The idyllic Mayan Riviera lies on the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea. This dream holiday location has everything for the perfect holiday, including beautiful powder-white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, amazing coral reefs, not to be

Beach

missed Mayan archaeological and geological sites, tiny villages and holiday resorts. Named after the ancient Mayan civilisation, the Mayan Riviera is 100 miles of beautiful coastline stretching from Playa del Secreto to Punta Allen. All along the Mayan Riviera there are luxury hotels and smaller cheaper properties which all offer great hospitality and entertainment for the whole family on their holiday packages to Mexico. Cancun is a popular resort with hotels to suit all budgets, with the resorts of Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos and Felipe Carrillo Puerto to the south also being popular with tourists.

What better way to unwind than to laze on the stunning white beaches before taking a swim in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. A variety of water sports are available including snorkelling, scuba diving, jet-skiing and windsurfing. Snorkelling and scuba diving are popular here due to the amazing Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which is the second largest coral reef in the world.

Cenote

Cenote diving is also very popular here; when diving in these inland underwater caves you will need a local guide.

Away from the sun-kissed beaches there is so much to do and see. A jeep safari will take you into rainforests and mangrove swamps or you can take a boat trip to the island of Cozumel for snorkelling and scuba diving on the island’s spectacular coral reefs. With many coral reefs all along the Mayan Riviera it is no wonder the area is regarded as a snorkellers paradise, especially at Xel-Ha. The whole family will love a day out at the 1.3 million acre eco-tourism site at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The site features tropical forests, lagoons and a colony of turtles. Other activities include hiking, cycling, horse-riding, paragliding and you can even swim with dolphins or visit a crocodile zoo. Before the Spanish conquest of Yucatan, the Maya civilisation dominated the region, hence the many Mayan archaeological sites in the area. These sites can be found at Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Tulum and Coba.

Mayan Ruins Tulum

Evenings can be spent enjoying the lively Mexican-style nightlife or by relaxing over some traditional Mexican cuisine of tortillas, tamales, enchiladas and re-fried beans. Sit back and enjoy a Tequila or two whilst watching the entertaining Mariachi bands in action.

Generally speaking the Mayan Riviera is the hottest part of Mexico although there are still seasons when it is best to visit the area. It has a sub-tropical climate and is hot and humid all year round, with the summer months seeing the highest levels of humidity. Temperatures reach the mid 30′s during the summer season which is also the rainy season. However, the coast usually just has short bursts of heavy rain in the afternoon which doesn’t stop visitors from getting a good tan during the morning sunshine. September and October see more wind and rain but the region still enjoys enough sunshine to keep families on the beach. Mayan Riviera nights see cooler weather but the days still enjoy high temperatures. Late deals to the Mayan Riviera are available at any time of the year, especially as spring approaches and the temperatures start to rise for the summer season.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya has earned the prestigious 2011 AAA Five Diamond Award for the eigth consecutive year, the longest streak in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region. Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is one of only 103 lodgings to earn Five Diamind recognition from the AAA which is a leading travel authority. To earn AAA approval and rating lodgings and restaurants thorough unannounced inspections by the AAA’s 65 full-time professional evaluators.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is an ultra luxury boutique resort focused on wellness, serenity and romance, as well as social and environmental responsibility and is just a fifteen minute drive from Cancun airport. Set in 14 acres, including a 500 yard private beach, this property offers 90 luxurious beachfront suites featuring hand-picked furniture from around the world and ocean view terraces, the AAA Four Diamond award winning La Canoa restaurant, the first certified Thalassotherapy centre in North America and a private 48 foot catamaran. Some of the suites feature private plunge pools and some have open air showers. The award-winning La Canoa Restaurant serves a fusion of styles based on spices and chilies used in the cuisine of warm-weather countries. With a choice of inside air-conditioned seating or open-air terrace seating, the restaurant offersa superb international wine list including all the best French champagnes and some first-growth Bordeaux selections. The protected private beach, surrounding mangroves and bird sanctuary, together with the individually decorated suites can only add to the retreats magnetic draw for direct holidays to this stunning resort. Guest here have access to Endless Privileges including personalized chauffeured airport transfers, a welcome handmade beach bag and bottle of tequila, a one hour afternoon catamaran sail, one shopping excursion by boat, exclusive Visia complexion skin analysis, one 20 minute Thalasso Experience, one 20 minute wellness consultation or 30 minute fitness consultation per stay, no check-in or check-out time, complimentary 24 hour concierge, in-room dining and laundry service, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner gourmet dining options including organic food and beverage selections, complimentary cocktails and speciality beverages from a variety of domestic and international premium brands, maid service three times a day, Bvlgari bath amenities, fine linens and robes, aromatherapy pillow and linen scents and traditional Temazcal ceremonies every other day.

