When the world is at your feet it’s difficult to find the ideal destination. If you love sun, sand and surf the decision is simple: Riviera Maya. Located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya has been blessed by the Gods. Here you have lush tropical jungles, white sands, crystal clear turquoise waters and solitary beaches.  There is also exciting nightlife, top notch restaurants, and thousands of hotel rooms; ranging from five star all-inclusives, to boutique specialty hotels, to charming inns.

You may think, ‘other destinations can offer that;’ but add historic Mayan ruins, over a thousand ‘cenotes,’ a UNESCO World Heritage site, the world’s second largest barrier reef and friendly, dedicated service, and suddenly there is only one choice.

In Riviera Maya you can do it all, or – as the countless Corona Beer beach ads (filmed on location) prove – do nothing. If you want to zipline through miles of trees (Hidden Worlds), visit living aquariums that double as amusement parks (Xel-Ha), or witness a combination of history lesson, theatrical experience and nature escape (Xcaret); you can do it all here.  You can scuba, snorkel, horsebackride, golf, windsurf, sail or deepwater fish.  You can practice the fancy footwork of ‘la quebradita’ or explore extensive gastronomical options in Tulum or Playa Del Carmen.

Or if you just want to lay on the sand listen to the waves and gaze into the unending turquoise waters, you found nirvana.

Riviera Maya stretches eighty-one miles, beginning south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos and extending through Sian Ka’an, the first established Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Regardless of your version of a dream escape, Riviera Maya is the dream alive.

WHAT TO DO

THE BEACH

This is perhaps the best reason to visit. Just picture an uninterrupted 125-mile strip of soft, welcoming sand and scores of inlets under a hot tropical sun. Best of all are the many undiscovered beaches, make one your own.

THE CORAL REEF
Riviera Maya’s beachfront is guarded by just a portion of the Mesoamerican coral reef, stretching down for 400 miles to the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras. This is the second largest barrier reef in the world providing some of the best scuba and snorkeling imaginable.

THE JUNGLE
The area is filled with jungles thriving with tropical flowers, plants and thousands upon thousands of birds and trees unique to the region.

THE CENOTES
The connected underground fresh-water pools in Riviera Maya, called cenotes are unduplicated anywhere else in the world. They were created by rivers running deep beneath the earth’s surface that, throughout the centuries, made their way to the top, cutting through the rock and creating cave-like settings surrounding the underground natural pools.

MAYAN RUINS
Riviera Maya lays at the heart of the great Mayan Indian civilization, considered by many one of the most advanced in ancient history. Archaeologists believe that barely 10 percent of those ruins have been discovered and excavated.

TULUM
The most well-known of these Mayan ruins is the excavated complex of Tulum at the southern end of the region. This is the picture you see in the brochures; ancient Mayan ruins with the beautiful Caribbean Sea at the base.

COBA
Coba is an ancient metropolis that covers a wide surface area and several centuries of layers, representing when it was built, destroyed, and built again on top of the ruins. Only a small portion has been uncovered, giving it its nickname as The Hidden City.

HIDDEN WORLDS
When it comes to cenotes, Hidden Worlds has some of the best. And for a taste of excitement there is The Avatar, a high speed, high adrenaline ride. Think of it as a rollercoaster on a zip line. You will twist and turn through the jungle until you drop into a cenote; a ride that goes from dry to wet and from top of the trees to below the water! This is home to the world’s only SkyCycle which lets you pedal your way through the sky and observe spectacular views.

Highway 307, Tulum C.P. 77780, Mexico
T: [52] + (984) 115 4514. www.hiddenworlds.com

XCARET –
A different kind of theme park. The perfect combination of history, rides, shows and nature.  Walk through the grounds and see exotic fauna and flora, swim in the cenotes and witness a show that takes you through Mexico’s cultural heritage.

Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Federal Highway, Km. 282, Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
T: [52] + [998] 883 0470   * www.xcaret.com

XEL-HA
One of the best aquatic theme parks you can experience. Enjoy the biggest natural aquarium, swim with the dolphins or pet stingrays.  If you love the ocean, you will love Xel-Ha.

Highway Chetumal-Pto. Juárez, Km. 240 local 1 y 2 módulo B., Quintana Roo, México.
T: [52] + [998] 884 71 65 *  www.xelha.com

THE SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE
This immense 1.3 million acre nature preserve is home to nearly half the world’s species of flora and fauna with pristine beaches and the clearest of waters.

Federal Road (307) Cancun-Tulum, #68 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
T: (52) 984-871-2499  * www.cesiak.org

GOLF
El Cameleon course at Mayakoba is the site of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, the only sanctioned PGA Tour stop in all of Mexico. There are also courses designed by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and others, perfect for ardent golfers.

NIGHTLIFE

LA QUINTA
La Quinta is the center of the action in Riviera Maya; an exciting, bustling avenue in downtown Playa del Carmen filled with restaurants, shops, clubs, boutique hotels, bars and the obligatory souvenir shops. Lovers of good food will enjoy options ranging from small bistros, to local venues featuring the various cuisines of Mexico, to five star restaurants with international selections. There are all types of clubs with music and dancing until the sun rises.

SHOPPING

La Quinta is bursting with upscale prestigious brand boutiques and small shopping gems selling everything and anything, from international designers to creations by local Mexican artisans.

