Discoverymundo Blog

Author: Johanna Lee

What to do in Tulum, Mexico

Why is everyone so obsessed with Tulum? On the southern end of Riviera Maya lies the incredible town of Tulum. This magical place is a paradise for everyone. I love places in touch with nature, the sea and peace.. where you can lay in a hammock at night watching starry skies, hearing the sound of the ocean and breathing the salty air.

In Tulum; you will find ecological hotels, bohemian bars, local taco trucks and artists. Travelers and people who visit are not seeking to change to local customs.. Each person in Tulum follows their own path and blend themselves creating an interesting atmosphere!

What to do in Tulum, Mexico? Here are some things you are probably gonna do:

1. Walk in the picturesque streets

This interesting environment is unique, you will love to explore those streets and turning like a local. The morning is for shopping, trying some of the food at the corners and the nights turns lively for spending the night at bohemian bars.

2. Ride a bike on Tulum’s beach road

When you stay in a hotel in Tulum, you’ll probably get a bike for free but if not, you can rent a bike. This is pretty cool because you can watch all the local stores, people at the beach and if you hold, you can visit the Mayan Ruins.

3. Discover the Mayan Ruins of Tulum

Tourists love it for being the only archaeological site built overlooking the ocean. Take this tour by walking throught all the structures and the most iconic, “El Castillo” is disposed on the edge of a cliff overlooking the clear turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean.

4. Hit to Playa Paraiso

Go to the south along the road to Boca Paila and you’re gonna find Playa Paraiso “Paradise Beach”. This name is real for that clear ocean and white sand. There are many lockers and change rooms to save your clothes for a while, also a restaurant and many local food in the area to buy some snacks or drinks.

5. Eat Tacos

Starving or not, tacos are a must!!! Tulum has insane, good and delicious tacos. The best ones are found on the streets. If you head to Tulum’s downtown area, get to “Antojitos La Chiapaneca” to try the best tacos al pastor in all Tulum. Each one is seven pesos. Put all the salsas in your tacos and just be careful with the spicy ones.

6. Have a tropical drink

While cackling with your accompaniment you must try one of the famous beach drinks: Coconut, Piña Colada, Mezcal, Maracuya, Mojito, etc.

How to get to Tulum from Cancun? Click here

April 26, 2016
Delight in the Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival
Delight in the Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival

If you love fine dining and delicious drinks, you absolutely don’t want to miss a minute of this four-day-and-night culinary celebration. Now in its fifth year, the Wine & Food Festival Cancún – Riviera Maya features exclusive tastings, dinners, seminars, and cooking classes with 20+ of the best chefs from every corner of Mexico, April 27th through May 1st. Easily the most important event of its kind in the Cancún area, it’s also among the largest foodie fests in all of Caribbean.

A Treat for All Senses

Nearly every Wine & Food Festival happening has a delectable soundtrack of live Latin music, acoustic instruments, or a DJ spinning tunes today’s hits. As you plan your itinerary and buy your tickets in advance (which we highly advise you do), consider these standouts:
- Dinner Tribute to Chef Alejandro Ruiz (April 28th, 8pm) – Honoring one of Mexico’s most beloved culinary masters, lucky diners are treated to a Champagne cocktail, Oaxacan Mezcal, and an authentic five-course dinner with wine pairings from Casa Madero.
- Cooking Class & Lunch (April 29th & 30th, 11am-3pm) – Join world-class Mexican chefs as they guide you through preparing a four-course meal, which you’ll enjoy with paired wine immediately afterward.
- Cancún Barcelona Tribute Dinner (April 29th, 8pm) – For this mouthwatering journey across the Atlantic, three renowned Spanish chefs (two of which have received Michelin stars) craft a very special menu alongside three of Mexico’s finest.
- Star Chefs Dinner (April 30th, 8pm) – Twenty Mexican chefs present their very own signature odes to national treasures like molé, al pastor, and flan, perfectly paired with mezcal cocktails, coffee, and beer.
- Gourmet Tasting Village (April 30th & May 1st, 1-5pm) – It all comes down to this: the festival’s flagship event, an “all-you-can-taste” gourmet Mexican food and drink paradise.
April 22, 2016
The romantic and historical city of Vienna

The romantic and historical city of Vienna

Vienna, described as the cultural capital of Europe, is the city with a unique magic, vibrancy and flair. It has an outstanding architecture, the city is clean, safe for everyone and has all the idea of inspiration and elegance you want to discover in Europe.

