Just back from Cancun

[LeicaFoReVer]

I just returned back from Cancun, Playa del Carmen Mexico.

I had great vacation time but not so efficient photography 🙂 I spent only 2 rolls!...I was too selective and we could not travel too much out of the resort...And besides most places are so developed with McDonalds Starbucks...I really wanted something more Mexican. We took walks to small streets around the town with my Contax G1 and Leica M6 hanging from my neck but the time was mostly during siesta and streets were empty 🙂 We took a trip to Tulum and Coba but half day quick tour was really not enough...

Anyways but I believe I have quite nice shots in those 2 rolls, I will post as soon as I develop.

You may share your shots from Cancun Mexico if you have please...

 

[jja]

You should go back and rent a little beach house in the southern section, which has many fewer big resorts.

A few years ago we flew into Cancun, immediately rented a car, and took a 10-day driving vacation through the Yucatan. Saw Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Merida, Coba, Uxmal, and finally Tulum. Sounds like a lot for 10 days, but total drive was only about 800 miles on great toll roads. The last three days in Tulum's beaches were magical. I think the key is to avoid the big resorts.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

wow you really hit the right places it sounds great! I heard that when you rent a car the police tend to stop foreigners. Did you have any troubles while you drove?

Any example shots?

 

[lilmsmaggie]

wow you really hit the right places it sounds great! I heard that when you rent a car the police tend to stop foreigners. Did you have any troubles while you drove?

I've not experienced this in the times I've been in Cancun. I think it depends really on where in Mexico you are. Although I have to admit its a little weird seeing Mexican Federales toting automatic weapons around in a resort city but after all -- it is Mexico.

In the Yucatan, you have a lot of international tourists as well as year-round residents from all over the world. In Central Mexico, the larger cities and in particular border cities that have drawn a lot of Mexican drug cartels, the story is different. A hispanic friend of mine spent a week in Tlaquepaque which is in the Mexican state of Jalisco. He and some friends were confronted by Mexican Federales, even though they were Americans. He told me it got pretty intense because they were being suspected as being members of a drug cartel.

The Federales had blocked the vehicle they were driving on all four sides with heavy machine guns mounted on military vehicles. My friend said they were asked to present their identification, passports, etc., and were repeatedly asked why they were there. I think this incident was probably an exception. Most tourists that drive in Mexico at least in the Cancun area are not subject to this type of confrontation by the Mexican police and military.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Well the taxi driver said they stop drivers to ask for bribes...Hmmm

Well nevermind lets talk about the photography 🙂

No photos posted yet!!

 

[jja]

wow you really hit the right places it sounds great! I heard that when you rent a car the police tend to stop foreigners. Did you have any troubles while you drove?

Any example shots?

See if this link still works:
http://web.mac.com/jjalonzo/iWeb/Site/Yucatan '08.html

Mostly family and location photos. Wish I had more pictures of other people.

We had no trouble at all on the roads. We rented a small, unassuming compact car, and travelled mostly on toll roads. We kept close to the posted speed limits (often around 70 mph), and were met with nothing but friendly faces. I'm sure it helps that I'm Mexican-American and speak Spanish. I saw many American travelers and they seemed quite happy.

 

[Roberto V.]

I'm probably going to Cancun early next year for a much needed vacation. Also, there's no such thing as siesta time, the areas outside the tourist zone are always pretty much empty like that.
I feel like I'll leave my cameras at the hotel most of the time, I'll be hitting up the clubs a lot 😀

 

[sevres_babylone]

At the beginning of the month I flew into Cancun, immediately took the bus and then ferry to Isla Mujeres to unwind for a couple of days, then took buses to Valladolid for a couple of nights before heading to Merida for 3 more. Finished with an early bus from Merida back to Cancun airport.

While I brought my Mamiya 7, I ended up taking the vast majority of my pics with my GRD3. Still going through them:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mexico grd3&w=50684955@N00

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Here are some shots: