There are actually a lot of styles of saltwater fishing that is existing from one of the numerous beach rental accommodations or other holiday rental facilities on the eastern shoreline of the Yucatan, and offshore deep-sea fishing is just one of them. Nearby are many outfits that sail into the Caribbean from the coast’s 3 foremost towns (Playa del Carmen, Cancun and the nearby island town of Cozumel). These azure waters are abundant for marlin, tuna, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) along with wahu. Credit to the temperate temps, scores of of these fish swim within a few miles of the coast, meaning you will not have to squander nearly all of the daylight hours just to get to the top fishing.

You will not have to go off to sea to enjoy a notable angling experience, however. The Mayan Riviera is famous for its superb inshore flats and fly fishing as well. Indigenous fishing guides will be ecstatic to bring you to any of the indigenous reefs in pursuit of a particular fish; the Yucatan in fact is home to the second-largest system of reefs in the world (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). These reefs are crucial hunting grounds for snapper, barracuda, grouper and mackerel. And don’t discount fly fishing; there are many underground rivers flowing out of Yucatan’s fertile jungles into mangrove swamps and salt marshes that are residence to snapper and – for the very adventurous – small shark. A vacation rental near Ascension Bay promises some of the finest saltwater fly fishing in the world; try visiting the site of Pesca Maya  for more information on nearby accommodations and what kind of fish are bountiful at different times of the year.

When you and the gang want to catch a break from fishing you have other possibilities. Followers of Indiana Jones might take pleasure in touring the close by ruins of the ancient Mayan capital of Chichen Itza, home to a complex, literate Native American population ca. 600-1100 AD. Found in the northern part of Yucatan, Chichen Itza consists of various of the best-preserved examples of Mayan buildings in the region, counting the mystifying Temple of Kukulkan, the Mayan serpent deity.

Of course, there are additional leisure options that you would think to uncover at a Caribbean seaside resort; the flat, sandy beaches are magnificent for family plus there is some exceptional snorkeling in nearby Cozumel. Afterwards, try indigenous foods and music at one of the area’s many first-rate restaurants. As far as shopping goes, jewelry as well as arts and crafts stores are plentiful, featuring works by native artisans. These citizens are not troubled to negotiate over price, so be prepared to do a bit of enthusiastic bargaining with these merchants in order to get the best prices on souvenirs.

As you can expect, there is a lot in this vicinity for the history fan, from the ruins of the original fort to the old community neighborhoods with colonial Spanish architecture and several museums. With an abundance of charming, historic romantic travel inns, you and your family will have no problem setting up a comfortable base of operations for your St. Augustine holiday vacation.

It was essentially 1513 when explorer Ponce de Leon, then governor of what is now Puerto Rico, landed in the area, claiming it for King Ferdinand of Castile and Queen Isabella of Aragon as Spain was not an officially unified kingdom until 1516. Opposite to popular myth, he was not looking for a “Fountain of Youth” but more substantial goods such as gold, slaves and land. It was decades before a stable settlement would be established.

Once you and your family are blissfully ensconced in one of St. Augustine’s beautiful bed and breakfasts or beach rentals, you will discover enough outdoor activities and venues to last a lifetime ranging from outdoor sports and educational excursions to sheer enjoyment and fun. Get started by exploring some of the area as the initial inhabitants and early Spanish explorers saw it with St. Augustine Eco Tours, nominated the number one experience among tourists. Traveling by kayak, you will see salt marshes and wetlands and can even encounter untamed dolphins at play. And even though it’s vacation time, you can keep the kids learning with Sheriff’s Historical Tours, which brings you through 350 years of St. Augustine’s history. Another part of St. Augustine history worth exploring is El Castillo de San Marcos, an early Spanish military installation dating from the late 1600s.

Of course, the history of St. Augustine, similar to so many places in the region, is intimately tied to the Golden Age of the Pirates of the Caribbean who frequently made forays up the Florida coast. Children of all ages will like to climb aboard the Black Raven for a feel of shipboard life on a 17th-Century privateer.

Budding herpetologists will look forward to discovering the last living kin of the ancient dinosaurs up-close and personal at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm which contains much more than just alligators. This is only a small illustration of what awaits you and your family in this fascinating town filled with sunshine a large amount of the year.