What's New?
July & August, 2008

here

COCONUT FESTIVAL
The coastal port of San Crisanto will be the site of the VII Annual Coconut Festival from July 25 – August 3rd. With dances, light & sounds, handcraft & watercolor exhibitions everything is about coconuts! The fair-like carnival with booths and exhibitions will be open all day. The dances and music start at 8 PM with things really getting active around mid-night! Gotta love Mexico and their late schedules!

MAYAN CHOCOLATE
Ki-XOCOLAT on Calle 55 between Calles 60 and 62 invites you to check out its new organic products! Try the cocoa paste that is wonderful in your moles (mo-lay - the Mexican dish – not things on your skin!) They also have vanilla beans for your desserts and sugarless chocolate for diabetics. Don’t leave Merida without trying their traditional Mayan chocoloate recipe that has chile.

Events & Activities Calendar
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BEACHFRONT VILLAS - TELCHAC
Beachfront 3 and 4 BR villas and 2 BR bungalows for sale in Telchac Puerto. Located on a paradisiacal quiet beach surrounded by coconuts. The villas include Jacuzzi, pool, living room, dining room, kitchen, 4 or 5 bathrooms, and maid and laundry room. The club house boasts a Spa, gym, pools, restaurant, fishing pier, concierge services, and rental pool. www.realstateyuc.com Tel. 944-6591 Mobile 999-575-3765

MERCER CIGARS
An American-style Cigar Bar in Merida, Mercer Cigars serves the finest selection of Single Malt Scotch, European beers, delicious entrées and desserts. The best original Habanos (such as Partagas, Cohiba, Romeo & Julieta) and humidors are available. Relaxed ambience, personalized customer service, satellite TV, WiFi and much more. Paseo de Montejo No. 85, between La Parrilla restaurant and El Cielo club. Tel. 944 3647 www.mercercigars.com

SPECIAL HOTEL RATES
Hotel Los Aluxes on Calle 60 in the Historical Center has special summer rates. Check out their $891 pesos deal during July and August. www.aluxes.com.mx

POPULAR BUFFET
Hotel Los Aluxes is famous for their daily, tasty, well served and presented buffet breakfasts. Calle 60 between 43 and 45. Reserve at Tel 924 2199 Ext. 271 or 278.

TAI SPA
T‘ai Spa is the new spa in Merida that everyone is talking about. Specializing in feet, hands and the whole body, you should definitely call them and give yourself some pampering. Transportation from hotels in Merida. Mention Yucatan Today and get a 20% discount on the Rain Drops Ritual treatment of the T’ai Sport massage. Tel. 944 7063
Email: tai.spamerida@hotmail.com

Events & Activities Calendar
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HOLBOX HOTEL INFO
Hotel Casa Maya on Holbox island is offering a 30% discount to guests who present a copy of Yucatan Today. Take advantage of this offer to go see the whale sharks from now till mid-September. On the other hand, they will be closed from Sept. 1 – December 20 for hurricane season.
www.casamayadejoselimaholbox.com

ZEN BALANCE CLINIC & SPA
DISCOUNTS
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you will find some great discounts at Zen Balance Clinic and Spa on facials, relaxation messages, and tanning treatments. Check out the special bridal promotions. Tel: 944-95 08 or www.zenbalance.com.mx

PROGRESO SEASIDE HOTEL
The Condotel on the malecon in Progreso as some special prices this summer. They have single and double rooms and suites and apartments. Prices range from $480 pesos for a single or double to $1,150 for an apartment with living and dining rooms and kitchenette. The hotel has a pool, parking, restaurant and bar. www.condhotelprogreso.com

AFFORDABLE LODGING
CANCUN & PLAYA DEL CARMEN
If you are looking for an affordable hotel, just a place to sleep, while you enjoy all the natural wonders of the region, Hotel Alux is what you need. Their hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen have clean, simple single and double rooms. AC, cable TV and private bathroom. www.hotelalux.com

