SunBeach Travel

Mexico is known for its warm hospitality and its ancient culture. It is steeped in history and has a colorful vibrancy about it that can leave nobody untouched. The food, culture, architecture and traditions here are all unique and can be quite an experience for someone who has never been here before, a feast for all the senses.

Some of the best places to visit in Mexico are along the coast of Sea of Cortez, there are plenty of beautiful beaches, ports and quaint fishing villages here that can make any holiday a dream vacation. Mexico has so many islands and beaches that perhaps to include them all in your holiday the best way would be through a Mexico yacht charter. A yacht charter Mexico would allow you to go island hopping everyday, enjoying a different beach everyday.

Some of the best locations in Mexico are:

• La Paz- La Paz is classic Mexico, old world charm, upscale fashion and a laid back lifestyle. There are plenty of road side cafes and restaurants here, perfect for an evening coffee. The beach here provides a stunning view of the landscape, the bright blue waters against the red cliffs.

• Isla Partida- this beautiful island is one of the most stunning islands in Mexico. There are plenty of things to be done here including water sports, swimming, snorkeling and diving. The reefs, seals, sharks and the manta rays in the waters here make it a perfect location for scuba diving.

• Puerto Vallarta- Puerto Vallarta is one of the liveliest and the most sophisticated towns in Mexico. The city is surrounded by wooded hills on one side and the stunning bay on the other side. The beaches here are stunning with white sand and clear waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

• Acapulco- Acapulco is a round the clock party place, one of the most vibrant places in Mexico. The beaches here have golden sand and are dotted with pubs and cafes. There are several architectural attractions and museums here too for those who are interested in exploring the history and culture of Mexico.

• Manzanillo- Manzanillo is a busy port town that is fast becoming a tourism hub. The golden beaches here are perfect for spending a day relaxing in the sun. There are several nightclubs, pubs and restaurants here to enjoy the nightlife.

• Mazatlan- Mazatlan is a unique destination as a historic town and a popular beach destination. The old town of the city is marvelously charming with its cobbled streets, narrow alleys lined with historic old buildings and small restaurants that serve amazing food. The beach here is one of the most famous beaches in Mexico and there are several museums and architectural wonders here that are basked in ancient history.

Mexico is known for its pristine waters, perfect tropical temperatures, pure white sand beaches, and rich culture.  These are just a few of the reasons why so many people choose to honeymoon in Mexico.  A Mexican honeymoon at an all incluse resort can be filled with romance. Destination weddings are also becoming popular in Mexico.  Many all inclusive resorts offer free or low cost weddings on their property.  These package usually include the wedding service, followed by a honeymoon.  With some of the most popular resort locations in the world, Mexico offers a wide range of options for those who are looking for the perfect honeymoon destination or the perfect destination wedding.

Choosing a honeymoon package in Mexico can be difficult considering all the options available.  You should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each all inclusive honeymoon package to help make your decision easier.  Choosing your honeymoon location within Mexico can help make the decision easier.  You should also consider which activities you’d like to participate in while on your honeymoon.  Each resort offers a different array of activities and certain areas of Mexico are more hospitable to certain activities than others.  For example, if you are a scuba diver, you may want to consider that the Caribbean area of Mexico, including Cancun and Cozumel, has some of the best scuba diving in the world.  Top honeymoon destinations in Mexico, include Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas.  Acapulco is very similar to Hawaii with its beautiful beaches and turquoise blue waters.  Puerto Vallarta is an up and coming tourist destination making it a little quieter than the eastern coast of Mexico, but it still has plenty of activities to keep you busy with cultural events, fine dining, and the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains.  Another top honeymoon location is Cozumel.  If you are looking for a secluded deserted island to spend with your new spouse, you should consider honeymooning in Cozumel.  You may feel as if you are the only couple on the island.  From Mayan ruins, to the majestic Nichupte Lagoon, Cozumel is a feast for the eyes.  In recent years, Cancun and the Riviera Maya area of Mexico has become the single most popular area to visit south of the border.  This area is famous for its incredible beaches and wide array of all inclusive resorts.

Of course, no matter where you go on your honeymoon, cost will play an important role in your decision.  While examining costs, you may be surprised to find that there are number of affordable all inclusive honeymoon packages.  Mexico is known for being one of the most affordable tropical honeymoon destinations.  The Internet makes it easier than ever to price compare across a wide variety of resorts and find the resort that fits your budget the best.

Selecting a honeymoon destination in Mexico may seem like a difficult decision, but by taking the time to compare of all your options, you are sure to find the best all inclusive resort in Mexico for your honeymoon.

