Jun 30, 2009

This post was written by Charlie Reeves, who works on GayTravel.com’s advertising/sales team.There are many concerns about safety and Swine Flu throughout Mexico. I just returned from a week in Cancun and can tell you from first-hand experience if those worries are holding you back from visiting this amazing destination – you are missing out!I met up with Ron Kuijpers, owner of Gaytoursmexico, a division of Maya Moon Tours SA de CV, who answered many of my questions and cleared up a great deal of misconceptions.Charlie: How long have you lived here and what can you tell me about serious violence in Cancun?Ron: I have lived here for 18 years and I can tell you the drug cartel related violence is much further north of Cancun near the borders. There are no major ports in Cancun so you will not find that kind of activity here. Cancun government and locals are dedicated to tourism and safety.Charlie: From what I have seen so far I have to concur. I was walking on the beach late at night and felt very safe.Ron: Like any destination, visitors always need to use caution to prevent minor theft and such but as far as kidnappings and even worse crimes, like I said; Cancun isn’t the place for that. Drug cartels wouldn’t waste their time fighting their battles here.Charlie: How is overall tourism?Ron: It is very sad – The exaggerated press reports over the swine flu and the cancelations that followed upon the reports. Normally Cancun is at 85 – 90% occupancy and right now we are at about 40% occupancy in the city. Nineteen hotels temporarily closed in May due to so many cancellations.Charlie: The media can really spread unnecessary fear and do a lot of harm. Are you aware of any cases of Swine Flu in Cancun?Ron: I definitely agree with you about the media, Charlie. Cancun has had no problems with the swine flu. I don´t know anybody in Cancun, or even somebody who knows someone, who got sick with the swine flu.Charlie: Tell me about what you do.Ron: I represent IGLTA Mexico (the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) and I provide private tours to the area’s must-see destinations – Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Chichen Itza and more.Charlie: Thanks for the information Ron. I wish you the best in seeing an upturn in the local economy!I spent my week in Cancun with my partner and his two aunts, who are happily married to each other. We aren’t the straightest looking bunch and let me tell you, we were welcomed and treated with respect everywhere we ventured. While I did hear same-sex couples can get a citation for kissing in public, I know we were guilty a couple times and held hands on more than a few occasions and felt very at ease. Here are some of my top picks:Xel- Ha is one of my favorite stops when visiting Cancun. It takes a little over an hour and a half to drive there from the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) and it is way worth the trip. Xel- Ha is a natural aquarium with out of this world snorkeling. You seriously can see hundreds of different shapes, sizes and colors of fish and other aquatic wildlife. One price gets you in the park and includes your food and drinks at their tasty buffet stations. And yes, it includes booze – beer and margaritas! An all-day adventure with so much to see – not to be missed.Our picture was taken at Xcaret where you may need more than one day to get through this home to around 4,000 species of wild and marine flora and fauna. Again we were clearly two gay couples vesting Xcaret and we felt very welcome and safe. Xcaret carries out protection, reproduction and conservation of many threatened and endangered species including sea turtles, butterflies, flamingos and manatees with whom you may get up close and personal. Xcaret offers a great deal of entertainment too and my favorite part is swimming through the underground caves – it can get a little scary and is always a thrill!Both parks are socially responsible and eco friendly.BEST HOTELS AND BEACHESThere are a wide variety of timeshares, grand hotels, all-inclusives and budget accommodations available throughout Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. We stayed at the Royal Islander which is a timeshare and had a fantastic time! As with most properties in this area, the accommodations were on the beach. The property featured multiple dining options, free wireless internet in the lobby, a market on site and more. Due to the hurricane in 2005, the sand portion of the beach at this location is limited. The water, however, is turquoise and gorgeous in any location in Cancun.I found the best beach of Cancun to be where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico. At this curve in the island you will find the calmest waters where you can walk out several hundred feet and still be only up to your chest. One of the hotels located at this section is Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa. This hotel is all-inclusive with 360 rooms, a VIP Club Tower, interactive Dolphins and like I mentioned a breath-taking beach with a peaceful, beautiful ocean. All-inclusive prices start at around $275 USD per night. At Dreams you will see many children and lots of partiers due to the all-inclusive bars. If you are a beach person, this spot and the neighboring Fiesta American Grand Coral Beach are great places to swim.Cancun is definitely gay-friendly but you won’t find gaggles of gays throughout. Where you will likely see plenty of gay and lesbian travelers is at the ultra deluxe ME By Melia. It boasts an MTV-style décor which looks muy expensive yet remains classy and minimalistic. ME’s motto is “everyone is a VIP” and the staff definitely lives up to that. From the front desk to the pool staff to the restaurant staff, everyone is friendly, professional and attends to your personal needs. The infinity pools and cabanas just off the ocean will leave you feeling like royalty. And the food and beverage… Their cool bars are run by Randy Gerber (Cindy Crawford’s hubby) and his Gerber Group – uber cool and waaay yummy. If you’re like me, food can be a scary thing when traveling but not at ME By Melia. Their sumptuous and extensive breakfast buffet was full of familiar delights and was visited by yours truly twice that week – and I wasn’t even a guest there. Even though I didn’t stay overnight, I did manage to see their bathroom amenities and for you product connoisseurs (and you know who you are), you will be happy to know this hotel carries AVEDA in every one of their 419 rooms and Passion Suites! Their standard rooms feature amazing rates now starting at around $120 USD per night. This is the gayest and sexiest hotel I have seen in Zona Hotelera!GAY NIGHT LIFEAll the gay night life in Cancun is located in the downtown area (near the Super Walmart which is a must for great grocery prices!). The surrounding area is not the cutest and most charming I must say, but it is very safe, mixed in with liquor stores and other small businesses. It is not a “gay area” at all but the area does have four gay bars within walking distance of each other.My favorites were Karamba Bar and 11:11. One thing you need to know about gay night life in Cancun is you don’t want to show up anywhere before midnight. They actually have shows that start at two in the morning. Karamba Bar is the biggest night club with a wide variety of theatrical shows, sweaty dance nights and go-go boys. It is big, dark and ready to rumba. 11:11 is sleek and chic with lots of white coloring the club and many places to lounge. It is similar to bars I have seen in Miami and West Hollywood. It can be both laid back and filled with sexy entertainment.DININGZona Hotelera is filled with great restaurants – lots of fresh seafood, chicken, native dishes, filet mignon, prime rib, pastas and more. My partner and his Aunt love to gamble and found Play City a total joy. They are like two old ladies at the cheap slot machines in Vegas. Gotta love it. Play City, small and simple, is contained in Plaza Kukulcan. This mall features some upscale dining as well as a food court. Perhaps one of the best places to dine is at Captain’s Cove. Sitting outdoors on the lagoon at sunset couldn’t be more romantic and lovely. (The lagoon is great –we rented wave runners there earlier in the day and had a rip-roaring time). Enjoy their mojitos, Angus steaks, Ahi Tuna, Rib Eye, barbecue pork ribs and, if you crave large portions of lobster – dig in! Speaking of booze, have you ever heard of creamy tequila? It is kind of like Bailey’s or Kahlua but has more of a kick. I have only seen this – where else? – In fabulous, gay friendly, cosmopolitan and SAFE Cancun.So pack your bags and support this wonderful Mexican city! Bienvenidos…

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