Aiming to Longstay in Cancun, Mexico
Ok. I know that I did not list Mexico in the places that I wanted to visit and now that I’m here exploring the possibility of longstays for the duration of the winter, makes me an a-hole.
In all honesty, I wasn’t even considering Mexico as a replacement snowbirding location for me if not the Philippines, but when I kept hearing about it from expat friends and bloggers, I began to research a bit and got hooked on Mexico.
Surf waves of Mexican Caribbean
Firstly, it is very close to Canada as a tropical destination. Secondly, the airfare to Cancun from Canada is much cheaper than if I choose, say, Bogota. Third, their language is also Latin Spanish, which is the language I wanted to learn and practice. And fourth, Mexico and the Philippines have some kind of historical relationship from way back when both were a colony of Spain.
Because of those, I thought, why not Mexico then?
When it struck me to set my sight to Mexico instead of Colombia, it was very easy for me to choose what city to go to – Cancun.
Why? Because many CAnadians choose Cancun as their vacation spot. Besides, in my research, Cancun has the shortest flying time from Canada to most Latin American countries and therefore I can go back faster to Canada when required.
Am I abandoning my homeland the Philippines as my favorite tropical destination with Mexico?
Well no. But I got to be practical if I intend to just stay for, say, 3 months at the most. First and foremost, travel time to the Philippines from Canada is so freakin’ looooong. If I’m coming from our home in Toronto, the travel time is somewhere between 15 to 22 hours, depending on my connection. If coming from Edmonton, it is about 13 to 18 hours. That sucks if emergencies to go back to Canada happen.
Meanwhile, Cancun is 6 hours tops from both gateways.
Another factor which made me make the switch is the cost of airfare. Going to the Philippines, it does not matter where you’re coming from my two main airports. Cost is more than $1000. Even on lean season.
Pelicans at the Zona Hotelera
Meanwhile, Cancun airfares can be bought at about $400 which what I just got now. And my accommodation is a bed and breakfast place, which also did not cost me much at $28/night. Maybe I should negotiate more with my host so I can have them for much lower. Hmmmn.
So, for now – my favorite wintering destination will be Cancun. And I’m having a great time just being away from the cold season.
Bienvenidos a Cancun!
3 responses to Aiming to Longstay in Cancun, Mexico
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adoborepublic.net said on February 24, 2013
forestpixie, I looked up Hotel Campestre Las Palmas on the internet and then went to check it out. It is close to Mercado 23, around that area, but did not find it when I went. I saw other hotels in the area but none is within the $12/night rate. Anyway, if you’re going back, can you please comment the exact address so I can search it next time I’m in Cancun? Thanks a bunch.
adoborepublic.net said on January 18, 2013
Oh, thank you for the info, forestpixie. I’ll look them up online and check them out when I find their location.
forestpixie said on January 18, 2013
Hotel Campestre Las Palmas is my pick for best place to stay in Cancun. Only $12.50 a night (a little more for air conditioning) VERY clean, secure parking, great service and a friendly staff. At least that was the price two years ago.