. . . it is sunny, but there is a gentle breeze blowing off the water. You are lying in a hammock under a palm shade shelter sipping an ice cold drink. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea gently break on a white sand beach, just footsteps away. . . Where in the world are you? You are in Cancun, a great vacation spot on the tip of the Yucatan Pennisula in Mexico.

Beginning May 1, you may fly directly from Austin, Texas to Cancun, Mexico for as little as $9.99 on vivaAerobus. Now, I must tell you that after they add departure and airport fees to your fare, you are looking at over $140 one way, which is still a good fare.

The Cancun that you will visit has two zones. There is the city where the natives live and then there is the hotel zone, a 14-mile long island where some world-class hotels stand over the most pristine beaches in the world, overlooking the Caribbean. The lagoon, between mainland and the island is perfect setting for jet skiing or other water sports. Spend your days on the beach or take a ferry to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) to spend the day looking at ruins.

If you are thinking of sun and fun this winter, visit HotelsByCity.net, where you may find cheap hotels and guides to each destination. For instance, I found hotels for $54 USD per night, all-inclusive hotels for just over $300 per night, with $100 resort credits per day. There are adult-only and family-oriented hotels, so you will be sure to find exactly what you need.