Hotel Profile: Temptation Resort Cancun

Introduced to the market at the end of 2007, this cleverly named resort seems to conjure images of the anything-goes “Temptation Island” reality show and the similarity doesn’t necessarily stop there. The 384-room upscale adults-only all-inclusive beachfront hotel is known for its lively atmosphere, topless swimming pool, adult-themed activities program and sexy vibe throughout. It is NOT a “lifestyle” resort, though, and it retains a sense of class and even elegance through its facilities, staff and accommodations.

The resort is located in the northern end of Cancun’s hotel zone, just 10-15 minutes from downtown Cancun or the main entertainment and nightlife district at Punta Cancun. The beach behind the resort is powdery white sand, leading to a calm waterfront, ideal for relaxing in and around the ocean.

The stylish rooms have balconies with ocean or garden views, plus modern and stylish décor themed after the forbidden apple. A red “sexy light” glows from behind the headboards while dramatic silver sculptures, illuminated bedside tables and plush bedding give rooms a romantic vibe. Each room has satellite TV, phone and clock radio. Some first-floor rooms also have a terrace Jacuzzi. Minibars are stocked daily with sodas and a couple beers.

The main Embarcadero restaurant serves three buffet meals a day. Bellavista serves poolside breakfasts and Caribbean dinners by reservation. Margarita’s Snack Bar & Grill is open for continental breakfast, late lunch and late-night snacks until 5am. The Village Wok offers a la carte Asian cuisine for dinner. The Tex-Mex dinner restaurant is open by reservation on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Il Piacere serves Italian dinners by reservation every day but Wednesday.

Bar options include a couple of swim-up bars, a sports bar and a highly popular patio bar that serves as the main meeting point in the evenings. The Nice Shoes Disco hosts nightly shows in the evening, ranging from Karaoke Night to sexy dancing shows to a lingerie show. Brief full nudity is allowed at some of the shows.
There are three pools, each with a distinct atmosphere—sports, relaxing and topless.
Poolside activities at the topless pool (or “Heartbeat Pool,” as it’s called) include a naughty joke contest, water volleyball, exotic dance lessons, striptease classes and other games designed to get guests to interact. The use of kayaks and other watersports equipment is included in the rate. Nightly bar tours are offered for a fee, including one-way transportation.

There is an on-site beauty parlor, jewelry shop, travel agency, car rental desk and a couple of fee-based Internet workstations.

The resort appeals to a wide variety of guests, but most tend to be couples and groups of friends in the 30-45 age range. They are upwardly mobile and interested in a wide range of recreational activities. The tropical grounds, convivial atmosphere and non-stuffy ambiance make the resort a great vacation getaway.

Rates start at about $140 per night, per person, based on double occupancy.

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Mayan Weddings in Cancun

Cancun is reinventing itself into a more upscale vacation destination, thanks in part to a USD $2.5 billion investment into local infrastructure and tourism development. One of the region’s key new attractions is the Mayan wedding ceremony. The area of Cancun and Puerto Morelos is a popular destination for weddings, hosting nearly 5000 weddings each year. There are domestic and international specialized wedding planners in the area that take care of everything from legal requirements to the planning of flights for the guests. Cancun can provide everything visitors need: bilingual judges, priests from all main religions, a huge variety of musical groups, catering services, florists, photographers, couture designers and venues that can host any number of guests from just 2 to 6000.

Mayan weddings are led by a local shaman and are held in the native Mayan language. The service follows the actual traditions used by the ancient Mayan. The bride and groom are presented to the seven directions--up to the superior cosmic energy (masculine), down to the Mother Earth (feminine), to the four winds (north, south, east, west) using the Mayan order and names, to the guardians of the location where the ceremony is held, and inside to the center of their own hearts, the temple of love.

An altar is made with flowers at four points with an arch and offerings on top. Four candles are lit on the arch. Four candles will also be lit on the four corners of the table and one candle stands in the table's center. The candles represent the four cardinal points (north, south, east and west) and the four gods that sustain the Mayan cosmology. The central flame is dedicated to man and god (Mother Earth and cosmos). The priest has the privilege of lighting this final flame, but can decide to let somebody else do it.

