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Show De aeues eae Is PeRieeek eedee Xel-Ha— The Great Escape Located a short 75 miles south of Cancun, Xel-Hais a wonderlandof flora and fauna By Lisa Coleman Specal contrat or years, Cancun has been the Caribbean beach mecca of Mexico. iiterally millions of visitors flock here each year to soak up the sunshine and enjoy some of the world’s most stunning shoreline But there is more to Cancun thon beaches. In fact, the entire area south of Concun is home to some of the most incredible landscapes and ecological porks in the world. | recently spent fime discovering the areas in and around Cancun ond was omazed at some of the sites to be seen. One of the most impressive stops on my journey was Xel-Ha. Located about 75 miles south of Cancun (and ‘near the ancient ruins of Tulum), this YelHa (pronounced SHELL-HA) i on ancient Mayo nome. “Kel” refers to the source of something, and “ha” is the Mayan word for water, hence, rendeed poetically, we have: “where the weter is born.” Legend has it the! Mayan gods combined their wisdom, their dreams ond their love cf beauty fo create 0 place thot united the best aspects of the Caribbean and they called it Xel-Ha. The gods were said to be so pleased with their ceation that they decided to share it with man, but to keep their efforts from being ~~ 28 YEARS OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE TTT ; ALLCLUS inebrag nr! Costa De Oro @ Holiday Inn £1 Gd Castilla Sunspree Resort > DY. 412.4260 man VALLARTA Krystal Vallarta @ Many visitors choose to take in Xel-Ha by way inner tube, experience for everyone. Siffing on floating the gentle currerits that maui ona aeser more than 150 acres, the pork is 6 veritable poradise. The site is « collec- long the shores to revel in this won- gear, is $52 for adults and $26 for fion of caves, coves, lagoons and cen- der of rature. children ages 5-11 years old. Or there otes (spectacular underground rivers) The river empties into the main inlet is 0 bosic entrance fee (which covers filled with an unusual combination of where it forms an enormous lagoon surrounded by docks and beaches. The for adults and $13 for children. For inlet, on adventure in itself, whether rssicon vk fo eb hb you ore snorkeling or just swimening, is filled with brightly colored fish und sea life. It is the perfect place to spend kronorone the day relaxing and enjoying neture. Sania Aeaetetasiaglatna The park rents all necessary equipment for snorkeling ond diving and ako hos restaurants, shower fcities, He's “1‘iver journey’ is one of life's and special experiences. The adventure begins at tne river station where you cosTa RCA 598 LOSCABOS 409 will get into the crystal dear waters 559 MAZATLAN 417 with your mosk and snorkel or diving 2 sec turtle comp and the dolphin Paar aee gear. Free floofing in your lite vest o° endosure. They do have program WENO SINS ROUTE semen: TB for guests to swim with the dolphins, with your float-tube, you will drift and if you have never had the chance gently with the current through the mangroves. You will fee! at one with to be near these incredible creatures Rertnciom sant) in their natural habitat, you will surely the many colorful fish you will see DISCOUNTED AIRFARES TO colong the way. The river journey tokes wont this on your “to do” lsi. LATIN AMERICA The park is open year-round and about 45 minutes if you just let yourMEXICO CITY 145 GUADALAJARA 159 GUATEMALA 209 EL SALVADOR 269 there is 0 fee for admission. The allself be taken by the slow and easy PERU 219 S.PAULOMIO 279 currents, but you may want fo stop inclusive plan, which covers meals and UMA CARACAS 259 BELIZE 249 Solare Resort Presidente | Plaza Las Glovas NNallarta Sunset Bay < Continental Ls Cabos > Cabo San Lucas @ SCHEDULED AIR §L,9%, \ ies Gran arbeRel Resort | JUNE | | Mimnes from Xel-Ha, 609°, oo mere setaarnareaeRet‘pis ean one a We erful wy" PEACE OF MIND [Add peace of mind to your vacation by purchasing the Pre Travel Penalty Waiver. This ecco e you to cancel your vacation for any reason and quarantees you the lowest available advertised CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED TRAVEL AGENT, CALLT-800-4FUNJET OR: VISIT FUNJET.COM TODAY! THOMAS TRAVEL : Ares me GOGO TES TRAVEL eerener OO) BEE-BN1B 4h VACATION CayeesCarwe nctedwh aynce Yt cconentans br Spce mo tendon oes, =‘a a to8te segaoS sg ‘resp re Sochad ee seed pen Peas ae oe Fret Vaca gain cancatasone, ends ac Chere 8 ek wit ferac= sooetd wetMaserare argueVader waymancses” INCLUDES FREE MEXICO CITY'S PYRAMIDS TOUR! mia & varreersouns 999° ches Prices valid for Tne Sat 4/20-5/4/02. MORRIS au see the GIANT Pp MAYAN COAST Cran 45" + Vili eet Many 5, 20000 rrices valid for Tne Sat 5/4-5/18/02 a of WURDOC, Mexico from PuertoVallarta! rave ALL-INCLUSIVE! + Reasnc-ttp air tram Salt Lae Oty , Ml . fi Gnhbediiptame |fasipCnotent’hme“MF | ‘bows prices each way RT is req'd + tax, restrictions appty OW AEROMEXICO Pricetsee MonlFri 02 ‘SALT LAKE’S OLY NONSTOP SERVICE TO CANCGN eee 1-800-321--6336 Price valid for3ne Fr 4/12-4706/02 1 BESTBUYS! i, MAY fy StnaanGnane *SPECIAL DISCOUNT ons— “499%, | Prices valid for Tnx Wed 4/10-4/( 7/02. CCR RELAX & ENJOY “412-4726/02 LOS eT 309°, | 549%, Nh”, See Wartiewtekyor | 349%, 3 ae 4/\2-4/26/02 fond ond the parrotfish by seo the socred guardians of Kel-Ha. The guardians have served their Oceano Palaee@ | Beach Hotel @ cajaenatene n'a tee hortoncome $659 Stee x hnberaety ibawweemionh * Siatnote tgutteon P) FREE TOUR OF TEOTMIHAUACAN PYRAMIDS + Braghts Dass Roc te MH KRYSTAL Puerto * Waid Ag 20 dune 23, 2002 aon + Vid Apr 6 Mary 6, 2000 + Valid Agel 6. May 5. 2002 Vacations Sr tee |