| The last time I was in Mexico, so was
| |
| | include golfing, spa going, and eco
|
| everyone else, or so it seemed. But it is
| |
| | touring at the various ecological
|
| possible to travel to Mexico and enjoy a
| |
| | reserves in the region. Two highlights:
|
| white sandy beach and some peace and
| |
| | the Xcaret EcoPark and the Sian Kaan
|
| quiet at the same time. All you need to
| |
| | bioshphere.
|
| know is where (and, in some cases, when)
| |
| | 3. Playa del Carmen. About 40 minutes by
|
| to go.
| |
| | car down the coast from Cancun, Playa del
|
| When to Go
| |
| | Carmen is growing into a bustling resort
|
| November to April is widely regarded as
| |
| | along Riviera Maya. If you like to shop,
|
| the best time to visit. The summer months
| |
| | you will love Playa del Carmen. Boutiques
|
| can get pretty hot. September and October
| |
| | in the town offer everything from cutting
|
| is the peak of hurricane season, which
| |
| | edge European fashions to crafts from
|
| actually stretches from November to June.
| |
| | local artisans.
|
| Keep in mind that the month of March
| |
| | During your stay, do not miss Quinto
|
| tends to be very busy on the Mexico
| |
| | Avenida (Fifth Avenue). It is the heart
|
| beaches with high school and college
| |
| | of Playa. There are no cars, you can
|
| students on Spring Break. If it is a
| |
| | stroll the Avenue and be entertained by
|
| quiet vacation you want, you will also
| |
| | street performers, including artists and
|
| want to avoid the time around Christmas
| |
| | musicians. Playa del Carmen also features
|
| and Easter, as well as July and August.
| |
| | premiere dining, as the majority of the
|
| Where to Go
| |
| | restaurants in the Riviera Maya are here,
|
| There is a lot more to Mexico, and the
| |
| | and quite a few of them are on Fifth
|
| Yucatan peninsula, than the city of
| |
| | Avenue itself. The bars and nightclubs
|
| Cancun.
| |
| | are hopping on into the evening, so bring
|
| Here are five favorite destinations that
| |
| | your dancing shoes.
|
| offer memorable Mexico vacations. Each of
| |
| | 4. XelHa. XelHa is an archeological site
|
| these spots can be reached by flying into
| |
| | and eco park, located between Playa Del
|
| Cancun. So if you would like to get a
| |
| | Carmen and Tulum. This destination offers
|
| taste of the big city resort and then set
| |
| | adventures for all ages and mesmerizing
|
| out on the less traveled path, you will
| |
| | ecological sights, as well as water
|
| have the best of both worlds.
| |
| | sports, such as diving and snorkeling.
|
| 1. Isla Mujeres. Just 8 miles across the
| |
| | You can swim with the dolphins here, as
|
| bay from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a
| |
| | well. XelHa is particularly friendly for
|
| peaceful fishing village with
| |
| | families and is bound to be an education
|
| restaurants, shops, and small, charming
| |
| | in both Mayan history and ecology for the
|
| hotels. In fact, the whole island is
| |
| | entire family.
|
| cozy: The island itself is less than one
| |
| | 5. Tulum. Drive a bit further south down
|
| mile wide and about five miles long.
| |
| | the Mayan coast and you will find the
|
| Downtown Isla Mujeres stretches only
| |
| | small town of Tulum. Tulum is perhaps
|
| about six blocks. The signature turquoise
| |
| | best known for its Mayan ruins, high on
|
| waters and white sandy beaches make for
| |
| | the limestone cliffs. These cliffs offer
|
| great snorkeling and scuba diving. You
| |
| | scenery you will not soon forget of the
|
| can rent kayaks, snorkeling equipment and
| |
| | Caribbean alongside a picture perfect
|
| other gear right on the beach. Other
| |
| | coastline. Tulum is the starting place
|
| activities to enjoy during your stay at
| |
| | for eco tourism and adventure travel, so
|
| Isla Mujeres include fishing, sailing,
| |
| | make sure to look into nearby day trips
|
| and swimming with the dolphins.
| |
| | and local attractions.
|
| 2. Riviera Maya stretches down the
| |
| | For an ideal and well rounded vacation,
|
| peninsula from Cancun to Tulum. Here, you
| |
| | try a few days exploring the gradeur of
|
| will find white sandy beaches and water
| |
| | Riviera Maya, then take some time to shop
|
| sports of all kinds, including scuba
| |
| | and play in the bustling Playa Del Carmen
|
| diving along the Great Maya coral reef,
| |
| | and another day or two visiting the Mayan
|
| the second largest barrier reef system on
| |
| | ruins, and taking in the sites, of Tulum.
|
| the globe. Divers, and snorkelers may be
| |
| | The word is out about these magnificent
|
| rewarded with the sight of water life
| |
| | resorts, so you will not be able to avoid
|
| ranging from sea anemones, sponges and
| |
| | the crowds completely, but by striking
|
| sea cucumbers to starfish and sea
| |
| | out and having fun off the beaten path,
|
| urchins, as well as underwater caverns.
| |
| | you will find a good balance, and learn a
|
| Sport fishing is a big business in
| |
| | lot about ecology and ancient Mayan
|
| Riviera Maya, as well. Other activities
| |
| | culture.
|
