centered approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, which struck at 16:53:09 local time (21:53:09 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.[4] The earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). The United States Geological Survey recorded a series of aftershocks, fourteen of them between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9.[5] The International Red Cross estimates that about three million people were affected by the quake,[6] and about 45,000–50,000 people were killed.[3]

MORE INFO: Full entry @ wikipedia

Haiti in ruins =(

They need all the help we can give them! Here in Cancun, Red Cross Haiti Donations are being gathered at the Red Cross Cancun Offices.

Red Cross Cancun official statement:

We need your help!

The Red Cross Cancun will be accepting donations to send to Haiti. Please help us by donating any of the following products!

Non-Perishable Foods:

Canned Tuna in water

Gerber (baby food)

Energy Bars

Cookies

Canned Fruits or Vegetables

1 or 2 kilos of rice.

Hygienic Products:

Diapers

Toilet Paper

Soap

Tooth Brushes

Tooth Paste

Medical Supplies (raw materials ):

Bandages

Gauze

Antiseptic Solution

Masks

Disposable Gloves.

Medicine:

For diarrhea

Antibiotics

Antihistamines

Analgesics ( pain killers ).

Drugs by International standards should be valid for at least 6 months from this day.

If you wish to make a money donation please make a bank deposit to the Red Cross.

Bank Information

Account Name: CRUZ ROJA MEXICANA IAP

Bank: BANCOMER (SUC. 683 Banca de Gobierno Palmas)

Account Number: 0404040406

Interbank CLAVE: 0121800004040404062

Google Maps link to Red Cross Cancun:
View Red Cross Haiti Donations Cancun in a larger map

You can also join us at our Facebook page and leave a message there if you want to help! We want to gather some donations and go to the Red Cross in group!

Please, these persons REALLY need our HELP. This is a really bad situation for a lot of people that are suffering. Any help we can give will be a relief for them!

Thank you!

I have been hearing lots of “Is Cancun Safe?” or “Is Mexico safe?” questions lately.

The message is loud and clear: you are worried about the safety of your possible next vacation destination. And I tell you, its completely understandable. Really, it is. With so much negative press Mexico has been getting recently (think drug wars, etc) it is a hard reality that our image has been damaged. We must show you how safe we are, as we have always been, now, more than ever.

And I can do just that. Please take some minutes to thoroughly read this post, where I’ve put together some of the best resources I’ve found over the web.

YES, Cancun , the Riviera Maya, and Costa Maya, are all SAFE & BEAUTIFUL places to visit!

Cancun is safe & beautiful! See for yourself!

Don’t take it from me, a local, born in Cancun and living here for 25 years; take it from other people, real people. Tourists, bloggers, expats, people that live & work here.

I’d like to take some excerpts from “Mexico: Safety, Health and Money”, a great article by Tony & Cheri of Luna Blue Hotel, in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

“Crime

Mexico’s government is in a battle with drug dealers. That battle is sometimes very violent, and some innocent people have been hurt and killed. But the battle being fought (and won) by the Mexican government is NOT taking place anywhere near the tourist areas of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, the Caribbean coast which stretches from Cancun to Tulum. The violence which erupts between drug dealers and the police is primarily centered on the border of Mexico and the southwest United States. It is over this border that guns are smuggled to Mexico and drugs are smuggled to the US. The competition over these smuggling routes between drug dealers and the disruption of those routes by law enforcement has caused much of the violence which is so sensationally reported by the media.

Health

The single most devastating blow to Mexico’s tourism in the Yucatan this year was undoubtedly the swine flu/H1N1 scare. We say “scare” because the flu itself was never a problem in this part of the world. The real problem was the hysterical reaction of the media and the internet community.” (You can checkout http://bit.ly/swineflufraud for more on this!)”

Full article can be read HERE

I’d also like to show you some testimonials; again, by tourists and people that live & work in the area:  locals, “ex-pats”, etc

Real Cancun & Riviera Maya Testimonials

“No, we are not afraid to live here. We continue to love our life here and enjoy running one of the area’s most popular small hotels. And we are not afraid to recommend this part of paradise as a travel destination whether with us or at one of the other fine resorts or hotels in Playa. And so we are going to end this year by once again talking about safety in Playa Del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera.”