Like sequins on a dress of powder-fine sand, the Riviera May

a’s resorts dot 80 coast-skimming miles of the Yucatán Peninsula, topped by the showiest sparkler of all—Cancún, glittering brazenly on a flat limestone slab that divides the Gulf of Mexico and the turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea. The draw has always been the region’s natural assets—that sky, those waves—but don’t mistake this 40-year-old for a city with no heritage. Remnants of Mayan civilizations endure, as does the tranquillity of the Riviera Maya’s fishing villages, thanks to restrained development policies. The result: a rare, near perfect balance of comfort and traditional simplicity, at least for now.

Explore the Exquisite Mayan Ruins

By Valerie Conners

Overview

Sunbathers and swimmers indulging in a visit to Tulum Beach’s white, limestone sands and crystal blue waters need only look up in wonder at the ancient Mayan ruins – some from as early as A.D. 250 – dotting the cliffs above them to grasp the aura of ancient mystery that surrounds the beach.

Part of the gorgeous and increasingly popular Riviera Maya, Tulum sits 80 miles southeast of Cancun. The beach at the Tulum ruins and the beach just to the south, called Boca Paila, have luckily managed to escape the resort development permeating many of the other Riviera Maya beaches. The unspoiled beauty is marred only by the occasional drink stand or cabana, and is so private that clothing is optional.

The name “Tulum,” derived from the Mayan word for “wall,” and the ruins hovering over the beach, most notably the giant pyramid-shaped Castillo, have gained notoriety as one of the Mayan civilization’s only walled cities. In its heyday, Tulum served as a port of call for mariners and traders, and its walls defined the ancient town’s defense against invaders from sea and land.

Today, visitors from across the globe who vacation at Tulum experience one of Mexico’s finest beaches with an added bonus: the chance to admire the architecture of the ruins and feel the awe of this ancient and notoriously advanced civilization.

Getting There
The nearest international airport is in Cancun; shuttle service transports to Tulum can be arranged.

Airport Transportation
From Cancun International Airport the drive to Tulum takes two hours; the most convenient means of transportation from the airport to Tulum is via air-conditioned shuttle (www.travelyucatan.com), which costs approximately $35 per person one way or $70 per person round trip.

Timing
December through April is considered high season in the Yucatan, and crowds and prices peak during Christmas and spring break. Tulum’s tropical climate means more than 240 days of sunshine annually and average high temperatures in the mid-80s F with lows in the upper-60s F. Though rain is infrequent, September and October are the wettest months because of hurricane season; March and April are the driest.

Lodging
The Tulum ruins are some of the most frequently visited archaeological sites in Mexico, and a number of new hotels have sprung up in recent years to cater to the increase in tourism. Most hotels are located along a strip of beach coined the “Hotel Zone.” Visitors can choose among typical hotel accommodations and smaller, cabana-style hotels or campsites.

One of Tulum’s most unique and impressive lodgings is Azulik Villas (www.azulik.com), 15 private villas constructed of rich, local hardwoods and featuring carved tree-trunk bathtubs, in-room massages, aromatherapy and waterfront views.

Cuisine
With so many tourists from the United States and abroad, it’s little surprise that restaurant choices in Tulum Beach and Tulum Pueblo are gentrified, with an unusually large number of Italian establishments. Of course, it’s possible to find typical Mexican cuisine like seafood and tacos at restaurants or loncherias, such as the popular Ana y Jose or the vegetarian spot Maya Tulum.

Travel Tips
Mexico’s currency is the peso and exchange offices are easy to find, but U.S. dollars are accepted at many businesses. The closest banks are in Playa del Carmen. Visas are not required, nor are shots or vaccinations. Some tap water is safe, but to be sure, drink bottled water. For the most part Tulum is quite safe (aside from the occasional pickpocketing), but use common sense when out alone or at night. The tourist office is located next to the baseball fields on Avenida Tulum in Tulum Pueblo.

While You’re There
A trip to Tulum’s beach isn’t complete without visiting the ancient Mayan ruins that dot the cliffs above the water. Visitors can explore this ancient walled city and must visit the Castillo, or castle, the largest of the surviving structures. Other interesting structures include the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes, with its walls of murals. The ruins are open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter.

Visitors should also check out the cenotes, or freshwater pools, south of Tulum Pueblo. The pools are actually part of an underground network of rivers and caverns that once provided fresh water to the Mayans. It is possible explore the cenotes with a number of dive operators in town who offer snorkeling or scuba trips.

