Where to Stay in cancun

There are a considerable number of budget-priced or economy hotels located throughout the city but when looking around at budget or even mid-range hotels in Orizaba, you’ll note that many come stocked with “ladies of the evening” who are standing at or just inside of the hotel front door. Make no mistake, many of these ladies come with “the gift that keeps on giving” – AIDS. Most well-run hotel establishments will not allow them and these hotels are usually marked as “family” hotels. You will have far fewer problems (or temptations) staying at a “family” hotel even if it’s located across from or next door to a “stocked” hotel. Keep your eyes open and BE CAREFUL at all times! Some recommendable places include these:

Name: Hotel Arenas
Address: Norte 2 No. 169
Phone: 725-2361

A small, family-run hotel located directly in back of the yellow-walled Parrish Church of San Miguel. There is an attractive, plant-filled courtyard fronting the economically priced rooms. Most have a TV and fan with private bath and are clean but unpretentious. The street out front is usually pretty crowded as it’s the market district, so there’s plenty of activity until about 9 pm when things go quiet. Singles / doubles are 100 pesos and 120 pesos respectively. Expect to pay slightly more during peak seasons.

Name: Hotel San Cristóbal
Address: Norte 4 No. 243 (between Orientes 5 and 7)
Phone: 725-1140

Also in the market district three blocks from the Hotel Arenas, this small hotel is a bit more secure and is newly renovated, but still plain. Singles / Doubles with TV, fan, and private bath (hot water available most of the day) are priced at 70 pesos and 110 pesos. Similar in facilities to the Hotel Arenas but cleaner and brighter although more Spartan. A good value “family” hotel. You’ll also pay a bit more here during “peak” seasons.

Name: Hotel Trueba
Address: Oriente 6 and Sur 11
Phone: 724-2930

This fairly pricey hotel located near the ADO bus terminal has single and double rooms with AC, TV and private bath with 24 hour hot water priced at 280 to 320 pesos for a single / double. Accommodations are adequate, but for the price Hotel L’Orbe would be a better value. However, tours up Mt. Orizaba to mid-range altitudes can be arranged by Turismo Aventura from the lobby of this hotel, departing on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A few of the guides speak some English and the tours are interesting and unique but should be arranged well in advance. Be sure to bring warm clothes if you’re planning even a low-altitude trek up the mountain as it can get pretty chilly even in the dead of Summer. A Pico de Orizaba tour, however, is most definitely recommended and will cost in the neighborhood of $25 to $30 U.S. dollars per person – a bit less in the “off” seasons.

Name: Hotel L’Orbe
Address: Poniente 5 No. 3
Phone: 725-5033

In the heart of downtown, upscale and pricey, this hotel has excellent local information, as you might expect. Staff is friendly and informative even to non-guests. Rooms are nice, fully air conditioned, with cable, color TV, phones and go for around 320 pesos for a double. The hotel has recently been completely remodeled and re-furnished as well.

Name: Hotel Mirador
Address: Madero Sur No. 469
Phone: 725-2381

The Hotel Mirador is mid-range in price and services with cable TV, private bath, 24 hour hot water, and fans. It fills up fairly quickly during peak seasons, but isn’t really anything super special. Accommodations are adequate though, and the location isn’t bad as it’s in the city center near a variety of restaurants, cafes, theaters and other facilities. Rates are 170 to 190 pesos for a single / double room.

Name: Hotel Pluviosilla
Address: Poniente 7 No. 163
Phone: 725-5300

An upscale hotel located near one end of the city with nice, clean rooms for a bit higher price. It fills up quickly in the peak tourists seasons as do other tourist favorites in town. Rooms are priciest then with typical rates at 330 to 380 pesos for singles / doubles with AC, cable TV, private bath, and 24 hour hot water. There is a good on-site restaurant.

Name: Hotel María Isabel
Address: Sur 21–A No. 36 Col. Hidalgo
Phone: 724-1430

Located right in the city center and not a bad value is the Maria Isabel. Clean, upscale and well-located there is a good restaurant and fairly nice facilities. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly, but no English is spoken. Tours can be arranged and some guides speak a little English. Rooms are good with cable TV, AC, hot water and phone for around 230 pesos for a double.

For English language teaching leads see the companion articles, “Teaching English in Mexico: Orizaba Language Institutes” and “Teaching English in Mexico: Orizaba Jobs. Additional aspects of living and working in Orizabab can be found in the series, “Traveling in Mexico: The City of Orizaba”, “Traveling in Mexico: Hotels in Orizaba”, “Traveling in Mexico: Picture Yourself Living in Orizaba” and “Traveling in Mexico: The Food in Orizaba”.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe.