Casa Anita

Pledge $800 to Aspen Public Radio today and receive a week stay at Casa Anita in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. If you are looking for a quiet, out of the way vacation spot with beautiful, crowd-free beaches, crystal clear water and a charming ambiance, then Puerto Morelos is for you. Puerto Morelos was recently mentioned in the NY Times Travel Section. Located on the Mayan Riviera only 15 miles south of the Cancun airport this little town is one of the original fishing villages settled decades before Cancun was carved out of the jungle and made into one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations. A huge advantage to staying in Puerto Morelos is its central location; only 30 minutes north to Cancun or 30 minutes south to Playa del Carmen. Many famous Mayan ruins, like Tulum, Chichén Itzá, Coba and Ek Balam are easy drives or bus tours away. Puerto Morelos has a stimulating mix of Mexican, European and American residents. There is a surprising array of restaurants for such a small town; everything from Asian to traditional Mexican. Most of the town shuts down at 10:00 p.m. but there are two or three bars that have music and dancing on the weekends. El Centro, the town's central square, is a popular place to gather and enjoy the evening's breeze. The locals are so friendly, they say their is something in the water. One of the town's major attractions is the ocean reef that is now a protected national reserve. For reef-diving ours is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and offers you wonderful snorkeling and diving adventures. Deep sea fishing is also available. Direct charter specials from Denver to Cancun available. For more photos and information on Casa Anita, click here.