Sports Sun and Fun
For those wishing to enjoy an active holiday the Cancun Xcaret Tulum tourist corridor offers every sporting activity invented for sea and sun in or alongside the inviting lukewarm, tranquil, crystalline waters of the Mexican Caribbean. All along the coast, marinas offer rental of sailboats, Hobie cats, windsurfing equipment, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats, and the impressive underwater world with its gardens populated by rainbow-colored fish has stimulated diving and snorkeling. Dive shops and experienced instructors provide sophisticated equipment as well as professional training.
Since the discover, a few years ago, of an underwater cave system called No-Hoch across from Akumal, cenote and underground river diving has been promoted in specialized diving centers. Nevertheless, this magical experience does require previous (brief) instruction, since penetrating the veins of the Yucatan Peninsula can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken. |
Fantastic activities
Mexico
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The Island of Cozumel is one of the premier dive destinations in the world, as the largest barrier reef o the western hemisphere stretches parallel along its continental coast just a few feet away. Whether you choose to dive near the beach or visit offshore coral sites, you will find the world of the reefs and their life forms fascinating, an inexhaustible source of aesthetic pleasure. Huge violet fans move back and forth with the currents through the turquoise waters, over white, ocher, and red coral formations and different types of green-hued seaweed highlight bright blue and yellow fish.
Isla Mujeres and its surroundings also have ideal dive zones, natural habitats for many species of tropical fish. North of the island, an underwater cavern known as the Sleeping Sharks Cave, is home to a large school of sharks. This is the only place in the world where you can actually get near sharks, even to pet them and swim among them safely.
Sport fishing in these coastal waters where marine fauna is abundant attracts adept fishermen all year long. Many enter the international tournaments held throughout the tourist corridor. Marlin, sailfish, swordfish, and wahoo become prize catches for lucky deep-sea fishermen.
On the wide, white sandy beaches, entertaining volleyball matches are organized daily along with other beach activities. Most of the hotels provide nets for games, umbrellas and chaise lounges for resting and sunbathing and the facilities of a bar for a refreshing tropical drink after and exciting game.
For golf and tennis lovers, the Cancun Xcaret Tulum corridor proposes many options including international tournaments. While tennis players will find courts in almost every hotel, golfers have at their disposal several beautiful greens carved out of the tropical jungle: Pok Ta Pok, Playacar, Puerto Aventuras and Cozumel, among others, offering services including rental of shoes, clubs and other equipment as well as electric carts.
Playa Golf Club, in Playa del Carmen, is particularly outstanding with notable installations, many services, and unmatched beauty: Open to the public, it offers a well-stocked store, a conference room, restaurant, tennis courts and a swimming pool. Designed by Robert Von Hagge, this 18-hole golf course is a delight to play on, with rolling greens protected by large sand traps, and ruins of Mayan temples.
Seven miles south of Playa del Carmen lies Xcaret Eco-archaeological park, with all sorts of attractions, including reef diving in the park and on the beach which means bug fun even for the most demanding athletes.
Along this corridor, many ranches nestled in the untamed jungles offer horseback riding on the beach or along trails that go deep into the wilderness. A ride through paths amid the sounds of nature is a great adventure that can lead to a hidden cenote and an enjoyable dip in the crystalline waters of the spring.
The city of Cancun is a sport mecca. Sporting activities range from roller skating and biking along the shady path that runs along the Kukulcan Boulevard, to bowling lanes, miniature Golf, and gyms with first-rate installations.
Downtown Cancun has modern baseball stadiums (summer season starts in March with games on Sundays) and soccer stadiums for games every weekend. Last but not least, there are spectacular bullfights every Wednesday. The matador's duel to death with the bull is part of an artistic and dramatic ritual defined by man's courageous commitment and his art.
Even big name sports starts have acknowledged the athletic energy of this tourist resort. That is why they chose Cancun for the site of their sanctuary, the All Star Café, the perfect place to end a fun-filled days of sports activity. |