Day 5: A Trip Downtown
Another beautiful, sunny day at the pool. We decided to get the 2:00 shuttle back into Cancun, and head into downtown again and try to find Market 23 per Laura's map recommendations again, and then find another place for dinner. I just couldn't handle eating dinner at the Moon too many times, and we had to get out! We hung out at the pool that morning - and for some reason (this is the first time we had this problem) it was almost impossible to find one of the chairs in the water that was facing the sun, and away from the scuba lessons area! Everyone 'marks' their chairs before breakfast with a towel and a book, or shoes, or something and then they don't come back for awhile. We decided to do the same, only to return an hour later to find our towels gone, and 2 people sitting in our spot!!!! Sheesh. So we finally found a place by the scuba, and it wasn't bad, because after all, the scuba people were underwater!! LOL. The pool water, as it had been all week, was pretty nippy. We did get in a few times - and it's not so bad when you are finally in, but getting out can be cold too, because there is usually such a nice breeze passing through.
There weren't a lot of people swimming in the pool, and hardly anyone at the beach. My husband and I walked out to the beach to see what it really looked like, and to see if we might actually swim or lay out on the beach. We spent about 5 minutes on the beach, and detoured right back to the pool! The sand was ridden with bits of wood and seaweed, and wasn't very white or pretty. I thought the beaches in Panama City Florida were prettier!! The sea color was pretty to look at - deep blues, bright greens, and some browns from where the reef was. But it didn't look like a place I'd want to swim in. The beach water was MUCH calmer than the hotel zone, there were almost no waves, and the beach itself was very wide and plenty of room to walk on. The perfect combination would have been the color of the hotel zone, and the size and calmness of the moon palace's beach. It was very pretty, but there were very few people swimming in it. And there was a lot of seaweed, - if they were going to clean that up, it would be an all day job! Definitely go to one of the other palace resorts (Cancun had the best beach) and spend a day in the clear blue water and the nice sand. You can take a cab right to the Sun Palace for about 10 bucks U.S. Offer to pay 10 in u.s. money before you get in the cab. Realize, that taking a cab from your hotel instead of catching one from the road (not likely to happen at the Moon) is more expensive. So if you need to hail a cab from Cancun, try to grab one at the street, instead of in front of the hotel. You can take a city bus from Sun Palace to any where north, (Cancun Palace) for 4.5 pesos per person (about 50 cents) - you could take it up to Cancun Palace. The whole trip will take you probably about 20-25 minutes to get to Cancun Palace. After all, the blue water is what the Caribbean and Cancun are supposed to be about, right?
If you want to see my idea of a beautiful beach, check HERE.
Anyways, after we caught the shuttle up to Cancun, we got off at Cancun Palace again, and then hopped a city bus. One word of advice - if you want to catch a city bus after getting off the Moon shuttle, get off at Cancun or Sun Palace. There were bus stops right next to each hotel. At the beach palace, it looked as if you'd have to walk a bit to get to a bus stop - of course, you can get a bus to stop anywhere just by waving at the right bus, and they'll pull over for you. Just tell the bus driver your destination, and he'll announce your stop when he gets there.
After getting back downtown (it probably takes about an hour to get downtown from the Moon Palace when you take the shuttle to the bus - but it's actually not much faster in a taxi, and it's a whole lot cheaper!) we took a local cab for 1.50 to Market 23 - per Laura's map, you don't have to haggle for things here, and the prices are the best. Of course, we went too late to see all the local food vendors with their stuff out, most of that was closed up. We picked up some very nice pottery for not much money, and a few other souvenirs, then grabbed another cab and headed back to the main road downtown. We walked a little bit from El Pescador to the main park in downtown - where there is a big Palapa roofed stage where the locals have entertainment and stuff. It was really interesting. There were families out, and children playing, and a lot of people hanging around. We finally were getting hungry, so we headed over to Carillo's for dinner, again upon recommendation of the map. We had the mexican platter for 2 - recommended by our waiter - for 27.00 - it was big enough to feed an army! I was only able to finish a small part of the plate, and my husband and I together only ate about half of it! There were enchiladas, tacos, beans, rice, fahitas, stuffed peppers, and some other things, along with fried bananas! Very very good dinner. We were the only people in the restaurant, possibly because we were eating at about 6 pm, kind of early for Cancun standards, but we were hungry!!! This place is a great meal, so do stop by if you have time.
Now that we were well stuffed and watered, we grabbed a bus back to Beach Palace. We had about 20 minutes before the shuttle came, so we looked around the Beach Palace. Honestly, I was not at all impressed with the hotel. It was somewhat old and dingy looking, and not nearly as impressive as the other hotels in the chain. It reminded me more of a holiday inn. It was very small, the food didn't look too tasty (but then none of it was!) and the bar was very small and over crowded. The pool and beach area were also small. It was kind of laid back though, I did notice a larger amount of teenagers here than at any other hotel. I don't think a teenager would stay at the Moon Palace anyways. It definitely had the best location in relation to Punta Cancun and the night clubs though, perhaps that is why it had a younger crowd. Not for me though. So we caught the shuttle about 2 hours earlier than we were scheduled to go, and headed home. We spent some time browsing the gift shop, hanging out at the bar and talking to other guests, and walking around the property before bed.
* none of these photos may be used for any reason without permission -
all are copyright, Amy Newcomb or Ray Newcomb, 2000
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Check-In - Lobby, Room, Pool Photos More Pool shots, and Grounds Photos Cancun Palace Beach Photos Snorkeling Photos (Underwater) Mostly advice about downtown Sunset/Sunrise Photos, another day at the Pool Trip to Chichen Itza and Photos Packing up, and Going Home
