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Dreaming for a warm paradise golfing holidays in Cancun and Riviera Maya?

The Riviera Maya will never cease to amaze you … With its more than 120 km of extension, its crystalline turquoise waters, its white-sand beaches, cenotes, majestic archaeological sites, natural parks and unique themes in the world, in addition to magnificent golf courses, hotels and one, exquisite cuisine.
Discover why in the Riviera Maya … paradise is FOREVER!

To travel to this paradise we recommend to travel from November until April (high season) with temperatures from 22 until 32 degrees centidegrees.

There are two main ways to arrive in this earthly paradise: via the Cancun International Airport or the Cozumel International Airport.

Cancun

Cancun is recognised throughout the world for its spectacular white sand beaches and its fascinating sea in turquoise blue tones. With unique natural places, Mayan culture, water activities and adventure. International cuisine, spectacular golf courses, sophisticated spa facilities; exclusive shopping centers, typical handicraft markets as well as shows, bars and nightclubs that give fame to its incomparable nightlife.

The golf courses merge visually charged settings with dynamic, innovative designs created by the greatest course designers in the business.
The challenge was to incorporate the vagaries of the landscape in ways that diversified, even intensifed play while being harmonious and beautiful to the eye. And the results are spectacular: turquoise sea, deep-green lagoon, living jungle and placid cenote share pride of place among greens and fairways.
Isao Aoki, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr. PB Dye, Tom Frazio, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Von Haggeson met the challenge with signature courses that have made Cancun a golf destination par excellence for enthusiasts and professionals alike, drawing world-class tournaments to Cancun year after year.

The shopping. Visitors get an increasingly greater sweep of the finest, most sought-after domestic and international brands for fashion, perfume and jewellery as well as traditional Mexican crafts from every state in the country. Shopping Cancun, visiting all the different malls, is an exciting experience.Each mall has its own architectural style and ambience; its own blend of services and entertainment. Each mall is a fresh, unique experience. The malls are:

1. Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center is an innovative take on mall design with wide open esplanades and great vistas for every vantage point smoothly blending shops, entertainment and eateries.
2. La Isla Shopping Village offers a visually exciting experience with its open plazas, navigable canals and its range of entertainment, name-brand boutiques and restaurants. Its privileged location, overlooking the lagoon, allows visitors to enjoy Cancun’s dazzling sunsets as well, an added bonus.
3. Fashion Harbour at La Isla is the most exclusive luxury mall in the Mexican Caribbean offers a different shopping experience lined as it is with the world’s top name brands featuring the latest in designer fashion.
4. Luxury Avenue Boutique Mall is a luxury Avenue is located at the southern end of Kukulcan Plaza; it brings together under one roof a collection of high-end, international luxury brands in fashion, jewelry, watches, accessories and articles of leather.
5. Kulkucan Plaza offers range and variety: clothing and perfume boutiques, jewelry stores, a supermarket and excellent restaurants.
6. Forum by the sea, located at the very heart of the hotel zone, unites shops, restaurants and entertainment centers. It is the only mall that opens onto the beach and provides permanent entertainment.
7. Flamingo Mall principally showcases souvenirs and Mexican fine arts and crafts with an emphasis on silver and jewelry and leather. The mall also houses a pharmacy, a convenience store, car rental and several restaurants.
8. Plaza Caracol
9. Chedraui Selecto is a supermarket that features premium products: wines, gourmet foods, imported items and foodstuffs, live marine species and an haute café.
10. Plaza La Fiesta and Marcado de Artesanias Coral Negro you will find hand crafts and souvenirs to take back home as memories from your holidays.

Located a short distance from Cancun and considered an integral part of the region’s magic are the islands of Holbox, Contoy and Isla Mujeres: destinations in themselves, each different, all worth a visit.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a magical community, a place for romance and relaxation. The island lives close to nature and is a fine example of undiluted Caribbean culture. It is located off shore from Cancun, just 6 km to the northeast. Its geographic location makes Isla Mujeres a kind of paradise; the island receives the first rays of the sun to touch Mexican soil each morning, a sight to see.

Touring the island on bike, motorcycle or golf cart is a fine way to explore at your own pace. The landscape and beaches are stunning and lend themselves to variety of activities. There are sand dunes, lagoons and mangrove forests as well as stretches of medium and low jungle.

The diving, snorkelling and kayaking are great. Sport fishing is second to none. Tours in both motor boats and catamarans are available as well as zip-lining over the water.

