Cancun Day 344 28/08/2015

The alarm went off at 0330 (!) and by 0400 we were in our taxi on the way the airport. After paying an extortionate $28 each departure tax, we checked in for our flight to Mexico City and on to Cancun. Surprisingly we didn't get stamped out by immigration (we'll keep our departure tax receipts just in case!). We spent our few remaining Costa Rican colones on coffee, a 'Pura Vida' number plate which is the slogan of Costa Ricans known as Ticos and a fluffy capuchin monkey (for Diane!). Our 0630 Interjet flight left on time, heading north up the Pacific Coast. The view along the way was coast fringed with mountains and volcanos, several of which were smoking. We weren't sure which Central American country we were over although the last few were definitely in Mexico. As we approached the airport you could see the sprawling mass of Mexico City. We cleared immigrations and had to collect our bags, pass through customs, drop off our bags and go back through security for our onward flight. It was all a bit confusing but luckily we had a few hours between flights. As seems to be the norm at airports, Simon got searched for fresh produce (must look like a dodgy character!). The remote keypad for our ipad had broken so we used the opportunity to buy a new one at duty free. Our flight to Cancun was uneventful and we were soon flying over the swamp lands that surround the city. We took the airport bus to Canun Citudad and then walked the short distance to our hotel Oh! Urban Oasis where we were staying for the next 3 nights. We'd chosen the hotel because they had a good deal available through booking.com and a pool but when we arrived we had to pay an extra $60 for a second person in the room. Ultimately it was our fault as the confirmation stated 1 person but we couldn't understand this as you could only book for a minimum of 2 on booking.com. We'll definitely be checking the confirmation emails more carefully from now on. It's a new, modern hotel with large rooms although a bit clinical. In the evening we walked through the main plaza to a traditional Mexican restaurant, enjoyed a tasty traditional meal listening to a local band playing and luckily they didn't serenade us!

The view from the plane along the west coast of Central America 

Volcanos near to Mexico City 

The evening entertainment