Mexico-The Yucatan

If you want to start to explore latin america but don't want to go too far or get too much culture shock, Mexico is perfect. Cancun itself has so many companies, buildings and people from the USA that it's practically an extension of Miami. Go anywhere a few hours north (Holbox) or south((Tulum) of Cancun, and you are in more pristine paradise typed places. I recommend you go to at least one Cenote (water caves), but do the research as there are many, at various distances and prices and levels of tourism.. sometimes it pays to get a day trip here or there that includes lunch and transport.. but generally I try to find those less frequented little sites that the locals enjoy too. Scuba in Cancun was not bad either. In the winter, expect lower vis and rougher currents, but still good. The ADO buses are very convenient and organized compared to the cheaper local van-buses so it may be worth the extra $10 depending on how far you are going.. You can take a bus right into Belize too, and you should. I took the boat from Chetumal, since I wasn't interested in the mainland, but depends on your budget and timeline I guess. TOP TEN THINGS to miss about Mexico 1.$10 bottles of tequilla (dos caballos, yum!) 2.Waiting for the rain/wind to settle down so i can scuba already! 3.The loose parameters used to divide road "lanes" 4.Busloads of sunburned drunken americans 5.merhcnats boarding buses to sell food, smokes, candy, songs or drinks 6.Getting hot sauce with every meal, no question 7.Clamato juice and beer premixed in a can 8.Shark-infested beaches- paradise! 9.Cheap and amazing pineapples and avocados 10.Those freakin Mayans