The couple will give each other symbolic gifts. The groom will give corn and cacao seeds. In return, the bride will give tortillas and powder of cacao. Symbolically, a woman will turn the raw material given by her future husband into food. Mayan music with pre-Hispanic instruments is performed before and during the ceremony.
Participants and guests can wear their own clothes, but they should dress in white or cream colors. Ties and traditional western wedding clothing are not suitable for the wedding couple, just simple dress in a simple style. Shoes will not be worn by the wedding couple during the ceremony and are optional for guests who want to fully receive the ceremony's energy. Being barefoot lets you have close contact with Mother Earth.

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Get a Job and Stay a While

Though it’s not always easy to make the transition from tourist to local, it can be possible. With a bit of determination and luck, you can find a job and live in paradise. The Mexican government requires that all foreign workers have a FM3 visa, which your employer must obtain for you. Fluency in Spanish is required, though exceptions are sometimes made. And don’t expect to make anything near what you could earn back home: Minimum wage in Mexico is about $10 per day, and most jobs available to foreigners generally pay around $1,000 per month.

Depending on the job, sales commission, bonuses, room and board, and other perks can help sweeten the pot. The cost of living can be much less, but only if you plan on living like a local. If you’re looking for a permanent vacation and expecting to work during the day and then party at tourist clubs every night, you’ll probably need additional financial resources.

Top 10 Jobs for Foreigners
Bartender
English teacher
Hotel activities staff/animation (all-inclusives)
Hotel front desk, guest services, or concierge
Real estate sales
Restaurant host/hostess
Scuba instructor
Time-share representative/sales
Tour guide
Waiter/waitress

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EcoTrotters Photo Contest

Ecotourism website EcoTrotters.com is having an ecotourism photo contest from now through February 28, 2009. In keeping with its goal of promoting personal growth and ecological awareness through ecotourism, the EcoTrotters community is using the contest to help travelers share and learn about eco-travel destinations and green wonders throughout the globe.

To participate and be eligible for one of three gift certificates at Amazon, travelers must share their most amazing eco-vacation and nature photos with the rest of the community. First place will receive a $400 certificate, while second and third place winners will receive a $200 certificate each.

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Dancing on the Sand for New Years Eve

The editors of MayanHoliday.com pick the top spots to have sand between your toes and a drink in your hand as you celebrate New Years Eve in Playa del Carmen:

Blue Parrot, 12th Street at the beach. Get there early to reserve a coveted waterfront table. If you fall out of your chair, you’ll land on powder-white sand. Dancers spill out from the wooden dance floor all the way to the water line. Fire dancers perform on the beach behind the club most nights at around 11pm-midnight.

El Pirata, between 12th and 14th Streets. This no-frills beach bar offers a laid-back alternative to the Blue Parrot next door. The music is loud, the bar stools swing, and the tables on the beach are just steps from the lapping waves of the Caribbean.

Mamita’s Beach Club, 28th Street at the beach. Who says you can’t go dancing during the day? The folks at Mamita’s prove that getting your groove on by sunlight can be just as fun as by moonlight. The party gets going in the early afternoon and peaks just before sundown, then quickly dwindles. Arrive early to claim a coveted beach bed.

Señor Frog’s, Plaza Marina, at the ferry dock. Built above the beach at the base of the ferry dock, this resort-town stalwart packs in a primarily American clientèle in search of good Mexican food, pop music, and sometimes ... love. Dancing patrons can get their drinks to go and boogie on the beach below.

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Coco Bongo Opens in Playa del Carmen

PLAYA DEL CARMEN -- The world-famous Coco Bongo, known for its all-night parties and amazing stage shows in Cancun, has opened a new location in Playa del Carmen. Located at the corner of 10th Avenue and 12th Street, the Playa location is a massive nightclub with non-stop entertainment on an elevated stage.

Regular rates are $50 US for open bar or $20 for cover charge only. Special offers can frequently be found through activities reps at the major hotels in Playa del Carmen and around the Riviera Maya.

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World Art Vision 2008 in Cancun

The World Art Vision contemporary art fair 2008 will take place from December 5 to 14, 2008 at the Cancun Center in Cancun, Mexico.

More than 100 artists from 5 continents will participate in World Art Vision, which will feature painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, prints, installation art, video and digital art. Arturo Garcia Bustos and Rina Lazo, who were, respectively, pupils of and assistants to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera will be present during the exhibition, therefore bringing an exceptional artistic testimony to this year's show.

The idea of World Art Vision comes from a desire to invest in contemporary art in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico; not only to further increase the number of tourists, but also to make it a meeting point for the Americas for collectors, critics and interested parties, to visit a fair where the artists stand beside the art, without the representation of a gallery, to give a vision of contemporary art worldwide. World Art Vision will be located at the Cancun Center, the modern, well equipped exhibition centrer located in the heart of Cancun's prestigious "zona hotelera," one of the world's preferred tourist locations.

Sietze Groenewold, fellow artist and member of the Selection Committee of World Art Vision, said "World Art Vision is a chance for individual artists to exhibit their most recent work. But it is also an opportunity to meet with the other artists present and attend the exciting program of collateral events and conferences which are being organized and of course, to meet with the public, visitors, collectors and critics".

World Art Vision is offering the artists various incentives including discounts on accommodation, travel and local entertainment during their stay in Cancun and two social highlights during the ten day period of the exhibition: the opening Vernissage cocktail and the gala dinner. The gala dinner will be a not to be missed opportunity for all artists and the public to savor Mexican cuisine on the exclusive terrace of the Cancun Center with the accompaniment of the exciting Mariachi.

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Hanal Pixan - And Happy Halloween

Cancun -- Since Prehispanic times, each November, Mexicans celebrate and remember those who have passed away and come back to share and celebrate with living family members.

Moved by reverence and nostalgia, each region has a different way of praising their ancestors through rituals and ceremonies such as the picturesque and peculiar Mayan tradition of Hanal Pixan or supper of the souls.

Combining Mayan and Christian elements, this custom consists of food and beverage offerings that aim to remember their beloved ones that undertook the eternal journey and are granted permission to visit their relatives and friends here on Earth. For this reason, those who are still alive, welcome their loved ones with the most succulent flavors that will make them feel alive once again.

During the days prior to the celebration, people begin embroidering tablecloths to be placed at the altar table, while also mud plates and wax flowers are crafted especially for the death. As a tradition, homes and patios are cleaned up well so that the special guests won’t have to do so. People also go to bed earlier and visit the cemeteries where they place different kinds of altars.

October 31st is dedicated to the children’s souls. According to tradition, children attending the ceremonies should wear a red or black ribbon on their wrists so that the souls of the dead don’t take them. The offerings must be agreeable and indulged with toys, sweets, chocolates, honey, fruits and vegetables topped with salt, lemon and chili. This way, deceased kids will be happy and smiling instead of being sad to depart.

November 1st is the day devoted to the souls of adults and All Souls Day is on Nov. 2. That day, tables are served with the souls’ favorite stews and drinks as well as cigarettes for those who were smokers, but mainly the mucbilpollo, the Mayan word for food that is baked in a hole at ground level and the balché which is a spiritual beverage made of Mayan tree bark. There is also soap and water for them to wash their hands and clothes.
A week later, Mexicans celebrate the day when the visiting souls say good bye to their relatives and leave this world. For that reason, people place candles in their homes for souls to be able to find their way back. This custom is locally known as the Bix, the Mayan term indicating the celebration of the dead.

For the third consecutive year, the traditional Festival of Life and Death will take place from October 30th to November 2nd at Xcaret Park, near Cancun. During the event, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about Hanal Pixan with the participation of over 1000 volunteers, 719 artists and 39 local Mayan communities of Quintana Roo who will give theatre and music performances, offering exhibits and rituals. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about local handicraft, visual arts and the great gastronomic exhibit.

This occasion is ideal to learn more about a tradition that dates back thousands of years and identifies the Mayan communities in Yucatan while providing visitors the opportunity to experience first hand one of the most distinctive Mexican traditions.

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Helping Pets and People in the Riviera Maya

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, JUNE 2007 -- A group of volunteer animal lovers called International Veterinarians Dedicated to Animal Health (VIDAS) travels each year to the Riviera Maya, providing education and free veterinary care in an effort to fight pet overpopulation, which can cause starvation, disease, and other health problems. They work with the local communities to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. Their first trip, in 2002, involved two vets and six students and resulted in the sterilization of one hundred cats and dogs over five days in Playa del Carmen. Since then, more than one thousand animals have been sterilized and vaccinated in Akumal, Bacalar, Cobá, Chemuyil, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Puerto Aventuras.