A must to see in the island:

• North Beach “Playa Norte”: is considered one of the loveliest beaches in the region, covered by soft white sand, dotted with palm trees and kissed by the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, waters which in North Beach are calm and shallow, perfect for swimming and other low-key water sports. Sunsets from North Beach are legendary.
• South Point “Punta Sur”: Located on the southern-most tip of the island and its place of highest elevation is South Point. The cliffs are naturally sculptured and afford spectacular views of the Isla Mujeres Bay and the Caribbean with Cancun as backdrop. A small temple dedicated to the Maya Goddess Ixchel graces the very tip of the point and megalithic, multimedia sculptures commissioned from world-renowned artists, dot the field leading to the point.
• El Garrafón: named for the reef whose shape is thought to resemble a bottle neck (garrafa), has been declared a national park. Its shallow depth, gentle currents and abundance of sea creatures make it an ideal site for viewing life below the surface. Garrafon is famous for its brilliant tropical fish and the coral reef that is their home; it’s a veritable snorkeling paradise located right next to South Point.
• The cave of the sleeping sharks: the murky cave filled with sharks apparently ‘resting’ from their constant movement was discovered by island native Carlos Garcia Castilla back in the 1950s. Sharks are thought to need constant movement to survive and discovery of the cave with its sleeping sharks is a highly unusual, even freakish phenomenon that allows people to get up close and personal with this great predator. The cave is located 30 minutes by boat from Isla Mujeres and dive tours for advanced divers are available.
• MUSA: The underwater art museum: is a collection of over 500 submerged sculptures. The purpose of the project, now a reality, was to promote reef restoration through art, thus connecting fine art with the science of conservation. Placed as they are, the sculptures draw visitors away the reef, thus reducing the massive, inadvertent damage done the reef by droves of divers and snorkelers.
• Hacienda Mundaca: is the principal historic attraction on the island. It was built by Fermin Mundaca of Marecheaga, a pirate and slave trader who used the island as a refuge.
• Manchones reef: is a section of reef filled with a range of marine species. It runs for two kilometers at a depth of 15 meters some 10 minutes by boat from Isla Mujeres. The dive’s hallmark feature is a bronze cross set 12 meters down; the cross weights a ton and stands three meters tall. Called the La Cruz de la Bahia, the sculpture is a tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives at sea. Manchones is considered an interesting dive for both experienced and novice divers.
• The Lighthouse “El Farito”: is a small underwater park located 1.5 kilometers from Isla Mujeres. The site is named after a small lighthouse located at the center of a spectacular reef, great for snorkeling, and visitors can also see the statue referred to as the Virgin of El Farito that graces the reef.
• The Turtle Farm “Tortugranja”: is a safe harbor for turtles of different species, both land and sea. A small aquarium filled with lobsters, starfish, shrimp, conch, sea cucumbers and other marine life not often seen is an additional attraction.

Isla Holbox

Holbox is a spit of island located off the northern coast of the State of Quintana Roo. It is filled with the wonders of nature, forms part of the Yum Balam Ecological Reserve and is a declared Protected Area for Flora and Fauna.

The waters around Holbox are shallow and the island itself has streets of sand and those colorful clapboard houses so traditional to Caribbean culture. You can tour the island on foot, bicycle or golf cart. It’s a veritable heaven of tranquility where living close to nature is a normal as breathing.

In addition to just relaxing in the presence of unadulterated nature, the island offers some unique experiences such as seeing flocks of flamingo in their natural habitat (April-October) and the chance to actually swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. At night there’s the startling phenomenon of bioluminescence, when the sea comes alive with phosphorescent sparks of light.

A must to see in the island:

• Passion Island “Isla Pasion”: is a small patch of deserted sand. Lounging on a virgin beach under a tropical sun, far from the madding crowd is the order of the day.
• Bird Island “Isla Pájaros”: Birders and nature lovers will be in their element on Bird Island. Located in the Yalahau Lagoon, the island is a refuge for a diversity of bird life such as the Magnificent Frigate Bird, White Ibis, ducks, pelicans, cranes and storks (in season). The birds are protected by law and meant to be left at peace. Only walking is permitted on the island and a tall lookout post offers 360 degree views of the refuge and its birds.
• Yalahau Cenote: Located just a short 30-minute ride by boat from Holbox, a sweet-water sinkhole of clear, invigoratingly cold water. The cenote is surrounded by mangroves and the entire area can be seen from the designated lookout point. Legend has it the cenote’s waters have healing powers, hence it’s popular name: “the source of eternal youth”.
• Cabo Catoche: is a small island blessed by nature and filled with history. It’s great for fishing, snorkeling and diving. The areas referred to as Ekab and Boca Iglesia contain the remains of ancient and conquest-era structures including the site of the first Catholic Church ever built in Mexico.

Isla Contoy

Contoy is uninhabited and famous for its flora and wildlife. It’s the most important bird sanctuary in the Mexican Caribbean and a major draw for nature lovers.

The island is located 30 kilometers north of Isla Mujeres where the waters of the Gulf of Mexico merge with the Caribbean Sea. Contoy was designated a legally protected nature reserve in 1961 and a National Park in 1998.