Why to go?

The dream city of Vienna is for anyone who loves history or is interested for romance. It is one of the specific cities in the world that it’s better than it’s reputation. Whether you just plan to stay for a couple days or get there on a long trip, there will be an endless things to do and places to visit. Another good point is the culture and music; Vienna has a lively, vast array of cultural attractions and music for centuries; it was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss.

Weather in Vienna

Vienna has a moderate weather in each season, not extreme changes. The average summer temperatures are between 20°C and 30°C and on winter it’s cold up to 0°C.

Attractions

There are many points of interest that you definitely have to visit in this amazing city! There are a lot of museums, galleries, lunch spots and recommendations from travelers:

Schönbrunn Palace:

Prater:

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna:

Belvedere, Vienna:

City’s Favourite Film:

Viennese Vino:

Arriving at Vienna Airport

If you already have your travel tickets to Vienna and your hotel. The best way to get to your hotel is with a transfer. To save money and problems at the airport I recommend to pre-book online your transfer in Vienna.

April 21, 2016
2 breathtaking tours in Hawaii
2 breathtaking tours in Hawaii

Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour

Of all the Hawaiian Islands, the Island of Hawaii is a world apart.
- Incredibly, 80 percent of the world’s ecosystems are found here, including rain forests, grasslands, wetlands, and even a rare alpine desert dating to the Pleistocene Epoch.
- On this daylong adventure, departing from Kona, you will pass through lava fields where various shades of solidified lava reveal the entire island’s past volcanic activity.
- You will actually see a distinct dividing line where the lava fields end and the lush farmland begins.
- You will visit Punaluu Beach, the amazing black sand beach where sea turtles often nest.
- Next you will be on your way to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, beginning at the Jaggar Museum and Hawaii Volcano Observatory.
- This is where you’ll find Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, and Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
- There is also the Thurston Lava Tube and, located in a small crater, the Fern Tree Jungle.
- If conditions are safe, you can even circle the crater along Crater Rim Drive.
Hilo Volcano Special Tour

Prepare for a thrilling day exploring volatile volcanoes, volcanic craters and lava tubes on Hawaii’s enchanting “Big Island.”

The highlight of this daylong adventure is a trek to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to come face to face with Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most famous active volcanoes on the planet.

How to book any of this tours? Click here to see more details about our tours in Hawaii.
April 15, 2016
Celebrate Cinema During Riviera Maya Film Festival
Celebrate Cinema During Riviera Maya Film Festival

If you love movies and nights on the beach, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the 5th Annual Riviera Maya Film Festival, April 21st-27th. World premieres, works-in-progress, and free screenings are just a few events you don’t want to miss. One of the freshest film fests in North America spreads across the Mexican Caribbean this month, adding an extra element of international culture and art to our already vibrant streets, theaters, galleries, and beaches. Dating back to its inauguration in 2012, the Riviera Maya Film Festival in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun has quickly earned the respect of cinephiles and filmmakers from around the world as among the most daring festivals around. Not only is it an opportune setting for rising stars in Mexican cinema to screen and produce their work, it also offers a magnificent setting for international artists to present films that might not otherwise be seen to engaged audiences.

A World of Film

While a distinct focus is placed on cultivating Mexican filmmakers in programs like the RivieraLAB, 53 of last year’s 70 featured films hailed from across the globe – China, Ireland, France, Russia, Argentina, and the United States, just to name a few. All screenings and premieres are divided into the following categories:

Mexican Platform – Strictly national voices.
- Galas – Two to four films and their crews are honored at these special events.
- Planetarium – Films in this category treat cinema as social activism.
- Wide Audience – These films target the general public with human narratives.
- Author Panorama – This section eyes film’s future through an avant-garde lens.
- RivieraLAB Presents – Young filmmakers nurtured by RMFF screen work in all stages of development.
Cinema in Paradise

Ranging from red carpet premieres in historic theaters to over 200 free screenings and moonlight movies on the beach, Riviera Maya Film Festival takes full advantage of the region’s lush setting. Altogether, events are planned here in Playa del Carmen, as well as Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Isla de Mujeres.
April 15, 2016
Paris for first time visitors

I have created a simplify guide for your your first time in Paris. If you are traveling soon, this guide has some really good tips before you go.1. Plan your trip: It is essential to plan your trip before you go. Without planning your first time in Paris you may probably get frustrated and disappointed in your trip. By doing research a reading in books and magazines, you can know the city and plan your checklist. My recommendation is to not doing all of this work when you get there, a little research on the internet is the easiest way to get information.

