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.

With only around 30 days of the year when the temperature doesn’t reach 27C, Puerto Juarez is the perfect destination for your winter sun holidays. Located just outside Cancun on the Bahia de Mujeres, this quiet laid-back resort is close enough to enjoy all the hustle and bustle of

Puerto Juarez

Cancun but far enough away to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the resorts beautiful soft white sandy beaches which are lapped by the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. The port itself is the departure point for trips to the Isla Mujeres which is situated a couple of miles off the eastern tip of Mexico.

The beautiful beaches around Puerto Juarez are perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving or just lazing under the clear blue sunny sky. Scuba divers can check out the shallow reefs, wrecks, underground caves, caverns and amazing marine life, maybe even coming face-to-face with the local whale sharks. The Great Mesoamerican Reef (Gran Acerife Maya) is one of the largest on the planet and will not fail to impress.

There is so much to do and see away from the amazing beaches that you will be spoilt for choice on your cheap holidays to Mexico. Take a drive through the Mexican jungle where you can explore ancient Mayan ruins, visit an interactive zoo where you can hold and feed many different

Chichen Itza

animals such as spider monkeys, spiders and even crocodiles, take lunch with the iguanas and take a cooling swim in the jungle cenotes. There are lots of Mayan archaeological sites to explore including Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba. Isla Mujeres (the Island of Women) is located just offshore of Puerto Juarez and makes a great day out for the whole family to relax and recharge their batteries. Here on the island you will find beautiful beaches, underwater reefs and an amazing Mayan temple featuring carved female figures from which the island gets its name. The beautiful Caribbean Sea plays a big part in holidays to Puerto Juarez. Apart from offering perfect swimming and water sports, there are party cruises, pirate-ship dinner cruises and romantic sunset dinner cruises all on the Caribbean Sea here in Mexico.

Isla Mujeres

Eating out in Puerto Juarez is a sea-food and shellfish lovers heaven with everything on the menu caught locally, including the excellent lobster and shrimps. There are hundreds of restaurants and bistros in and around Puerto Juarez serving everything from fish and sea-food dishes to traditional Mayan cuisine. Try the cochinita pibil (suckling pig in banana leaves) or panuchos (tortillas with fried black beans, pickled onions and chicken) for a taste of Yucatan cuisine which combines Mayan and European ingredients.

The whole family will love a night out at Coco Bongo in Cancun which is a cross between the Cirque de Soleil, a concert and a stand-up gig. A mix of dancing, singing, acting, comedians and impersonators, this is an evening that will keep everyone entertained.

Puerto Juarez enjoys temperatures over 32C for more than four months of the year, with just 30 days of the year seeing temperatures below 27C. Last minute holiday deals to Puerto Juarez are great for beach holidays and plenty of water sports including snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, surfing, kite boarding, jet-skiing, paragliding and sailing.

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.

Tulum is a very small town about an hour and a half to the south of Cancun on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. In fact the town (pueblo) is small enough for you to walk around and take in all the amazing sights.

Town

The roads here are very flat which makes it ideal for discovery the area by bike. Taxis here are very cheap but you must always remember to agree a price with the driver before you get in the vehicle. Although Tulum has seen some development in recent years it still remains a quiet unspoilt town. Surrounded by tropical jungle the town has a luxurious beachfront Hotel Zone. Tulum has a good selection of restaurants, bars and shops.

Ruins

Tulum is home to some amazing well preserved Mayan ruins which are the most popular tourist attraction in the area. Located on a hill overlooking the sea these ancient ruins were discovered in the 1800′s.

Enjoy a romantic barefoot walk along the powdery white beach and marvel at the beautiful angel fish who will swim around your feet as you paddle in the clear blue water. Although you will be walking in bright sunshine the sand here never gets hot underfoot as it is made up of hollow grains of coral which allow the air to circulate through them and not heat up. Not far from the Tulum coastline is the Great Mayan Reef which is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. The reef was badly damaged in the 2005 hurricane season but the coral reefs are now repairing and many of the different shoals of fish are returning. Just a short distance along the coast is Akumel beach where you can swim with the turtles. Tulum is all about it’s natural beauty so there are not really any watersports on offer here apart from diving and snorkelling. Just half an hours drive from Tulum is the wide sandy beach at Playacar which offers a selection of watersports including jet skiing and body boarding.

A day out at one of the ecological parks in the Tulum area is a must on your cheap holidays to Mexico. There are three parks to choose from, Xel-Ha, Tres Rios and Xcaret complete with caves for snorkelling, submerged rivers, cool welcoming lagoons, swimming with

Eco park

dolphins, landscaped gardens, water rides for all the family and Mayan theme shows.

When it comes to souvenirs the best place to go is to Suenos Maya which is just behind the Mayan ruins. Here you will find handmade jewellery, wooden carvings and lots of other traditional items to remember your holiday by. Around the ruins there are stalls selling all kinds of Mexican handicrafts including ponchos, blankets and pottery.

