At least once while having to endure another Monday at work, everyone has thought about running away to the glittering blue waters of Cancun. Cancun sits right on the edge of the Yucatan peninsula, and the beaches are world-famous for their crystal-clear waters, pure white sand, plenteous sea life, and more. If you are looking to take an awesome beach vacation, look into Cancun. You will have to get a United States passport cards or passport book before you go, but it’s easily done.
Cancun makes a great vacation choice for another reason: you don’t need to invest in passport books to get there. Instead, you can use a passport card, which are much cheaper. They can be used to travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and only if you’re going by boat or car. Taking an airplane means you will need a regular passport. There are USA Passport online application for both passport cards and passport books, which can greatly speed up the process. Expedited passport delivery means you can be in Cancun within the week.
Of course the main lure of Cancun is the beaches. Soaking up the sun on the white sand and being able to cool off in the crystal-clear water is a great way to spend the afternoon. Many times local vendors will walk on the beach selling shells, sarongs, accessories, and more. One unique feature of Cancun beaches is the fact that the sand doesn’t get very hot. Because the sand is composed of ground-up coral instead of the silica-based sand we are used to, it doesn’t absorb the heat.
Don’t miss out on taking a ferry to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, two very gorgeous places. Ultramar offers a very pleasant ferry service. While the beaches on these islands make for excellent day trips, they offer even more. Isla Mujeres has an ecological water park named Garrafon that is worth visiting. Cozumel has it’s own nature preserve, Chankanaab National Park.
The Yucatan Peninsula is the heart of what used to be the great Mayan empire. That means that many breathtaking Mayan ruins are still around, and they make for great day trips to go see. El Rey Ruins, located not far from the hotels on the beaches, is a great spot to experience Mayan history. It is believed that the Mayans inhabited this area from around 900 – 1550 AD. It gets its name from the large mask, a sculpture of a noble, and a skull meant to honor the god associated with the sun. There are about 47 structures to explore, with two major ones that are thought to have been used for ceremonies. Keep any eye out for peacocks and iguanas. There are even larger Maya sites if you decide to stray a little farther from Cancun, and these sites won’t leave you disappointed.
If you need an escape to paradise, Cancun is only a short distance away. While these are some good suggestions, be sure to also check out the opportunity to swim with dolphins, take a horseback ride on the beach, and feed sharks and touch sea urchins at the Interactive Aquarium. Before you can escape, however, you need to get your pass port cards. Once you fill out a US passport online application, all that’s left is to plan your trip in gorgeous Cancun.
Trails Illustrated Channel Islands National Park
252 – Channel Islands National Park Trail Map This Trails Illustrated topographic map is the most comprehensive and complete recreational map for California’s Channel Islands National Park. The map includes valuable wilderness tips and Leave No Trace guidelines, along with updated trails, trailheads, points of interest, campgrounds, and much more. Printed on waterproof, tear-resistant material with a plastic coating for extreme durability. Measures Approximately 4 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ folded and 25 1/2″ x 37 3/4″ fully opened. Scale = 1:24,000 & 1:43,000.