Mexico’s Most Exclusive Beach
By Valerie Conners

Quite possibly the most exquisite secret in Mexico, Maroma Beach is a resort hideaway intent on preserving the ecology of its 500-plus acres of beach and rain forest, all the while bringing individual service and luxury to unprecedented heights. Maroma is nestled into the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and lies a mere 30 miles south of Cancun, but thankfully, remains worlds away from this spring break hot spot’s pace and lifestyle. Maroma’s guests are immersed in a quiet world of warm azure waters, pure white sands and rich tropical foliage. This miniature Eden of stucco huts and thatched roofs, beachside serenades and sunset cruises, will rejuvenate both body and spirit.

“Handmade Hospitality” is the philosophy the resort operates under, referring both to the passion to meet guests’ every need and the machine-free method of construction used in creating the resort. Eco-travelers will delight in learning that every building on the property was made by hand, without any machinery or electricity, and only one-tenth of Maroma’s property will be developed in order to preserve the ecological balance.

Entering the world of Maroma is like wandering into the warmth and pleasure of your best friend’s “casa.” Whether indulging in a private four-hand massage by the ocean, or dinner by torchlight on the beach, this extraordinary retreat will make dreams you never knew existed come true.

Getting There
Nearest major international airport: Cancun International Airport is about 20 miles north of Maroma – about a half-hour drive from Maroma.

Airport transportation
Transfers to and from the airport are included in room rates.

Transportation while you are there
Maroma Hotel will arrange rental cars and chauffeured vehicles for guests.

Timing
The climate in this region of Mexico is tropical. Average high temperatures are in the mid-80s Fahrenheit with lows in the upper-60s F. Summer months are a bit warmer, with highs around 90 F and lows in the mid 70s F. March and April are the driest months, while September and October are the rainiest because of hurricane season.

Lodging
Maroma Hotel’s 36 luxury rooms and suites feature king-size beds, sunken tubs, ceiling fans and unique furniture made in Maroma’s own workshops. Each also has a furnished outdoor terrace complete with hammock, hand-painted Mexican tiles and hand-woven fabrics. Private villas offer three air-conditioned bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room, dining room, private pool and open-air terrace surrounded by tropical gardens. All rooms, suites and villas are no more than 50 meters from the beach. Rates vary and include full breakfast daily, airport transfers and one snorkeling trip per guest.

Cuisine
Chef Stephanie Rowe ensures guests’ palates are satiated with every dish he prepares. His menu incorporates a selection of fresh seafood from the reef, and generally includes lobster in the main courses and appetizers. Fresh produce often comes from Maroma’s own property – coconuts are plucked from the jungle palms, and breakfast jams are made from the fruits of the sea grapevines. Be sure to save room for the Flaming Mexican Coffee, prepared right at your table. Even the mealtime philosophy at Maroma keeps with the “Handmade Hospitality” motto – whether eating on your own terrace, under a thatched roof or by torchlight on the beach, or among the crystal and linens of the dining room – your every wish will be met.

Travel Tips
Maroma rests along the stretch of Mexico coined the “Mayan Riviera,” and an on-site travel office ensures that visitors can take advantage of the many wonderful opportunities available to them at both the resort and in the surrounding area. Charter a vehicle and visit nearby Mayan ruins, pay homage to Chichen Itza and Tikal, explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve or sharpen your ornithological skills at the Contoy Island bird sanctuary. The world’s second-largest barrier reef lies right offshore and is perfect for a snorkeling excursion. Water lovers will also enjoy the opportunities for cave diving, jungle river trips and even kayaking.

Should the countless options to explore or the gorgeous trek through the rain forest prove tiresome, guests can lazily wander the resort’s library and game room, boutique and art gallery, and multimedia theater.

Upon arrival, take advantage of the property tour, which introduces visitors to the lovely meditation room (where a private dinner can be scheduled) and the lookout point. Maroma truly does accommodate your every need, except, perhaps, that of children – no one under the age of 16 is permitted.

While you are there
Do not miss out on Maroma’s spa services. Choose from facials, massages, reflexology, mud, Ajurveda, yoga, meditation, rebirthing or crystal therapy. Take your relaxation one incredible step further with Temazcal, the ancient purifying and healing ritual of the Mayan steam bath.

Embrace Mexico’s fascinating Mayan culture with a chartered trip to visit the ancient trading port and looming tower, El Castillo, at Tulum.

And swim with dolphins. Guests are first shown an informative video, and then brought to swim with these beautiful animals.