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Chetumal
- Capital of Quintana Roo
 Located
just north of the Belizean border, Chetumal is the capital
of Quintana Roo & is only a 2 hour drive from Ladyville
& Price Barracks. Quintana Roo didn't become a state
until 1974. Chetumal overlooks the huge and shallow
Bay of Chetumal. Chetumal has a few nice hotels, and
activities including the Museum of Mayan culture, the
City Museum, the Market, the Mayan Ruin of Oxtankah,
and the bay front boulevard. When the Spaniards arrived,
Chetumal was known as Chetemal or Chactemal "the place
where the red cedar is plentiful" and was one of the
numerous principalities into which the Yucatan peninsula
was then divided. After several attempts, the Spaniards
abandoned the area of Chetumal. They
were never able to subjugate the fiercely independent
natives.
 Chetumal
as we know it today was founded in 1898 and called Payo
Obispo by Lt. Othon P. Blanco who'd been sent to subdue
the rebels of the Caste War and stop the arms trade
the natives had going with Belize. In 1936, the prosperous
bay side city was renamed Chetumal, its original Mayan
name.
 If
you like to experience a traditional Mexican market,
Chetumal is an ideal place. Open most days of the week,
the open air market is located adjacent to the Cultural
Museum. The downtown area around Avenida Heroes features
lots of stores, especially Zapaterias, or shoe stores
which can be found on almost every block. Unlike Cancun,
Chetumal is a city that honours its siesta. It is not
unusual to find two-thirds of the city closed from 13:00
hrs - 17:00 hrs. The best time to shop is in the early
morning or early evening when the town comes back to
life.
 Chetumal
is the main hub for most of the major bus lines in Mexico,
with regular buses to Cancun. The same bus usually stops
at Tulum & Playa del Carmen on the way. Approx price
for a trip Chetumal to Cancun is 200 pesos (20 USD)
each way and takes about 5 hrs 30mins. ADO being one
of the better bus lines with a bus about every 2 hours.
www.ticketbus.com.mx
Cancun
by Coach from Belize
A visit
to Chetumal isn't complete without a visit to the Museum
of Mayan Culture. If you don't know much about Mayan
Culture, this museum is an excellent starting point.
This is a modern museum that would fit nicely into any
modern city with interactive exhibits, models of most
Yucatan sites and decorated around a jungle theme. Don't
confuse this museum with the Chetumal City museum, just
a few minutes walk away on the same street. While the
City Museum is interesting, it is small and focuses
solely on Chetumal.
 The
Museum has many models of Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan.
If you have been to these ruins it is especially interesting.
The one at the right is of Xpuhil,
located in the Rio Bec area of the Yucatan.
Hours:
Tues-Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri-Sun 9am-8pm
Admission: $3 adults; $1 children
Tropical
rain storms are a common occurrence in Chetumal and
residents take it in their stride. It often cuts the
power so don't be suprised to go inside the shops &
find them lit by candles and business continuing as
normal.
 Chetumal
is a City that is a mixture of Mayan, Mexican and Caribbean
influence. Brightly coloured homes are common place.
These homes are Mexican style, but you'll find many
wooden homes that are leftovers of Caribbean influence.
Just north
of Chetumal lies the ruin of Oxtankah.
Spanish missionaries built a church in the middle of
the city, so you can see a combination of Mayan and
Catholic religion in one site. In the city of Chetumal
certified guides can be found who offer their services
for a small fee.
 Chetumal
has a big modern shopping mall that has just been built
on the outskirts of the city, complete with Internet
Cafe, McDonalds, Liverpool department store, a large
grocery store and theatre
El Emporio is a must try place for steak
Lovers. Ask a Taxi driver to take you, it's close to
a popular night club called AKUA. It is a top rate Uraguayan
Restaurant, with other restaurants in downtown Cancun
& Playa del Carmen. Try the 650g Bife Largo.
 NOTE:
Trying to find your way around may be a frustrating
experience. If you need to make several stops - park
and take a taxi. Taxi's are inexpensive and the drivers
know their way around. Most places in the city can be
reached for around 20 pesos, (2 USD).
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