Mexico Travel Information. Travel

Cozumel Mexico Travel Info : TravelYucatan.com Cozumel Mexico Travel Information Cozumel Mexico COZUMEL MEXICO Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean. It is also the most populated island in Mexico with an estimated population of around 90,000. Cozumel is situated near the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in the State of Quintana Roo . The island is approximately 30 miles [48 km] long and 10 miles [16 km] wide. It is about 12 mi [20 km] from the mainland, and some 36 mi [60 km] south of Cancun. Hurricane Wilma Distaster Information Isla Cozumel [or Cozumel Island] derives its name from the Mayans who once lived there and regarded the island as a sacred place. In Mayan, Cuzamil [Cozumel] translates to "land of the swallows," a reflection of the indigenous birds that inhabit the island. The Mayans are believed to have settled the island over 2000 years ago harvesting the rich abundance of seafood for commercial use. Conch shells were collected as an ingredient for stucco, which was used extensively on the mainland. The ocean also supplied a large number of other valuable items such as shark teeth, stingray spines and seashells that were used for ritual purposes. The Spanish explorer Juan de Grijalva first landed on the shores of Cozumel in 1518. The visitwas proceeded a year later by the butcher Hernn Corts. The conquistadors ruthlessly invaded the island destroying everything that lay in their path. Whether or not the Spanish knowingly imported smallpox on purpose is a matter of speculation, however to the ravaged Mayans the disease soon eclipsed their very being. Those who did not die a miserable death were shackled and sent to Cuba to live out their lives as slaves. Between 1519 and 1570 the island's population dropped from 40,000 to 30. By 1600 the island was desolate, its once flourishing community gone. Soon the island's numerous coves provided safe havens for marauding pirates. In 1848 during the "War of the Castes" the island was reclaimed by the Maya and used as a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the war. Slowly the island was reinhabted and in 1910-1917 the Mexican Revolution resulted in land reforms and freedom for the Isleos. The popularity of a new "candy" called chewing gum in the U.S.A. led to the island's growth. Cozumel was a port-of-call on the gum and coconut export route from Central America. During World War 2 the U.S. Air Force built a base on the island in order to launch aircrafts, in the pursuit of German U-boats. The first hotel, the "Louvre" opened in 1924, followed by the "Yuri" in 1932 and the "Playa" in 1938. After the the economic crises in the thirties, tourist development stopped. During the fifties, with the advent of modern scuba equipment divers started coming to Cozumel. World-famous explorer Jacques Cousteau and his team discovered the wall of reefs just off the island's shoreline and declared them to be one of the most incredible diving destinations in the world. After that diving exploded on the island! By 1970, Cozumel's population quickly grew to 10,000 and with the influx of tourism this once desolate island has now become the jewel of the Mexican Caribbean. SAN MIGUEL, COZUMEL When you get off the ferry in Cozumel you are met by a barrage of sales representatives for various dive and snorkel operations. Also in the mix are representatives for hotels and resorts who often carry photo-albums of pictures of the resorts. Once you get through this you are in the city of San Miguel right in the tourista shopping zone. There are public information booths present however these are manned by sales representatives for time-shares. Once you ask a question you are a step away from a free lunch, tour and a wasted day [don't get trapped into this]. There are numerous restaurants, cafes and shops selling everything that is carried on the mainland so shopping is not a problem and one does not have to leave the island. In fact some people prefer to shop in Cozumel instead of Playa del Carmen although the two are quite similar. The San Miguel tourist zone extends from the coastline back several blocks and north/south several blocks. Outside of this you have residential neighborhoods and general Cozumel industrial zones. The town of San Miguel, the airport, and the hotels are all located on the western side of the island. Fortunately, massive resort development is paralyzed by a lack of portable water and a strong desire to protect the island's delicate ecosystem. COZUMEL CLIMATE Average air temperature: 80F [27C] July/August - High 80's to low 90'sF [32C] December/January - Mid 70'sF [24C] Winter Months: Cold fronts may create windy, cloudy and cooler weather. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, usually lasting for an hour. Water temperatures range from 77-82F [25-28C] throughout the year. GETTING THERE Cozumel has an international airport with connecting routes to Playa del Carmen, Cancun and other destinations in Mexico, Belize and Guatamala. There is immigration at Cozumel airport. It is basicaly the same as Cancun airport or Merida. You press the button at the trafic light then proceed. The most common method of transportation to the island is by boat. There is a ferry service that connects Cozumel to Playa del Carmen for pedestrians and a ferry out of Calica for vehicle transportation. The ferry connecting to Playa del Carmen runs quite frequently [there are 3 ferries on duty]. Getting to Cozumel from Cancun Airport If you are landing in Cancun you need to either: Take an Airport-Shuttle to Playa del Carmen . Take a bus from the airport or Cancun city to Playa del Carmen. Take a taxi* to Playa del Carmen. Take a bus to Cancun city then take a taxi to Playa del Carmen. Take a car across on the ferry at Calica . * Taxis are not allowed at the airport but sometimes you can get one when the taxi is dropping somebody off. They are not allowed to hang around. From Playa del Carmen you take the ferry to Cozumel. We have bussed from Palenque to Playa del Carmen on the red-eye arriving a 5:00ish, walked to the ferry, boarded, slept, landed in Cozumel, hopped in a taxi and been in our hotel room by 7:00 am. COZUMEL SNORKELING For diving info see Cozumel Diving Cozumel's limestone shore is surrounded by temperate, crystal clear waters, which range from stunning turquoise to deep indigo. With over 30 kilometers of reefs, water visibility to 200 feet, and over 200 species of tropical fish, Cozumel is considered by many as the finest dive destination in the Atlantic. Water temperatures range from summer highs in the low 80's (F) to winter highs in the low 70's (F). Water depths range from as shallow as 10 to 100 feet. Water current conditions vary from light to moderate to strong. For snorkelers, there are plenty of places to go off the shore if you have your own gear and a rental car. Snorkeling trips by boat are available at the lobby of any hotel or the ferry docks. Snorkeling Cozumel is a lot differnet than snorkeling the mainland. In many locations on Cozumel as soon as you go out a few yards you are in deep water, but the visibility is good. The fish are bigger too. Many species of fish you see snorkeling the mainland are young and habitate there to avoid larger preditors. The two most common snorkel spots on the island are Chankanaab and Dzul Ha . Having snorkeled both locations we can offer this advice: Snorkeling quality is the same at both locations. In fact they are rather close to each other. What is different is this: Chankanaab is a eco-park, with all the bells and whistles, to which you have to pay admission. Dzul Ha is a free road-side attraction that you park at and jump in the water. If you're traveling with your family Chankanaab is recommended as you can spend the whole day there. If you are a couple looking for a cheap snorkel experience go to Dzul Ha. Both places rent snorkel gear and there are lockers and restaurants at each. You need to rent a car or take a taxi to get to either of these places. From San Miguel it is a short drive along the coast south. NOTE: It is advisable that all children and weak swimmers wear life-jackets when snorkeling here. Available at the rental stands. Other interesting snorkel locations: Hotel Presidente Intercontinental and La Ceiba Hotel beach . There is an underwater plane wreck used as a movie prop. Laguna de Colombia is a lagoon at the south tip of the island offering interesting snorkeling. Isla de la Pasion is a tiny island in Bahia Abrigo with secluded beaches and rocky shorelines. Isla de la Pasion is a state reserve and there are absolutely no facilities here. It is located north of San Miguel and you need to contact a fishing/dive charter to take you there. COZUMEL SEASONS Generaly summer is the low season and hotel rates are reduced competatively. In the winter prices go up and availability goes down. Best to book months in advance for winter vacations if you have a specific date in mind. After Labor Day and before the Christmas is an good time to visit but September and November are traditional huricane months. Crowds are down but the tempturature is still high. Rates are still lower than high-season. Rates go back down after Easter and low season begins. Availability at hotels is best during low season and room selection is best during this time. THINGS TO KNOW Water conditions on the beaches on the west side of the island [tourist zones] are usually excellent because the island blocks the currents and winds. You can buy almost anything your heart desires in the shopping zone. All popular snorkeling beaches have lockers and snorkel equipment for rent. Most streets in San Miguel are one way. The coastal highway is two-way and circles the island. Most stores have English speaking staff. All stores accept US dollars. Cozumel is a great place to find hard-to-get scuba and snorkel gear. There is a Sunday evening fiesta in San Miguel at the central plaza with live music. You can buy Cuban cigars here. You can get a taxi anywhere on the island [except the dirt road going north of Mezcalitos on the east side of the island]. There are a few Internet Cafes in San Miguel. Just walk around downtown and you will find one in no time. The further away from the waterfront, the cheaper the rates. There are laundromats in San Miguel. ENGLISH SPANISH today hoy tomorrow maana yesterday ayer monday lunes tuesday martes wed mericoles thursday hueves friday verdi saturday sabados sunday domingo COZUMEL INFO Introduction Cozumel Hotels Cozumel Hotel Map Cozumel Beaches Cozumel Shopping Restaurants Things to Do If you are staying at an all-inclusive for any length of time it is a good idea to tip the egg-lady at the buffet on your first day. She will remember you. In many resorts the egg-lady is in charge of the breakfest. | Cancun | Chichen Itza | Merida | Uxmal | Isla Holbox | | Mayan Riviera | Playa del Carmen | Cozumel | Isla Mujeres | Last Mod: November 2, 2005 2005 TravelYucatan.com v4.0 Description: Cozumel Mexico Travel Information. Travel Information for the Yucatan Peninsula Mexico

