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.

Beating the Heat in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Cancun and the Riviera Maya in the summer time are HOT, the perfect excuse to spend your days in the crystal clear waters of the Mexican Caribbean!  Of course you can hang out all day at the swim up bar of your resort, but we’ve got some more exciting ideas to keep cool on your summer vacation.

1.  Snorkeling-  The Mesoamerican Reef sits just off the coast of the Riviera Maya, the second largest reef in the world!  The snorkeling is divine, from Isla Mujeres to Cozumel to Akumal, you’ll find yourself surrounded by colourful fish and coral formations as you flipper your way through cool waters.  One of the most popular spots for snorkeling is the Yal Ku lagoon in Akumal, this calm ocean inlet is the perfect place for beginners and veteran snorkelers alike.  The Akumal area is famous for the sea turtles that visit, be sure to bring an underwater camera to capture the magic!  “Cenotes” (natural limestone sinkholes), underground rivers and caves common in the Riviera Maya bring you the opportunity to enjoy a unique snorkeling experience.  The ancient stalactite and stalagmite formations create a beautiful underwater landscape amidst the rich green flora of the jungle.  If you’re lucky you’ll spot the “pez ciego” or “blind fish” that live in the caves or a school of fresh water catfish  The water in the cenotes is always fresh and cool, a welcome diversion on a hot summer day!

2.  Boat trips and cruises-  The wind in your  hair, soft breeze on your face and the occasional splash as you hit a wave.  Cruising the waters around Cancun is a great way to beat the heat!  For a whole day of family fun, the Caribbean Funday tour departs from Cancun for the nearby island of Isla Mujeres.  After cruising across the sea you’ll find yourself at a private beach club where you can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, bike tours and a delicious lunch buffet (and open bar of course!)  The Pirate Assault tour is great fun on the high seas, a night adventure cruise that will have you dancing and singing all night long as you sail to Isla Mujeres and enjoy the energetic pirate show.  For those looking for romance, the Lobster Dinner Cruise Cancun is ideal for lovers.   Find yourself on a slow cruise of the Nichupte Lagoon as the sun sets over the water. Live jazz music plays, cool wine flows and fresh lobster cooks on the open grill, slow dance with the one you love and leave the cares of the world behind.

3.  Swimming with dolphins-  This is not only a great way to refresh, it’s truly the experience of a lifetime!  Dolphin Discovery has three locations in the Mexican Caribbean- Cozumel, Puerto Aventuras and Isla Mujeres.  Enjoy a dolphin kiss, feel the adrenaline rush of the famous “foot push” and learn all about these incredible creatures.  In Cozumel you can even scuba dive with dolphins and enjoy a day in Chankanaab Park as part of your package!  In Puerto Aventuras you can swim with manatees and sea lions as well as dolphins and spend some time in this quaint little village.  If you are visiting the Isla Mujeres location, be sure to take a trip to Garrafon Park for some of the most amazing views and snorkeling in the region!

Summertime is the perfect time to visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya, bring the whole family and take advantage of the great deals for the season.  Be sure to get out and enjoy the local attractions, don’t get stuck in a pool bar rut, find an adventure and refresh your soul in the paradise of the Mexican Caribbean!

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!

Mexico in your senses

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Dolphin Discovery Arrives to Cayman Islands in the Western Caribbean

The Cayman Islands, a separate British Overseas Territory, are located in the centre of the Caribbean south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is considered the most important island of the country, widely known due to its vast underwater universe surrounded by crystal clear waters that enclose the second largest barrier reef in the world, also part of Mexican shores. George Town, capital of the Cayman Islands, is one of the most significant financial centres of the world, as it holds the most important banks of Europe and America. The city is also one of the most exclusive tourism destinations of the Caribbean, with more than 2, 500, 000 cruise ship visitors during the last year.

Dolphin Discovery started building the new dolphinarium in this piece of paradise, at the beginning of spring of this year. The construction process lasted 8 months, beating all records. With a $10,000,000 USD investment, land infrastructure facilities -such as parking lot, boutique, restaurant, dress rooms, restrooms, showers, training rooms, freezing chambers, fish preparation and store rooms, trainers area and administrative offices- were built over an area of more than 5, 000 m2. Moreover, the dolphins are located in a 4, 500 m2 - 5 meters depth lagoon with an overall capacity of 2.5 million water liters.

Good Luck for Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman and welcome to the World’s Largest Dolphins Family!

Visiti: www.dolphindiscovery.com
eMail: info@dolphindiscovery.com

About Dolphin Discovery

Dolphin Discovery, born in the year 1994 in Cancun, highlights again its world leadership as the #1 company in swim-with-dolphins programs, hosting more than 400,000 visitors during the last year. Dolphin Discovery offers experiences of a lifetime by a close interaction with beautiful dolphins that are under human care and live in one of the seven dolphinariums.