Top 5 Adventures in the Riviera Maya and Cancun in 2010

Looking back over 2010, I realize that I am incredibly fortunate.  “Work” for me includes visiting some phenomenal places, taking photos and writing about my adventures in the Riviera Maya and Cancun, it doesn’t get much better than that.  As I walk down memory lane, I thought I might bring you along for the ride, a look back at my top 5 adventures of 2010.

1.  Swimming with Whale Sharks

This was definitely number one in my books this year, my whale shark adventure was “off the hook” as the kids say (do they still say that?)  On a perfect day in July, a friend and I headed out to the area between Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy to meet the biggest animals in the sea.  Surrounded by about 200 of these incredible creatures, everywhere we turned we came face to face with gentle domino giants, it seemed too good to be true, a surreal moment in time.  There are very few places in the world where the whale sharks congregate with regularity and in such large numbers, the annual appearance near Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula make this a “must do” experience for anyone travelling to this region between May and September.

2.  Visits to the Mayan Ruins

2010 included a few historical adventures for me.  It’s difficult to pick just one Mayan ruins site as a highlight, so I will “cheat” and put them all under one heading.  Of course everyone knows Chichen Itza, one of the “new” seven wonders of the world, its importance in history and its incredible architecture make it a vital part of a visit to the Yucatan.  I was thrilled to be able to bring my  young son for the first time (he loved shocking the tour guide with a few phrases in Maya).  I visited the Tulum ruins a couple of times this year too, the beautiful site set on a cliff on the Caribbean Sea always brings me peace.  If I must pick a fave for 2010, I’ll have to go with Coba.  It was my first time there and it really knocked my socks off!  Climbing the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan and seeing the world spread out below was an unforgettable experience.

3.  Scuba Diving with Dolphins in Cozumel

My first home in Mexico was Cozumel, I always love returning to this island paradise.  This year I had the opportunity to visit the island, explore Chankanaab Park and don the tank and mask for a unique underwater experience.  I’ve swum with dolphins many times, I always enjoy the experience but this was extra special.  Playing with “Titan” the dolphin in his undersea home was an honour and a privilege, seeing him dance, gettting a kiss and hearing him sing put a smile on my face for days.

4.  Eco-parks in Cancun & the Riviera Maya

Ok, I am cheating again, going to put a few items under one heading (this whole top 5 thing is too hard!).  There are several “eco-adventure” parks in the Riviera Maya, places to enjoy nature, discover history and culture and get an adrenaline fix all in one day.  Xplor Park is one of the newest in the region and this year my co-workers and I had an absolute blast zooming down the zip lines, discovering the underground rivers and cruising through the jungles and caves in the amphibious vehicles. To fulfill my need for snorkeling (yes, it is a need), Xel Ha fit the bill, a luscious lagoon teeming with undersea life.  I made the trip to Xcaret a few times this year, always fantastic, the highlight being the “Festival de Vida y Muerte” (”Festival of Life and Death”) celebrating the Day of the Dead.

5.  Cenotes, cenotes, cenotes

The limestone “sinkholes” (isn’t “cenote” a much nicer word?) of the Riviera Maya call to me almost every weekend.  When I ask my son what he would like to do, “Cenote!!!!” is generally his first answer (followed closely by “Beach!” or “Zip lines!”).  Set in the jungle, cenotes can be dry but are usually filled with crystal clear waters, perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot day.  Some are “open” cenotes while others are only found by entering a small hole in the earth, descending to the underground world and discovering stalactites and stalagmites that are millions of years old.  I’ve lost track of how many cenotes we visited this year, we loved Gran Cenote, Cenote Cristallino, and Cenote Azul among others, I absolutely recommend a cenote experience to visitors.

There you have it, my top 5 (ahem) adventures in Cancun and the Riviera Maya in 2010.  This was a difficult task for me, I have had so many awesome experiences this year that narrowing it down to five was a chore.  If I had listed them all, it would have filled a book rather than a blog post.  I am grateful for the opportunities and look forward to what 2011 will bring, can’t wait to share the adventures with you all!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, may 2011 be filled with new experiences, adventure and laughs!  All the best from all of us at Dtraveller.com.

Chichen Itza: A Sensational Trip Back in Time

Chichen Itza (or “Chicken Pizza” as it is sometimes lovingly called) really needs no introduction, it’s one of the most well-known Mayan ruin sites on the planet and was recently named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.  Chichen Itza is an extremely popular site for tourists, not only for its beauty and historical significance, but for its accessible location in the state of Yucatan. A few short hours on a bus and travellers are taken back in time to an ancient city full of mystery.