If you’d like to help the group by sponsoring a pet, making a contribution, or participating in a program, log on to www.vidas.org.

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Cancun Named Top Group Destination

Cancun Center wins the “World Travel Awards North & Central America” as the best convention center of Mexico and Central America.

In the fall of 2008, the World Travel Awards North & Central America awarded a prize to the Cancun Center, Conventions & Exhibitions, as the best convention center of Mexico and Central America, as a result of the direct vote of thousands of travel professionals and specialists from all over the world.

The “World Travel Awards” have been given out since 15 years ago to acknowledge the best of the travel industry. This is such a prestigious distinction that The Wall Street Journal has described it as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. The main offices of the organization are in London. They carry out six events annually in different places worldwide: Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania, apart from the aforementioned awards given out this year in Orlando, Florida. The event had wide media coverage, which included the BBC London.

The event was attended by the Mexican delegation, headed by Javier Gámez, CEO of the Cancun Center, and Vicky Marmolejo, Commercial Director. It is important to mention the presence of Gastón Ramos, General Director of the Congresses and Conventions Office of the Mexican Tourism Promotion Bureau, as a special guest of the Cancun Center to celebrate this great event.

In an interview granted by Executives of the Cancun Center they expressed that they received this award as the representatives of the 35 companies allied with the City Wide Events Program Cancun, with whom they have formed a strong working team, with enough vision to invest valuable resources in promoting the great attractions and advantages of the destination, thus converting it in a great host of world class congresses.

Also, they underlined the work of the investors that had the vision and commitment to risk their capital in this business; the labour of the suppliers who fulfilled their work as the first link; of the professional organizers of congresses, of the meeting planners and of the clients, who trusted them and carried out their events with them and, of course, of their colleagues that make possible the daily delivery of a quality service, allowing them carrying out memorable and successful events.

Among the achievements of the Cancun Center we find, apart from those assessed by the WTA voters, the first place as a place gaining international congresses registered by the ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) during 2006 and 2007 in México, Central and South America, and the increasing number of confirmed congresses for years 2009 to 2014.

Although it is not a specialized exhibition site and that the economical potential of Cancun is not similar to that of the large capitals, Cancun Center has carried out over 20 specialized exhibitions standing out the following: Expo Hotel, Meeting Place Caribbean, Cancun Travel Mart, Deconarq Expo Construcción, Mercado Inmobiliario Turísico; and soon some other international shows such as Expo Franchising Latin America, World Art Vision, ISSA Interclean Latinamerica and Luxury Travel Expo will be carried out. The service and commitment to success have been the differentiators allowing the Cancun Center to be competitive in the field of business specialized exhibitions.

Its model, a business net with companies and professional organizers of events, has and will continue to bear fruits as a source of foreign currency for our Country, but will also continue offering a quality space to celebrate the most important national congresses and events.

Today the projects of the Cancun Center are many, but always with one priority: continue being an extension of each of the organizing committees that put their trust in this place, to achieve a successful celebration of what they consider to be the most important event.

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Wildlife & Adventure in Cancun & Riviera Maya

Cancun -- The Yucatan's Cancun and Riviera Maya regions make up one of the few places on earth where travelers can find nature’s richness and diversity at its best. Through its reefs, mangroves and jungles, taking some time off the beach to explore wildlife is an essential part of every trip to the region, which offers a unique glimpse at fabulous sceneries under the waters and above where you can be in contact with wildlife and find jaguars and monkeys.

In the jungles surrounding Cancun, you can have the adventure of a lifetime going in search of one of the most admired animals by the Mayans: the jaguar. You can be part of a new expedition organized by local tour operators beginning in February, playing tribute to the habitat of this great feline by following the footprints of this enigmatic species. The tour allows learning about its conservation, while also participating in activities such as snorkeling, exploring Mayan sites and camping on immaculate protected areas.

The Yucatan Peninsula is top on the list of unique sites ideal for bird watching. Currently, of the 1,062 species known in Mexico, 537 are registered here, including 14 common species which can be seen during Cancun’s bird watching tours. Observing radiant flamingos, the incredible turquoise and green plumage of the Toh bird, or the colorful toucans undoubtedly make these tours a fascinating experience.

