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Riviera Maya Cancun Hotels / Resorts
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Perhaps I should go on about how the Riviera Maya has "endless stretches of pristine beaches of soft white sand gently caressed by the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean," yadda, yadda, yadda . . . but my bet is that you've already heard it. You've seen the ads, the brochures, and the articles in the Sunday travel section. So I'll spare you the purple prose and get right to the things you'll need to know.
The Yucatán's Caribbean coast is 380km (236 miles) long, stretching from Cancún all the way to Chetumal, at the border with Belize. The northern half of the coast has been dubbed the "Riviera Maya"; the southern half, the "Costa Maya." In between is the large Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. |
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A long reef system, the second longest in the world, protects most of the shore. Where there are gaps in the reef -- Playa del Carmen, Xpu-Ha, and Tulum -- you find good beaches. The action of the surf washes away silt and sea grass and erodes rocks, leaving a sandy bottom. Where the reef is prominent, you get good snorkeling and diving with lots of fish and other sea creatures. Here mangrove often occupies the shoreline; the beaches are usually sandy up to the water's edge, but shallow, with a silty or rocky floor. Riviera Maya boasts many long sandy beaches. The beach at Xpu-ha is the perfect example. Already famous for its beauty, now it looks longer and more beautiful than ever before Mexico's Riviera Maya as you've never seen it: on Day of the Dead. “Just stuff about my August Vacation” Riviera MayaI recently spent two weeks in Mexico. The first week my family (wife and two boys age 12 & 9) and I rented a car, saw the ruins in CI for a couple of days (my wife likes that kind of stuff) and then headed south to Tulum. What a great time we had exploring the area with the information I grabbed from the internet. We stayed at a small beach hotel called Paraiso. Large room with just the basics comforts and a little extra like a pool and AC. I can do without the extra comforts (I prefer living like a native when I travel) but the wife and kids need it. This hotel had a fantastic beach and I mean FANTASTIC. The beach hotels had a little better food but was more expensive than town and not as much fun.
I broke away from the beach a couple of times to explore Tulum by myself. I prefer drinking and eating in dives and getting a little colorful. Mothers too proper and the boys are too young to accompany me. Don’t get me wrong, I can have fun anywhere but prefer letting my hair down and mixing it up with the locals when I travel. Sitting at the bar with other tourist and talking about what I do for a living is boring to me. I guess I’m just a red neck stuck in a white color world. I can’t wait for my boys to get a little older so I can take them with me. Mother won’t be too happy.
After 4 days in Tulum we were told to evacuate the premises. The manager told us that Hurricane Dean was coming. They said it was a level 5. Visions of New Orleans rushed through my mind. I loaded the car and headed into the jungle to find a strong hotel to sit this one out. Found a great city called Valladolid where we bought supplies and settled in for the big one. Well Dean came and went with just mild winds and light rain. Dean came ashore in the southern Yucatan. Our efforts were not necessary but better to be safe than sorry. While there we explored Valladolid (an old colonial city) which had an old convent built in 18something. Lots of cool old churches and great people who made our visit to this charming city one of the highlights of our trip. After a long day sightseeing and a good swim in one of the local cenotes we ate dinner and I tucked my wife and kids into bed and went down to the hotel bar. Over a few cocktails I met the police chief and the deputy mayor or least they told me they were. Their English was not too good and my Spanish is horrible. They took me to a cousins watering hole and then to an uncles restrauent. The drinks I bought for them earlier that night paied big dividends that evening. I ate and drank myself silly and my new friends would not let me pay for anything. Good times had by all. By the way, my wife is OK with my crazy vacation antics. I may on occasion embarrass her but I will never dishonor her and she knows that. She is always invited but most of the time would rather sit and enjoy a good book.
