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	<title>Casa Merlin &#187; About the Area</title>
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		<title>Area Attractions</title>
		<link>http://casamerlin.com/2009/08/area-attractions/</link>
		<comments>http://casamerlin.com/2009/08/area-attractions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:50:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About the Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chichen itza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dining]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mayan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tours]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[History, adventure, fun &#8211; the Mayan Riviera has it all.
 Here are a few attractions we highly recommend . . .




Tours
 All types of guided tours are available, from boating, jungle visits, dune buggies, horse-back riding, fishing, scuba diving in cenotes and trips to Xcaret Eco Theme park. They are easily arranged through you travel [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>History, adventure, fun &#8211; the Mayan Riviera has it all.<br />
 Here are a few attractions we highly recommend . . .</strong></span></p>
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<div id="attachment_22" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-22" title="Chichen Itza" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/tulum2-1501.jpg" alt="Chichen Itza" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Chichen Itza</p></div>
<p><strong>Tours</strong><br />
 All types of guided tours are available, from boating, jungle visits, dune buggies, horse-back riding, fishing, scuba diving in cenotes and trips to Xcaret Eco Theme park. They are easily arranged through you travel agent, tour operators in Playa del Carmen and Pueroto Morelos or over the Internet (Puerto Morelos has an Internet Cafe).</p>
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<div id="attachment_20" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-20" title="Tulum" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/tulum-1001.jpg" alt="Tulum" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Tulum</p></div>
<p><strong>Mayan Ruins</strong><br />
 The <a href="http://www.mayanmajix.com/ancient_F1.html" target="_blank">Mayan civilization</a> was at its peak throughout the Yucatan in 900 AD. The amazing buildings and art are a must-see while you are visiting Casa Merlln. You&#8217;ll be close to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulum" target="_blank">Tulum</a>, one of very few ocean-side sites, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coba" target="_blank">Coba</a>, an active archeological dig, and the world-famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichen_itza" target="_blank">Chichen Itza</a> (above left).</p>
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<div id="attachment_35" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-35" title="Cenote Diving" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/cenote-1001.jpg" alt="Cenote Diving" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Cenote Diving</p></div>
<p><strong>Cenote Diving</strong><br />
 These beautiful <a href="http://www.tamug.edu/cavebiology/Yucatan/Bolonchohol.html" target="_blank">fresh-water caverns</a> dot the Yucatan. Explore them up close and personal with an experienced certified guide. Visit <a href="http://casamerlin.com/Dive_Puerto_Morelos.shtml" target="_blank">Dive Pueto Morelos</a> for the best in instruction, guiding and rentals.</p>
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<div id="attachment_43" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-43" title="Snorkeling" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/snorkel-1001.jpg" alt="Snorkeling" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Snorkeling</p></div>
<p><strong>Snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing</strong><br />
 The reef off Puerto Morelos offers a chance for snorkeling that is both relaxing and stimulating. Beautiful water, beautiful fish. You can surf right at Casa Merlin, off Playa del Secreto &#8211; the Secret Beach.</p>
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<div id="attachment_46" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-46" title="Tucan" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/tucan-1001.gif" alt="Tucan" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Tucan</p></div>
<p><strong>Xcaret Eco Theme Park</strong><br />
 5 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, this incredible theme park combines entertainment, history and ecology, showing off Mexico at its best.<br />
 <a href="http://www.xcaret.com" target="_blank">Xcaret Park web site</a></p>
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<div id="attachment_47" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-47" title="Dining" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/dining-1001.jpg" alt="Dining" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Dining</p></div>
<p><strong>Dining</strong><br />
 There are excellent restaurants and dining rooms all along the Mayan Riviera. Enjoy cuisine from all over the world, or savor local mexican dishes.</p>
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<div id="attachment_48" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-48" title="Jardin Gardens" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/botanical-1001.jpg" alt="Jardin Gardens" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Jardin Gardens</p></div>
<p><strong>Jardin Botanical Gardens</strong><br />
 Covering over 150 acres, this beautiful area is part of Mexico&#8217;s nation-wide strategy for botanical protection. Easy walking through lush native vegetation just a short drive from Casa Merlin.</p>
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<div id="attachment_49" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-49" title="Fishing" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/fishing-1001.jpg" alt="Fishing" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fishing</p></div>
<p><strong>Fishing</strong><br />
 Be it for marlin or mahi mahi, deep sea fishing is a great experience. Charters are readily available in Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen.</p>
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		<title>Towns and Shopping</title>
		<link>http://casamerlin.com/2009/08/towns-and-shopping/</link>
		<comments>http://casamerlin.com/2009/08/towns-and-shopping/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:49:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[About the Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mayan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mexico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Peaceful and tranquil, Playa del Secreto is the perfect place to relax while still having access to all the amenities desired for a perfect vacation.
Things are changing fast in this popular area. The area has completely recovered from Hurricane Wilma (2005), with many improvements to local infrastructure (highways, electricity, telecommunications) along with new developments.
Puerto Morelos
Puerto [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_69" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 190px"><img class="size-full wp-image-69" title="Marketplace" src="http://casamerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/market-1801.jpg" alt="Marketplace" width="180" height="224" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Marketplace</p></div>
<p><strong>Peaceful and tranquil, Playa del Secreto is the perfect place to relax while still having access to all the amenities desired for a perfect vacation.</strong></p>
<p>Things are changing fast in this popular area. The area has completely recovered from Hurricane Wilma (2005), with many improvements to local infrastructure (highways, electricity, telecommunications) along with new developments.</p>
<p><strong>Puerto Morelos</strong><br />
Puerto Morelos is 10 km north of Playa del Secreto. We love the casual ambiance of this small fishing village (population 2,000), which has a number of restaurants, shops and small resorts. There are a couple of small grocery stores,  the largest being Super Casa Martin, offering a variety of  groceries, wines, liquors, and sundries, as well as an ATM. In Puerto Morelos you will find pharmacies, internet cafés, travel agency, book store, dive shops, ATM/money exchange, and a PEMEX gas station. Be sure to stock up at the fruit and vegetable farmers market held every Wednesday morning beside the large church. Fresh seafood is sold at the fishermen&#8217;s co-op each afternoon. Interested in diving? Drop in to <a title="Scuba Diving" href="http://casamerlin.com?p=285">Dive Puerto Morelos</a> and meet Sonvya and Brett.</p>
<p><strong>Playa del Carmen</strong><br />
This fast growing yet charming city is the hub of activity in the Mayan Riviera, with great restaurants and shops, plus full access to services and activities. You can stock up on groceries at the several large grocery stores, shop for local crafts or international goods on the famous Avenida Quinta (5th Avenue), dine at virtually any kind of restaurant, enjoy the nightlife or arrange tours and sightseeing trips. Playa del Carmen is 20 km south of Playa del Secreto.</p>
<p>Stocking up on supplies is easier than ever; new stores openned since 2006 include Walmart, MEGA, and Sorianos, all offering groceries, beer/wine/liquor, personal care/pharmacy, and clothing.  At the south end of town near Playacar is a Sam&#8217;s Club, Chedraui (large Mexican supermarket, similar to Walmart). There are several other small groceries, bakeries, and specialty food stores throughout the city.</p>
<p>The passenger ferry for <strong>Cozumel </strong>departs regularly from the dock in downtown Playa del Carmen (40 minutes crossing)&#8211;perfect for day trips.</p>
<p><strong>Cancun</strong><br />
In addition to great restuarants, fun nightlife, tours and souvenir shopping, there are a number of large American chain stores and shopping malls. The ferry to Isla Mujares departs from the Embarcadero at the north end of the Hotel Zona.  A city map is highly recommended to help you navigate.</p>
<p><a name="map"></a><br class="spacer_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;q=Puerto+Morelos,+Quintana+Roo,+Mexico&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,114.169922&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;cd=4&amp;geocode=Fan9PQEdlTLS-g&amp;split=0&amp;ll=21.153677,-86.75354&amp;spn=1.818842,3.56781&amp;t=h&amp;z=9"></a></p>
<p><a style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;q=Puerto+Morelos,+Quintana+Roo,+Mexico&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,114.169922&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;cd=4&amp;geocode=Fan9PQEdlTLS-g&amp;split=0&amp;ll=21.153677,-86.75354&amp;spn=1.818842,3.56781&amp;t=h&amp;z=9"></a></p>
<p><a style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;q=Puerto+Morelos,+Quintana+Roo,+Mexico&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,114.169922&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;cd=4&amp;geocode=Fan9PQEdlTLS-g&amp;split=0&amp;ll=21.153677,-86.75354&amp;spn=1.818842,3.56781&amp;t=h&amp;z=9"></a></p>
<p><a style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;q=Puerto+Morelos,+Quintana+Roo,+Mexico&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.956293,114.169922&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;cd=4&amp;geocode=Fan9PQEdlTLS-g&amp;split=0&amp;ll=21.153677,-86.75354&amp;spn=1.818842,3.56781&amp;t=h&amp;z=9"></a></p>
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