2. Travel in a transfer from the airport

There’s nothing worse than traveling with your luggage at the public transportation and I guess you are traveling back with more. Discovery Mundo offers shared and private services to travel directly to your hotel from Paris airport.

3. Prepare your luggage properly

Personally, when I meet a new city I like to cross all of it walking and meeting every corridor. Bringing the properly clothes for walking many hours is important, you can bring your best outfit but remember that walking a lot of hours is very exhausting for your feet. Remember to bring your camera and take a look at the weather on the time you fly to Paris!

4. Make a restaurant reservation in advance

This is something important if you want to have that special dinner at a restaurant in Paris. Many reservations can be made online but I recommend to call.

5. Plan the day when visiting the Eiffel Tower

Well, I guess is the main attraction you want to know. The day you are going to visit the Eiffel Tower has to be planned. Many people around the world go all days and you can be in line for hours. Affortunately, you can secure your reservation to go to the top of the tower and avoid that much time waiting.

6. Enjoy

Paris is called the city of love for many reasons, traveling for honeymoon to Paris is an incredible idea. Relax and enjoy your first time in this beautiful and historical city; you probably will not see everything you wanted, there is some much to do to just know Paris for just one trip in your life. Just accept it, you will leave wanting to visit again next vacation!

April 12, 2016
High-Flying Stunts at Riviera Maya Air Show – Cozumel Aeroshow 2016

Watch the world’s bravest pilots perform death-defying tricks over the Island of Sparrows during the 7th Annual Cozumel Aeroshow, April 16-17th. Best of all, the show is completely free for all ages, & discount ferry tickets are also available.Not only the best air show in Mexico, Cozumel Aeroshow is considered by international pilots and spectators to be the top event of its kind in all of Latin America. Now in it’s seventh year, attendance is expected to surpass 20,000 when the planes take to the sky over the Mexican Caribbean, April 16th and 17th.

Between the relaxed vibe and year-round perfect weather, Riviera Maya is an ideal place to celebrate flight – but if you’ve never been to an air show, you might be wondering what all the fuss about. To start, nothing compares to beholding the world’s bravest pilots perform unbelievable stunts in a place as pristine as the island of Cozumel.In the Sky & On the Ground

Of course, air show fun isn’t limited to what’s happening overhead, as a vast collection of exhibits fill the airfield in every direction. Peruse and board historic aircraft. Chat over classic cars and motorcycles. Grab a cold Heineken, a bite to eat, and just take it all in.

The Mexican Air Force & More

In addition to pilots from countries like the United States, Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela, the Mexican Air Force will make a very special appearance at this year’s show. Other highlights include the Red Bull Air Force of wingsuit skydivers, a demonstration from the X Wing Project, and Paramotoring performers.

Get Your Discount Ferry Tickets

Sign up to receive discount tickets for the 40-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, both Saturday (Practice & Picture Day), and Sunday (Airshow Performances).

April 8, 2016
Secret places in Cancun that most tourists don’t know about

The world is not limited to the same spots that has been mentioned before. So in your next vacation, instead of stepping on the most popular places in Cancun (to make you feel that uniqueness), I made this article of the secret places in Cancun that most tourists don’t know about.

Isla Contoy:

Isla Contoy is an island located 30 north of Isla Mujeres. It is considered to be the most important nesting place of sea birds in all the Mexican Caribbean. The island is very protected by the biologists, no more than 200 visitors per day are allowed. Apart from the clear water visibility, white sand beaches and lots of cocoteros surrounding the island.. this paradise has more than a hundred and fifty migrating and resident bird species. To visit Isla Contoy you must depart from Isla Mujeres.