If you are looking for an intimate, elegant resort along the Caribbean Sea on Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya there are lots of holiday deals available to chose from throughout the internet. A stay here will leave you feeling nurtured, totally relaxed and wanting to return again.

The beach resort of Puerto Morelos lies on Mexico’s Riviera Maya between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. This quaint fishing village has a great position on the Mexican Caribbean and is backed by lush green tropical jungle. Just 20 minutes from Cancun, Puerto Morelos has a small town with a local square that has a very traditional atmosphere. At the weekend the town has an open-air market and local artists sell their works in the shops around the town, giving it a Bohemian feel.

Entertainment is mainly provided in the many cocktail bars, piano bars and cigar bars with the resorts many top class hotels providing entertainment featuring themed nights, music and dancing. Lots of these hotels feature spas where guests can enjoy a wide range of treatments including thalassotherapy pool, saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, plunge pools, holistic remedies, body wraps, facials and massages. Puerto Morelos is popular as an adults-only holiday destination but there are some hotels that cater for families and have children’s pools, children’s clubs and other family facilities.

The resort is based around the white sandy beach and crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean. Visitors can just lie back and enjoy the sunshine or indulge themselves in the many water sports that the area offers. These include boogie boarding, canoeing, catamaran sailing, fishing, snorkelling and diving. Puerto Morelos has an offshore coral reef which is a protected marine park. Dive shops offer trips out to the reef, about 500m from the shore, where you can explore this amazing underwater world. Around Puerto Morelos there are some fascinating cenotes where you can swim in crystal clear freshwater. These cenotes are limestone sinkholes which are very often accessed via caves.

There are plenty of activities away from the beach including golf, tennis, horse riding, cycling, fitness centres and yoga. Many of the hotels offer classes including Spanish language, tequila tasting, dancing and painting.

Chichen Itza

Along the Mayan Riviera there are lots of interesting places to visit including  Chichen Itza, Xcaret, Xel-ha and Tulum. Take a trip by ferry to the island of Cozumel, swim with the dolphins or even take a guided trip through the jungle. Whatever you choose to do on your last minute holidays to Mexico, you won’t be disappointed.  

If you are looking for a quiet relaxing break on a beautiful stretch of coastline look no further than the bargain holidays that are always on offer to Mexico. Thanks to the tropical climate and abundance of sunshine, Puerto Morelos enjoys brilliant weather for most of the year.

Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach) is located on the Mexican Riviera Maya, 30 minutes from Cancun and 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Playa Paraiso Mexico

A peaceful and tranquil resort, Playa Paraiso has a fantastic white, sandy secluded beach with calm shallow Caribbean waters which make it perfect for snorkelling and diving. The beach has a perfect backdrop of coconut trees and green tropical forest and because the beach is so secluded the resort is very popular with honeymooners.
The endangered sea-turtle still comes to nest at the beach here.
Fishing trips and watersports including windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking and sailing are available in the resort.
A short ferry ride to Cozumel will take you to some of the best scuba-diving

Punta Maroma Reef

 sites in the world.

Just 3 miles from Playa Paraiso is the beautiful beach at Punta Maroma which is home to the worlds second largest barrier reef.

Playa Paraiso is fast becoming popular with golfing enthusiasts with the opening of a new 18-hole golf course.

When you feel you need to take a break from the relaxing beach there are great restaurants and shopping outlets waiting for you in lively Cancun.

Chichen Itza

The resort is a good base for exploring the Riviera Maya which has many ancient ruins including Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba. Also a great choice for eco-tourists with a wide, diverse range of eco-archeological parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha.
For something a bit different there are trips to swim dolphins and jungle excursions which the whole family can enjoy on their visit to Playa Paraiso.

Many of the top class all-inclusive hotels here offer a variety of sports facilities and spas.

Playa Paraiso enjoys a semi tropical climate with guaranteed sunshine. The best time to visit is between November and February when temperatures reach 29C and there is up to 7 hours of sunshine a day. From February temperatures start to rise until they reach around 33C in November with very humid conditions and up to 8 hours of sunshine a day.

Take advantage of one of the many bargain holidays on offer to Playa Paraiso for a peaceful and relaxing break.

If you are looking for great holiday deals for your honeymoon, then look no further than this glorious Caribbean retreat.

Puerto Venturas is a purpose built resort, covering an area of more than one and a half square miles on the Riviera Maya and is ideal for family holidays

Puerto Venturas

 to Mexico. Designed around a beautiful marina, Puerto Aventuras is home to luxury hotels, private villas, apartments and small bed and breakfast establishments.

The marina here is the largest on the Riviera Maya and has room for 250 boats, including luxury yachts, fishing charter vessels and sailing boats. Lined with restaurants and shops, the marina is a lovely setting for just relaxing or taking a leisurely stroll.

Puerto Venturas marina

Fatima Bay is the main resort beach, stretching for nearly 2 miles from Chac Hal to the Grand Peninsula Hotel. The beach is a perfect setting of white powdery sand with clear azure waters and reefs which are perfect for snorkelling. At Chan Yu Yum to the north of the resort there is a small bay which is also great for a spot of snorkelling.
The Cedam Museum in Puerto Aventuras houses items which have been recovered by local divers from wrecks of ships which have sunk on the reefs here.

There is plenty to keep the whole family happy here including an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, catamaran day trips, fishing charters, jet-skiing and water-skiing. Many people visit Puerto Aventuras for sports fishing in a quiet relaxed atmosphere.
Children will love the Dolphin Discovery programme where they are able to swim with the dolphins and learn all about these fascinating creatures.
For the more adventurous there is Cenotes Kantun Chi Ecopark with underground and underwater caverns waiting to be explored. The park is also home to some Mayan ruins and botanical gardens. 

Cenotes Kantun Chi Ecopark

With 12 restaurants, all serving traditional Mexican and international cuisine, to choose from visitors to Puerto Aventuras are spoilt for choice.

The weather here is hot all year round and is very humid from April till October. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 28C with up to 8 hours of sunshine a day all year round. Even during the winter months of December, January and February the night time temperature rarely falls below 19C.
Sea temperatures remain constant at around 29C during August, September and October.

There are always last minute holidays which leave in the next few weeks on offer on the internet.

To enjoy a great family holiday to Mexico look-out for the many late deals which are always available.

If you are looking for a perfect honeymoon destination then look no further than Punta Brava on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Peaceful and romantic, Punta Brava is located between Puerto Morelos and Punta Maroma. Although the resort is quiet and secluded, it is still only about 30 minutes from Cancun and 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Punta Brava

The resort sits on the Mexican Caribbean and has many deserted beaches to its north and south. The Punta Brava beach is two kilometres of beautiful white sand lapped by warm blue Caribbean waters, shaded by fresh green palms.

Watersports, including snorkelling, skiing, sailing and fishing can be enjoyed from the beach here, and also the opportunity to swim with dolphins is on offer. There are lots of dive sites here, with some of the best being located at Cozumel which is an island that can be reached by ferry from Playa del Carmen.

There are several golf courses in the area giving golfers plenty of choice to

Cozumel

 play a round whilst taking in the wonderful landscape and soaking up the glorious sunshine.

For the more energetic there are several theme parks in the area including Xel-Ha and Xcaret, Parque Punta Sur and Chen Park.

There are lots of excursions and activities on offer, including visits to the ancient cities of Tulum and Coba, jeep safaris, tours of the cenotes (limestone sinkholes), horse riding and nature trail walks.

Tulum

There are plenty of restaurants and entertainment to enjoy in the evenings but if you are looking for more lively nights you will need to take a trip to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Punta Brava enjoys a tropical climate with average summer temperatures between 28C and 32C with 7 hours of sunshine a day. Spring sees average temperatures of 26C and 6 hours of sunshine with winter temperatures of between 19C and 24C. With warm waters all year round this is the ideal destination for watersports and swimming at any time.   

If you are looking for a relaxing holiday, doing as much or as little as you choose, look for the cheap holidays on offer throughout the internet.

Undecided where to spend your romantic honeymoon, then why not book one of the last minute holidays to Punta Brava, you won’t be disappointed!

The following review was supplied to us by our newly wed reader Jennifer Lowe

“We spent our honeymoon at the El Dorado Royale in Mexico earlier this year. This has got to be the most beautiful place i have ever visited. We stayed all inclusive in a jacuzzi suite with a king size bed and were treated like royalty from start to finish! We were spoilt for choice with the restaurants, big plus was that there were NO buffet meals. There was plenty of choice, even at breakfast and we loved having our lunch at the beach. There was 24 hour room service but we never needed to use it! Plenty of bars which were open till the early hours and really great entertainment and shows.
We just couldn’t find fault with anything here, outstanding value at a friendly caring hotel. Looking forward to spending our holidays here next year, wish we could go again this year!”

EL DORADO ROYALE OVERVIEW

This adult only resort is located on a white sandy beach, ideal for the ultimate romantic break.

Accommodation

Jacuzzi Junior Suites sleep up to 3 adults with 1 king-size or 2 double beds, private facilities, air-conditioning, in-room Jacuzzi, mini-bar, coffee maker, safe, TV and private terrace with hammock.
Ocean View Jacuzzi Junior Suites and Ocean Front Jacuzzi Junior Suites have the same facilities as Jacuzzi Junior Suites.
Swim-up Junior Suites have the same facilities as Jacuzzi Junior Suites, but with direct access to the lazy river which is connected with main pool.