Promotions & Discounts
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MAYAN JEWELRY COLLECTION
An exquisite Mayan jewelry collection by Juan Ojeda is now showing at Toh Boutique, located within the Hacienda Chichen gardens. Featuring original one-of-a-kind artistically designed silver and jade jewelry pieces, sales will directly benefit the Maya Foundation In Laakeech Nutrition Program feeding over 200 Mayan youngsters in the communities nearby Chichen Itza. Mention Yucatan Today for a special discount.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN NEWS
Holiday Inn Express Playacar announces the opening of its new Convention Center scheduled to open August 1st. This state of the art meeting place will feature space for up to 300 people - perfect for seminars, congresses, weddings and special events. Teleconferencing, Internet access, screens and a business center will make it the perfect place to hold corporate meetings, annual sales conferences and more. Tel: 984-206-3434. One of our sales professionals will ensure your meeting or event will be a success.

Events & Activities Calendar
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Temporada
Traditionally from July 1st to August 31 the Yucatecan people head to the coast to their beach homes to escape the heat in Merida. Temporada, which means season in Spanish, is the time of year that the tranquil, sleepy beach towns turn into bustling, sometimes crowded towns overflowing with Meridanos and tourists. This is the time of year when the Gulf of Mexico waters are a clear green, there is a nice breeze and the days are longer (sunset is around 7:40 PM.)

Promotions & Discounts
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Whale Shark Watching
Huge, gentle, up to 60 foot long mammals, whale sharks visit the waters between Holbox and Cabo Catoche (eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula) between mid-May and early September. They come to eat the rich plankton that accumulates in the area. Trip prices ave-rage $80 dollars per person. www.holboxtravel.com

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

Cenote Snorkeling
The Penisula of Yucatan is dotted with over 3,000 cenotes oF which some 1,500 are re-gistered and documented. Mayan Ecotours, run by Connie Leal, offers daily snorkeling tours to the Abala cenotes. The trip includes transportation, snorkel equipment, life jackets, an EMT trained guide and lunch at Hacienda Ochil. www.mayanecotours.com Tel: 987 3707 and mobile 999 243 1489.

Dzitnup Cenote near Valladolid
in the Yucatan.

Watercolor Workshops
For a second year running, there will be workshops in Telchac Puerto for those interested in painting with watercolors. There will be two all-inclusive 10-day workshops in March ‘09 with New York watercolor artist Kaaren Lewis. Prices start at $1750 US per person. For more info, contact: editor@yucatantoday.com

OPEN HOUSE @ THE BEACH
Casa Yucatan Real Estate invites all of Yucatan Today’s readers to their open house Monday to Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM during the summer holidays. Come check out their villas.
Tel. 926 7705
www.casayucatanrealestate.com

Promotions & Discounts
Click here to get the best deals for your visit in the Yucatan.

UXMAL CHALLENGE!
Hotel Misión Uxmal has a special summer deal for all its guests! Get a double room, breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks between meals, drinks, and some of the hotels many sports options. There are also discounts at the spa and Gotcha! field. Sports at the hotel are: zip-line, rappel, bikes, rock climbing, hanging bridges, etc. $760 pesos per person double occupancy. Children under 12 free with parents. Tel. 923 9500 (in Merida)
reservacionesuxmal@hotelesmision.com.mx

HACIENDA X-CANATUN
Hotel Hacienda X-Canatun wants all the residents on the Yucatan Peninsula (Campeche, Quintana Roo, & Yucatan) to have the opportunity this summer to have a special getaway. With this in mind, they have a special deal of $1,999 pesos plus taxes per night in a Superior Room, double occupancy which includes breakfast and one massage per person. Valid through September 30. Subject to availability, non-commissionable. www.xcanatun.com

SPECIAL OCCASION LIMOS
For your special occasions – weddings, 15 años, anniversaries, giving that beautiful engagement ring, or just because you want to pamper yourself, rent a limousine! Prices from $2,500 pesos. Tels: 9276119 and 926 7916.

CAFE ORGANICO
No more mosquitoes! Cafe Organico now has 3 different ecological repellants: catnip essence, neem & aloe vera, and citronella and lavender. Calle 33D shop 1 by Reforma Ave. between Cupules and Colon Aves. Tel. 925 2831. Open 9 a 7:30 Monday – Friday and 9 to 2:30 Saturday.

