What's New?
February - March 2008

Travel Deals
Royal Travel has some good deals for your upcoming travel. Cancun-Habana-Cancun $205 USD, casino & duty free shopping $200 pesos, Europe (2 countries)$780 USD, Panama & Costa Rica $400 USD, Panama & Argentina $632 USD. Tel. 920 3831 & 32.

Guatemalan Goodies
Hotel MedioMundo has gone shopping again, so the gift shop has great goodies from Guatemala that include bedspreads, pillow co-vers and bags. Plus, they have crafts from Oaxaca and Michoacan and a nice selection of designer earrings. Calle 55 betrween 64 & 66. Centro Open daily 9 AM - 9PM. www.hotelmediomundo.com

Golf in Playa del Carmen
The Holiday Inn Express in Playa del Carmen has a special golf package: $299 USD which includes a full day of practice golf at the Palace Playacar Golf, room, with breakfast, transportation and taxes. Holiday Inn Express Playacar Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. Tel +52 984 206 3402
1-800-465-4329 Toll-free from US, 01-800-000-3434 Gratuito Interior Mexico ventas@hieplayacar.com
www.hiexpress.com/rivieramaya

Free yoga class
With Claudia Guerrero. She is certified by Dona Holleman at Centered Yoga Italy and by the Herta Rogg Foundation at lyengar method in Mexico City. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm at Calle 11 #206 corner of 26 Col. Garcia Gineres (infront of CIS language school). For more information call Cel. 044-999-27-0304 or email claudiacirco@gmail.com

Mail Boxes, Inc.
Don’t carry your extra luggage when you travel home. Send it by Mail Boxes, Inc. and it will travel as safely as if it were tra-veling with you. Tel: 920 1920 920 13 33 mx0128@mx.belatam.com

Hotel Yakunah schedules
The restaurant at Hotel Yakunah in Progreso informs that their dining schedule is the fo-llowing; dinner 6-9 PM, they are closed on Sunday and Monday and that they serve breakfast from 8-11 AM daily.
www.hotelyakunah.com.mx

30% discount Holbox hotel
The Hotel Casa Maya de Jose Lima on Holbox is offering a 30% discount on their official high season rate of $90 US per night when you show or mention Yucatan Today. Sounds like a great deal to us!
www.casamayadejoselimaholbox.com

Duck Hunting Lodge
The duck hunting lodge at Sisal is open to duck hunters for the 120 day a year season from December to April. After those dates, it is open to the public who can take advantage of all the services they provide. These include the 4 bedrooms with 2 double beds each, 4 full baths, beachside pool, a great terrace, the dining room for 10, satelllite TV, internet, cooks, waiters and maid service. You can either go all-inclusive where they provide all the food and drink, or take your own. Give them a call, and set up a package that fits your needs. This is a great option for Semana Santa and temporada. www.yucatanadventour.com

Home & Garden Tours
The Merida English Language Library is doing Home & Garden Tours on Wednesdays. Meeting at MELL at 9:45 AM, the walking tours start at 10 AM and visit three interesting houses, ending the tour at the new Casa Catherwood in Santiago Park. This season will feature some great new homes. $200 pesos per person.
www.meridaenglishlibrary.com/tours.htm

Mansion Tours:
Quinta Montes Molina
The mansion museum Casa Museo Montes Molina on the majestic Paseo Montejo No. 469 between Calles 33 and 35 offers guided tours in English Monday – Friday at 9 AM, 11 AM and 3 PM and in Spanish at 10 AM, 12 noon, and 2 PM and 4 PM. Saturday they are open 9 AM – 1 PM and will do tours anytime there are people. Costs: $50 pesos adults, $25 pesos children. This is the opportunity to see behind the doors of a real Paseo Montejo mansion. Tel: 925 5999

Extreme Make OVer
Totally Renewed! The time for a change has come. Hotel Maria del Carmen is having an extreme make-over, with new installations and a fresh attitude of service. Stop in, visit, it will exceed your expectations. For more info call 9300390 Ext. 717

Galeria Merida & Iluminado Tours
Galería Mérida in conjunction with Iluminado Tours is offering two special day tours going where the tour buses do not.
* Photography tour with Maestro Javier Barrara, this tour is intended for the serious photographer. Javier will provide you with unique photo opportunities and give technical and creative expertise.
* Nature provides the best models. Maestro David Sierra gives techniques and instruction for drawing in nature. Both tours have very limited space. Contact Galería Mérida at 924.0117.

