Cancun celebrates 41st birthday with a parade of Mexico's regional costumes Photo by Anita Brown

Siegel (author of the Cancun User’s Guide, first published in 1995 and now in its fifth edition) has no problems speaking out honestly on some touchy subjects. His latest story is “The straight poop on using drugs in Cancun, Mexico”. He reports, “A concerned reader, who understandably wishes to remain anonymous, writes: “I know about the new drug law in DF. But I’ve received conflicting information about its effect on tourists in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. I don’t know if I would get in trouble smoking a joint on the beach, on my patio at the Royal Resorts, or any hotel in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, or while having a beer at Calypso’s (good cantina at Plaza Parilla). So, what’s the story, both de jure, and de facto?”

Siegel replies with his usual sardonic bite, “The question of using drugs in Cancun is such a touchy subject that I am inclined to tell this person to just go try it and report back. This may result in incarceration and other inconveniences, but at least we will have a definitive answer. Except we won’t, even if we send individuals to each of those locales and have them fire up their doobies. The results will depend on the time of day, the position of the moon and irrational factors such as whether or not the chambermaid is a religious fanatic suffering from severe PMS, or the security agent had an intractable fight with some very significant other or authority figure this morning.”

Then he follows with detailed factual information about the new Mexican drug laws (not very encouraging, he says) and very prudent advice based on interviews with people in the position to know (basically, don’t take any chances, but if you have to smoke grass, be cool and don’t call attention to yourself).

Siegel also answers the often asked question, “Is Cancun safe for travelers?” (“Short answer: yes. Long answer: definitely yes! It is one of the safest places on the North American continent, with an overall murder rate of about 4.5%, and a tourist murder rate almost too small to measure. We get around three million visitors a year in Cancun itself, but less than 500 crimes are reported annually in the Hotel Zone police station. Not all of them involve tourists.”) Unlike some sensationalist writers on this topic, Siegel relies on detailed statistics and opinions from reliable sources.

In other stories, he covers “Shopping for basic foods in Cancun,” “Cancun Supermarkets, “Finding an affordable meal in the Cancun Hotel Zone,” Selecting Wine in Cancun and “Five must-see places in Cancun Mexico.

Site publisher Tim Sissel comments, “Jules Siegel’s work is yet another reason why Cancun.MX.com and CancunAndRivieraMaya.com are your best windows to the Mexican world of Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Puerto Morelos and the complete Mayan Riviera. We know Cancun and the Riviera Maya better than many locals because these sites are mainly developed by long time vacationers to the area. So sit back and let us share what we have found about this Mexican paradise!”

Cancun Hotel Zone beach facing south before sand replacement (Anita Brown)

View south standing on same boulder, after sand replacement. (Anita Brown)

Before: Taken from Plaza Forum balcony looking north in Cancun Hotel Zone. (Anita Brown)

After: View from the Plaza Forum balcony facing north in Cancun Hotel Zone. (Anita Brown)

Photograph by Anita Brown

Los Detenidos, Sergio Sony. Oil on canvas, .92 x 2.10.

Photography by Anita Brown

The Rincón del Arte Gallery is located in Plaza Kukulcán, at km. 13 of the hotel zone. One of its owners, Gerardo Escalante-Sosa, told me that the gallery is a collective and exhibits a roster of rotating artists. There are art shows with a portion of sales going to benefit various community groups throughout the year.

An exceptionally talented graffiti artist named Sergio Sony has various works on display. Originally from D.F., Sony now lives in Cancun, and is creating a set of murals for the plaza.

El Rincón del Arte is open daily from noon to 8 p.m.

Gallery located in Plaza Kukulcán, next to Luxury Avenue entrance.

Sergio Bustamante galleries were founded in 1975, and the works of this Guadalajara based artist cram this hotel zone gallery.

Bustamante’s original combination of animal and human forms are endlessly interesting. His collection has expanded in recent years to include jewelry, furniture,  shoes and bags.

Photograph by Anita Brown

Photograph by Anita Brown

La Gran Via, Madrid, by Jorge Ezquerro. Acrylic on canvas, .80 x 1 m

Galeria de Arte Contemporánea opened on the upper level of Plaza Caracol II this April. One of the owners, Miriam Pineda, described the works shown as being mostly by local artists.

Paintings by Jorge Ezquerro  (b. 1958) are on view, whose works of architecturally accurate city landmarks are of highest quality. He exhibits in galleries as far flung as Valencia and Madrid in Spain; as well as Miami and Vancouver in North America. In addition to this gallery, his paintings can be found at Villas Rolandi Hotel and Restaurant on Isla Mujeres.  Mr. Ezquerro is a cartoonist for newspapers, portrait artist, and has done large murals in Monterrey, Nueva Leon, and in Mexico City.

Located in the far corner of the open atrium of the plaza. The gallery has a pleasant, well-lighted aspect. Open daily.

The comida executiva lunch is very good. Fresh fruit drinks and horchata, jamaica are delicious.  It is best to be prompt for lunch if you want to be assured of there being enough food left to serve! Can be noisy. Reasonable prices.

A few art galleries have opened on the upper level of the newer section of Plaza Caracol. Behind the Señor Frogs store is a small gallery called Galería de Arte Cubano. An older artist was working quietly in front of his easel when I peeked into the gallery.

Gourmet Market has taken over the large and airy end of the upper level. One can stop for a meal or dessert while keeping an eye on the local scene. Also available are gourmet items and luncheon meats.

The Centro Artistico Latinamericano has several small galleries showing works in photography and paintings. Classic images of street scenes, doorways and still lifes are some of the themes.