10 Mexico: Cancun City Tour...

"Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment..." - Bob Jewet

(Flea Market Coral Negro)

Day 10: 28/06/25 (Saturday)
Activity: Cancun City Tour
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Cancun Centro Mexico

(Breakfast in the hotel)

Today we had a self tour of Cancun city. We took an Uber for our first stop at 28 Mercado. The market has more than 100 stalls and is located on Sunyaxchén Avenue in downtown Cancún. We browsed the beautiful handicrafts made of leather, silver, and glass, as well as sunglasses and t-shirts for tourists. There was a large store, the Supermanzana where we bought some fridge magnets here.

(28 Mercado souvenir shops)

(Colourful sombrero Mexican hats)

(Mayan warrior masks)

Next the Uber dropped us at El Crucero. In Cancun it refers to a major transfer point for public transportation, located at the intersection of Tulum Avenue and Kabah Avenue. It is a key location where several bus routes converge, connecting different parts of the city, including the Hotel Zone, downtown, and other residential areas. Route R1, for example, passes through El Crucero and continues to the Hotel Zone, downtown, and other areas.

(A second hand bookstore)

(Interesting displays in the shops)

We visited the flea market, the Coral Negro located in Cancun's Hotel Zone, very close to the nightclub scene. It offers visitors a wide variety of handicrafts such as hats, t-shirts, alebrijes, toys, candy, sarapes, and all traditional Mexican items. It is not actually a flea market but it is a great place to shop for souvenirs for friends or family and take home a souvenir of an unforgettable trip. It is also an area that always has a great touristy atmosphere.

(The Coral Negro Flea Market)

(Shopping heaven for tourists)

Marlin Beach is a Beach located in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, Quintana Roo, specifically at kilometer 13 of Kukulcán Boulevard. lt is known for its white sand and crystal clear waters, and is popular with tourists for its peaceful atmosphere and many entertainment options.

(Marlin Beach, a public beach)

(A beach at Cancun's Hotel Zone)

(White sandy beach)

From the beach we walked a short distance to Fiesta Mexicana a popular clothing store. In the Kukulcán Plaza. The Kukulcán Plaza is named after an important deity of Mayan mythology, usually identified with the Feathered Serpent. It is quite a large mall but a lot of stores remain closed.

(Coco Bongo Nightclub)

(Cancun signage everywhere)

(A jovial Mr. Frog)

We had lunch at the Barakah @ Kukulkan, also spelled Kukulcán. It is a significant deity in Maya mythology, particularly in the Yucatan region. He is known as the feathered serpent god, and is closely related to the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl. Kukulkan is associated with wind, water, and creation. Temples dedicated to Kukulkan are found at sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Mayapan. At Barakah we had the New York and Texas lamb burgers with chips for lunch.

(The stunning stained glass dome in Kukulcan Plaza)

(Enjoying the sunset at the Temple of Kukulkan)

(Having lunch at Barakah Halal Restaurant)

(New york and Texas burgers)

After lunch we booked an Uber to Masjid Ar Rahim Cancún. This mosque is an initiative of the Islamic Association of Quintana Roo, established in 2022 with the aim of addressing the needs of Muslim residents and visitors who did not have mosques or spaces designated for worship and Islamic activities. After performing our prayers, the caretaker who is also the Imam of the mosque, Mr. Ibrahim drove us back to the hotel. The mosque was about a five minutes' drive from the Ibis Centro Cancun Hotel.

(Masjid Al-Rahim for solat Zohor/Asar)

(The gang with Mr Ibrahim, the Imam of the mosque)

(Mr Ibrahim lives here)

Back at the Ibis Centro Cancun Hotel, after jamak prayers, we took a deep refreshing sleep. We have to be at the airport by 2.00 am because we are taking the 0425 hrs flight to Mexico City. We woke up for a late dinner of white rice, one minute chef beef rendang and sambal ikan bilis goreng. Took a hot shower and got ready to go to the airport.