FOLCKLORIC DANCE
KAAMBAR Folckloric Dance Company presents "Yucatan: Land of Traditions."
Where: Peon Contretras Theater located on Calle 60 corner of 57 downtown.
When: August 16th, 2008
Time: 9 PM
Entrance fee: $50 pesos

HOTEL GIFT SHOP SPECIALS
Hotel MedioMundo offers quality Mexican artisan crafts including ceramics, copperware, and carved wood. They also carry rich Guatemalan textiles including bedspreads, pillow covers, purses and bags. Browse through their exclusive line of earrings made with exotic beads, stones, crystals, and sterling silver. You are bound to find a special memento of your visit to the Yucatan. Open to the public daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. Calle 55 #533 between 64 and 66 Centro.
www.hotelmediomundo.com

ANTIQUE TABLECLOTHS
The Paseo Montejo mansion Quinta Motes Molina will be presenting a grand exhibition The Antique Linens and Tablecloths of the Quinta Montes Molina. The exhibition includes exquisite hand-embroidered linen and cotton pieces. There is a 20% discount on the entrance fee for seniors showing their INSEN card. This is the perfect opportunity to visit a Paseo Montejo mansion with al the original antique furnishings. Enjoy the beauty and oppulence. www.laquintamm.com

FREE MARGARITAS AND
MASSAGES
The restaurant Casa de Piedra at the Hacienda X-Canatun is offering a free Xcanatún Margarita with either lunch or dinner to each person who presents the summer copies of Yucatan Today. And, at the Spa get a free 10-minute foot, hand, or scalp massage with the purchase of any of their treatments. www.xcanatun.com

PALENQUE HOTEL
Going to Palenque? Hotel Palenque has the following prices: $750 pesos up to 4 people in the same room. Includes welcome cocktail, continental breakfast. Hotel has resturant, bar, Internet, satellite TV. Tel. (916) 345 0103. Valid till August 6th, 2008.
Email: hotelpalenque@prodigy.net.mx

SAND CASTLE INN
With the grand opening of their new cenote looking swimming pool and its romantic waterfall to sit under, recent renovations have really added something special to the patio area from the stone walkways to the new outdoor kitchen all enhanced by numerous trees and tropical landscaping. This garden paradise will make staying in the redecorated rear rooms quite special and will no doubt now be requested as often as the beach front suite.
sandcastleinnmexico.com

YUCATAN BEACH VILLAS
Yucatan Beach Villas in San Bruno invites you to enjoy a day at the beach with their new day pass for only $300 pesos that includes all the services that the beach club provides: swimming pool, futbol and volleyball courts, sun chairs, a la cart service, welcome cocktail.
Valid every day from noon to 6pm.
www.yucatanbeach.com.mx

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

Whale Shark Watching
Whale shark watching season is open as of May 15th. Hotel Casa Maya is offering a 10% discount for guests who present a copy of this magazine, Yucatan Today. Rates: June 15 – Aug. 31 $950 pesos; Sept. 1 – Dec. 19 $750 pesos; Dec. 20 – Jan 10, ’09 $1,200 pesos. Tel. (984) 875 2428. www.holboxhotelcasamaya.com

Summer Sailing Regattas
Upcoming sailing regattas are the 11th annunal Cummins Cup for Hobie Cats from July 4th – 6th and the Alianz Regatta for Hobie Cats, windsurf and sailing yachts (formery MultiSur PacNav) on July 19 - 20. The Cummins Cup, while not on the Sailing Federation Calendar, it is the 2nd largest regatta in North America – the largest annual event is the North American Championship that will be in Clear Lake, Iowa in September. Hobie Cat sailors come from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, USA, Mexico City and sometimes Europe to participate in the exciting event. Why do people spend the time and money to get to Chicxulub Puerto for a sailing regatta? It is a tie between consistently great winds, consistently friendly locals and consistently excellent service at Marina Silcer.

Photography: Diario de Yucatan

Promotions & Discounts
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Daily Events
Yucatan Today comes in two versions – this printed version that hits the streets the 15th of the month and the online version at www.yucatantoday.com Since many interesting events are announced after the monthly edition has been printed, you can now check daily events on our webpage. Go to the website and click on the calendar on the home page. It will take you directly to all of what’s happening, both the new events and the regular weekly events.

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 for 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