WHERE TO STAY

Riviera Maya has boutique hotels offering the utmost in privacy and personalized service and architecturally grand resorts with luxurious suites and extravagant amenities. Below are some of our favorites:

GRAN BAHIA PRINCIPE
Formed by three 5 stars resorts (Gran Bahia Principe Akumal, Gran Bahia Principe Tulum and Gran Bahia Principe Coba), this is a top notch all inclusive palace. Located between Akumal and Tulum the resorts offer multiple pools, open-air Jacuzzis, amphitheater with shows and entertainment; tennis courts; a water-sports center; golf course, a gym; shops; a large convention center with top-quality facilities and, of course, extensive dining options, beautiful natural spaces and a majestic private beach.  The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with balconies, and furnished with marble and expensive woods. Most meals and beverages, plus all gratuities are included in the room rate. An internal mini-train service gives access to facilities in all three resorts.

Puerto Juarez, Km 250, Akumal/Tulum, Mexico
T: (52) 987-55000  * www.bahia-principe.com

MAHEKAL BEACH RESORT

For a unique hotel experience stay at Mahekal Beach Resort. It’s strategically located in Playa del Carmen on 5th Avenue, next to Mamita’s Beach Club. The hotel is made up of small villas with straw roofing, large front yard with hammocks, and is nestled among the palm trees facing the ocean.  Here you are on a beautiful beach with the bustling La Quinta only minutes away. A stay here is sure to be a vacation to remember.

Av 34 Norte Con 5a Av y Zona Federal Maritima, Apartado postal 116, 77710, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
T: (52) 984 873 42 60 * www.mahekalplaya.com

HACIENDA TRES RIOS
Nestled in a 326-acre pristine nature park near Playa del Carmen, Hacienda Tres Ríos is one of Riviera Maya’s best All-Inclusive resorts. With 273 suites, the resort is at the forefront of sustainable tourism development, creating amazing guest experiences while protecting the region’s natural beauty and culture. The Endless Luxury All-Inclusive Plan at Hacienda Tres Ríos combines warm hospitality and luxurious room accommodations, exclusive use of the Tres Ríos Nature Park, and an incredible gourmet experience.

Carretera Cancún-Tulum, Km. 54, Quintana Roo ZIP 77760
T: (52) 998 287.4115 * TOLL FREE 1.800.494.9173  * www.haciendatresrios.com

MAYAKOBA ROSEWOOD
One of the best resorts in the world. Built along serene lagoons and the Caribbean Sea, the resort’s 128 suites are strikingly modern in design yet crafted to appear born of the jungle. Upon arrival guests are transported by luxury boats to their own personal sanctuary. All of the suites feature crisp, open spaces, contemporary furnishings and sliding-glass doors with wooden lattices for natural airiness. Accommodations are complemented with such details as rooftop sundecks, over-sized terraces, spacious bathrooms (some with outdoor garden showers), plunge pools and boat docks. Situated along a mile-long arc of white Caribbean sand, Rosewood Mayakobá is the heart of a 1,600-acre luxury resort enclave.

Federal Cancún–Playa del Carmen KM 298, Solidaridad, Q. Roo, CP 77710 Mexico
T: (52) 984.875.8000   * TOLL FREE: 888.ROSEWOOD * www.rosewoodmayakoba.com

GETTING THERE

Riviera Maya is easily accessible. By air, Cancun International Airport is the second busiest in Mexico and the one receiving the largest number of international travelers with direct or connecting flights from anywhere in the world. By sea, deep draft marinas abound, making life easy for cruise ships and yachts.

Once in the Riviera Maya there are car rental agencies, but also concessionaires who will rent small aircraft or helicopters, complete with pilot; luxurious yachts for fishing or sailing on the Caribbean; luxury automobiles for touring; or ATV’s for exploring the jungle or going on an adventure tour.

EVENTS

Riviera Maya has a new polo field for those who love the game, and hosts the regional Copa del Rey tournament every January. There are also several film festivals and even a Tequila Festival held annually.

THE RIVIERA MAYA JAZZ FESTIVAL

You should go to Riviera Maya any time of year, but there is perhaps no better time to arrive than during the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.
Imagine the best musicians in the world playing their best tunes, at the beach… for FREE! It is truly an extraordinary experience not to be missed.

Fortunately the four day Festival coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday in late November, an ideal time for a perfect getaway. Escape the relatives or bring them along, either way, you win!

This year the Festival happens from November 24th to November 26th.

Last year the Festival set record numbers and drew more than 60,000 visitors to Riviera Maya.  Numbers are bound to increase with this year’s offerings.

The Festival is such an amazing success thanks to the vision of two men, Riviera Maya Tourism Director Dario Flota and Festival Producer Fernando Touissant.  With Public Relations Director Ana Mari Irabien and a friendly support team the event makes history every year

Last year’s Jazz festival featured Al Dimeola, Incognito, George Duke, Yekima Pavon and John Maclaughlin. On closing night Eugenia León – considered one of the best female singers in Latin America – electrified the crowds. Also performing during the Festival were Aguamala, led by festival producer Fernando Toussiant.  His four-person jazz band is a constant at the festival and the epitome of natural and smooth Mexican jazz spiced with rock and dashes of funk.

Visitwww.rivieramayajazzfestival.com and make your plans early.

Special Thanks: Riviera Maya Tourism Board – Dario Flota, Director of Tourism; Ana Mari Irabien

Visit www.rivieramaya.com