The facts and figures and historical details about the architecture and culture are fascinating,   The evidence of the astronomical and mathematical knowledge of this ancient civilization is astounding.  This enormous city was built with such precision and such attention to detail, all with only the most primitive of tools and a lot of back-breaking labour, without the use of the wheel.  The carvings and artifacts discovered at Chichen Itza and other Mayan ruins show an advanced civilization with powerful beliefs not only in science but in mythology as well.  The stories are rich and reveal much about the culture, but mysteries still abound.

I could write all day about the intricacies of this building or that carving or the significance of the angles of the structures, but I would rather appeal to your senses.  A visit to Chichen Itza is not just an educational experience (though it certainly is that).  Most tourists won’t remember the dates or mathematical calculations that went into building the pyramid, but the sensations and emotions of the visit will last a lifetime.

After a couple of hours on a bus, you descend the steps and are immediately struck by a feeling that the air is “different”.  A little sticky, it’s humid in the Yucatan, but with a freshness that can only be found in the jungle.  No pollution, no exhaust from thousands of cars, just pure air with the scent of the lush jungle foliage.  You see the HUGE towering palm trees with their rough trunks that seem to reach to the sky and you shade your eyes from the sun as you try to see their feather-like tops.  As you approach the entrance to the archaeological zone, you encounter the first evidence that you are in a place of antiquity, the low wall surrounding the site.  For me, this is when my heart skips a beat and my feet start to tingle, I am standing on ground where the ancients once walked and am about to embark on a great adventure.

Suddenly, you hear a loud ROAR!!!!, the cry of a jaguar echoes through the trees!  You panic for a moment until you realize it’s just an artisan with a small toy that can replicate the jaguar’s voice, “10 pesos, cheaper than Walmart”, he says.  You laugh at yourself, smile at the vendor and continue to make your way down the path surrounded by the deep greens of the plants and trees.  Tropical birds twitter and tweet from hidden branches and iguanas scurry through the fallen leaves as you follow the voice of your guide leading you closer to the heart of Chichen Itza.

And then you see it.  You’ve looked at pictures a hundred times, you’ve read the descriptions, watched the videos, but nothing can prepare you for the moment you first lay eyes on the Kukulkan pyramid.  It stops you in your tracks and you take a moment to try to soak it all in, marvelling at its immensity and wondering how on earth it was built with only human hands, no cranes, no bulldozers, just the sweat and dedication of the Mayan people.  As you approach you begin to note details, this is not just an organized pile of rocks, but an elaborate structure of platforms and steps, inlaid carvings of gods and symbols and sculptures of gigantic serpents.  You imagine the rulers and elite climbing the steps to make speeches to the masses below, their voices carrying with the magnificent acoustics of the site.  You slowly turn around, taking in the entire plaza, the endless rows of columns around the Temple of the Warriors, the Platform of Venus, the Platform of Jaguars and Eagles and the infamous Ball Court where the best players were sacrificed to the gods.  Sweat trickles down your neck as the sun beats down, you take a cool drink of water, close your eyes and embrace the moment.  The power of this sacred ground can be felt deep inside, over 1500 years of history vibrate through the earth and stone and becomes a part of you and you of it.  While cameras whir around you, you take a snapshot in your mind, not only of the sights, but of all the sensations  you are experiencing, the smells, the sounds and the emotions of this magical place.  This is a moment trapped in time, one you will likely never forget.

You continue through the site, learning about archaeology, culture and astronomy, trying to digest the wealth of information shared by the guides and the details you see in each building of Chichen Itza.  You imagine 100 000 people bringing the city of Chichen Itza to life, the children attending the immense school and the market bustling with the cries of vendors.  You envision the elaborate rituals and dances performed to please the gods and the sacrifices made to the sacred cenote. You marvel at the scientists’ abilities to track and map the stars long before the advent of the telescope.  You feel a sadness when you think of the Spanish arriving and destroying such a vibrant culture, robbing an entire people of their language, religion and way of life.  You take a million pictures, clowning for the camera or setting up that perfect artistic shot of light and shadow or video-taping the family waving from in front of the observatory.  All of your senses sated, the sights, sounds, aromas and emotions of this magical place fill you, you depart, taking with you a new perspective on the world.