Scientists have logged 210 species of bird in the island’s mangroves, lagoons and areas of low jungle including significant nesting colonies of cormorant and frigate. Contoy is the major nesting ground for the Brown Pelican along the Atlantic seaboard from Texas to Belize. These three species-cormorant, frigate and pelican–are the most numerous on the island, numbering 10,000 individuals. Cranes, sand pipers and migratory species (in season) are also present.

A must to see in the island:

• Ixlaché Reef: The reef is filled with different types of live color, fish, the spiny lobster and conch. This reef marks the beginning of the Great Mesoamerican Reef.
• Birders’ Lookout “El Mirador”: The mirador, located in the visitor’s center, allows you a bird’s eye view of the landscape and all the many species of bird in their natural habitat along with a breath of fresh ocean air.
• Beaches: The waters of Contoy beaches are sparkling clear and surrounded by lush vegetarian.
• Natural Paths: These pathways lead you through areas where the island’s flora and fauna is readily seen.

Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya begins at Punta Brava, to the south of Puerto Morelos, and ends at Tulum. The Zona Maya, an important component of the Riviera Maya, is more inland and to the west. And from one end to the other, Riviera Maya offers exotic flora and fauna, spectacular landscapes, white sand beaches and turquoise, crystal-clear waters—not only in the Caribbean Sea, but also in its underground rivers, the canals that wind through the jungle and the cold, pure cenotes.

History

As you may have guessed by now, the Mayan culture is the foundation of this area of the Caribbean. The Maya shaped the future of this region back in the Classic Period; they built their cities in privileged locations based on their deep knowledge of and love for nature. By doing so, they strived to secure the prosperity of their citizens and the blessings of their many gods. These cities were built near sources of fresh water, whether that was rivers, cenotes or lagoons, so they could secure their basic needs and thrive by expanding their commercial horizons during the Post-Classic Period. The result of this careful planning gave rise to cities such as Chunyaxché, now known as Muyil, which was built next to the lagoon that later gave the city its name. Located in the southern region near Tulum, Muyil is part of the Mexican Caribbean’s newest destination, called Maya Ka’an. Muyil has stunning views of the jungle and the canals that stream out of the lagoon, and it’s surrounded by an astounding display of flora and fauna. To the northwest lies the city of Cobá, also built next to a great lagoon. There you can challenge yourself to climb the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a magical place where your clients will find themselves catching their breath as they take in the magnificence of this Mayan city. Towards the northeast, near the sea, is the legendary Tulum, originally named by the Maya as Zamá, which means morning or sunrise. This is truly a must-see: it’s the only Mayan city that was built next to the Caribbean Sea. Make sure to arrive early and have plenty of time to enjoy a view of the castle, the Dancer’s Plaza and the Temple of the Frescoes (that one you really can’t miss!).

There’s also plenty to see and explore in the northern reaches of Riviera Maya. Topping the list is Xel-Há, which was actually where the first European settlement in the peninsula was established. Then Xcaret. This was once an important commercial port, where the Maya came to trade spices, food, clothing and tools. Every year, Mayan pilgrims would arrive at Xcaret, each of them eager to cross the Caribbean channel to the island of Cozumel, which is right across the water from Playa del Carmen. These adventurous souls would cross the water in sturdy wooden canoes, fighting the currents and praying to the goddess Ixchel for good fortune for their families, fertility for their crops and their women and good luck in their trade. Playa del Carmen, was one of the first villages to be discovered by the invading Spaniards. Today it’s the biggest town in Riviera Maya, chock full of attractions including restaurants with delicious fresh seafood, traditional cuisine and international fare; great shopping both of the small shop, boutique and mall kind; and some truly wonderful resorts.

Areas

The easiest way to picture Riviera Maya is by dividing it into three main areas:

1. In the middle: Playa del Carmen (also known as Playa).
2. To the north of Playa del Carmen you’ll find the beaches and resort enclaves of Playa Paraiso/Playa Secreto, Punta Maroma/Punta Bete, and Mayakobá.
3. To the south of Playa del Carmen lie numerous parks and attractions such as Xcaret, Río Secreto, Xplor, Xel-Há, and towns of Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, and Tulum. Sian Ka’an is now part of Maya Ka’an.

Starting from the north of Riviera Maya:

Playa del Secreto & Playa Paraíso

Picture yourself standing on a perfect stretch of white sand, shading your eyes as you look out towards the Great Mayan Reef, just a short boat ride away. Welcome to Playa del Secreto and Playa Paraíso, where there are no towns, just some of the region’s most popular all-inclusive resorts. And get ready to work on your swing: there are two amazing golf courses here, El Manglar and Iberostar Playa Paraíso.

Punta Maroma & Punta Bete

You’ll find a long list of popular all-inclusive resorts and luxury boutique hotels sandwiched between these two beauties. As with Secreto and Paraíso, there’s no actual town, but hotel guests do have access to one of Riviera Maya’s loveliest beaches.

Mayakobá

As we follow the shoreline we get to Mayakobá, with its deluxe hotels, residences, an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course and—surprise—miles of beautiful Caribbean beachfront. This is sustainability central: the first hotel built here, the Fairmont Mayakobá, was the first “green” hotel in Riviera Maya. In fact, biologists, architects and designers involved in the development of the Mayakobá site—spread out over 500 acres of mangrove forest and jungle—were very careful to preserve its diverse flora and fauna.

Continuing in the middle of Riviera Maya:

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen—or “Playa”—is spread out along 15 km of gorgeous Caribbean beach. A bit of history: for the Mayans, this area used to be called Xamanhá, which means “northern waters.” It was the main departure point for their trip to Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel. To prepare for their visit, the pilgrims would fast for several days, pray and take steam baths to purify their body and soul before heading to Cozumel, which was then called Kuzamil.

It’s only a 50-minute ride from the Cancun International Airport and still ferry central for jaunts to Cozumel. It also has plenty of day visitors from all over Riviera Maya and via cruises who stream in to enjoy its excellent shopping, dining, people watching, and calm, beautiful beach. Two blocks inland and parallel to the sea is La Quinta Avenida, Playa’s answer to 5th Avenue, only beachier, funkier and a whole lot more fun. This busy iconic pedestrian byway now stretches about 20 blocks (4.5 km) from the Paseo del Carmen outdoor shopping center at the southern end all the way north into the city.

Easily the hippest, most internationally diverse street in the entire Caribbean, it’s “divided” into the Old Quinta and the New Quinta. The Old Quinta extends more or less to 15th street and the Quinta Alegria Mall, and it’s busy with restaurants, nightlife with DJs and clubs, plus great shopping at Calle Corazón and Quinta Alegría, where your credit cards are accepted and will get a workout. When you hit Calle Corazón don’t miss a visit to L’Aquarium, where your entry fee contributes to coral farming and opens the door for you to see over 3,000 different species and a special cenote room, so you don’t even have to get your feet wet to view the wonders of our Caribbean Sea. Farther down, the New Quinta is more laid-back, with a cool bohemian vibe at its restaurants and bars. The latest attraction on the Quinta is Estación México, a free walking tour through this famous avenue where you will learn about the history, anecdotes and activities offered in Playa del Carmen.

A must to see also:

1. Parque Fundadores
2. Portal Maya
3. Nuestra Señora del Carmen Chappel
4. Frida Kahlo´s Museum
5. 12 Street
6. The Mayan temple

Even though Playa del Carmen has seen an explosion in popularity and growth, it’s still very much a pedestrian friendly town at heart. City planners have begun initiatives on a 4-km walking and bicycle path that will run the length of the town along 10th Avenue. Two similar paths already connect the two commercial corridors: Centro Maya and Plaza Las Americas. The latter has a new municipal facility, city hall and theater as part of one of the largest master-planned urban developments in Mexico. A bit to the north of town (within walking distance), the area past Avenida Constituyentes has some of the loveliest beaches Playa del Carmen has to offer. Further north is Coco Beach, and if you go beyond this you’ll find fewer sun worshippers and more places to relax far from the tourist hustle and bustle.

Driving to the south of Riviera Maya from Playa del Carmen, we find:

Xcaret

Is located 61 km south from Cancun International Airport and just 6 km south from Playa del Carmen.

Xcaret will, quite literally, knock your socks off: this 200- acre eco-archaeological park combines the best of Riviera Maya in one place, with crystal clear grottoes you can float through, beautiful coves and pristine cenotes. Add in a Mayan village (the show is marvelous), good food and all kinds of exotic animal exhibits, and you have a destination attraction like no other.

A must to see and do:

• Main Plaza where you will find good food, handicraft, Mexican music and the wine cellar.
• Underground rivers of fresh, crystalline waters that are born from the inside of the earth. Swim through a maze of caves and tunnels, lit by natural light from air vents.You can see coral formations fossilized on the rock during the trip, proving that this place was part of the sea millions of years ago.There are three underground rivers in Xcaret to choose from: the Blue River, the Mayan River, and the Manatee River. The three of them flow into the sea, next to mangroves inhabited by pink flamingos. Discover the unique beauty of each one!
• Paradise river. Sail the crystal clear waters of this river that runs through the landscape of the Tropical Jungle Trail. On this tour you can see blue crabs, iguanas, and peccaries. Enjoy the flora and fauna of the Riviera Maya on this quiet ride.
• Wine Cellar. Below the Main Plaza in the Mayan village you will find one of the best wine cellars in Mexico: “Vino de México Xcaret”. This cellar houses 180 labels of fine Mexican wine, and a collection of items for production and tasting.Walk through its underground corridors and stone carved chambers, that preserve more than 400 years of Mexican wine history.
• Hacienda Henequenera. As soon as you come through the grand door, it’s like traveling to the past. Its architecture and all the elements that you find in it, bring you back to the golden age of the henequen haciendas in Yucatan. In this place you will learn how the henequen was extracted, processed and used.It’s also the gateway to the Museum of Mexican Folk Art, which offers you a permanent Mexican craft exhibition. It has its own store where you can buy varied pieces to take home.In addition, you can try exquisite Yucatecan cuisine, since in some seasons and for special events, El Yucateco restaurant is available in the central patio of the hacienda.
• Chapel of our Lady of Guadalupe is adjacent to the building of Hacienda Henequenera. Near the entrance of the chapel, in its lateral niches, you’ll testify the devotion of Mexico for the Virgin of Guadalupe in a collection of images that come from different parts of the country, dedicated to her. As you approach the altar, you will notice the figure of the Virgin of Guadalupe, magnificently carved on a 12-meters tall log.Looking down, in a small cave below the statue of the virgin, you will see a stone altar that seems to float on the waters of a cenote.
• St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is located at the highest point in the park, 37 meters above sea level, this chapel welcomes you with a spectacular view of the Mexican Caribbean.This chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, protector of nature and animals, was built integrating natural Mayan elements, such as the living tree at the entrance, the cross carved in a chicozapote tree, the limestone altar, and its salam wood pews.The serenity of its surroundings and the landscape that frames it, make it perfect for reflection and silence.
• Caves to the Mayan Village. Mysterious grottoes which take you to the Mayan Village. Walk through its passages lit by natural light, so you can appreciate the beauty hidden in the paths underneath the jungle of Xcaret.
• Mayan Village. Learn about their way of life, social organization, how they built their homes, and what they ate. Learn about their creative processes from true Mayan artisans and take home a piece of their beautifully crafted artworks.As the sun goes down, the Mayan Village is filled with the aroma of copal and the sound of ancestral drums, which indicate the beginning of the Pre-Hispanic Dances.
• Mayan archeological sites. A Mayan community dedicated to maritime trade was settled in this area. Likewise, it was an important port and ceremonial center. Every year, dozens of canoers departed from here, bound for Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel.The Mayan ruins at Xcaret México are distributed at the back of the cove, on the Tropical Jungle Trail, behind the stage of the Papantla Flyers, and between the Open Forum and the Aquarium.
• “Bridge to paradise” Mexican cementary. You will be struck by the shape and colors of this cemetery featuring Mayan elements and a mixture of Mexican folk art, from pre-Hispanic times to present day.If you pay attention, you’ll notice that it has the shape of a spiral shell, in remembrance of the ancient Mayans, who used conch shells to communicate with the gods by blowing their breaths into them.This spiral cemetery has seven levels that symbolize the days of the week, and 52 steps, which represent the weeks in a year, while its 365 tombs are a representation of the days of the year. Discover the personality of each tomb by its tonalities, adornments, and singular epitaphs. There is another spiral inside the hill, which you can visit too. It has 365 niches and canals that carry water from the surface to the cross in the center, creating the relaxing effect of a waterfall. It is a valuable place of Mexican culture and its relationship with the Day of the Dead tradition. Visit it!

• House of Whispers. Next to the Mexican Cemetery is an original house where you can find out everything about everybody there!Thanks to its peculiar architecture, the House of Whispers has acoustics that allow you to hear any whisper originated at the other end as if you were near. Listen for yourself when you visit!Also, you can buy beautiful typical Mexican crafts, souvenirs from this unique place.
•  Scenic tower. Capture breathtaking panoramic views of the of the Caribbean and its different shades of blue, the jungle, and the island of Cozumel on the horizons.

Akumal

Akumal means “place of the turtles”, which makes it turtle central! This is where you’ll find the Centro Ecológico de Akumal (CEA), a nonprofit center dedicated to environmental marine research, education and sea turtle protection.

The destination was once part of a large coconut plantation, and was first developed back in 1958 by Mexican divers salvaging a sunken Spanish galleon just offshore. Luckily for future visitors, they formed CEDAM, an internationally acclaimed society of divers dedicated to community service and ecological preservation.

Today, Akumal is home to a tight-knit population of ex-pats and snowbirds who have been coming here for years and want to protect the community, the flora and the marine life, which bodes well for keeping the area as pristine as possible while permitting development. There are shops, galleries and arts and crafts, as well as a few hotels, resorts and private residences strung out along the coast. The biggest draw is its silky, white-sand beaches, protected by offshore reefs, making it a haven for divers from around the world who come here year round.