👈09 Mexico: Chichen Itza - One of the Seven Wonders...

11 Mexico: Xochimilco and Coyoacan Tour...👉

11 Mexico: Xochimilco and Coyoacan Tour...

"Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play..." - Immanuel Kant

(The El Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance)

Day 11: 29/06/25 (Sunday)
Flight: Y4119 CUN 0425/MEX 0545 (Volaris Air)
Route: Cancun, Mexico - Mexico City, Mexico
Activity: Xochimilco and Coyoacan Tour
Hotel: MX Lagunilla Hotel, Mexico City

Good to go! All our bags are packed for the 0425 hrs Volaris flight Y4119 bound for Mexico City.

(Waiting for our Uber in the wee hour, feeling sleepy)

(The check-in counters were empty)

(We were the only passengers at the boarding gate)

By 1.30 am we took an Uber to Cancún International Airport. Volaris baggage check in at the counter was a smooth process. Our seats on the online check in boarding were changed because the flight plane was changed.

(The view of Mexico City)

We spent the 2h 20m on board napping. We landed safely in Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport. Mexico City International Airport is officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez and is the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It is the busiest airport in Mexico, also ranking as the 49th-busiest in the world, third-busiest in Latin America, and 15th-busiest in North America as of 2025, based on passenger traffic. The airport is served by more than 25 airlines, with flights to over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

(The arrival/departure hall was a bit chaotic)

(Our luggage were the last to arrive)

(A long walk to gate 7 for taxi pick-up)

A taxi sent us to Hotel MX Lagunilla Mexico City. Hotel MX Lagunilla features 90 rooms and lies merely 1.3 km from the public Square of the Three Cultures. Staying here you can use Wi-Fi throughout the property and parking on site. This hotel is located only 6 minutes on foot from Palacio Postal, a short distance from Garibaldi-Lagunilla tube station. Palacio de Bellas Artes is just a 6-minute walk from the 4-star hotel, and The House of Tiles is about a 5-minute drive away. The Angel of Independence is approximately 10 minutes' drive from the accommodation. Guests will find Garibaldi bus stop next to Hotel Mx Lagunilla, about a 5-minute walk away.

(Centrally located MX Lagunilla Hotel, Mexico City)

(Too early to check in, luggage kept in the store room)

Today we joined the Xochimilco and Coyoacan Tour. Walked quite a distance to the meeting point in front of Palacio de Bellas Artes. As we have not taken our breakfast, we went to El Cardenal Ristorante for breakfast before beginning the tour. We ordered burnt cheesecake, corn muffin, chocolate and cappuccino.

(The El Cardenal Restaurante)

(Corn muffins and cheesecakes for breakfast)

(Palacio de Mineria, dedicated to miners) )

(The Equestrian Statue of Charles IV of Spain)

The starting point for our tour today is the Palacio de Bellas Artes or Palace of Fine Arts. It is a prominent cultural center in Mexico City. It hosts performing arts events, literature events and plastic arts galleries and exhibitions (including important permanent Mexican murals). "Bellas Artes" for short, has been called the "art cathedral of Mexico", and is located on the western side of the historic center of Mexico City which is close to the Alameda Central park.

(The Palace of Fine Arts)

(The meeting point for the day-tour)

(Mr. Sal, our tour guide

(A bustling market scene in a public square)

(Paseo de la Reforma, a prominent and historic avenue in Mexico City)

(The Church of San Hipólito and San Cassiano)

(Monumento a Cuitlahuac)

Our first stop was at St Plateria Rafael, Mexico City where we visited a Silverware outlet. As visitors enter the outlet, the focus shifts to a small group of people surrounding a table, all silently and intently observing the work of Rafael Córdova, founder of the silverware shop that bears his name. I was presented a Mexican design carving for being an attentive listener.

