Though Cancun is best known for its sparkling resorts and pristine beaches, this stretch of the Maya Riviera is also one of the world’s best destinations for family-friendly recreation. As conditions vary from open Caribbean waters to calm lagoons within close reach of the Hotel Zone, nearly every water sport imaginable is offered somewhere in Cancun. Families can dive and snorkel in the Laguna Nichupte, a calm body of water connecting the mainland and the Hotel Zone. Experienced divers can explore coral reefs and shipwrecks in the Caribbean Sea or plunge into the world’s longest underground river. Throw in sailing, fishing, jet skiing, windsurfing and kayaking and you can see why Cancun is one of the Caribbean’s best destinations for water sports.

Considering that Cancun is a favorite destination for families, it seems almost too good to be true that the city is also one of the world’s premier locations for beginning scuba divers. In fact, the waters surrounding Cancun rest atop the Great Mesoamerican Reef – the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. Offshore from the small village of Puerto Morelos south of Cancun, the reef can be viewed at depths below 9 feet. Supporting an incredible variety of submarine life, the reef can be enjoyed by families thanks to such shallow depths and great visibility.

In addition to the sprawling coral reef system, there are several more underwater oddities for families to explore. Like many other places in the Caribbean, Cancun has its share of sunken vessels. At each site, you will find plenty to explore – from the corals that sprout from the ships’ hulls to the families of fish that call these boats home. As Cancun is also home to the world’s largest underground river, the inland caves and sinkholes are also popular destinations for more adventurous divers. Lastly, whether you plan to scuba dive or not, all visitors to Cancun should visit the pristine coral reefs and exotic surroundings of El Garrafon National Park.

Like scuba diving, snorkeling is a great way to see the underwater sights of Cancun. However, snorkeling doesn’t require as much equipment or training as scuba diving. If your time in Cancun is limited, your family might want to consider snorkeling as it is easy for all ages and skill levels to get involved. Snorkeling tours visit many of the sites popular with scuba divers as the reefs are shallow enough to be viewed from the surface.

If you want to dive or snorkel while in Cancun, you won’t have any trouble finding equipment or dive operators. Rental equipment is available at most resorts, while several dive tours operate daily and visit all the most popular sites. If you have never experienced scuba diving, it is also possible to receive training and certification while in Cancun. Affordable courses are available for all ages and range from brief classes to acquaint divers with the sport’s basics to full certification seminars that can last several days.

As the Caribbean Sea is generally calm off the coast of Cancun, jet skiing and kayaking have also become popular activities. Jet skis and other water toys can be rented from a number of shops at Cancun’s marina or directly through your resort. Kayaking can be enjoyed by simply paddling in the calm Caribbean water or by combining the sport with snorkeling for a complete Cancun experience. Where the waves begin to pick up along the northern end of Bahia de Mujeres, windsurfing is the sport of choice.

For those in search of a more relaxing way to enjoy the Caribbean, charter boats are available for deep sea fishing or simple cruises. Big game fishing is popular with locals as well as tourists, supported by annual fishing tournaments throughout the region. In the spring and summer months, fishers can reel in marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi and Spanish mackerel. Much like the other water sport activities mentioned here, it is easy to find boat rentals in Cancun and many are available with full staffs. For the ultimate in relaxation, take a ride with one of Cancun’s sailing catamarans – you won’t have to do anything but enjoy the sun and sea.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Cancun and Mexico tourism for the Marriott Resorts.

Fans of rock music will certainly not be disappointed with a trip to Phuket. The island has a vibrant live-music scene that covers most of the bases, from jazz through to good old rock n roll. If you’d rather mosh to rock than bop to dance beats, there are a few clubs and pubs you ought to know about.

Although it’s something of a cliché on the island, Rock City on the beach road in Patong is an established rock club that caters to a primarily tourist clientele. As soon as you see the enormous gorilla above the entrance, you know you’re in for a treat, and Rock City delivers.

Rock City is a fun kind of place with bands comprising of locals, Aussies, Swedes, Filipinos and so on. There are usually three or four bands on per night and each has a different style and character. You won’t hear any original songs at this Phuket club, but you will be able to dance away to the links of Bon Jovi, Metallica, ACDC and Guns n Roses, as well as a few more-modern bands.

As if one Rock City in Patong wasn’t enough, there is now a second venue at the top of Soi Bangla, on the opposite from the beach. It’s much the same as the original Rock City, but the acoustics are a little bit different. Expect to drink and dance until about 2 am.

Although it’s primarily a jazz club, Karma Lounge in Kata is a fun live-music venue where the music sometimes drifts into rock. The vibes are always positive at this Phuket club and people get down until the early hours of the morning.

Of course, no trip to Phuket would be complete without sampling the local rock scene. Although there aren’t many bands in Phuket penning and playing their own songs, there are a lot of decent cover bands playing in local clubs.

9 Richter in Phuket Town is a good place to catch Thai live music. The venue also hosts special events with famous stars from the Thai rock and indie scenes.

Also in Phuket Town is Blue Marina, at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. This is an exciting club popular with young people in Phuket. The music is always fast and fun, plus Blue Marina also hosts special events with popular bands.

The majority of Phuket’s rock clubs can be found in Patong. It usually takes a little stroll around the area to find somewhere playing live music. The quality of the bands varies considerably and there is an unhealthy obsession with the likes of Bon Jovi, but it’s all in the holiday spirit and the drink are cheap and even the Thais seem to have a good time.

Rock on, brothers and sisters.

We just got back from the Bahamas yesterday. Absolutely beautiful once you are at the hotel. Trip to hotel is not the best thing to view. Hotel is amazing and staff is so friendly. The hotel sits right on the beautiful beach front. Our room was clean. It had a great view of pool and ocean. We just ate at the buffet the whole trip, food was average. Don’t think the specialty places are worth the wait in line, though I overheard the food was great at the Steakhouse. The mixed drinks are strong and you get your money’s worth. Love that it’s all-inclusive.

I really enjoyed my stay here. The food was great, a different theme every night. Bahamian night was our favourite. Rooms were nice although you wont spend much time there, with the pool and swim up bar. I’ll be going back again a year from now and I can’t wait. Recommend the Riu over any of the others I visited while I was on the island.

Down-side: they only have MGD cans of beer, entertainment is ok, but wish they had dancing, and the peddlers, but that is everywhere in the Bahamas. Also fridge in our room did not get very cold. They only stock it every two days as well. This hotel is the best, may not have fancy rooms, but who needs that. I look forward to returning, I miss the place already! It is a much better deal then the hotel next door to the left, which it takes three minutes to walk to and is also worth checking out but not staying at. You will love this place!

They do not offer room service and you are not allowed to bring food out of the restaurants. We would suggest bringing snacks for the times when the restaurants are closed. There is a charge for using the phone in your room (even with a calling card) and they do not have a payphone. We used the payphone at the Atlantis Resort which was just a quick walk next door.

There is a deli/grocery a few blocks away near the Blue Marlin, a good restaurant. Water and snacks are cheaper than the hotel. You’ll save buying T-shirts and things in Nassau. The Green Turtle by the Marina is a nice change of pace with reasonable drinks and a lengthy happy hour.

Watch out for Seagulls when eating outside. Wheel and deal with the waverunner vendors, they come down in price. Straw market is over rated, but you can get good deals on stuff .Also they will harass you to buy, if not interested just say ‘no thank you’. Carry on your souvenirs on the plane; I had some stolen from my luggage. Dolphin Encounter is a must, worth the price to swim with them.