-Tony & Cheri – Luna Blue Hotel, Riviera Maya

“I love Cancun, I think its a place that has a tourist an commercial area, an adventure side, a sophisticated face with the spas, super hotels. I really think that the best thing is to research a little before heading to Cancun to know the activities you are looking for. I love adventure and ecotourism and I know Cancun and Quintana Roo had plenty of things to do from under river swimming, jungle forest tours, swim with dolphins, manatees and the whale shark, cenotes, you name it. For sure my next vacation will be Cancun and the surroundings.”

-Fatima Garcia

“I would venture to say that Cancun and Riviera Maya represent the best vacation value currently available to US travelers. Great service, outstanding resorts, a great beach and climate – you can’t beat it, especially at the prices the hotels are offering. A great destination for a fun, safe, and memorable vacation.”

-Robert Cole

“The bottom line: The drug war violence is in the border regions (most especially Laredo and Tijuana, which I do not recommend visiting right now), and Cancun is well more than 1,000 miles away (that’s the distance between Los Angeles and Denver). Plus, police presence on the streets of Cancun is high, and the city seems as calm and safe as ever.”

-Pauline Frommer (from  world famous Frommer’s Travel Guides)

I’d also like to share with you a full article written by Pauline Frommer called “Four myths about traveling to cancun now”

See? We’re not lying – Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Costa Maya (Tulum) are all SAFE & BEAUTIFUL places to visit!

Cancun is Safe & Beautiful as you can see!

Even more useful links and information:

Is Cancun safe for Spring Break 2011? Top 10 tips for your safety Coming to Cancun to enjoy your Spring Break 2011? We talked to a local doctor and came up with this list of Top 10 tips to ensure a safe & fun Spring Break Cancun 2011. Check it out!

How safe is travel in Mexico? Our most popular post! With a lot of useful information.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The answer is yes. Good post with lots of recent facts & figures, including a map showing the conflict areas in Mexico.

Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Cancun tops ABC News “7 safe places to visit in Mexico” list

Is It Safe To Visit Mexico? – A very complete post by Aysha Griffin, an American travel writer.

“Is it safe to visit the resorts and popular tourists destinations, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen, etc? Probably as safe as it has ever been. The decent, kind-hearted Mexicans, who know the value of tourism, welcome you. … be aware of your surroundings, as you should no matter where; and continue to visit and enjoy the diverse scenery, culture, food, climate and genuine hospitality of Mexico.”

Why I’m Not Afraid of Mexico – An excellent post by Candice, a Canadian 20-something traveler.

“… danger is real, but it’s real anywhere. Get schooled about the places to go and the places to avoid, don’t go venturing down any shady alleyways, mind your own business and be polite. Do your research. Being smart will get you a lot further than being afraid.“

Wanna hear more? You can always ask away and read other people’s opinions at our Facebook page, or follow us at Twitter

We’ll be happy to help you be relaxed about your Cancun vacation.

Warm regards from Cancun!

A very strong & thought provoking article by Heidi Stevenson of Gaia Health regarding the whole 2009 Swine Flu (Influenza A1HN1) “pandemic”!

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, president of the Council of Europe’s Health Commission, was interviewed by L’Humanité about the links between Big Pharma, the World Health Organization (WHO), and governments.

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg

“We have had a mild flu – and a false pandemic” says Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, the chair of the Health Committee in The European Council. The German parliamentarian is also an epidemiologist and former health director in Flensburg. For that reason he has followed the H1N1-pandemic closely since June 11 and up to the present. He calls the pandemic “one of the greatest medical scandals of the century”, and for that reason he has decided to take the case to the European Council.

Dr. Wodarg discusses the fraud, the greed, and the risks placed on the populace in the travesty of the faked swine flu pandemic. The entire interview consists of one hard-hitting, to-the-point, and compelling quote after another.

These are VERY SERIOUS accusations made by a serious, official authority! I personally agree that there was a complete media scandal, that overinflated and drove to the point of absurd exaggeration this “Pandemic”. Governments, politics, and practically everyone that wanted to use the so called “Pandemic” to their personal advantage just basically did so. Sadly, politicians going on national TV “Praising” their government’s “swift reaction” to the “pandemic”, became a regular thing.

