 |
| The Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza |
- View More: Discover the beauty and history of Mexico’s Riviera Maya in this stunning slideshow.
- Read More: Get the inside scoop on Riviera Nayarit, the “next big thing” on Mexico’s west coast.
A new day arrives gently to Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The sun quietly peeks above the tranquil Caribbean Sea into the soft diffusion of distant clouds, tinting the sky with a subtle glow of yellow and pink. The pools and beaches that will soon come alive with enthusiastic vacationers are now at rest as a team of uniformed workers comb yesterday’s footprints from the brilliant white sand. Waves caress the shoreline, producing a rhythmic ocean soundtrack that will linger for weeks as an enchanting melodic memory.
The Riviera Maya, as it has come to be called, is a stunning strip of sandy beaches flanked by a tropical jungle that stretches from Cancun over 70 miles south to the town of Tulum. Tucked into the jungle in an almost unbroken chain are beachside resorts and hidden vacation oases that carry the names of the world’s flagship resort properties. Built as self-contained paradises with hundreds of rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, sprawling pools, luxurious spas and a half-dozen restaurants per property, they offer an increasingly popular all-inclusive vacation experience.
The appeal of the all-inclusive resort package, especially for families on a budget, is that your week in the sun comes with one up-front price. Once you don your resort bracelet, you are liberated from the dizzying array of extra charges for food, beverages, activities and entertainment that can quickly add up on a pay-as-you-go holiday.
All along the coast there are resorts for nearly every budget and every lifestyle, from “adults-only” to family-friendly offering babysitting services, kids’ clubs, and pools with slides and splashing water features. The amenities and packages can be as assorted as the visitors themselves, so deciding where to stay is simply a matter of identifying what you are looking for.
Beyond the Resorts
While great food and lazy poolside naps make it easy to settle into your comfortable home away from home, the fascinating world of the Maya lies just beyond the gates of your resort. For most visitors to the Yucatan, the thrill of adventure comes by leaving the coast and heading west into the heart of the peninsula, where the descendants of early Maya still live in small villages, and amazing architectural wonders emerge from the beautiful emerald jungle.
A popular introduction to the 5,000-year-old culture is found at the Maya-themed Xcaret eco-archeological theme park. Located four miles south of Playa del Carmen, the family-friendly park is open every day and is a popular day-trip destination that features a re-created Maya village, botanical gardens and an aquarium. Visitors can snorkel through ancient cenotes (underwater caves), swim with dolphins, or enjoy a show celebrating Mexico’s past at the majestic Gran Tlacho stage.
The stunning ruins of famous Maya cities and ceremonial sites are sprinkled throughout the peninsula, but the truly must-see destination on the Yucatan is Chichen Itza. As you approach the Temple of Kukulkan, the step pyramid at the center of the vast architectural site often referred to as El Castillo, the enormous scale of the once-great Maya city is revealed. Spanning out in all directions, hundreds of buildings that are now covered by jungle once stood in tribute to ancient gods crafted by a remarkable people. Only about 30 have been restored, and many others lie in ruin. It is believed that the city was founded in A.D. 435, with its great masterpiece, El Castillo, built around 1,000 years ago.
Just a short distance from El Castillo is the Great Ball Court, one of the most impressive sites found in ancient Mesoamerica. High in the center of the two 39-foot walls are rings carved with intertwined serpents. The rules of the game once played there are not known, but it is generally believed that players would strike a solid rubber ball with their hips and forearms in an attempt to get it through the small hole in the center of the ring. There were apparently two versions of the game, one for sport and the other carrying a religious significance often resulting in a human sacrifice.
While not nearly as dramatic as the pyramid at Chichen Itza, another popular site is the Maya complex at Cobá. The large cluster of ruins at Cobá has largely been left as they were found and are considered to be older than Chichen Itza. But the main attraction is an impressive 138-foot pyramid that towers above the jungle called Nohoch Mul (large hill). Unlike the pyramids at Chichen Itza, enthusiastic visitors are still allowed to climb the surprisingly steep pyramid and are rewarded with a stunning panoramic view.
Another easily accessible archaeological site most often visited by tourists to the Yucatan is Tulum. At the southern end of the Riviera Maya, the ruins at Tulum are impressive for their dramatic location on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. There are about 60 structures at the site, although the most often photographed is the pyramidal castle building perched on the edge of the cliff.
Each of the various trips in this region can be booked as a half- or full-day excursion, so it is difficult to see and experience them all in the span of one vacation—especially since it is so hard to leave the luxury of a world-class resort. But after hours of touring the Yucatan’s distant past, a wonderful meal and sunset walk along a nearly deserted beach listening to the familiar rhythmic melody of the Caribbean surf can be the perfect ending to another perfect day in the Riviera Maya.