From north to south, in Akumal you’ll find:

• YAL-KÚ LAGOON: The limestone rocks and outcroppings make this a perfect home for all sorts of underwater life, and the crystal clear water lets you see each and every fi n. There’s an entrance fee to paradise plus snorkeling equipment and life jackets for rent.
• CALETA TANKAH: It has a beautiful cove, with turquoise waters and a powdery white sand beach. On the property there is also a cenote hidden in the exuberant jungle. It is the ideal place to spend the day enjoying nature´s wonders. There is a beach club there so you can drink, eat and lay on a lounge chair, without worries.
• AKUMAL BAY: This is the site of the area’s original development. Today it’s home to some great dive shops, beachside restaurants and the Akumal Bay Resort. If you come here off -season you’ll find more Mexican tourists than foreigners, which gives it a distinctly “local” flavour. On the south end you can find the Riviera Maya Golf Club to welcome visitors and of course, the swimming is great in the beach.

A must to see and do:

• Cenote Aktun Chen
• Cenote dos ojos
• Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals & Cenote Ma’ax
• Ecopark Kantun Chi

Isla de Cozumel “Cozumel island”

Cozumel is a paradise where tradition, flavor and joy come together. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your stay an unforgettable one. Cozumel’s mostly undeveloped territory at the center of the island is covered by jungle and swampy lagoons, which are home to tiny mammals and endemic birds that have never left the island. Noteworthy is the Chankanaab National Park, a Cozumel icon, and the Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. This huge protected area at the southern tip of the island includes Punta Celarain and its historical lighthouse, as well as the Colombia Lagoon, a shelter for many of the island’s endemic species, as well as other endangered forms of life, such as marine turtles and their nesting areas. With its beautiful beaches and exotic locale, Cozumel is an ideal destination where you can enjoy colourful and breathtaking sunsets, moonlit walks on secluded beaches, swim through crystal clear blue waters and romantic candlelight dinners. Explore the beautiful waterfront and charming downtown area of San Miguel in a calm and quite atmosphere, and feel the warmth and hospitality of its people. Cozumel has an international airport. With fast boats, regular schedules and convenient service you can be in Cozumel in 40 minutes departing from Playa del Carmen starting as early as 7:00 to as late as 23.00 hrs. It is the first island in the world to receive the distinction “Island of Peace” by the NGO-UN International Committee. Beside, Cozumel is a member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and the Sustainable Cities Network of UNESCO, as well as being the First Intelligent Island of Mexico.

This island has a rich history and the people from Cozumel are faithful guardians of their cultural traditions. There were numerous temples throughout the island, more than 30 archaeological sites have been documented, but there were six main settlements: Muluk Mul (Eleven Hills), it was a commercial port located near the cove; Xamanha (Northland), known today as Cozumel City, was the main port, a commercial center and the place where the pilgrims arrived to the island; Tantun Cuzamil (flat stone of the place of the swallows) religious and administrative center known today as San Gervasio; Oycib (nest or the place of honey) agricultural center, known today as The Cedral; Colombia and Buena Vista (the Mayan name is unknown), located on the east coast.

Cozumel has been able to preserve an austere simplicity, enveloped in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of a lovely fishing village.

A must to see and do:

