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Get to Cancun in 10 Dollars

Going to the movies will typically set you back 8 dollars. That’s assuming that you don’t have a family—in which case, multiply accordingly—or that you can withstand the gravitational pull of the concession; expect to spend about 5 dollars for a trough-sized popcorn and 4 dollars for a bucket of carbonated sugar-water. Yum. Inflation is never fun. That’s why when an airliner offers 10 dollar one-way plane tickets to Cancun, your ears should perk up. Of course, after fees and taxes that number becomes something like $55 each way; but still, $110 for round-trip? No one else can come close to matching that.

I was a little jumbled in approaching the planning aspect of my vacation. Instead of making arrangements in a methodical and logical order, I just went with a pick-and-choose course of action; like a kid with a dismal allowance, left in high-priced candy store. I wanted to swim with the dolphins, so I made reservations at the Xcaret Eco-Park. But where would I sleep at night? I did my research and squandered the last of my budget on my Cancun hotel. How was I going to get there? And that’s how the 10 dollar airfare at Viva Aerobus save a vacation that had seemed predestined for disaster.

Let me just say that my round-trip ticket was not 110 dollars; instead, I was able to find a package for $160. The second cheapest alternative was a little over $400 with Orbitz.

So what’s the catch? Your parents always told you there’d be one. “Remember, there’s no such thing as a free meal,” they’d say, and they were right (in more ways than one, but I’ll touch on that later). Well here it is. Are you ready for it? Viva Aerobus’ low rates, at present, only service to Austin, Texas with flights beginning in May. It’s either Austin to Cancun, Cancun to Austin, or Nowhere to Nowhere. So imagine my delight when, only hours prior to making cancellation calls to Mexico, I read about the Viva Aerobus offer.

If you still manage to fit the demographic—within a reasonable distance from Austin and planning a vacation for sometime after April 30—you should be aware of the compromises that come with flying at these rates. The airline doesn’t use jet bridges, meaning that passengers climb stairs from the tarmac to the plane. Only one bag can be checked, per passenger, with additional bags at additional cost. Finally, there are no free food or drinks on the flights; laughable, since they’ve only offered peanuts and soft drinks on most bargain-flights for the last decade.

It is unknown just how many 10 dollar plan tickets will be sold, or how one will go about obtaining the rate. But one thing is for sure; a lower airfare equates to more change in your pocket and more to do while you’re in Cancun.

Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who enjoys traveling in the Americas and Caribbean. When visiting Cancun, she stays at luxury Cancun resorts like Gran Melia Cancun.

Get to Cancun in 10 Dollars / Author: Enid Glasgow

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The Only Worthwhile Tip for Cancun

It was only as I was sitting on a red and teal bench in the park, getting pummeled by one of the worst rain storms Cancun had experienced in over three years, did I start to formulate a list of need-to-know tips that I wish someone would have shared with me.

I had arrived to Cancun with a supple fold of pesos and two glossy credit cards—one Visa, the other, MasterCard—stiff, and virgins to any card swiping. A man in a stiff, straw hat hurried to my side, snatched my bags, and quickly shoveled them into the trunk of a cab. “Gran Melia Cancun,” I said, and away the old Crown Vic sputtered, to one of the more chic and extravagant hotels I have stayed at during my many trips to Mexico.

The concierge at the hotel ordered my luggage up to my room and by his suggestion, saw me off to the Roots Jazz Club; a swanky little juke joint with acoustics that would reflect the percussion, remarkably, at any and every spot in the house. I visited on a night when there was no cover charge and the kitchen was still open at the early hours of the morning.

As soon as I was able to fall into a trance of thick bass riffs, I recognized a dreadfully familiar face that would force me out of my cush, bed-like booth and back out to the streets.

I was beginning to walk my buzz off and needed to nurse it back to health. A minute down the road, I located what appeared to be a margarita bar, La Habichuela. I slipped through the entrance and nestled into an empty seat at the bar. Four drinks later and only a few pesos left in my pocket saw me skulking from the bar to hail a cab.

We were only about two miles into the ride back to Gran Melia Cancun when panic fluttered down my chest and into my stomach.

I hope this guy takes plastic, I thought to myself.
“¿Tomas tarjeta de credito?”

The cab ceased, abruptly, rain began to pour, and I was envisioning myself outside, standing in a muddy ditch that was slowly filling on the other side of the glass.

“No,” the cabbie replied. My biggest fear was confirmed.

And there I was, retracing every event that had led me to that bench, where I soaked in the chilled pour of an otherwise pleasant Cancun night.

The Only Worthwhile Tip for Cancun / Author: Enid Glasgow

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Skip College and Head Straight to Vacation

As we age a little further past our prime, college years and shave off all of that unbridled inhibition, it becomes only natural that the idea of frying beneath the sun and soaking in tequila looses its allure. You may even come to find (and this is so unlike you) that you’ll even go to great lengths to avoid these high-traffic locales and Spring Break crowds.