Tulum is an excellent base for exploring the Mayan Riviera, watch out for the many last minute holiday deals to Mexico which are always available thrughout the internet.

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!

Puerta Vallarta is located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Situated on the Bay of Banderas, the resort has more than 40 beautiful beaches covering 25 miles of wonderful coastline. Apart from the beaches Puerta Vallarta also has 3 marinas and 7 golf courses.

Along the coast, to the north of Puerta Vallarta, is the Riviera Nayarit which is home to some great up-market hotels and spas.

Beaches

The beaches here offer an abundance of watersports including fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and jet skiing.
The most popular beach is Playa de los Muertos which is located in the Old Town. Many of the resorts popular hotels are situated on this beach.

Playa de los Muertos

Playa de Oro beach is centrally located and is very popular for its wide range of watersports on offer.
For windsurfing enthusiasts the best beaches are to the north of Puerta Vallarta.
The best beaches for snorkelling are Destiladeras and Los Venaderos which both offer perfect water conditions.
If you enjoy a spot of bird watching there are the bird sanctuaries on The Las Marietas Islands which are found just offshore of the northern beaches of Puerta Vallarta.
To the south of the resort there are lots of tiny coves and secluded beaches which are ideal for a bit of romantic privacy!
Here in the south you will find the popular beach of Playa de Mismaloya, complete with hotels and villas all along its coastline.

Places of Interest

Los Arcos – an underwater marine nature preserve which consists of several small islands.
Yelepa – a Polynesian style village which is about 2 hours by boat from Puerta Vallarta.
Isla Del Rio Cuale – a 5 acre island in the River Cuale which divides the resort and is reached by a red brick bridge.

Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta – an ultra modern marina.

There are lots of tours on offer here including whale watching, turtle watching, scuba diving and snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, bird watching and jungle tours which are worth taking when on your package holidays to this great destination.

Climate

December and January are sunny and hot with temperatures often reaching 32C while the spring and summer enjoy more moderate temperatures. In the winter temperatures drop down to around 28-30C.

There is so much to do and see here, why not take one of the many cheap holidays on offer to Puerta Vallarta and see this wonderful resort for yourself.

For those of you considering a holiday in Mexico, have you considered staying in Cancun?
If you are thinking about visiting Mexico, there are loads of bargain holidays to be had on the internet. Before booking why not have a look at a great destination guide for Cancun that i have just stumbled upon.

Cancun is a picturesque beach resort built on a series of islands linked by bridges.

Cancun offers relaxing holidays where you can completely unwind on the sandy beaches and visit some of the most breathtaking ancient sites in the world. There are also lots of watersports available at the beaches.

Due to its position, the weather in Cancun is generally sunny, but as the resort is built verging on the Gulf of Mexico the heat is not overbearing.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Monterrey is Mexico’s third largest city, surrounded by mountains and desert, making it an excellent destination for cave exploring, hiking, mountain biking. The city also has top restaurants, modern shopping malls, museums and many cultural attractions.

Monterrey

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Barrio Antiguo (old town)

Monterrey’s old town where you can get a feel of the ‘old times’. Here you will find colonial architecture, restaurants, cafes and nightlife.

Bosque Magico, The Magic Forest

This theme park is for all the family, with over 35 rides, Go Karts, rides and much more.

La Pastora Zoo

This zoo has over 300 animals, lake and wooded area.

Plaza Sesamo

Here you will find the Sesame Street Amusement Park, complete with rides, waterpark with slides and pools, rides and indoor attractions for all the family.

Serengeti Safari Animal Park

Located about an hours drive from Monterrey, the animal park is set over 750 acres and has more than a 1,000 animals roaming free, botanical gardens, fishing lake and rides.

San Pedro Garza Garcia

Although a separate city, Garza Garcia, the gateway to Chipinque National Park, is an important part of Monterrey and is home to many businesses, residential neighbourhoods, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
Planetario Alfa is located in Garza Garcia. This is a high tech complex, complete with an observatory, science garden, prehispanic garden, open aviary and an IMAX dome theatre. Here you can experience interactive displays and temporary exhibitions of art, science and technology.

Chipinque National Park

Chipinque National Park

Located next to Garcia Garza, the park offers hiking, mountain biking or just relaxation, with a hotel situated up in the mountains.

There are also bullfights and rodeos happening all through the year, live concerts, golf, ice skating, horse riding, and parks for relaxation.

WEATHER

Monterrey has a very changeable climate. Summers are very hot with the winter evenings being very cold. During June to September there is often rain which can last for a few hours, but when it stops the sun reappears and the air is much purer. From November to June the weather is much drier.

If you are looking for bargain holidays to Mexico, there are always great offers available throughout the internet.