For more images, please see our Chichen Itza photo set on Flickr.  Join our Chichen Itza Mexico page on Facebook and follow our Chichen Itza Twitter account, become a part of our community and share our love for this wonder of the world.

(Photos by Kelly McLaughlin)

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Imagine yourself in the open sea, surrounded by deep blue water on all sides, the wind in your hair, salty water splashing your face, a sense of excitement mounting.  Suddenly you hear a cry from the guide to look off the starboard bow, there she is, a mountain of a creature, bigger than the boat, calmly swimming with its beautiful spotted body skimming the surface.  The guide says “Go!” and you hit the water with your partner, snorkel and mask in place, waterproof camera at the ready.  You get your bearings underwater and then you see it, the gentle giant cruising beside you, gigantic mouth open to capture its plankton lunch, seemingly oblivous to the human activity beside it.  You are experiencing one of the most exciting moments you may ever have in your life, swimming with a whale shark.

The whale shark is a member of the fish family, the largest fish in the ocean in fact.  There have been reports of whale sharks measuring more than 12 meters in length and weighing up to 21 tonnes, that’s a whole lot of fish!  They are “filter feeders”, using their huge mouths to pass water through the gills, trapping algae, plankton and tiny fish for their lunch and expelling anything too large with a “cough”.  Whale sharks tend to congregate in warm waters, though their migration patterns are still somewhat of a mystery. While their size and name may be intimidating, the whale sharks are not considered dangerous to humans and peacefully allow us to join them in their home in the sea.

Visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico are very fortunate indeed, the whale sharks annually congregate in the waters near Isla Holbox and Isla Contoy between the months of May and September.  Thousands of tourists from Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres and the state of Yucatan take advantage of this unique opportunity, enjoying a once in a lifetime thrill.  During the season, it is almost guaranteed that you will spot not just one, but many whale sharks gathered together where the plankton lives in abundance.  Your adventure begins with a ride on a small boat (Gravol is recommended for anyone who might suffer seasickness!), travelling to the open sea in search of the whale sharks.  The length of the boat ride varies depending on where the sharks have decided to play that day, usually from one to two hours out to sea, somewhere near the islands of Contoy and Holbox.  Group sizes are limited, maximum ten guests per boat, allowing plenty of time in the water with the whale sharks.  Guests are paired up with a “jump” partner (each time you enter the water it is called a “jump”) and pairs rotate their time in the water.  With your masks, snorkels and fins you will glide beside the whale sharks, taking in their immense beauty, watching them feed as they watch you swim.  Underwater cameras are vital items to bring, you will want to capture these moments for eternity!  After everyone has swum with the whale sharks, the boat will take you to a nearby reef to snorkel with the colorful fishy cousins of the whale shark, perhaps you’ll even spot a turtle, a ray or a wild dolphin in your journeys!

This is definitely an experience you don’t want to miss.  If you will be visiting Cancun or the region between May 20th and September 15th, this is a “must do” tour.  Dtraveller is thrilled to offer the Whale Shark Adventure, contact us today to reserve your spot!  See you in the water!

Chichén Itzá and Tulum News

The famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum may be ancient, but they are still making news.  New discoveries, new activities and age-old experiences continue to attract thousands of visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula each year.

In exciting archaeological news, divers have recently discovered ancient human remains in a “cenote” (natural limestone sinkhole) near Tulum called “Las Calaveras”.  Nearly 120 skeletons have been found and explorers expect to find more, perhaps has many as 200.  The remains are apparently perfectly preserved and archaeologists speculate that they date from 125-236 AD, making them nearly 2000 years old!  The expedition has revealed that the cenote was most likely a burial ground, the skeletons were found with pottery and animal remains, offerings normally associated with burial or sacrifice.  The remains offer scientists an opportunity to study genetics and anthropology of the period.  This is one of the largest discoveries of human remains in the Maya world, a chance for the world to know more about this ancient civilization.

Bringing an ancient event to modern times, the spring equinox at Chichén Itzá is one of the most anticipated events of the year.  The Mayan stone masons built the pyramid with absolute precision, in perfect alignment with the stars, moon and sun.  On the days of the equinox, thousands flock to the site to witness the play of light on stone as the setting sun projects an image of a serpent descending the stairs of the pyramid.  March 20 and 21st are the zenith of this astronomical event, people claim their spot on the grounds in early morning in anticipation of the evening spectacle. The demand for tickets for these special days is high, book now to avoid disappointment, from Cancun to Chichén Itzá or from the Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, from $69 USD!  A small price to pay to experience the wonders of this mysterious event in a magical place.

