Love is in the Air- Romance in Cancun

February 14th, a date which inspires great visions of candle light dinners, dewy red roses and faces lit up with joy in reaction to the perfect romantic gift (diamonds anyone?).  Sadly, the reality is often a rushed dinner with the kids throwing nuggets, wilting convenience store flowers and a forced smile as the stuffed teddy bear holding a heart is pulled from the cellophane with the price tag still on.  Why not shake things up this year, start the new decade off right with a magical, spur of the moment jaunt to Cancun with that special someone?

Finding the right hotel for romance is your top priority.  When I am dreaming of a romantic escape, my thoughts turn to the Bel Air Collection in Cancun.  This hip boutique hotel was made for lovers, with sweet details such as private dinners on the beach, couples spa treatments and jacuzzi-suites.  The staff will go out of their way to make your stay extra-special, decorating your room with rose petals, candles and drawing a heavenly scented bubble bath for two or arranging moonlight couples massages on the beach.  Stroll hand in hand down the gorgeous stretch of sand, enjoy a cool glass of champagne by the pool and simply enjoy being with the one you love on a worry-free romantic getaway.

For couples looking for something a little spicier, Temptation Resort and Spa in Cancun will definitely heat up your Valentine’s.   This unique adults-only hotel offers a sensual concept for open-minded couples, with “risque” pool-side games and wild nights in their onsite night club, “Nice Shoes”.  The all-inclusive resort offers deluxe and jacuzzi suites, a variety of dining options and a white sandy beach on the Bay of Mujeres.  A stay at Temptation is sure to light a spark in your love life, add some sizzle to your romance and will certainly be a couples’ vacation you’ll never forget.

This is a romantic vacation and some may not want to leave the suite (wink wink, nudge nudge), but couples with a sense of adventure will find plenty of activities that are ideal for sharing with the better half.  The Lobster Dinner Cruise Cancun is the only “romance” tour in Cancun.  Enjoy a leisurely sail on a wooden galleon, sun setting over the lagoon, stars above, live jazz and a delicious surf and turf dinner.   Garrafon Park on the small island of Isla Mujeres is a great place for a couples day trip, spectacular views of the Caribbean, relaxing hammock gardens, infinity pool on the sea and zip lines, kayaks and snorkeling for the adventurous soul.  Treat your love to the experience of a lifetime with a swim with dolphin program with Dolphin Discovery (though beware, those dolphins are known to kiss even the married ladies!)  Add an extreme adventure to your trip with the adrenaline-filled fun at Hidden Worlds Park.  Ride horses on the beach, snorkel the reef teeming with sea life, or discover history and culture through the Mayan ruins, or do nothing but gaze into each other’s eyes, the possibilities are endless in the Mexican Caribbean.

The most important thing you’ll do on your romantic Cancun vacation is spend quality time with that special person.  No phones ringing, no kids calling your name, no dishes to wash, no laundry to fold.  The time is yours and honey’s alone, leave your worries at home and the smartphones off, “disconnect to reconnect” and return home refreshed, rejuvenated and more in love than when you left.  Trust me men, a surprise trip to Cancun for Valentine’s Day is going to make up for all those forgotten years and lame last minute purchases, book now (before you forget again) and give her something that you’ll both love!

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)

Xplor Adventure Park Riviera Maya

Xplor adventure park is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, land of lush jungle, hidden underground rivers and ancient mysteries.  Since opening in 2009, Xplor has thrilled thousands of guests with its adrenaline-fueled activities and all inclusive freedom, and I just couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.

I hardly slept the night before our trip, I was like a kid before Christmas morning!  I sprang out of bed at 6 am, made my way to the Xcaret terminal in the hotel zone of Cancun and boarded the jungle bus to make the 45 minute journey to Xplor just south of Playa del Carmen.  The bus dropped us off and we saw the signs pointing towards the entrance, down a ramp and into a cave!  Hanging vines and plants caressed the walls and ceiling as excited travellers checked in, got set up with their helmets and prepared for a day of adventure.

We weaved our way through a maze of caverns and found ourselves in the heart of Xplor.  Quite literally! There was a giant red heart and the beat of  “bom bom…..bom bom….bom bom” echoing through the cave, the center of all the action in the park.   The heart makes navigating the park easy, it’s the beginning and end of each activity.  We stashed our gear in the lockers, got ourselves an energizing smoothie and made our way to our first activity, the zip lines!

I must admit, I am an adrenaline junkie and this was not my first zip line experience but it was certainly one of the best.  With two circuits, 14 zip lines (including the tallest and longest lines in the region!), hanging bridges, a super water slide and several water landings, Xplor does not disappoint.  The gear and equipment is world-class, internationally recognized for safety standards and the automatic brakes were a dream!  I paused for a moment at the top of each tower to take in the incredible views and breathe in the fresh clean air before flying over the jungle again.

The zip lines tired us out, there was a LOT of climbing, but we were ready for the next part of our adventure.  The Riviera Maya is known for its subterranean rivers and cenotes and Xplor is a great way to discover these natural wonders full of stalactites and stalagmites formed millions of years ago.  We got set up with our life jackets (mandatory!), settled on to our rafts and paddled our way through this underground wonderland.  I shared a two person raft with a friend and we laughed and giggled our way through one of the two routes, steering looked easier than it actually was!

By this time we were running low on energy reserves so we headed to the restaurant.  The food was fantastic, far better than your usual buffet fare.  I refueled with a huge salad, the “zarzamora” (blackberry) dressing was delicious, then went back for some delicious pasta primavera, fish and other healthy offerings.  (There was pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs for those who prefer something not quite so healthy, but trust me, you’ll need the energy of good food!)  We refreshed, chatted excitedly about our morning and were ready to get back to the thrills.

The amphibious vehicles were something I had never done before and I was really looking forward to it.  We drove through thick jungle, over hanging bridges, in and out of caves and through rivers, getting dusty and bounced around and squealing at all the twists and turns.  A total riot!

Hot and sweaty, we were ready for a swim in the underground rivers.  The water is “fresh” (COLD) and absolutely crystal clear and a welcome treat on a hot day.  We splashed our way through the stalactites and stalagmites, emerging through a waterfall before finding ourselves at the flying hammocks.  Flying hammocks you say?  Why yes, flying hammocks, zip lines in comfort, and Xplor is the only place with this special treat!  You’ll just have to try it for yourselves, I can’t give away all the secrets!

Exhausted at the end of the day, we packed up our things and said goodbye to Xplor.  It was a completely satisfying day, adrenaline, nature, the warmth of the sun and the refreshing coolness of the waters, delicious food and drinks among great company.  All the anticipation was worth it, I was not disappointed and I cannot wait to return.   After a little rest of course.

For more pictures of our day , check out our Xplor gallery on Flickr!

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!

Dtraveller- Not Just a Virtual Office

Being an online travel agency we rarely get to meet our customers face to face.  Sure, we can talk with them on the phone or chat with them online, and we make connections with repeat customers via email, but we don’t often get to see their smiling faces.  Imagine our delight when a customer from Venezuela found us through our Facebook page and made their way to our offices in downtown Cancun!   A pleasure to meet them, we sure hope they enjoyed their tours (lucky folks took part in the Pirate Assault, Caribbean Carnaval and the Royal Garrafon tours, they sure know how to pack fun into their holiday!)