The last week we all checked into one of those big mega resorts on the Rivera Maya. Porto Morales I’m told. You know the ones with 7 pools and 12 bars. Well this place was BIG. All you could eat and drink. Tourist from Spain, England, France, Belgium, USA and others. Shows and other live enterment all night long. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t suck but it was not as much fun as doing it on your own. After three days I had enough of that stuff. The wife and kids loved it so I put on my happy face and made the best of it. The food was good but not as authentic as some of the places we ate at. Sometimes I ate so much that I had to skip the next meal. No self control I guess. I lost the feeling of being in a strange and exotic land. Was I in Mexico or in some sort of a family camp? This place could be in Florida or California and I would not know the difference. To each his own I guess. I don’t think I will soon visit the mega’s anytime soon. They must be popular; I see lots of them around. Maybe I’m the strange one. My last statement probably is true and makes sense. I hope everyone enjoys their vacation no matter what tickles your fancy. Maybe our paths will cross, if you like the local dives? |
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Apple Vacations Online Quotes & Availability
Pleasant Holidays Online Booking Engine
The Leading Hotels of the World understands the finer points of hospitality and luxury. Indulge yourself in a lifestyle of luxury at one of our 5 star hotels and the unparalleled comfort they offer. The Leading Hotels of the World's featured hotels cater to the discriminating few, where first class service is a norm rather than an exception.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Overview
Banyan Tree Mayakoba, located on Mexico's pristine Riviera Maya amidst the exclusive and ecologically sensitive Mayakoba development, infuses its elegantly natural environment with a unique blend of Asian and Mexican architecture and hospitality. Luxuriously appointed earth-toned private villas were designed with the finest natural materials, and filled with unique Mayan-inspired furnishings accented with Asian touches. All pool-villas are freestanding units, tucked amidst undulating lagoons and canals, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and mangroves to create an intimate oasis
The Royal Hideaway Playacar
Overview
Designed by world renowned architects, Royal Hideaway Playacar was fashioned an upscale boutique resort for the most astute traveler. The resort features an oversized cascading infinity pool and relaxation plunge pools. New Bi-level ocean front solarium decks. Six gourmet á la carte restaurants serving a range of international cuisine. Recreational amenities and live entertainment. Business amenities and full service SPA. 13-year-old minimum age requirement
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Overview
Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, an intimate, elegant and warmth, beachfront 'all-suites' boutique resort nestled amidst 14 acres leading into the Caribbean Sea, located in Mexico's exotic Riviera Maya. Its superb Mexican architecture combines with the legacy of Mayan art and culture to create a stunning hideaway that provides all guests with Endless Privileges designed to create unparalleled experiences focused on luxury, wellness, romance and enrichment.
Tucked into a protected prívate beach and surrounded by mangroves and a bird sanctuary along the caribbean’s Riviera Maya, this exquisite retreat features individually decorated suites appointed with traditional dsign elements and native materials. Art and accessories collected from around the World give each room a distinctive character.
All suites, approximately 1,130 square feet in size, feature ocean views, private outdoor terraces with dining tables; living rooms; marble bathrooms with sunken bathtubs for two; separate showers with extra soothing jets; handcrafted double sinks; private mini bar; dual telephone lines; on-demand Internet access ports; two televisions plus a DVD player for film and music. Some feature private plunge pools – some with open air showers
Grand Velas, Riviera Maya
Overview
Indulge in unrivaled luxury at the new Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort situated along the breathtaking Riviera Maya. Exquisite suite accommodations, boast stunning views, and offer amenities such as dedicated butler service, outdoor plunge pool, indoor whirlpool bathtub; iPod station, wireless Internet access and 24-hour room service.
Ocean-view suites for adults only, with a separate check-in area, are designed for optimum privacy. Families with children will enjoy luxurious oceanview suites and a free-form infinity pool including kids’ pool. For the adventurous, there are serene suites surrounded by lush unspoiled vegetation.
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Riviera Maya & Cancun Hotels & Resorts
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Ambiance Villas at Kin-Ha |
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Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres |
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Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma |
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Barcelo Maya Tropical & Colonial Beach |
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Crown Paradise Club Cancun |
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Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa |
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Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa |
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Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun |
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Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach |
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Flamingo Cancun Resort and Plaza |
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Golden Parnassus Adult All-Inclusive Resort & Spa |
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Gran Bahia Principe Akumal |
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Gran Bahia Principe Tulum |
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Grand Coco Bay All-Inclusive Resort |
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Grand Oasis Caribbean Resort |
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Grand Palladium Colonial and Kantenah Resort & Spa |
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Grand Palladium White Sand Resort |
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Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach |
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Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya |
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Grand Sunset Princess All Suite Resort |
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Great Parnassus All Inclusive Resort & Spa |
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Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort |
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Holiday Inn Cancun-Arenas Hotel |
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Hotel Marina El Cid Riviera Maya |
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Hyatt Cancun Caribe Resort |
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Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso |
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Iberostar Paraiso del Mar |
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JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa |
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Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa |
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Marriott Casa Magna Cancun Resort |
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Moongate Hotel by Tukanhotels |
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Ocean Coral & Turquesa by H10 |
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Omni Cancun Hotel and Villas |
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Omni Puerto Aventuras Beach Resort |
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Presidente Inter-Continental Cancun |
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Royal Hideaway Playacar- A Leading Hotel of the World |
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Sandos Caracol Beach Resort & Spa |
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa |
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Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun |
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Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera |
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Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun |
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Solymar Beach & Resort Cancun |
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Sunscape Puerto Aventuras Riviera Maya |
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The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun |
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Unik Resort- Isla Mujeres |
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