Day 7: Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya isn't the most exciting cruise port unless you want to shop, swim, or hang out at the bars at the arrival area.  The most popular ruins near Costa Maya are Chacchoben which means the place of the red corn.  Three words:  jungle, ruins, monkeys . . . I was hoping to see all three today.  I picked this excursion and my parents just went along because they are easy going!  We are headed to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.  I picked a small group excursion in a van with only 10 people . . . it only cost $10 more per person!  So much better than a big bus of 50 people.  The drive was about an hour so not too bad.  

The first human settlement dates back to around 1000 BC.  Our guide did an excellent job sharing historic facts, how the site used to be, what was eaten by the people and how life in this lush jungle area was for them from day to day.

Beautiful plants growing out of trees.

More remains of a pyramid/temple base.

Steps that we did not climb . . . apparently the view was amazing on the other side.

It is a very well kept area . . . easy walking path that is clearly marked.  The grounds were so full of lush plants and vines.

I found this interesting as it looked like a pinecone but was actually a variety of coconut.  Each one was the size of a large nut.  The individual pods were hard but inside was a smaller pod that was the actual coconut/nut.  I do not remember exactly the name or what they are called but they are pretty cool.

. . . and finally the grand ruins of Temple One.

It was a quick hour drive back to the ship . . . we were pushing it on time which I hate but knew the ship would wait since we were on one of the ship's organized excursion.  We got back onboard with 10 minutes before the all on board time and had a nice lunch at The Local.  We were only in port for 5 hours so everyone was out and about making it crowded on board . . . and we were over an hour late leaving due to some tardy parties that didn't seem to think the all on board time was for them.

Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico

For the first time ever, I have not planned an excursion in Cozumel.  We are just getting off and walking around.  We docked in Punta Langosta which is the heart of downtown San Miguel de Cozumel.  

There is a waterfront walkway that goes to the Parque Benito Juarez so we started walking.

We walked around and then headed back to the ship.  It was a lot of tourist souvenir shops which we were not interested in visiting.  It was nice to just get outside and enjoy the beautiful sunny day.  So we went back to the ship.  These desserts look so good but no so much!  I do love they are only about 3 bites so not a lot of waste.

We ended the night with the production of Beetlejuice.

Cancun, Mexico

We moved the party over to Cancun which the kids are more excited about since we are staying at the all-inclusive Planet Hollywood Cancun. 

I read a ton, and I mean a lot of negative reviews about this resort so we were a bit concerned.  The price was very cheap for an all inclusive and rest assured it was absolutely fine.  Not a five star but very good!  As I wandered around the property and checked in our room, I thought I had to be at a different resort because I saw none of what I read.  I will say the dining reservations was a disaster but we did not go hungry . . . we just couldn't eat at all the restaurants we thought we wanted to try.  No big deal!  I will say the beach was gross with sargassum but that is not the hotel's fault; it is just that time of year in Mexico!

The kids are so thrilled!  We turned them out to the wild and reminded them to leave no one alone!  They take care of each other like siblings!  Colin is excited to have a boy . . . first time including a significant other to one of the girls!  We all hung out most of the days, had dinner together, and tried to hang until the ungodly hours of the night at the club.  You know how thrilled that made me!

And our course they were connected to us when we booked a private cabana with plunge pool . . . these kids are pretty smart!

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

We are meeting our friends for a few days in Mexico!  The adults . . . I guess I should say moms because all the kids are now adults . . . wanted to visit Isla Mujeres and the kids humored us by going along because it is a free trip for them.  After many flight delays, we all finally were under the same roof and ready to get the show moving.  First up was a water transfer from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

Quick stop at the hotel to drop our bags . . .  nice view!

Grabbed a quick bite . . . the best fish tacos at Los Tacos de Humo!  Maragraitas weren't bad either.

Then out exploring on the golf cart around the island at some of the "must sees."

If you go to Isla Mujeres, you must rent a golf cart to explore the island; it was so fun!  The hotel, Hotel Playa La Media Luna, was really nice on a great isolated beach, empty pool, and easy walk to the main part of town.  The beach did have a bit of sargassum but nothing to ruin our day.

We let the rain pass and headed out for some food and drinks and free entertainment by the kids.

Day 3: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Today we are changing hotels.  I had read so many rave reviews of our new hotel and have to give it a try.  I had planned to just sort of have a relaxing day by the pool but it was so cold to us!  The hotel is an easy 10 minute walk from the city center and has a resident dog that lives there.  I wanted to do a couple more things on my list before we moved so we explored the Museo La Esquina del Juguete Popular Mexicano (Toy Museum).  We enjoyed looking at all the toys and exhibits.  I loved all the brightly colored toys! 

  

Our next stop was Parque Benito Juárez.  I had read it is the local version of Central Park and honestly it was pretty but was expecting more when compared to the Central Park. 

 

Our hotel for the night was across the street so off we went to Numu.  It was beautiful and was so happy to see Pancho. 

Pancho was less than thrilled to see us!  Pancho?  Pancho is the resident dog at Numu.  He is a beautiful dog and so well behaved.  We just chilled at new hotel on the rooftop at the restaurant/bar/pool area.  The views of the city were amazing! 

One of the draws to this hotel, other than using points to stay for free, was to have dinner on the rooftop at NOIA but change of plans and the venue is closed due to a scheduled event.  As I checked in, I confirmed our dinner reservations and was told we were good to go.  Not one person mentioned when I confirmed the reservation when we arrived.  You can’t make me believe that an event just ‘popped’ up that would close an entire restaurant.  As you can imagine I was a bit annoyed and mad and they sort of just blew me off.  At this point what was I to do so we went to the new location and no one was there!  NO ONE!  I asked two different people and no one followed up with me.  It really did annoy me that a high-end hotel did not seem to want to help.  I saved a nice dinner for the last night due to the restaurant’s terrace view and now we are on the ground floor with four concrete walls.   About 40 minutes after our reservation, someone showed up to serve us.  I felt as if we were an after-thought and the meal was nothing special like I was expecting. 