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Hawaii Discount Vacation - Swift Golf Vacations Sign Up For SwiftMail View Previously Saved Itinerary Reserving the perfect Hawaii discount vacation is easy with Swift Golf Vacations Simply find the place you want to have your dream Hawaii discount vacation. Use the links at the right to browse various golfing destinations. Once you pick the place, we'll help you choose tee times, lodging and vehicles - all the elements necessary for your perfect Hawaii golf vacation. There's no commitment until you have everything just right. For real simplicity, choose one of our outstanding Hawaii discount vacation packages at the far right. Easy and fun in one perfectly planned package! Call To Make Reservations: 1-800-577-3787 See All Available Destinations Golf the lush tropical courses of Hawaii Experience the variety of golf in the Southwest Challenge the courses of the East Coast Try golf northern style - Canada golf courses Enjoy the sun-drenched Caribbean golf courses See All Available Destinations View All Pre-Packaged Hawaii Discount Vacation Specials! California - Monterey Pebble Beach Special 4 Days and 3 Nights 2 Golf Rounds From $2,500 per person - SAVE MORE THAN $300 ! View All Pre-Packaged Hawaii Discount Vacation Specials! If you would like to speak to a Golf Vacation Consultant regarding your golf package to Hawaii, please call toll free 1-800-577-3787, or email Customer Support contact us terms privacy frequently asked questions Swift Golf Vacations is committed to bringing you the very best in golf vacation packages ©2005 Swift Golf Vacations. All Rights Reserved. Home | Browse Destinations | Vacation Specials | Group Travel | Partners | About Us | Site Map

Switzerland Travel Guide Top

Switzerland Travel and Destination Information sitemap Home Vacation Planner Main Attractions Hotels Getting Around About Switzerland Company Info 1- 800 33 SWISS (79477) - Call the Switzerland experts for immediate assistance ! Switzerland Travel Guide Top Destinations Zermatt Interlaken Montreux St. Moritz Lucerne Geneva Zurich Basel Mountain Resorts Crans-Montana Davos Grindelwald Gstaad Muerren Verbier Wengen Lakeside Cities Lausanne Locarno Lugano Murten Neuchatel Thun Other Cities Berne St. Gallen Regions Engadin Graubunden Bernese Oberland Ticino Valais Links Switzerland Travel Agency - Destination Guide & Travel Maps "MagicSwitzerland" provides you with a destination guide on travel to Switzerland and a reservation tool for hotels and other travel related services. On our site you will find travel information and maps of most Swiss travel destinations. Choose from one of our vacation packages and tours or work closely with one of our native Switzerland travel agents to design your perfect vacation. Start with our travel guide to Zermatt , the Bernese Oberland , the city of Zurich or any other place of interest in Switzerland. We would like to invite you to discover a variety of incredible destinations in Switzerland. The unique hospitality of our people plus the scenic beauty of our country will inspire your senses. Whether your interest are the Alps and other mountains, traveling by train through Switzerland, exploring the lakes or getting to know a Swiss City, we will assist you in putting together the perfect vacation. Our travel agents provide efficient and quality service and they can make all your travel arrangements for your visit to Switzerland. "MagicSwitzerland" is a full-service travel agency located in Kansas City, MO and we arrange for hotels , rail tickets , car rentals , ground transfer , international airfare and anything else to fit the needs of groups and individual tourists planning to travel in Switzerland. We specialize in custom itineraries and organize soft tours and adventures for all ages and abilities. We also organize itineraries combining Switzerland with visits to other European countries! Switzerland offers a four-culture diversity, service oriented hotels and the Swiss command of English which makes traveling pleasant. Please also visit our Magic Travel Deals page, where we present you attractive offers and last minute bookings for your vacation in Switzerland. Book Online Train Passes Swiss Hotels Rental Cars Vacation Homes Travel Insurance

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Argentina Travel

Travel: Argentina Travel Notes -- Argentina Cities Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Travel Notes : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Booking Engine Vacation Finder Latin America @ Travel Notes Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Caribbean Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Falklands Fr. Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Sth. Georgia Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Major Cities in Argentina Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and in the summer it seems that every one leaves the city for the cool hill country of Crdoba or the beaches of Mar del Plata. In the winter, Bariloche becomes the popular destination for skiers . Bahia Blanca Bahia Blanca : The english section was still under construction when we looked at it, but there's plenty of information in Spanish. Bariloche San Carlos de Bariloche is on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huap, in western Argentina. If you feel like you're in an Alpine town, it's probably because Austrians and Germans settled here around 1895. Bariloche attracts skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Boating and fishing are also popular on the lake. You'll also arrive here if you're travelling to or from Puerto Mont in Chile . Ansa International Rent a Car : AI Rent a Car in Bariloche, with over twenty five years experience of renting cars locally and regionally. There are also branch offices around Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Bariloche Accommodation : Where to stay in Bariloche. Bariloche Guide : Directory of information relating to Bariloche, with links to local websites. Nahuel Huapi : Directory devoted to Bariloche and the visitor who can read Spanish. Buenos Aires The capital of Argentina , founded in 1580, is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean; on the western bank of the Ro de la Plata. The Plaza de Mayo , close to the waterfront, is where the city began, and it has expanded in ever-widening semi-circles. The Avenida de Mayo runs west from the Plaza de Mayo to the National Congress. To the north of Avenida de Mayo are the more wealthier suburbs, while the colourful La Boca neighbourhood of working class families and descendants of Italian emigrants lies to its south. Argentines like their meat and tend to dine out late. It's not uncommon to be the only guest in a restaurant before nine in the evening. Buenos Aires Accommodation : Where to stay in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires Directory : Buenos Aires listings for restaurants, bars and pubs, bingos and casinos, discotheques, markets, art galleries, places to visit and Tango houses. Metropolitano : Schedules and fares for the Metropolitano network. Official Buenos Aires : Only in Spanish. Tandilnet : Tandil is located in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, about 360 km away from the city of Buenos Aires. This local directory of information and links is available in English and Spanish. Cordoba Founded on the Ro Primero, in central Argentina, by the Spaniard Jernimo Luis de Cabrera in 1573, Crdoba became one of the major centres of learning in South America. The Jesuits founded the National University of Crdoba in 1613. The city is also home to an astronomical observatory and the National Meteorological Institute. The beautiful hill country surrounding Crdoba makes it a popular summer escape from the heat of Buenos Aires. Crdoba : Crdoba portal, in Spanish. Mar del Plata The most popular seaside resort in Argentina is at Cape Corrientes on the Atlantic Ocean. Midsummer is January and February, and the beaches are packed with people from Buenos Aires -- standing room only. Mar del Plata : Mar del Plata has excellent road and rail links with most of Argentina. The majority of people come to Mar del Plata for the beaches; General Pueyrredon district's 47 km coastline contains a huge variety to choose from. Mendoza Mendoza Tour : Things to do and places to stay around Mendoza -- for readers of Spanish. Rosario Rosario is the second most important city in the Republic of Argentina. It is located in the south of the province of Santa Fe along the shores of the Paran river and is approximately 300kms northwest of the capital, Buenos Aires. Rosario : Basic information for visitors to Rosario. Salta Colonial architecture draws the tourists to Argentina's northwest . The cathedral and numerous churches, government buildings, and private mansions throughout the area reflect its Spanish colonial past. Salta's fiesta time is in September. SightseeingTours, Events and Attractions . Miscellaneous -- Online Reservations Maps & Travel Books : Stanfords is the UK's leading specialist retailer of maps and travel books. 1800-Hostels.com : Budget Accommodation in Latin America. Latin American Directory : Latin America links sorted by country and category. Send @ Postcard Unique images of travel destinations by Travel Notes. Travel Industry : Add Your Tours Add Your Property Latin American Spanish Phrasebook : Most guidebooks have a few words to help you get by but real travellers will need this companion. Learn Spanish . Mailing List Keep up with the latest news @ Travel Notes. Meta-Travel Forums : If you have a question, want to hang out with other travellers, tourists or the natives.... then join Travelnotes in the Meta-Travel forums and share in the global experience. Countries Weather Flights Cars Lodging Specials Contact Meta Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . Argentina Cities Argentina Culture Argentina Hotels Argentina News Argentina Regions Argentina Skiing Argentina Tourism Argentina Tours Bariloche Buenos Aires Business Corner LearningSpanish Patagonia Local Currency Convert your currency into Argentine pesos. Travel Directory : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Add URL Search Travel Notes | Travel Notes | Search Resources | Submit Your Travel Site | Meta-Travel Search | | 1800-Countries | 1800-Casinos | 1800-Cruises | 1800-Olympics | 1800-Worldcup | | Airlines | Airports | 1800-Fly | 1800-Lodging | 1800-RentalCars | Vacation Rentals | | Legal Notice | Travel Articles | Magun's Compass | Advertisers | Online Reservations | The URL for this page is: http://www.travelnotes.org/LatinAmerica/Argentina/argentina_cities.htm