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INTERVAL WORLD
■
Issue 2, 2019
63
The 17-mile stretch along Cancún’s Caribbean shore is known as the
Hotel Zone, so it’s no surprise that resorts of all sizes line the beach
there. What
might
come as a shock, though, is how pristine that beach
remains — and that the ocean really
is
the impossible swirl of turquoise
and cobalt you see in all the pictures.
What to do:
Spend as many days on and in the water as possible.
Snorkeling and scuba diving arguably are the most rewarding, allowing
you to figuratively get lost in the vibrant submarine habitat. And banana
boat rides, jet skiing, flyboarding, windsurfing, and sailing are all lots of
fun, too.
Where to do it:
Ecological parks such as Xcaret offer a range of
water-based leisure pursuits, including swimming with dolphins (or sharks,
if you’d prefer), and snorkeling and Snuba experiences. For even more
variety, check out Aquaworld, where you can book everything from scuba
dives to speedboat excursions to sea turtle encounters.
Why go now:
With most summer vacations wrapping up, you’ll have
even more space to stretch out on the beaches and fewer people com-
peting for the attention of the underwater marine life.
Insider’s tip:
The water activities aren’t relegated to the coastline.
Mexico’s inland
cenotes
— jungle sinkholes — make for truly unique
day-trips during which you can snorkel or even scuba through a cave
system.
iShootPhotosLLC/Getty Images; EXTREME PHOTOGRAPHER/Getty Images
Cancún, MexicoADDITIONAL ANTICIPATED
international
destinations
British Columbia, Eastern Bahamas, Freeport Aruba Venezuela, Margarita Island Mexico, Riviera Maya Mexico, South Baja Mexico, Puerto Vallarta Mexico, Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Mexico, Ixtapa Bolivia Uruguay, Punta del Este Argentina, Entre Ríos Argentina, Patagonia and Cuyo Austria, Alps Tunisia Egypt, Red Sea The Gambia