Retail Refund

Good news for travelers who plan to drop some dinero in Cancun: under the destination's new Tax Back program, shoppers will be refunded the 10-percent value-added tax paid on cash purchases between 1,200 and 3,000 pesos (roughly $90 and $225) and on credit card purchases of any amount over 1,200 pesos.

Just ask for a receipt in participating stores (look for the orange sticker in the window), and on your way out present it at the Tax Back desk in Terminal 2 or 3. Depending on the amount, tax will be refunded in a combo of cash and a credit to your plastic or reimbursed entirely to your credit card. Big spenders should note that items that cost more than 5,000 pesos (about $370) must be presented for inspection.

Retail Refund

Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

The Deal: Book the exclusive Club Level for your next 4- or 5-night Ritz-Carlton Caribbean or Mexico vacation and you'll enjoy a complimentary night on your stay – a savings of at least $379.

Why We Love It: Already known for top notch service and amenities, the Ritz Carlton brand has gone a step further with the addition of its new Club Level – an intimate "hotel within a hotel" experience that includes a personal concierge and perks such as light breakfast, drinks and sweets delivered throughout your stay. This free-night promotion makes it more affordable to indulge at luxe properties including the Ritz-Carlton St .Thomas, the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall Jamaica, and the Ritz-Carlton San Juan (pictured) – and, if your travels happen to take you to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, your minimum 5-night stay (you pay for four) also includes the Cayman Stingray Splash, a promotional day trip to nearby Stingray City.

How to Book It: Book online at ritzcarlton.com. Rates start at $379 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica, up to $599 per night double occupancy at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun.

Free Nights at Ritz-Carlton Caribbean and Mexico Resorts

Fourth Night Free in the Riviera Maya

The Deal: Book a three-night stay at select AQUA (pictured), Fiesta Americana and Fiesta Americana Grand resorts in Mexico this winter and get your fourth night free – or book six nights and get two free – plus, you'll save an additional 10 to 25 percent on dining and spa services during your stay.

Why We Love It: With upscale properties in Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, you'll have your choice of Mexican beach destinations – and saving 25 percent on room rates can be a substantial savings in high season.

How to Book It: You can book your stay through February 2, and travel between January 3 and April 10, 2010. Just log on to fiestaamericana.com/warmerwinter or call 800-FIESTA-1 to reserve your room.

Fourth Night Free in the Riviera Maya

Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational

Don't get me wrong. We CT+L editors would love to be in the islands all the time. But of course, duty calls back here in the office sometimes, so we can't always make it to cover certain Caribbean festivals and events ourselves – like this year's Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational. Luckily, freelance travel writer Craig Zabransky, frequent contributor to Cheapflights.com and featured guest on Fox & Friends and Sirius radio, was on the ground covering the event, and he provided this special guest blog just for CT+L. Take it away, Craig...

Mexico. Many remain cautious, and some tourists still seem hesitant to travel to its beautiful beaches, experience its colorful culture and enjoy its “mañana” mantra. But just this last weekend, Dec 3-6, over twenty world-recognizable athletes, actors, and Olympic champions traveled to Mexico’s Caribbean coast to join amateur golfers for four days in the sun.
Known best for its resorts, clear blue water and nightlife, the Riviera Maya is also home to some of the best golf courses in Mexico, and it was the perfect setting for the first annual Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational, an event that essentially (and unofficially) reopened tourism to one of Mexico’s most important travel destinations.

The event selected Los Playa Mujeres Golf Course to host both the Friday skins game and the main Pro-Am on Saturday.  The challenging links course, designed by Greg Norman, proved difficult at times, but the hospitality and camaraderie established in the foursomes created a festive atmosphere.

I camped out on the par three 11th hole. There I watched as each foursome (comprised of one celebrity and three amateurs) designated one player to hit for the official 197-yard “hole in one.” The prize: A $450,000 condo in Cancun. A difficult shot. Most foursomes selected the celebrity guest to take the chance and actually Bob Beamon, the US Olympic Gold Medal Long jumper from the ’68 Mexico City games gave it the best ride. But, no condo. In fact, only one participant (an amateur) came close. He left it just six feet from the hole.

The Hacienda TresRios opened its doors to host the celebrities and all of the invitational’s related events. A pioneer on the Riviera Maya, the resort and spa has earned numerous environmental and sustainable awards including the Green Global Certification. Constructed on land that was once a national park altered by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the recently opened luxury Hacienda did not forget its roots. Today, guests can snorkel, kayak or even just learn about the resort's three rivers, ten Cenotes and diverse ecosystem.

Each night, the all-inclusive provided an idyllic setting for the event's many cocktail receptions, the Texas Hold’em tournament, and the final awards dinner. All elegant. All enjoyable.

Now, after the successful tournament (which had an impressive list of celebrities in attendance including actor Chris Tucker, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Jansen, and the tournament champion Darryl Talley among others), I expect the event to grow.  Next year’s 2nd annual tournament might just be that special weekend to circle on your calendar and head to the Caribbean coast of Mexico. – Craig Zabransky

To read more from Craig, you can follow him on Twitter: @StayAdventurous – and don't forget to follow us too (@CaribTravelLife) for travel deals, contest announcements and more!

Guest Blog: Cancun Celebrity Golf Invitational

JetBlue "Bikini Sale" for the Caribbean

More big news from our favorite low-fare carrier JetBlue, which just announced a "Bikini Sale" this month. From what I can tell, they aren't selling those itsy bitsy teenie weenie bathing suits we love to hate, but the idea of the promotion is to keep you lounging on those gorgeous Caribbean beaches for a lot longer this year. Just book your trip by August 26 and you can take advantage of fares starting at just $29 each way when traveling from September 8 to November 18...

Between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau - $29
Between Orlando and Nassau - $49
Between Orlando and Cancun - $59

The promotion also includes U. S. hubs in New York and Boston, and Caribbean stops include Aruba, St. Maarten, Barbados and more. Actual bikinis are optional.

JetBlue "Bikini Sale" for the Caribbean

In Search of the Perfect Margarita

Is it too much to ask for a good margarita... IN MEXICO?? Sure, the cocktail was supposedly invented in or near the country and is probably the most-ordered drink in these parts after good old cerveza. So why, in our journey up and down the Riviera Maya, have Sarah and I encountered so many ill-fated attempts?

We can't answer that, but we can tell you that Grand Velas' Frida restaurant (just outside Playa del Carmen) does it right. Not only did we have margaritas made to perfection (in guava, mango, cucumber, and traditional lime flavors), but they even wheeled a mini bar to our table and prepared them right in front of our watering mouths. Sarah wasn't up to the challenge of sampling all four (she can't hang), but she took a liking to the chili-salt rimmed glass that's a specialty of the house. It's a must-try.

We've moved on to Tulum, and after a long day of "information gathering," we're sorry to report we haven't yet found a margarita that can compete. We have a couple more days in Mexico, so lend us a hand. Where can we find an excelente margarita?

Sincerely,

Stumped South of the Border

In Search of the Perfect Margarita