(Plateria Rafael, a silver factory and jewelry store)

(A carving demonstration by Mr. Rafael)

( A gift from Mr. Rafael)

(Silver plated clown statues)

(An art piece of decorated butterfly mask)

(Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations figurines)

(Intricately decorated sugar skull)

(A wall decor of multiple horse heads)

Next visit was to the University of Mexico. The National Autonomous University of Mexico is a public research university in Mexico. It has several campuses in Mexico City, and many others in various locations across Mexico, as well as a presence in nine countries. It also has 34 research institutes, 26 museums, and 18 historic sites.

(The University of Mexico)

(The stadium is the venue for 1968 Olympic Games)

(Children practising roller skating)

(The Central Library of the University)

(A Public Research University)

We drove to Xochimilco in southern Mexico City. It is a gritty working-class neighborhood gives way to the famous canals of Xochimilco, the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs. Colorful gondola-like boats take visitors on cruises while food vendors, artisans and mariachi bands float past. The atmosphere is festive, especially on weekends, but too over crowded for me. 

Tourists can also visit the eerie, purportedly haunted Island of the Dolls. The story behind the Island of the Dolls is shrouded in tragedy, real or imagined. Legend has it that in 1950 the island's caretaker, Don Julian Santana Barrera, discovered the lifeless body of a drowned girl in the canals surrounding the island. The next day, he found a doll drifting down the canal. Believing it belonged to the girl, he hung the doll from a tree in her memory and as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. Now this small island is adorned with thousands of old, tattered dolls hanging from trees and scattered across the landscape.

(The vibrant coloured canoe in Xochimilco)

(A boat tour along the Canal of Xochimilco)

(Life musicians entertaining the visitors)

(Small islands along the canals)

(Mariachi bands along the canal)

After the canal cruise we were dropped off at the leafy Jardin Centenario park. It sits at the center of bohemian Coyoacán, known for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. The bright-blue Museo de Frida Kahlo, showcasing her life and work, is here, as are the well-preserved former home of Leon Trotsky, art galleries, and colorful artisan markets. Upscale sidewalk cafes sit side by side with laid-back ice cream parlors along the tree-lined streets. There were many restaurants and eateries around the park but none suit our taste.

(The centre of Bohemian Coyoacàn)

(Parish of Saint John the Baptist in Coyoacán)

(Colourful artisan market)

(The crowd at Jardin Centenario Park)

We took an Uber to Restaurant Tandoor San Angel to have an Indian Cuisine for lunch. Restaurante Tandoori is the first Indian and Pakistani cuisine restaurant in Mexico, since 1986. Visitors enjoy a pleasant atmosphere, in addition to the extensive variety of curries and dishes such as Chicken Tandoori, Mutton Vindaloo Basmati Rice, Lassi, Naan, etc. Elegant space surrounded by Far Eastern art specializing in Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

(Restaurantè Tandoori)

(Indian and Pakistani cuisines in Mexico City)

(Prawn biryani, fish curry and aloo gobi)

(A delicious lunch for four hungry travellers)

After the heavy lunch, we were back at the Jardin Centenario park. We watched the Mexican dance, often referred to as baile folklórico, encompasses a wide array of traditional dances that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. These dances vary by region and often feature elaborate costumes and symbolic movements. Some of the most well-known include Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance), La Bamba, and Dance of the Deer.

(Skeletons on the wall of a cafe)

(Mexican Hat Dance in the park)

(Youngsters clowning around)

(A beautiful Miss Potato)

(The Beatles figurines)

(Elotes and esquites, roasted corns topped with grated cheese)

(Mexican street foods)

It was raining heavily when we walked to the Freda Museo. We were still early so we went to Café Coyoacán, to have a cup of espresso while waiting for the rain to stop. It rained even heavier when we were there. Fortunately, it stopped raining when we got to the Palace of Fine Arts, our starting point.

(Drinking a cup of expresso, heavy rain outside)

Back at the MX Lagunilla Hotel for the night. Hanging our clothes and shoes out to dry. Fortunately, the room has a fan.

👈10 Mexico: Cancun City Tour...

   12 Mexico: Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours...👉