Cenote Dos Ojos:

The word “Cenote” is pronounced, say-no-tay and is derived from the Mayan word, “Dzonot” which means sacred well. Quitana Roo is full of them, especially in Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Cenote Dos Ojos has history for divers, and snorkeling lovers who are looking for something different, this hidden treasure is founded between the jungle.
Do you know? Geologists estimate that there are over 6,000 cenotes in this area, however only just over 2,000 have been discovered. These cenotes are estimated to be over 6,500 years old and are only found in this part of the world.MUSA Underwater Museum:

This is the world´s most famous sculpture underwater. Located in Isla Mujeres, 30 minutes taking a ferry from Cancun Puerto Juarez. There are more than 400 hundred statues, they demonstrate the interaction between art and enviromental science. You can observe MUSA snorkeling or get closer to them with a diving tour. This is a top pick for every adventurer who comes to Cancun!Isla Holbox:

A well kept secret not known to many Mexicans outside of the Yucatan Peninsula. This amazing Island is located at the northwest of Cancun, Mexico. It is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on Mexico. Holbox was found by the pirattes when the mayans use to live in the area. Secret River:

The only crystal museum in the Riviera Maya, it’s a stunning underground river with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. It is recognized to be one of the natural wonders of the world. People can navegate 600 meters of Secret River swimming and walking through the routes. The experience of an adventure in this cave is the beginning of something mystic. Anyone who experience this will keep it as fantastic and incredible dream.Coba:

These isolated ruins, miles away from civilization, are the remains of one of the largest Mayan cities. The archeological site that has the highest mountain on the mayan world. Coba Ruins are fascinating.Tulum Starry Skies:

How many stars do you ask for your hotel? Forget about that. After the sunset, when the night is clear in Tulum, a beach town 4 hours from Cancun, you will see one of the best starry skies in your life.

April 7, 2016
Airport Transfers in Chicago

Looking for airport transfers in Chicago? Discovery Mundo offers Private Services to travel from O’Hare International Airport to your hotel.

If you are a frequent traveler, you may know that any airport is unique. Fortunately, our Airport Transfer Services offers consistent quality you can depend on. Our professional chaffeurs provide an intimate familiarity with the layout, logistical details and surrounding traffic patters of the airport in Chicago.

When booking an airport transfer service with Discovery Mundo, we guarantee eliminating every potential problem associated with getting you to or from your flight. The chaffeur will meet you at the exit of the airport terminal with your name, take you to your transfer and give you a private service directly to your hotel door with no stops.

Arriving at O’hare International Airport

Private Transfers in Chicago

Reserve Now

Call us: 1 (866) 238-1312

April 5, 2016
The beaches of Dominican Republic

Time flies and summer 2016 is getting closer. Have you ever think about spending this summer in Dominican Republic? If you don’t know much about this paradisiacal Island, I wrote this article so you know how marvelous is this place of dreams.

The beaches of Dominican Republic are the most beautiful of the Caribbean, hundreds of travelers around the world choose this destination for the incredible resorts at the seashore, delicious vacations with friends or family. What about the adventure in the ocean? Dominican Republic beaches are very clear for our eyes, you can observe all that is in the water, practice some activities and explore the ocean in a boat, kayak, yate, etc. Take your snorkel or dive equipment and be brave!

The beach of Bayahibe

This fishing village has more of 10 kilometers of sand and beach, it´s surrounded of beach houses. There is Isla Saona at the east of this beach, a very relaxing and beautiful island. Book your Airport transfer in Bayahibe.

Punta Cana

The most famous and I’m sure you have heard of it, this beach is surrounded by the best tropical and luxury resorts at the seashore. Ideal for vacations with family/friends at an all inclusive resort, golf courses, water activities and nightlife. Book your Airport transfer in Punta Cana.

Playa Cayo Levantado

This is another inspirational beach loved by travelers, if you ever dreamed about getting lost in an island, this is the one recommended. The sand is very white and you can see it from the surface while swimming in the sea.

Playa El Macao

Playa El Macao is declared by the UNESCO as one of the best beaches of the country. Fine white sand and thousands of coconut palms, is a unique place in the Caribbean. Book your Airport transfer in Playa El Macao.

Have you ever traveled to Dominican Republic? I would like to hear your experience!

April 5, 2016