We are back in San Diego... It was an awesome trip!

There were so many unexpected adventures and experiences that made this trip even more special then planned... We changed choice of ruins, stayed an extra day in Valladolid and visited a home with  an amazing collection of Mexican and Mayan art.....

For Today, let me start by sharing ... Valladolid.. is an amazing and not yet over tourist ridden city... but thanks to Bachelor in Paradise, the city's own tourism efforts and the pure cultural and historic sights,.. this city is and was our number one.. unexpected beautiful pleasure....

I will share more but I do want to post these links... to get you started...

We did not go to Chichen Itza, instead we went to Ek Balam.. I am looking for a government sponsored link... and will post when I cover this amazing ruin...

Second, the city of Valladolid, there are so many beautiful places to see and things to do...

I must give another thank you to John and Dorianne Venator, for allowing us to tour your home on such short notice ,.. John , thank you for taking the time to show us around personally...Casa De Los Venados.. is not only a national treasure but a jewel in the center of the town...

Finally , Thank you to Julio and Rosaneli Sosa of Casa Marlene....

I will be organizing pictures and background information to use over the next month of posts about our Mexican adventure!

We also snorkeled with turtles, saw fish and coral and the hatching of hundreds of baby turtles and their return to the sea!... this was during our Akumal portion of our trip....

Akumal, Chichen Itza and parts unknown.. Here we come!

This will be my last stateside post .. until we arrive in Akumal... Flying into Cancun airport and using a transfer service to arrive at our little piece of paradise...
Our prescription masks and gear arrived yesterday, Thank You again Snorkel-Mart, all lodging and transportation is booked...

We are excited to go!

Riviera Maya Here We Come!
@WeVisitMexico

Snorkeling the Maya Riviera with prescription masks.. Maybe?

This is a brief update on a bit of a stumbling block so far... The cost of renting snorkel gear is reasonable..
15 a day in Akumal and 10 in Playa Del Carmen... Two towns on the Maya Riviera what my goal over the next few days will be is to find a shop that rents prescription masks... This has never been an issue before...but so far going 0-2 on the availability .. this is only with two shops but both #1 or #2 on trip advisor...
I will post by Tuesday the final spot.. There must be one...
So budget tip for today.. less expensive gear in Playa Del Carmen,,, we will stop and pick up gear on our way to Akumal... Where from??  I will let you know...

first round of Akumal planning

We are going for a budget vacation... at the same time there are multiple costs associated with any trip.. These are the reasons to plan daily expenses into your travel budget....
We got the air fare at a nice rate.. traveling out of the U.S.A and into Cancun on the Labor Day...
We are staying in nice moderately priced accommodations on the beach.. Playa Caribe
The extra costs are for snorkel equipment rentals, Helmie Atarie has been great and quick to reply to my email questions from Akumal Dive Shop.

We have chosen not to rent a car but to use ADO service and possible private shuttle upon our arrival.. Once we get our sea legs will use local transportation .. This is a tourist area and multiple options are available...
Here is a great site I found that I want to pass on... I-Akumal.com .. They do direct reservations but also have a wonderful easy to explore site with great information...  Here is the site that is helpful with Transportation.


As I have mentioned in earlier posts.. we never stay in hotels.. only locally owned or bed and breakfasts..
Because of this.. it is very important to use Trip Advisor  before any booking...

Many of these notes are well known.. but walking thru the process to get a Fair Dinkum experience.. is the number one priority....

Adios..
up next.. snorkel spots and then we will travel inland...