I do hope investigations are made, and when found guilty, legal actions are taken against ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED in this crime against humanity. Think “crime against humanity” is exaggerating? Well, how would you call the manipulation of information, the lying, the playing with people’s lives?

This needs to stop. WE need to stop being indifferent to the media/government manipulation! Let’s all work together and follow closely this event, and keep spreading the message to the world!

I’ll say it once again: CANCUN IS SAFE! Just as the rest of the world, it seems!

Link to the full interview

“THIS ‘PANDEMIC’ IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MEDICAL SCANDALS OF THE CENTURY” – Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg

Para este año que inicia, les quiero compartir algunos pensamientos.

Creo que ya hablé suficiente sobre el año que pasó, como nos fue, la necesidad de seguir siempre creyendo y teniendo esperanza en mi mensaje navideño , así que en esta ocasión trataré de ser mas breve.

Yo pienso que toda crisis nos presenta oportunidades. Cancun is Safe! nació de la oportunidad que vimos de hacer un sitio que ayudara a contrarrestar la imagen negativa creada por la crisis de la influenza A1HN1; si la crisis de salud no se hubiera presentado, tal vez Cancun is Safe! no estaría aquí. O al menos no de la manera que lo conocemos. También pienso que todo error que cometemos no es motivo de sentirnos mal y lamentarnos por ello, si no que del mismo modo nos brinda una oportunidad de corregir nuestro camino. Viendo así las cosas, me parece que la crisis que todos pasamos y seguimos pasando, nos trae algunas oportunidades, como el aprender a vivir más con menos, aprender a necesitar menos cosas para ser feliz, aprender a disfrutar más las cosas que tengamos, aprender a valorar mas a la familia y seres queridos que a las posesiones, aprender la naturaleza efímera y temporal de las posesiones materiales, aprender a apreciar el valor del amor en los tiempos difíciles, y una larga lista mas. A ustedes, ¿que les enseñó esta crisis?, ¿que han aprendido?, ¿que valoran mas ahora?, ¿como han cambiado sus prioridades?.

En lo personal, el aprender a vivir más con menos me ha resultado una excelente lección. Disfruto más a mi hijo, mis seres queridos, mi familia, mis amigos. No tengo t.v., así que uso esos tiempos para leer, o comunicarme con mis amigos, ya sea electrónicamente, o por teléfono, o incluso visitándolos. Mi apartamento no tiene nada más que lo mínimo necesario, y en lugar de sentirlo vacío, lo siento amplio, tranquilo, en paz.

Este año nuevo, aprendamos a vivir mejor y más felices con menos; aprendamos a necesitar lo realmente necesario, como la familia, los seres queridos, los amigos, el amor; esas son algunas cosas que todos los seres humanos necesitamos, son condiciones básicas necesarias para ser feliz. Lo material, las posesiones, son temporales, es bueno tenerlas y definitivamente mejoran la calidad de vida; pero tampoco es sano ni nos ayudará a ser felices el depender de ellas. Mientras tengamos las cosas básicas antes mencionadas, lo demás es opcional: si tenemos comodidades, bien, pero si no, también, no son necesarias para ser personas plenas y felices.

Reciban todos mis mejores deseos sinceros desde Cancun, que a todos nos vaya mucho mejor este año que inicia, y que las cosas se sigan poniendo cada vez mejor para todas las personas de la tierra.

Feliz Año Nuevo 2010 desde Cancun!

Camilo Olea

Fundador, Director
Cancun is Safe!
www.twitter.com/camiloolea
www.facebook.com/camilooleacancun

Feliz Navidad desde Cancun!

Estimad@s Amig@s:

En esta víspera de Navidad, quiero tomarme un momento para compartirles algunos pensamientos.

Este fue un año sin duda difícil, muy difícil para algunos, y mas dificil para otros, pero en general, todos dimos nuestros mayores esfuerzos para librarlo. No miremos atrás, miremos adelante; miremos en todo lo que nuestro trabajo duro nos consiguió, asi sea simplemente mantenernos en el mismo lugar. El futuro se construye en el presente, y el pasado aporta lecciones e ideas; usémoslas, aprendamos de nuestros errores, y concentrémonos en trabajar aún más duro el próximo año. Lo peor ya paso, dicen, e incluso si no fuera así, y faltaran cosas más difíciles por venir, lo importante es siempre mantener el espíritu. La sustancia más dura e irrompible del mundo no es el diamante, es el espíritu humano. Todo lo que necesitamos para mantenerlo es CREER. La esperanza se pierde al último, y sólo si uno lo permite.