Artist Georgia Charuhas
Is offering artistic critics to passing artists or any serious artist living locally. Contact Galeria Merida for an appointment.
Studio space is available for traveling artists to paint, sculpt, and draw. Contact Galeria Merida at 924.01.17 for information
Calle 59 No. 452A x 54 y 52
Centro Historíco Mejorada
Mérida, Yucatán, México
(999) 924 0117

Copper Ceramics Laqueware
Hotel MedioMundo’s gift shop has a new selection of unique earrings made with exotic semi-precious stones, beads and silver. They also have a new shipment of Guatemalan textiles. This season, the store is featuring fine artisan crafts from Michoacan including copper, ceramics and laquerware. Calle 55 between 64 & 66 Centro. www.hotelmediomundo.com

Transfers & Tours
YUCATAN CONNECTION - Do you need a transfer from Merida to Chichen Itza, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum or Campeche? We provide the service for up to 5 pax with luggage, in AC vans. Tel. (9991) 634-224 or info@yucatan-connection.com Receive a $100 pesos discount when mentioning Yucatan Today – valid March '08.

Yucatan Visa Inn B&B
Located near the Merida English Library, this bed & breakfast has a special deal for you – free airport pick up and $38 US single and $45 double. They have a pool, laundry, WiFi internet, AC, free DVD’s in the rooms and parking. Calle 68 between 66 and 68. www.yucatanvistainn.com

House Call Doctor
There is nothing worse than feeling sick while on vacation. If you do feel under the weather, call Dr. Pablo Ribas, a professional medical care expert with years of experience in travel medicine. He will go to your hotel or hacienda room. 100% English. Wheelchair rental and annual check-ups. Call: 9991 72 4772.

Church in English
The Jesus Presbyterian Church in Progreso is has worship services in English till March 2008. All denominations are invited to the 8:30 AM service. From the Merida - Progreso highway, pass the Pemex gas station and Aurera Bodega on Calle 78, go left onto Calle 35, cross Calle 80 - the church is located on the corner of 35 & 80. Pastor David Correa iglesiajesus@prodigy.net.mx

Learn Spanish
Study Spanish at the downtown Centro de Idiomas School – CIS. They have Total Immersion Classes, private classes, cultural activities, excursions, conversation club, home stay and volunteer placement available. Tel: 923 0083 www.cisyucatan.com.mx

Good bye snowbird bash
Something big is coming your way the first week of March - a closing of the winter season party. Stay tuned for up-to-date info on this fun event: www.hotelyakunah.com.mx

Casa Concierge
Home to home comfort! Post-Construction home outfitting is your answer to arriving relaxed and worry free ensuring the basics are in place, upon your arrival. Landing in
for a short time or have you decided to take the plunge and stay full-time?
Fantastico! Providing purchase, delivery and set up of beds, linens, custom curtains,
kitchen appliances and necessities, furniture, outdoor living items and *
even* basic groceries to get you through the first day… Especially that
first cup of morning coffee!
Contact me for more information: joan.mcburney@gmail.com
References upon request.

Reel Blessed Sport Fishing
The sport fishing boat Reel Blessed is equipped and ready to take you fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and coastal cruising. Prices start at $100 US per hour, 2 hour minimum, six passengers maximum. They supply the fishing gear and bait, you bring your food and beverages. They have their own private/secret dive areas. And when the weather is appropriate, they will be doing over night trips to Scorpion Reef. Ramona will also do airport runs from and to the beach.

Uxmal Light & Sound & Wine
Turitramsmerida has a new promotion! If you book your Uxmal Light & Sound show tour directly in their offices they offer you a glass of the house wine during your dinner in Mision Uxmal.
www.turitransmerida.com.mx

Hotel Indigo Hacienda Misne
Hacienda Misne, a prestigious IHG boutique hotel is the talk of town with its Restaurante Golden Bean and Phi bar. Try the delicious Dely Gourmet with your favorite drink. www.hotelindigo.com/meridamisne
Tel: 940 7150.

Art at Gran Plaza Mall
Forty Yucatecan artists are showing their paintings, sculpture, graphics and photography at Gran Plaza. Don’t miss the opportunity to not only shop at this plaza, but to also enjoy all the art.