The spider monkey has a unique sanctuary in Punta Laguna where locals walk you through the jungle while experiencing the sights of the forest and the crystal-clear water of lagoons engulfed by the magical sounds of the rainforest.

In the waters of Cancun lies a reef extending more than 700 miles from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to the islands of Honduras and home to more than 500 species of fish and 65 coral species. The Mesoamerican Reef is more than 225 million years old and offers a unique opportunity to snorkel and dive along fascinating species in just a short distance from your hotel.

Nature’s greatest experiences are at your doorstep in Cancun. Each year, turtles that feed off the reef arrive to the coasts of Cancun where they nest along the shore. To contribute to their conservation, several hotels offer programs to preserve the turtles while engaging tourists in the gratifying experience of their conservation.

Cancun’s wetlands, specifically the Nichupte mangrove swamps, are a tourist attraction for nature lovers due to their incomparable scenery and varied biodiversity. Tourists might see thousands of blue and red crabs that live in the lagoon and migrate each year across Cancun’s hotel zone from the swampy areas. They lay the eggs along the coast with the help of locals and tourists, a very fulfilling and educational activity.

Just 20 minutes from Cancun, there is one of the most famous crocodile farms where iguanas, coaties, snakes, deers, parrots and macaws can be seen in their natural habitat. Additionally, the botanical garden of Puerto Morelos is home to over 250 species of animals and exuberant flora, such as La Ceiba, the sacred Mayan tree.

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Resort Report: Paraiso de la Bonita

The turnoff for Paraiso de la Bonita is a few miles north of the town of Puerto Morelos; there is a gated entry marked BAHIA PETEMPICH. The road to the resort is not paved, but it is fairly smooth, with no major potholes, though there are large speed bumps every quarter mile or so. When the road reaches the beachfront, turn left and head north a short spell, and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the hotel.

With fewer than one hundred rooms and suites, this very high-end, all-suite property has 1,100-square-foot standard rooms with ocean views. The service is impeccable, and the staff does an excellent job of making guests feel special. The architecture and decor are unusual, with a combination of African, Asian, Balinese, Caribbean, European, and Mayan inspirations.

Guests enjoy a Jacuzzi, a sauna, tennis courts, a pool bar, and saltwater swimming pool. For an extra fee, there is a Mayan steam bath (temazcal), sailing tours, and full-service restaurant. Room rates include complimentary airport transfers, yoga and Pilates classes, daily breakfast, and a welcome gift. Rates: $$$$$; penthouse $3,000/night.
The resort has an amazing wine room and offers special wine tastings, gourmet meals and dining experience that lead guests to linger late into the night.

Paraiso de la Bonita Resort & Thalasso Spa is located at km 330 on Highway 307, which connects Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

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Swim With Whale Sharks

Swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, is a dream that can only become a reality in few places throughout the world, such as Australia and Belize -- and now Cancun. The best time to go is during the summer months of July and August.

The whale shark's mouth extends to almost five feet when opened. Those who study the migration of whale sharks are still uncertain where they travel from or where they’re heading next. All we do know is that whale sharks enjoy traveling through warm waters and tropical seas around the globe.

The presence of this creature in the northern areas of Isla Contoy and Cabo Catoche offshore from Cancun and north of the Riviera Maya is due to the nutrient filled water, which generates a large quantity of available food.

Those choosing to experience the wonder of swimming with whale sharks are accompanied by experts who provide all the necessary information to better understand the behavior of these creatures. Once familiarized with the animal, the tourists can jump off the boat accompanied by a guide and snorkel to see the whale shark up close. Measuring up to 59 feet and weighing 15 tons, this is the biggest fish in the world.

The experience is truly amazing and there is no need to fear since this shark feeds exclusively on tiny organisms known as plankton, therefore they are completely harmless towards humans.

The tour to observe the whale shark can be taken in Punta Sam, just north of Cancun, and lasts approximately five hours, allowing plenty of time to interact with this amazing species that reminds us of the many wonders our world has to offer.