Así que sigamos apoyandonos unos a los otros, sigamos creyendo, y sigamos construyendo un mejor futuro para nosotros, nuestros seres queridos, y todas las personas de la tierra.

Desde Cancún, les envío mis mejores deseos y esperanzas sinceras de que, al menos por hoy, tengan paz, armonía y un momento de calidad y amor con sus seres queridos.

Felices fiestas, y nos vemos en año nuevo =)

Feliz Navidad Cancun!

Abrazos,
Camilo Olea
Fundador,Director
Cancun Is Safe

twitter.com/camiloolea

facebook.com/camilooleacancun

Merry Xmas from Cancun!

Dear Friends:

I’d like to share with you a personal Xmas thought.

This was a tough year for us all. Tougher to some than to others, but we all suffered. Let’s not look back, but ahead; let’s look in all that our hard work got us, even if it was just staying at the same place. Think about this: Many, many people lost EVERYTHING they had. If you didn’t, or lost little, you should really appreciate that.

The future is built in the present, with our present actions. The past just serves as a memory and idea repository, a place where we go to learn, and apply those lessons to our present moment.

The worst is behind us, so they say, but even if it wasn’t so, even if the worst is still to come, it doesn’t matter. What matters is for all of us to keep BELIEVING we can do it, keep believing things will get better; if we truly believe, with all our heart, then we will start making the change we all want. They say the hardest thing in the world is a diamond, I disagree; to me, the hardest thing in the universe is the human spirit, the soul. We never lose it, even if we think we do. It’s just always there.

So let’s keep believing, lets keep our hopes & spirits alive, lets keep working for a better world for us, our loved ones, and everybody.

I say: the best is yet to come. And it will. It always does. Has to.  Just believe.

Sending warm wishes to you all, may you have, if only for tonight, a moment filled with love & harmony with your loved ones.

Merry Xmas from Cancun!

Merry Xmas from Cancun!

Camilo Olea
Founder,CEO
Cancun Is Safe!

Twitter: www.twitter.com/camiloolea

Facebook: www.facebook.com/camilooleacancun

Woke up to blue skies, warm weather, and sunshine… another great day for a Cancun Beach Sunday!

Mexican Caribbean Paradise: Cancun!

Beaches of Cancun!

I spent this great Cancun Beach Sunday visiting some family & relatives that came from Mexico City to enjoy this Paradise; yes, even us Mexicans know the jewel we have and we enjoy it just as much! They stayed at a hotel in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, where we first met and lounged for a while at the pool area. The Jacuzzis seemed really inviting, so I indulged and relaxed away at the warm, bubbly water…

Pool Area! Nice!

We stayed there for a while, enjoyed some nice family time with our relatives, took up some sunshine at the beach, and finally I ordered a delicious grilled hamburger for lunch, as I hadn’t had anything but a glass of orange juice after waking up earlier in the day; I was starving! Maybe that’s why the burger tasted so delicious, lol! Or maybe it was a real good burger, too!

Restaurant at the Pool / Beach!

Suddenly, the sky turned a little dark & cloudy…

gloomy skies!

… and a little rain started falling! It quickly turned into downright heavy rain, but as its always the case, it only lasted a couple of minutes and then just as quickly as it began, it was over, and the sun was shining again!

Cancun Is Safe Tip: These kind of “flash rains” are very common in Cancun, and they are nothing to worry about. They just form seemingly out of nowhere, and as quickly as they start, they usually pass over, and the sun shines again; its only a matter of waiting for a while!

There was this really cool & nice bar at the beach!

Cancun Beach Bar

So after a while there, we decided to move to another spot. My family and I went now to Playa Tortugas, or Turtle Beach, one of the favorite beach of the Cancun locals, as well as the rest of the world!