Jumping to modern day news, Chichén Itzá once again will be the site of a phenomenal musical event.  Following the success of concerts by Sarah Brightman and Placido Domingo, Sir Elton John will be gracing the stage beside the Kukulkan pyramid on Saturday April 3, 2010.  The acoustics of the ancient city and the incredible voice of this super star promise to make this a night to remember.  Elton John tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with prices ranging from 1000 pesos to 10000 pesos.  Guests of the concert may choose to stay at the lovely Mayaland Hotel on the grounds of Chichén Itzá, a place of nature, peace and history or in the nearby town of Pisté at the Hotel Chichén Itzá.  The Yucatan Peninsula welcomes Sir Elton John, bienvenido!

We hope you are able to join us for one of these very special events, let Dtraveller be your guide to the ancient and the modern of the Yucatan Peninsula.  We’re passionate about our paradise and bring you local, expert knowledge on the region.  Happy trip planning!

Xel-Ha Eco-Park: History, Nature and Ecology

First time travellers to Cancun and the Riviera Maya often ask “What are the must-do’s on our vacation?”.  Seasoned travellers will respond with their list of favourite Riviera Maya activities and on most of those lists you’ll find “Xel-Ha” (pronounced “shell-hah”).  So, what is Xel-Ha and why should you visit?

Xel-Ha (a combination of the Maya words “Xel” for “spring” and “Ha” for water) is an eco-park located south of Playa del Carmen, close to the village of Tulum.  Originally Xel-Ha was a port town for the Maya city of Coba, thought to have been an active point of marine exchange between the 7th and 12th centuries.  The Mayan ruins of Xel-Ha are located across the highway from the main park, you’ll find platforms and stairways used for residences and shrines, with most of the architecture thought to be from the Classic and Post Classic eras.  The ruins are seldom busy and they are a great way to get a taste of history in a beautiful jungle setting.  In 1527 and 1528, Xel-Ha was used as a base for the Spanish forces led by Francisco Montejo in his ultimately unsuccessful attempt to conquer the Yucatan Peninsula.  Montejo’s ill fated conquest led to the loss of almost all of his men and the Xel-Ha camp was abandoned after 18 months.

Today Xel-Ha is a natural reserve, with its jungle setting, large lagoons teeming with sea life, cenotes (natural limestone sinkholes) and wildlife, it’s the perfect way to experience the best of the Riviera Maya.  Xel-Ha prides itself on being dedicated to sustainable tourism, carefully protecting the land and water and the wide variety of plant and animal life.  The area is home to more than 100 species of birds, 350 species of plants and 99 species of marine life making it a rich, natural zoo, botanical garden and aquarium.  Xel-Ha is very proud to have achieved the prestigious “Green Globe Certified Silver” status, which recognizes the park’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards.

Snorkeling is certainly the highlight of Xel-Ha.  High-quality snorkel gear is included in the entrance fee, several platforms are located throughout the park for easy access in and out of the water, and lifeguards are on duty to protect swimmers.  The water is calm, perfect for snorkelers of all levels.  First-timers will have no problem navigating the lagoon and guests with more snorkeling experience will be delighted by the variety of locations and marine life.  There are beautiful spots around the park with lounge chairs ideal for taking a little breather and catching some sun before hitting the water again.  The hammock garden is a peaceful retreat, perfect for a little afternoon siesta in the shade.

With the all-inclusive package offered by Xel-Ha, guests are invited to enjoy the Xel-Ha restaurants and bars with unlimited food and beverages.  The buffets offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, with international and Mexican dishes, salads, and desserts.  Charge up for your day and go back again to refuel for your next foray into the lagoon.  The service is excellent and you just cannot beat the open air setting.

For those looking for something a little different, Xel-Ha offers snuba (lagoon or cenote), a manatee encounter and a swim with dolphins experience (extra charges apply).  Be sure to visit the apiary, Xel-Ha’s bee farm with the honey-producing, stingless bees called “Meliponini”.  The bees are revered by the Mayans and often treated as family pets.  Xel-Ha celebrates a honey harvest twice a year, cleaning the hives and collecting the honey under the full moon in June and December.  The beautiful ritual is conducted by a Mayan priest with music, altars and a huge feast.  The plant nursery in Xel-Ha is a beautiful botanical garden full of incredible flowers and plants.  Once the plants reach maturity, they are replanted in the wilds of the jungle to replenish and maintain nature’s beauty.  The dedication to ecology is evident in every corner of this beautiful reserve.