Main Facilities

On site 11 Swimming pools, 7 a la carte restaurants, 13 Bars including 9 swim-up bars, 24 hour room service. 
Activities

Sports Scuba diving, Snorkelling, Kayaks, 2 Tennis courts, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Health & Fitness Fitness centre and Gym, Spa, Beauty salon.

Entertainment

Entertainment programme, Activities programme, Live music, Live shows.

Xcaret Park is a privately owned ecological theme park, resort and ecotourism development in the Riviera Maya. It is located about 47 miles south of Cancun and 4 miles south of Playa del Carmen.

Xcaret Park

The park is built in the same area as the Xcaret archaeological site.

The Park has many nature and cultural attractions, a Temascal (sweat lodge), a spa, restaurants, souvenir shops and an all-inclusive resort hotel within walking distance of the park.

Nature Attractions

A 1,590 ft subterranean river where you can swim and snorkel. Don a life jacket and float along  this underground river where you will pass by fascinating caves and rock formations.
A snorkelling lagoon.
Beach activities, including swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, sea trek diving (underwater walk) and snuba diving (a combination of diving and snorkelling).

Xcaret Park Aquarium

The park has a coral reef aquarium turtle nesting site and an area for manatees (sea cows).
The park also has a butterfly pavilion, bird pavilion, bat cave, an island of jaguars and pumas, deer shelter and an orchids and bromeliad greenhouse.

Cultural Attractions

These include a replica of a Mayan village where real artisans work, a museum, a church, equestrian shows, an open theatre where pre-Hispanic

Papantla flying men

dances are performed, Papantla flying men and the Gran Tlachco Theatre where Mesoamerican ball games are played and Mexican folklore dances are performed.

Bargain holidays to the local Occidental Grand Xcaret Hotel are always available throughout the internet.

Mexico is a wonderful diverse country so why not book one of the many holiday packages on offer and explore this fascinating country.

If you would like more information and articles on Mexico please visit my Mexico Blog.

The Riviera Maya is a 30km stretch of coastline in the Yucatan peninsula, incorporating pristine white-sand Caribbean beaches, dense jungles and ancient ruins. Stretching from Punta Tanchacte in the north to Punta Allen in the south, the Riviera Maya is home to some of the major Mexican holidays resorts, such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen

Stretching all the way down the eastern peninsula, and facing the Caribbean Sea, the Riviera Maya has a wide selection of resorts to choose from, ranging from the action-packed party-town of Cancun to the more laid-back town of Playa del Carmen, known as the capital of the Riviera Maya. Playa del Secreto and Punta Maroma are more peaceful resorts, whilst Puerto Aventuras and Playacar are great for sports facilities, such as golf and tennis and family holidays.

Chichen Itza

Holidays in Riviera Maya are mainly about the wonderful beaches that run along the coastline, with powdery white sands and coconut trees. The crystal clear waters of the Riviera Maya are perfect for snorkelling. The island of Cozumel is home to some of the best scuba-diving in the world, and the Riviera Maya boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world. Jungle tours into the dense forests are popular trips, as are tours around the ancient civilization of Tulum, and the pyramid at Chichen Itza.

Weather

The Riviera Maya is an all year sunshine destination. From October through to June you will be guaranteed temperatures over the 30C mark, with six hours of sunshine each day for most of the year. The rainy season lasts from May until the middle of October although this is usually short-lived and does not have much effect on the high temperatures. June, July and August are the hottest months of the year and temperatures can reach over 33C.
From June to August the humidity will be high but there will be cooling sea breezes that drift in to take the edge off the heat.

Things to do when visiting the Riviera Maya

Tulum Cliffs

1. Tulum – Swimming by the only archaeological site located by the sea. 
2. Xcaret -  Spend a day of amazement interacting with Mexican culture in one of the most spectacular theme parks in the world. 
3. Xel-Ha – Snorkel in the largest natural aquarium in the world. 
4. Akumal – Visit the silky, fine beaches.
5. Aktun Chen – Explore the mystery of the Mayan caves. 
6. Playa del Carmen – Stroll along “La Quinta Avenida” and enjoy the many bars, restaurants and shops.
7. Discover a Mayan village.
8. Discover the underwater world at the largest coral reef on the northern hemisphere.

Sian Ka'an

9. Visit one of the greatest biodiversities in the world on the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an.
10. Relax and experience a Mayan treatment in one of the multiples Spa´s in Riviera Maya.

Visit   http://www.holidayholiday.co.uk/hotels/gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-resort.html  i have stayed here, it’s worth having a look.