• El Cedral. It is the oldest archaeological site on the island but only sparse evidence remains of El Cedral’s past glory, because much of the site was destroyed by conquistadors, but it is the oldest site on the island. Today is the site of the Festival of El Cedral celebration held each May. Commemorating the Day of the Holy Cross, the 150+ year tradition honors the safe passage of 11 founding families who fled the mainland for Cozumel in 1848 during the “Guerra de Castas” (the Caste War).
• San Gervasio. It is the most important Mayan site in Cozumel’s Island. You can become part of Mayan culture and its mysteries. San Gervasio was a sacred Maya site, plus a strategic site for commerce and politics in the area. It was a sanctuary to Goddess Ixchel and an obligatory visit site for Mayas once in their lifetime. The site includes several architectural complexes connected by a network of sacbes (ancient elevated roads). The first group, known as Manitas because of the red-colored handprints on the interior walls, was the residence of the halach unik, or the Mayan ruler of Cozumel. It has an outer room and an inner sanctum. As one goes further, you can see a small temple named Nah Chichán or Small House. The road to the west leads to the “El Álamo” building, that along with “El Palacio” (The Palace), “Los Murales” (The Murals), “El Osario” (The Ossuary) and “Las Pilastras” (The Pilasters) are a group of buildings used as palaces and ceremonial centers. At the northwest corner of the square there is a Maya arch. This corbelled arch is the entrance of the main religious Sacbé. Walking along this pathway you get to Nohoch Nah or Big House, one of the best preserved buildings in the site, the interior walls still show signs of a red, ochre and blue mural painting, and behind the building there is a cenote. To the west you will find “Los Murciélagos” (The Bats), the older building in San Gervasio, the compound is made up of several rooms and out-buildings. The largest single structure is Ka’na Nah or Tall House, this structure may have been a temple for Ixchel. Open daily from 8:00 to 15:45 hrs.
• El Caracol. It´s believed to have been a lighthouse where Maya used smoke and flames to lead boats to safety. The site has three main structures, two temples and an altar. “El Caracol” (The Snail) is a small, conch-shaped structure with openings at the top acting as whistles to alert Maya to approaching tropical storms and hurricanes. It is located inside the Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. Open daily from 9:00 to 16:00 hrs.
• El Castillo Real. A 1200-year-old Maya site on the eastern coast of the island. The castillo (castle) comprises a lookout tower, the base of a pyramid, and a temple with two chambers capped by a false arch. The waters here harbor several shipwrecks and it’s a fine spot for snorkeling.
• San Miguel. This is the largest town in the island; it was named in honor of Archangel Michael, considered the protector of Cozumel. When you walk through the town, the streets come alive with colored buildings and you feel immediately in a Caribbean village. The downtown area along the ocean front street is loaded with boutiques, restaurants, bars, shops with souvenirs and crafts and just about everything you could imagine. At night the island, offers many options to have fun and spend unforgettable moments. The town offers attractive must see options such as: The underwater Museum of the Golden Diver where they promote activities with incredible underwater bronze sculptures of different shapes and sizes submerged between 3 and 5 meters depth that with time have been covered of marine life. It´s the only underwater park illuminated in the world. Sea Walls “Artists for Oceans” where Cozumel world-renowned artists have created large scale public murals on the island in which educational efforts were joined with the community, focusing the attention on the serious environmental situations currently facing the oceans, promoting the importance of long-term sustainability of natural resources. Island Museum is a former luxury hotel, features four exhibit rooms. The exhibits on the ground floor focus on Cozumel’s ecosystems. The second floor offers a comprehensive overview of the island throughout history with a display of ancient Maya artefacts, and an exhibit of Cozumel’s cultural and economic development during the 20th century. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 hrs. Cozumel Planetarium, this facility is fully equipped with state of the art technology and 3D systems. The place will also include an interactive museum of water, plus different areas dedicated to scientific and technological development, as well as an observatory, a museographic space on Maya cosmology and a special telescope to safely observe the sun. There is also a Nature Interpretation Center with an amazing display of the endemic flora of Cozumel. Every week the facility offer conferences, movies and other activities for kids, adults and families. Discover Mexico, It is a cultural theme park about Mexico, where the entire family can truly experience this rich country trough its different historical periods and amazing culture: preHispanic, Colonial, and modern. El Pueblo del Maíz (Corn Village), has become one of the best attractions in the island. It is a journey back in time where you can live a Mayan experience. Enjoy part of the pre-Hispanic history visiting a chewing gum camp to show you the process of gum extraction from the great tree of the “chicozapote”. The tour continue in the temple of Ixchel to pray for the fertility of the earth. Once the offerings have been delivered the Xaman will purify the visitors to grant them access to the town of the People of the Corn, where you will be received with dances full of mysticism and a welcome ceremony. There are several palapas offering experiences that date back to ancient times of the Maya culture, and each one will receive you with unique activities dedicated to the hallowed lord of the corn (Hunal-ye), to the deity of the honey bee (Xunan kab), the venerable lord of cocoa (Ek-chuah), to the sisal (Soskil), and to the art of amatecatl or feather art. You will be able to share the inheritance of body painting, making your face or body a perfect canvas, or enjoy the process of preparing the chocolate in a metate, or make a rope with the sisal fiber.

The island offers a delicious variety of cuisine, and many restaurants offers exceptional views of the turquoise blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean. The culinary traditions of Cozumel are based mostly in typical Yucatecan cuisine, but also has some other influences derived from the intense cultural exchange occurred in the island for centuries. Surrounded by deep, blue ocean waters, Cozumel’s chefs have access to the freshest bounty of the sea.

Cozumel Country Club, on Cozumel’s north shore, features 18 holes of great golf from Nicklaus Design Group. This is an impressive 6,734-yard, par-72 course, which winds around trees, mangroves and wetlands, incorporating the natural habitats of the island, and offers a challenge to golfers of any level. The course maintains a high degree of environmental quality and became the first golf course in Mexico to earn the designation of Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary from Audubon International. The golf course is home to blue crabs, iguanas, crocodiles, raccoons and a multitude of species of birds as well as other wildlife, which call this habitat home. It is located just 15 minutes from the International cruise ship pier and 10 minutes from the airport.

Tulum

Archaeological site

Located about 117 km or 1 hr 30 minutes south of the Cancun International Airport.