There are some avoidance tactics, luckily, that one can exercise in an effort to keep a distance from all the ruckus.

What is common among the college-age breed is that they tend to populate not the more exotic locations, but those that are easily accessible—financially and in terms of distance. As a result, places like Cabo San Lucas and Panama City, FL become figurative destruction zones; ones you should avoid or attempt with caution. Although the latter reigns as the premier vacation hotspot, generally, any accessible city with a ton of beachfront hotels and bars will attract kids like bugzappers.

Areas a little farther south from Cabo somehow seem to escape such an epidemic. The more chic and minimalist the resort, Gran Melia Cancun for example, the less college kids. Where Cabo is known primarily as a bottomless well of decadence and non-stop partying, Cancun brings things back down a notch by embracing its history and natural surroundings.

Other locations that seem to thwart the Spring break invasion are islands that typically rest only miles from the shore, and the greener, inland spots. If there is not immediate access to it, it’s not worth the effort; or so the mentality of this impatient crowd goes.

One example of such locations is:

Isla Mujeres—an island off the coast of Cancun, and Little Palm Island, 30 miles off the coast of Key West.

Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who enjoys traveling in the Americas and Caribbean. When visiting Cancun, she stays at luxury Cancun resorts like Gran Melia Cancun.

Skip College and Head Straight to Vacation / Author: Enid Glasgow

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How We Keep Humble and Healthy in Cancun

Aside from the hoopla over contaminated water and passport confusion, traveling beyond your hometown, particularly South-and-beyond the Mexican border is an act that requires no extra consideration other than SPF 40 or 45, hotel or hostel, cerveca or margarita.

There are, however, some obvious differences between Mexico and other countries that might come across as a bit uncouth, unfamiliar or strange. But recognizing and abiding by them can increase the chance that you thwart any sickness and remain the fine specimen for health that you already are.

Medical experts will ramble off a scary list of precautions and what-if scenarios, but of them, only a handful is still relevant and worth glancing over.

Before you leave…

• Look over your health insurance police to see how your provider will cover you outside the country.
• Visit travel.state.gov to make sure you’re up to date with your vaccines—chance’s are strong that you are, but who wants to be that 1-in-a-million statistic?

Consider bringing…

• Laxatives in case, you know, you accidentally “drink the water”.
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Bandaids, for good measure

Additionally…

• Pack your prescription meds in their original containers with your name on it.
• Continue abstaining from any water that is not bottled, icecubes included. Luxury Cancun hotels can be the exception.
• Avoid uncooked meats, vegetables, and fruits.
• Keep an arsenal of identification on your person at all times—drivers licenses, passports, insurance cards, etc.

Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who enjoys traveling in the Americas and Caribbean. When visiting Cancun, she stays at luxury Cancun resorts like Gran Melia Cancun.

How We Keep Humble and Healthy in Cancun / Author: Enid Glasgow

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Getting around Orlando

If you are off to the Sunshine State of Florida this year, it is highly likely you will be considering staying in or around Orlando. As the capital of entertainment for the state it holds more attractions and entertainment than anywhere else in the world, so you will certainly not be stuck for anything to do while you are away.

Within the International Drive area, where the majority of parks are situated, public transport is reasonable. Car hire is certainly the way to go if you want to see more of the surrounding area. For example, how about a day trip to Miami or the Space Centre? Both of these attractions are easily accessible if you are based at Orlando and have access to a car. This will allow you the freedom to do with your days what you wish!

Back in the surrounding area you will be subject to a difficult choice when you decide which theme parks you see first! From the magical world of Disney, to the winter sunshine at Blizzard beach with a visit to Shamu in between, you will really be spoilt for choice and the best way to see as many of these spectacular attractions is in your own car. You won’t be limited to what you bring because you won’t be on a coach, and you can save money if you have children by packing a picnic to retreat to during lunch times. This is likely to save you a lot of money when in the parks.

If you enjoy a game of golf, there are several impressive gold courses available in the surrounding areas, and they are easily accessible by car. You will be able to purchase single day membership or longer if required. The courses are set in simply beautiful spots with much thought going into the landscapes to create challenging but very rewarding games.

If you do decide to make your holiday easier by hiring a car, it is most likely going to be easiest to organise for it to be waiting at the airport you are landing at. The majority of US car hire companies can supply the car to the airport for you to collect and be off on your holiday adventures as soon as possible!

Please be aware that you need to be 21 years of age to hire and drive a car in Florida State.

Be sure you get the most out of your holiday to Orlando by setting yourself up some cheap car hire.
car hire can make a holiday more complete due to most of the area being freely available. You can easily take your self out for evening meals, day trips and run down to the local supermarket if you decide to take out some car hire.

Getting around Orlando / Author: Jennifer Quirk

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