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Acanto Breaks Ground on Condo Project

Construction has begun on the Acanto Hotel and Condominiums on the site of the original Acanto Suites Hotel just blocks from the Playa del Carmen town square. The hotel, which has been opened for 15 years, is officially closed and will open in its new form in the summer of 2009.

The development already has six pre-sales and several potential other purchases are pending. Pricing is available online, as well as floor plans and amenities.

Financing can be arranged through US-based lenders with US-based underwriting, allowing buyers to put as little as 20% down.

For more info regarding pricing and/or financing, contact sales@acantohotels.com.


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Trouble in Tulum

From the Associated Press, July 2008

The soldiers seemed out of place in paradise.

They stood guard at the sandy entrances to the exclusive, beachside hotels, holding their guns while inspectors took careful measurements and studied documents.

Tourists from around the world sauntered by on their way to spa treatments or sunned themselves on private decks overlooking the Mexican Caribbean's blue-green waters, puzzled but mostly unconcerned.

Until Monday, when the soldiers returned with federal officials who slapped "closed" signs across the hotel entrances and said they would be back on Friday to start clearing out guests.

The federal government's closure of at least five small, exclusive hotels on Tulum's breathtaking stretch of white-sand beaches has created an uproar over who has the title to one of the few still-to-be-fully-developed coastlines left along the exclusive Riviera Maya. Five other developments near Tulum's seaside Mayan ruins are also being investigated.

Visitors driving south from Cancun find most of the coast has been divided up and sold off to hotel chains. There are monster, all-inclusive resorts boasting hundreds of rooms and a maze of swimming pools, as well as sprawling communities of vacation villas and beach clubs.

Then there is Tulum, a tiny hippy-style town that started as a backpacker retreat. Most hotels were a collection of primitive thatched huts stuck into the sand and surrounded by beachside jungle.

But it has recently transformed itself into a chic eco-resort, one where travelers pay up to US$500 a night to practice yoga on the beach and stay in minimalist Mayan suites where flatscreen televisions and iPod docking stations are powered by solar energy.

Title disputes have haunted the Tulum beach for decades. At the heart of this dispute, however, is whether the hotels were built in a federal park.

Federal environmental prosecutor Patricio Patron says the land is protected and the government wants to eventually demolish the buildings and leave the area untouched. But he says bulldozers won't arrive for a year or more as the cases work their way through Mexican courts.

John Kendall, owner of Mezzanine, a 10-room resort featuring a beachside restaurant and bar, says the federal government just wants to take back land that is worth millions of dollars. "The pretext is totally fabricated," he said. Ari Kantrowitz, a New York City graduate student, said he and his girlfriend were in the pool Monday when two bureaucrats walked up, carrying clipboards and signs that said "closed" in Spanish.

"Suddenly, walking behind them were four guys in full fatigues, helmets and carrying M16 rifles. It was somewhat surreal," he said. "We sort of just sat in the pool ... After a bit, I assumed it was the Mexican government and not some rogue militia."

Kendall has held nightly meetings with his guests, assuring them that he will find alternative lodging if they are forcibly evicted on Friday. But guest Richard Beaver and his wife aren't waiting to find out what happens. The couple from New Zealand plan to check out first thing Friday. They drove up Monday as soldiers and government officials were posting the closed signs.

"There were guys waking around with big guns, and my wife didn't want to stay," he said. "We thought we had come to a really nice place, but to look at that was pretty intimidating." Patron says officials will let guests stay until they are scheduled to leave, even if it means they stay past Friday. But he warned the hotels against taking on new clients.

He says the developments have yet to show adequate titles, are too close to the Mayan ruins and are built in an area for protected plant and animal species, including the towering chit palm. "We are forced to comply with the law," he said.

Hotel owners argue they've been there for up to two decades without problems, and their businesses are built around protecting the environment.

Roberto Palazuelos, a Mexican soap opera actor and president of the Tulum Hotel Owners Association, says the federal government's paperwork to create the protected area in the 1980s was never done correctly. His Hotel Diamante K is among the five that have been closed. "I think they want to take away the land and divide it between themselves," he said.

The state government issued the land titles and says they are valid. Tourism officials have been visiting the hotels this week and supporting their fight to keep their land. In the meantime, urban refugees seeking peace and quiet in Mexico's jungle squeeze in one last spa treatment and wonder when the soldiers will return.

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