We I was feeling a bit bummed at our dinner situation so we hiked back to town for one last churro.  

We took one last walk around the center before heading back to our hotel.  

It all worked out but still disappointing how it was handled.  I am an understanding person and would have been okay if they would have been honest and upfront about the situation when we checked in but to send me an email 30 minutes before our dinner reservation was unacceptable!  Enough about that . . . at least Pancho was there for us when we arrived back! 

Day 2: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Today it is all about food and just exploring the city.  We started with a hearty (free) breakfast at L'Otel Casa Arca.

I had planned this grand walking tour of the town with places to visit, but we were able to see many of them yesterday as the city was way more compact that I expected.  It is such a beautiful, clean city that I did not mind back tracking again today.  So we headed out to explore on foot, again.

 

 

It is a beautiful city with bright colored churches and buildings.  Of course, after all that walking we needed a snack so it was back to Chocolates y Churros San Agustín!

With full bellies we headed back to L’Otel Casa Arca to rest before our Taco and Tequilla food tour tonight!  The food tour was a great mix of local food and drinks.

We were stuffed as we returned to our room and the room next door sounded like a Mexican Disco; not that I have even been to a Mexican disco.  It was really late and they were very loud so we cranked up the fan to cover the noise and slept well in our meat locker chilled room.  We really did have a great day exploring SMA!

Day 1: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I have had SMA on my list for a long time and on a whim decided to book it!  I invited Colin thinking he would say no.  He did not and honestly, I was kind of glad because traveling to interior Mexico is new to me.  We would be far from our usual Mexico beach vacation.  I just wasn’t sure what to expect.  We flew from our little regional airport to DFW which was seamless for once.  I had booked a car transfer from Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) to San Miguel de Allende.  It was about 90 minutes which was long but easy since it was just the two of us.  I am using Hyatt points to stay for almost free.  Our first hotel, L’Otel Casa Arca (Casa Arca), was in the heart of SMA which was great!  

We dropped our bags and headed out to explore.  You know what always throws me off when I travel?  I look at a map and everything looks so far apart and when you get there it really isn’t.  I had read many places prefer cash so we stopped at a local bank to get some Mexican Pesos (MXP).  We had the biggest laugh as the cash machine was only in Spanish . . . we did not see a button to change it to English so we sort of just went with it . . . cash did come out so I guess our ridiculously limited Spanish was good enough.  We wandered around the streets and pedestrian zone and I was in love with this city.  It is just beautiful

We headed back to the hotel to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back out.  Our final mission for the night was to find churros at Chocolates y Churros San Agustín.  Oh my they were so good . . . cash only!

It was time to relax at the hotel!

Day 13: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I wanted something easy today so I picked the Vallarta's Top Highlights & Shopping tour. I knew it would be a large group that would be herded through Puerto Vallarta, and I was okay with that . . . usually I would not pick any tour that mentions the word shopping as I find that a waste of my time . . . I mean then I am paying for time to shop which cost me money too.  I have found that when you get off a cruise ship in Mexico it is usually in an area with shops and today was no different but when I looked up . . .

. . . I loved the umbrellas!  I thought our tour guide gave good and easy to understand information.

Fact about Puerto Vallarta’s economy:

• 60%  tourism
• 10%  agriculture
• 10%  fishing
• 10%  construction
• 10%  mining of minerals

And we are off the bus!  I am ready to explore the heart of Puerto Vallarta, the Malecón. It is a popular pedestrian-only area stretching 12 blocks and just about every tour bus stopped here. The beach area was a bit rocky.

But there were many statues and colorful displays too . . . it was a bit difficult to snap a photo without someone posing in front but you just had to be fast. 

Season 36 of The Amazing Race, one of my favorite shows, started in Puerto Vallarta.  In the season’s first Detour they had a choice of Pick ‘Em Up or Pin ‘Em Down.  In Pick ‘Em Up the teams had to transport a pair of rocking horses down a steep hill to find a specific sculpture in the Malecón in order to get their next clue . . .

 

The horses were huge, and I am sure heavy!  I thought this was one of the best views of the Los Arcos Amphitheater (the Aquiles Serdan Theater) and where The Amazing Race had part of the season 36 episode.

It was then on to the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Church of Our Lady Guadalupe).  The church is 103 years old and took 60 years to finish the outside.

I thought this statue was fun.  I had no idea who is he was but something about his glasses caught my eye.  This is Father Rafael Parra Castillo.   

So, who is he?  I have read many different things about him and not exactly sure to be honest what the write here. 

And then it happened we stopped at a jewelry store with opals and had 25 minutes to shop! It never fails they lead you to their stores and it was okay as there was no pressure to buy just nice people and cold air conditioning.

The last stop of the tour was at an outdoor market to shop.  I browsed around and listened to the constant begging to come shop my lady and you want to buy your husband something.  I politely said no thanks, laughed, and continued to walk.  We were dropped off at the ship, but I wasn’t ready to get back on the ship so stopped at a little restaurant for a snack . . .

. . . and bought a few small items that I overpaid for but wasn’t in the mood to bargain more than a little.  I thought the price was fair and always feel terrible trying to save a few bucks when I know those few bucks will do so much for that family.  Can you say sucker?  It was back to the ship and honestly, I enjoyed the excursion . . . could I have done it on my own by using a taxi?  Yes, but I had to make zero effort and that is a win for me.