It really is that breathtaking and its one of the loveliest sites in the entire Republic. This is the focus of the southern end of the Riviera Maya and comes complete with a low-impact, boho-style seaside hotel zone and the funky fun inland city of Tulum.

A little history: Back in the 16th century when the Spaniards first arrived, the seaside Mayan city of Tulum—one of only a handful of Mayan port cities— was actually still in use. Today, visitors can roam its small temples and buildings, including the Temple of the Frescoes, with its faded interior wall murals still visible, and the Temple of the Descending God, which shows a god tumbling from the heavens. There are over 60 well preserved structures within the three massive walls that surround the site. It’s open from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs. but we recommend coming in early in the morning or late in the afternoon to miss the mass of visitors that descend from the huge tour buses.

Depending on the time, you’re going to want to take a swim in the small beach beside the site, so you can look up at the ruins and marvel at the Mayas’ ingenuity.

Couple of kilometres south of the archaeological site you find the Tulum hotel area, where is peaceful, quiet, and eco-friendly—the best place to go if you’re looking for yoga by the sea or meditation in the salt air. Most accommodations are of the earthy boutique sort, with thatched roofs, solar panels and generators.

Tulum City

Located just 117 km south of the Cancun International Airport. This town is a surprising blend of European and Mayan in the very best possible way. Think Mayan huts, French restaurants, budget lodging and boutiques. It’s definitely an experience unlike any other! This city is also a transit point for buses headed to Grand Costa Maya, Cobá and Chiquilá (the village where you can take the ferry to get to Holbox island) and Belize. As if that weren’t enough, there are a number of cenotes near Tulum; most have been explored, so you can access them safely and easily.

A must to see and do:

• Cenote Calavera (Death’s Head)
• The Grand Cenote
• The Sac Aktún (“White Cave” in Maya)
• The Car Wash (also known as Aktún-Há, or “water cave” in Maya)
• Kaan Luum Lagoon

Cobá archaeological site

Located just 43 km inland from Tulum. Cobá is an important Maya site, but it’s still shrouded by thick jungle, so you’ll definitely get that Indiana Jones feel as you walk through it. It was once a huge city, but only 5% has been excavated so far and is just now being extensively studied. It was built between two lakes during the classic period and had an extension of over 80 square km with about 50,000 inhabitants. The main pyramid, Nohoch Mul (“large hill” in Maya), at 42 meters tall is the tallest in the Yucatan peninsula and can still be climbed.

There’s a second pyramid, known as the “La Iglesia” (The Church), which is slightly smaller. Excavations have unearthed a nine-tiered castle and two ball courts, and the site has more sacbé (wide limestone-paved ancient roads) than any site yet discovered.

There’s a small town near the site with a handful of simple hotels and a few restaurants. Some 15 km north is Punta Laguna, a large inland lake famous for the troops of spider monkeys that live on its shores.

Muyil archaeological site

Muyil (“place of the rabbits” in Maya) is located in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and is one of the earliest ancient Maya sites. There are several important structures here including El Castillo, or The Castle. It’s over 50 feet high and archaeologists discovered jade figurines in it during excavation. There’s also an observation tower and a walkway through the dense forest with ramps and interpretive signs.

Muyil boasts the beauty of Muyil and Chunyaxche Lagoons and its historic Mayan architecture. Muyil was a seaport used by the Mayas because of its access to the sea. Nowadays you can kayak or swim through its canals, a truly relaxing experience. Muyil is the perfect place for archaeology and nature lovers.

Sian Ka’an Reserve Biosphere

This 1.6-million-acre reserve is only 6 km south of the Tulum ruins and is Mexico’s largest protected area. Its name means “where the sky is born”. It’s so huge there are several different ecosystems within its territory, from semievergreen tropical forest to wetlands, savanna and ocean. The abundance of animals is incredible, with magnificent cats including the jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarondi; thousands of howler monkeys; crocodiles and other reptiles; and over 345 species of birds. In 1987 the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional natural beauty and extraordinary diversity of life; there are also more than 23 little-visited Mayan archaeological sites within its confines, as well as the villages of Boca Paila and Punta Allen. Both of these are on a small peninsula along the Reserve’s eastern border, with the Caribbean on one side and the mangroves, canals, wetlands and islets on the other. The drive time to Punta Allen is two hours, depending on the conditions, but worth every minute, because you now have access to a Caribbean paradise at its unspoiled best.

Punta Allen, a small fishing village located 50 km  south of Tulum. It contains a tropical jungle and mangroves, which are the perfect setting to enjoy exciting ecotourism activities. This village is also home to about 600 people who depend on spiny lobster fishing for their livelihood as well as to a few small restaurants and a handful of small hotels, some shops, a small clinic and even a taxi service. If fishing is your thing, you’re in luck: this area is one of the world’s hotspots for ocean fly-fishing, with prize catches being bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda and snook.