Xel-Ha is definitely a “must-do” when visiting Cancun or the Riviera Maya.  The park is open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, 365 days a year.  Transportation can be included in your tour, with pick-ups in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.  Bring your bathing suit, comfortable walking shoes, hats and biodegradable sunscreen.  With the park’s dedication to the environment, they will check your sunscreen at the entrance, if it does not meet the eco-standards, they will ask you to leave it at the desk in exchange for a sample package of biodegradable sun block.  (Appropriate sunblock is available for purchase at the park as well).  Towels, lockers and snorkel gear are included in the price, though you will have to leave a cash deposit or a credit card imprint.  Wet suits, baby strollers and wheelchairs are available to rent at an extra charge.  Travellers often book the Tulum/Xel-Ha day tour, adding a trip to the nearby ruins, the perfect combination of nature, history and ecology.  Bring the whole family for an unforgettable day in paradise, book with Dtraveller now and ask about our promotions and discounts.

Visit our Flickr page for more photos of Xel-Ha and Tulum.  Join us on Facebook at the “I Love Cancun and the Riviera Maya” page for great information, photos, videos, we’d love to have you share your experiences with us!

Chichen Itza Field Trip

This week a group of us from the Dtraveller office were delighted to take a little trip to Chichen Itza in order to be able to offer our clients the best possible service.  Who better to provide information about a tour than someone who has actually been to the site and had the tourist experience?

Monday morning we were picked up by the friendly Grayline driver Felipe and whisked off to the highway in our comfortable, modern van.  We each received a little bag of breakfast treats and were ready for the drive to Chichen Itza.  We took one taco pit stop in Vallodolid along the way, a cute little Colonial town, kind of a “mini Merida”, then proceeded to the site of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

For a couple of us, this was our first trip to Chichen Itza and we were filled with anticipation.  We arrived at the Mayaland Hotel, had a good stretch and found our tour guide Delio.  We received our wrist bands and tickets and made our way inside the archaelogical zone of Chichen Itza. Entering the grounds you can actually feel the power of the site, something in the way that you breathe changes, the energy is incredible.  Delio was a top notch guide, he was very knowledgeable and provided us with an educational and entertaining dialogue. The mysteries of the Chichen Itza Maya are fascinating, how they were able to build their structures with such accuracy, placed so carefully to align with the stars and the sun with such precise calculations, all starting around 900 A.D., a long, long time ago. No matter how much one reads about the place, it’s nothing compared to being there and seeing for yourself exactly what the history and guide books talk about.  A magical place of history under your feet and in front of your eyes.

The tour lasted about two hours and we returned to the Mayaland Hotel famished and ready for lunch.  The buffet was perfect, food to satisfy everyone’s taste, cold drinks and traditional “Jarana” dancers in their beautiful Yucatecan dress entertaining us.  The handmade tortillas were by far the best I have ever tasted and the local specialty “cochinita pibil” was delicious. After stuffing ourselves with great food, we were ready to see more of the area.  Our driver Felipe offered to take us just about anywhere we wanted to go and the majority ruled, we wanted to see the cenote Il Kil!  It’s a quick five minute drive from the Mayaland hotel so we were there in no time.  We found ourselves in a hole in the ground, but a hole in the ground that looks like the garden of Eden!  We splashed around in the cool waters for a while then headed back to the hotel.

Our day was not over yet!  We gathered together at 7:30 at the entrance to the ruins and made our way to the grounds for the Light and Sound show.  It was a starry night, with cool breezes on the skin and fireflies dancing in the sky, the fresh air carrying the aroma of the jungle.  We settled in and were treated to a display of colored lights on ancient ruins accompanied by a tale of the history of Chichen Itza.  Everyone was entranced, it was a powerful experience.  We returned to the hotel for a late dinner and promptly fell asleep, after a full day, a full stomach and with our minds and hearts filled with the energy of Chichen Itza.

For anyone coming to Cancun, Quintana Roo or the Yucatan, I highly recommend taking a Chichen Itza tour.  Being here and not seeing Mayan ruins is like visiting Egypt and not seeing the pyramids!  You can see our full set of photos in our Chichen Itza flickr set and be sure to join our Chichen Itza Facebook page to share your own experiences and photos.