Sea of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Playa Tortugas is at Km 6.5 of the Cancun Hotel Zone, right in front of a now closed place called “Pepe Tigers”, and also infront of a big local tour operator offices. Getting there is really easy: Just hop into any bus going to the Hotel Zone, they all stop there! Just kindly ask your driver to let you know when you are in Playa Tortugas and they’ll gladly do it!

Entrance to Playa Tortugas

As we already said, Playa Tortugas is a local favorite. Many local families go there on Sundays to unwind and have a good family time & fun at the beach. They pack ice coolers with beverages and lunch, and they make their own beach pic-nic in Cancun! You can also find people from just about any part of the world getting a healthy dose of sunshine & sea at Playa Tortugas any day!

Chilling out at Playa Tortugas!

Playa Tortugas, Cancun, Mexico

Beautiful Playa Tortugas!

Cancun Is Safe Tip: We’d like to remind you again that its a good idea to rest well and sleep early the night before going to the beach, in order to be able to get up as early as you can and arrive to the beach in the first hours of the morning. Why? A variety of reasons, actually! In the early morning and until past mid-day, the sun rays are not so hot and the weather is more fresh & breezy; you can also pick the perfect spot to lie down, as not many people are gonna be crowding the beach! Also, have you ever watched the sun rise at the beach? You have to do it!

Playa Tortugas is also home to a Little pier; you can both take a ferry or other boats to Isla Mujeres, or you can also shop around for souvenirs, as they recently are doing some work on the pier and more little shops selling handcrafts, clothing, & souvenirs are opening.

Pier of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Local handcrafts sold at the Pier of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

While taking a walk at the pier we came across these amazing animals: 2 “Barracudas” just fished out of the water! Look at the size of these things! And the teeth! Yikes! Can you imagine getting a bite from one of these cuties? Well, it happens sometimes, and let us tell you, it is definitely not pretty! Don’t have to worry much though, barracudas usually don’t come near the shore, you only may come across them if you dive or snorkel a little deeper, and even so, if you don’t get too close to them, they won’t see you as a threat and they’ll leave you alone.

Barracudas @ Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Look at the teeth!

Barracudas are usually cleaned up, cut and prepared right away, to make a delicious fresh ceviche

There are a lot of empty beach chairs waiting for you , as you can see!

Beach chairs & beds at Playa Tortugas

Cancun Is Safe Tip: Most beaches in Cancun have beach chairs/beds available. Most of the times they belong to a restaurant or business that will either rent them to you for a price for the day, or ask you to order something to drink or eat in order to use them. It’s always best to ask before using one and then having somebody come to tell you that you cant use it without paying. Plus, prices aren’t high: a normal beach bed / chair rent fee for a day is between 8 to 10 USD.

You can also order something to drink or eat and have it delivered right at your spot by a waiter!

Waiters @ Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Cancun Is Safe Tip: You can also find this service at most Cancun beaches. The waiters are normally working for a restaurant or bar and will approach you to offer their services. It is not obligatory to order anything to be on the beach, though. You only need to order anything if you want to use the chairs or beds, if you don’t plan in doing so, you can be at the beach as long as you want without a problem.

As in most beaches in Cancun, you can find restaurants & bars right at the beach in Playa Tortugas. Prices always vary, so the best is to scout around a little first; compare prices & promotions, or as we like to say in Mexico “If the place is crowded its probably good!” lol, some common Mexican folk culture for you! =) You can also always ask the locals: we are more than happy to help!

Beach Restaurant @ Playa Tortugas, Cancun

The sea was warm & delicious, as you can tell by the many people enjoying it!

Sea of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Sea of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

Sea of Playa Tortugas, Cancun

After a great day with my family & relatives at Playa Tortugas, we decided to call it a day, since we were pretty worn out by all the sun! We hugged & said good bye, and off I went again to my place, for a much needed & relaxing bath, refreshment, and some time to chill out and write about the great Cancun Beach Sunday I had!

Until next Cancun Beach Sunday, we’re sending much sunshine & warm wishes from Cancun to you!

Remember, Cancun is Safe & a beautiful place to visit! Come see for yourself!

For watching our complete Flickr photo gallery for this Cancun Beach Sunday, please click here.

Posted by: Camilo Olea