New Confetur Board
Convivencia Feminina Turistica, AC has just sworn in a new board of directors and they are Norbe Mendez of Turistransmerida - President, Lourdes Ayaquica of Transportadora Carnavalito - Vice-President, Blanca Mota de Diaz of Viajes Aventuras - Secretary, Monica Chapa of Dharma Travel - Treasurer, Ma. Conchita Alonso of Oasis Travel - Public Relations, Patricia Alcocer de Mena of Viajes Paty - Hotel and Airline Relations, Guadalupe Castillo from Aeromexico and Marina Parra of Dinastia Viajes - Vocals and Judy Abbott de Mier y Teran from Yucatan Today and www.yucatantoday.com - Commisary.

New Boutique
Hotel Maison Lafitte, by the Santa Lucia Park, has a new boutique, Hotel Maison Lafiite Boutique. They offer finer quality guaya-bera shirts and blouses, raw cotton shirts, blouses and pants, wood and henequen handcrafts, purses, place mats, jewelry boxes, etc. Open Mon- Fri 9 AM–1 PM & 4 PM– 8 PM; Sat 10 AM-1 PM & 5 PM–10 PM and Sunday 9AM–5 PM.

Library street bazar & Chilli Cook-Off
Merida English Language Library is holding its annual Antique Bazar, Garage Sale and Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, March 9th. Starting at 1 PM you can cruise the stalls, check out the antiques and garage sale stuff, then try all the chilis and vote for the best. Tickets will be on sale at the library. If you are interested in entering your best chili con carne, call Reg or Harriet at the MELL and let them know. Tel. 928 2401.

City Art Gallery
The city art gallery, Galeria Arte Municipal de Merida opened its doors in the ex-post office - a wonderful 1900´s building by the main market. Their mission is to show, promote and commercialize Merida´s artist residents. Their next show, Feminina, opens on March 13th with the theme focusing on women. Calle 56 between 65 and 65A.

Easter Holidays
Easter holidays are right around the corner, and since it is such an interesting phenomena here in the Yucatan, we want to give you the heads up on it. This is a two week holiday when the majority of beach house owners head to the coast. They also head to Cancun and Riviera Maya so if you plan on going, it is imperative to have reservations. The crowds are incredible at the beach towns along the Gulf and Mexican Caribbean coasts. Dates this year are March 15th - 30th.

Progreso Real Estate
Two months ago, we mistakenly wrote that Yucatan Maya Coast Real Estate was Flamingo Lakes. Untrue. Seems our editor got confused as their website is flamingocoast. com Yucatan Maya Coast Real Estate is a whole other company. They specialize in beachfront homes and lots as well as tracts of land all over the peninsula. Cliff, who has lived here for the last 14 years, and his sister Ramona, are a wealth of info. Tel 999 245-7986. Romona also does airport runs to and from the beach.

Pineda Covalin
Hotel San Ángel at the base of the Paseo Montejo has just opened an exclusive new store called Pineda Covalín. Here you will find fine quality silk scarves, ties and blouses all with Mexican motifs. They also offer jewelry and finer blankets. Found in Grand Tourism hotels in Europe and the US, this is the only store of its kind in Merida. www.hotelcasasanangel.com

Cigar Lovers Beware
Beware of hustlers selling “real” Cohiba Cuban cigars, usually presented in a glass top box. Habanos SA, the official Cuban cigar producer does not even produce a glass-top box. These cigars are all miserable copies. For the finest selection of vintage and new authentic Cuban cigars, go to Mercer Cigars (85-3 Prolongacion Montejo), Merida’s only store and lounge dedicated to selling the very best selection of Cuban cigars in the Yucatan.

Tell your story
We are interested in articles, stories, experiences, knowledge and advice! Tell our readers where you've traveled, what you've learned, what you love and what you think other people need to know about to make the most of their trip to the Yucatan. Send to info@yucatantoday.com We will give all writers credit for their submissions. Contact us!

Write of us
We are always open to articles from our readers. If you have gone on a special trip or have something to share that will be of interest to our readers, contact us at info@yucatantoday.com with up to 500 words. Our readers love up-to-date info on prices, distances, schedules, experiences. Our deadline is the 25th of the month. We will give you credit if and when we publish your article. Contact us!

www.yucatantoday.com
Did you know that Yucatan Today comes in two versions? We have the printed version with 15,000 copies a month and the online version with 90,000 visits in February. The online version is kind of like the archives of the printed version and is a wealth of info.

What's New - last month
Click Here for a complete description of all the new happenings in the city of Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Events & Activities Calendar
Click Here for a complete description of the activites, events and attractions in the Yucatan.

To read in Spanish click here