Stuff we never miss (see the maps for more details)

–Golf Cart tour (we always take/wear swimsuits/sunscreen. You never know where you’ll end up)

–Turtle farm — always fun.

       

–Parque de los Suenos – NEW!!  3 new pools, 2 slides, a zip line, swim-up bar (no kids in that part), rock climbing wall in the ocean, snorkeling, paddle boards, rope swing, lounge chairs.  They have it all.  It’s pricier than some places but is very nice and worth it if you are spending the whole day.  We will definitely be back to this spot. Half price entry from 1:30-5:00!

–Captain Dulche Beach Club — beautiful restaurant deck, nice, but small, beach.  I heard the museum is cool but have not been inside. Currently serving drinks only.

–Zama Beach Club – hang at the beach, pool, have a drink or snack, watch the people come in off the yachts. They are now charging for use of the chairs and beach beds, regardless of food/beverage bill.  You can use any table for free (verify first, things change often and sometimes daily).

– Punta Sur (“Acantillado”) Walk in the sculpture gardens (30 pesos) but be sure to find the narrow (almost) hidden pathways along the water.

–Punta Sur—first little door on the left is an ice cream shop. Get coconut ice cream. Thank me later. They close at 5pm.  Update:  NO MORE COCONUT ICE CREAM!! Update to the update:  they have coconut again but it’s not the same. There is a man with a push cart selling it at the overlook, though.  Look for him.

–Dolphin Discovery—actually a very cool ordeal to play with the dolphins. Go ahead of time and talk to the desk guys. Ask them about any specials. Maybe they will include VIP or extra animal encounters (sharks, stingrays, manta rays, sea lions). Your ticket includes open bar and buffet. Open from 10-5. Buffet is 12-4. The afternoon sessions have fewer people and more dolphin time (the early sessions are filled by the boats from Cancun. ($85-$100 per person for the whole day plus dolphin swim). Great for kids and teens.  Nash was 2.5 the first time he went. Tip: VERIFY what is included in your package.  Ours included photos of those wearing the wristbands.  They put the wristbands on the kids and then told us AFTER that the included photos were only for the ADULTS (they didn’t even take any of the adults?)  So just verify and know before you go!

   

–Sunset. Best place to watch is at Buho’s swing bar in front of Na Balam hotel. It’s also fun to watch it on the docks near Privelge Aluxes hotel (near the “point” of Playa Norte). We loved it at El Varadero as well.

–Live Music — La Banda Sin Nombre plays Wed-Sat at Fayne’s at 10:30.  They are loads of fun.  They also play on Saturday and Sunday at varying locations.  Happy Hour music at sunset at Casa de los Suenos and Barlito.  Other music spots are La Terazza on Hidalgo, El Patio upstairs on Hidalgo, and Barlito.

–Swimming with Whale Sharks–This is a once in a lifetime experience.  The whale sharks visit May-September and feed in a National Park past Isla Contoy.  It is around $125 per person and worth every penny.  You will snorkel with the sharks and it does require a bit of effort on your part as a swimmer.  Not for the seasick.  Confirm with your captain that you are going straight to the whale sharks from Isla before you book.  Some friends of ours had to ride all the way to Cancun and sit on the boat for over an hour waiting for more people to join, no bueno.   Best bet is to go with Captain Tony (Find him at his house.  See map).  Take an underwater camera.

–Isla Contoy—  A short boatride to a national park island with Captain Tony.  Book at his house (see map).   Hang on the beach all day, Tony and his brother will cook you an amazing lunch on the beach, snorkel, swim, nap under the palms, visit the museum, feed and pet Samantha, the resident stingray.  On the way back, you will stop and snorkel off the boat at Isla Che, a pristine reef.  Very relaxing day.  I recommend only doing this with Captian Tony!  Here are some pics…

                    

What about the kids??

We took our son at 14 months, 2.5 years and again at 3.5 years.  He LOVES the island!

 

Turtle Farm, shelling on the Caribbean beaches, Dolphin Discovery, Playa Norte.  Ask about Turtle Releases in September and October.  There is a playground in the colonia near the super express.  Baseball and basketball games occur often (basketball in the zolcalo or at the convention center and baseball at the field in front of Chedraui).  There is a new skatepark on the Caribbean road near the Castillo Maya House left turn.

Chedraui has pool noodles, floats, goggles, toys and sand toys if you don’t want to drag it all down there.  It’s sort of like a Super WalMart.

Many places have high chairs but not all.  There is a man on the island who makes beautiful, hand-made high chairs for some restaurants.  You’ll know them when you see them.

You can also take a day trip to Cancun.  There are many eco-parks and adventure parks that are great for kids and especially teens. Book with Trina at CARM.  There are ATV’s to rent, ruin tours at Tulum, Ixcaret (we did this, it was a lot of fun.  Like a zoo/theme park), swim in the Cenotes, the list goes on and on. These day trips are typically long and may not be great for small children who need naps.

Golf Cart Seat Belts–I made homemade golf cart seat belts for a little peace of mind. JoAnns sells the pieces.  You will need two strips of fabric (similar to a dog collar, not sure of the name) and 2 large clips. Cut the correct length, use a lighter to keep the edge from fraying and thread through the clips.  One belt goes around the seat and the other goes around the kiddo.  It’s not a “safety device” but it will keep a small toddler from sliding around (or off!).  Just plan to take them with you when you park the golf cart.  Someone needed them more that we did one time.