RIVIERA MAYA
On this “shoreline of adventure,” a 100-mile coastal strip featuring a
chain of sun-washed beaches and extending south of Cancun along the coast
of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo all the way to the ruins of Tulum,
the pre-Hispanic past and the fun-loving present come together in an
incomparable jewel-like setting. Many of the resorts along this coast are
exclusive hideaways where visitors can commune with nature, reveling at
both the exuberant tropical foliage and the colorful coral reefs that
fringe this beautiful coastline. A new four-lane highway connects Cancun
to Tulum along this route.
Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing or simply enjoying the
Caribbean scenery, the area is peppered with nature parks and hotel
hideaways, most of which are set on the beach about a half mile from the
road, and hidden behind dense tropical vegetation. Here, man has shaped
nature to create a paradise formerly reserved for Mayan dignitaries and
priests, allowing visitors to purify their souls in the crystalline seas.
Reefs, inlets, underground rivers and natural pools make the Riviera Maya
a compulsory stopover for divers from all over the world, who are
attracted by the magical underwater spaces supporting an infinite variety
of species that delight both diving and fishing enthusiasts.
The Maya port of Xaman Ha became Playa del Carmen under the Spanish,
and is the capital of the Riviera Maya; the area is also the site of the
villages built by the early settlers in this area, which are now the
peaceful fishing villages of their descendants. Footloose travelers are
equally at ease on the white sandy beaches and among the verdant tropical
vegetation of the reserves and parks that comprise the magic of this zone.
A tour of the area, washed by the turquoise sea, begins in Punta Brava,
continues on to Playa del Secreto, Playa Paraiso, Punta Maroma, Punta Bete,
Playa del Carmen, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, Kantenah, Akumal and
Xcacel, and ends at the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tulum. The coast is
astonishingly beautiful and offers a broad range of options from solitary
beaches to lively indigenous communities, while the theme parks of Tres
Rios, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Grutas de Aktun Chen, as well as the Sian Ka’an and
Punta Laguna nature reserves, are a must for fun-seekers and eco-tourists
alike--the perfect complement of forest and sea.
The cosmopolitan transformation of Playa del Carmen, only 45 minutes
south of Cancun’s airport, respected the region’s cultural heritage,
giving rise to a picturesque city. When the shadows of a Caribbean sunset
spread over the sea, locals and tourists alike go for a walk along Fifth
Avenue, transforming the street into a colorful spectacle where the spirit
of the Caribbean is tangible in the air. An ideal spot to begin
exploration of the entire region, Playa del Carmen has many dining
options; small, chic & rustic accommodations with palm-thatched roofs; and
numerous crafts stores featuring everything from myriad brands of tequila,
amber and silver jewelry, Mexican and Guatemalan handicrafts, to casual
resort clothes and even fine cigars! Almost everything in Playa del Carmen
is within walking distance, including its bird sanctuary. This is the
beach town and former fishing hamlet which got on the map merely as the
springboard for visitors taking the ferry to the island of Cozumel, which
lies directly off the coast. As more and more ferry-based travelers
lingered to enjoy its Caribbean beaches and rustic charms, the town came
into its own as a resort destination, but it still preserves a certain
small-town charm and bohemian following.
This stunningly beautiful hundred-mile stretch of tropical beaches,
coves and bays, called the Riviera Maya, is set amid one of the most
mysterious and sophisticated ancient civilizations in the Americas, and
offers something for just about everyone--an adventure you won’t want to
miss.
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