Though the Riviera Maya deserves its reputation as a Spring Break destination and, more recently, a luxury enclave perfect for honeymooners, it’s also one heck of a great family vacation spot. With amazing attractions that are also educational, exhilarating adventures that’ll have little ones giggling non-stop, and a host of affordable all-inclusives that will keep them fed and wonderfully taken care of while you get some well-deserved time in the sun, the Mayan Riviera is one of the few places that lives up to its “something for everyone” promise.
While the pyramids at Chichen Itza are jaw-dropping, they also get tremendously crowded in high season, and the heat of mid-day is difficult for anyone to take in large doses—parents and children alike. If you feel like your children are old enough to appreciate an archaeological tour, book one early in the day, perhaps as part of one of the immensely popular packages that include an afternoon swim at a cenote (freshwater sinkhole).
Three attractions which could easily take up an entire day are the theme parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and a boat ride over to Isla Mujeres. Xcaret is a cultural and eco-theme park spanning the jungle and the coast, with sights ranging from Monkey Island to Paradise River to a living history Mayan village. Xel-Ha is a magnificent water park, instead of slides being the main activity, it’s an interactive “natural aquarium” where guests can use Sea Trek underwater helmets to move about with 90 different marine species. Isla de Mujeres was sacred to the Mayans, but these days it’s known for great snorkeling, its new Underwater Museum, its sea turtle sanctuary and its inexpensive beach restaurants. At all three places, the ultimate splurge kiddie activity is a dolphin swim.
Thanks to its proximity to the Mesoamerica Reef, Cozumel holds excellent standing among divers and swimmers. It offers an appealing range of underwater activities like SCUBA dives, snorkel adventures, and then a whole bunch of activities that fall somewhere in between.
If you haven’t spent any time in a beach resort with fairly calm water, then you probably haven’t heard of any of the following activities, because they’re specifically geared toward casual tourists who want to see underwater life without committing to the SCUBA certification process. There’s helmet diving, offered by Sea Trek in two island locations—it basically outfits participants with an oxygen-fed helmet-and-torso ensemble that allows them to walk around on the ocean floor like astronauts in flippers. Then there’s power snorkeling, which is a very different experience than regular snorkeling: A motorized scooter propels people through the water at hurried speeds, so the fun is as much about steering as sightseeing. The closest alternative to real diving is snuba, where the tank is left on the surface, and the person is connected by an extended air hose. You can go to depths of nearly 20 feet this way—not nearly as deep as in a real SCUBA dive, but much deeper than witha snorkel.
Visiting Playa del Carmen with your sweetie pie? You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to great hotels. But for ultimate sophistication, sexiness, and sense of place we recommend the following four properties.
Although the Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive, it feels as personalized and luxurious as an “a la carte” property. From the food to the lobby decor to the absolutely gorgeous spa (where, sadly, you do have to pay extra for treatments), this place is a romantic dream come true. Regularly scheduled cultural entertainment is several notches above the quality level you’d expect from an all-inclusive, and the dress code is resort elegant in the evening.
It’s not as wild as Cancun, but for a group of girls out to make mischief and memories, Playa del Carmen is the Mayan Riviera’s best destination. Whether you’re breaking from college or doing a destination bachelorette, traveling with galpals or in a multi-generational group, this pretty little town will show you a good time.
For at least part of your trip, it’s totally permissible—even advisable—to spend time on the quintessential vacation pastimes of sunbathing, drinking margaritas, getting cheap massages on the beach, and shopping. But definitely plan a few adventures into the itinerary, ladies. Get muddy and rugged on an ATV tour through the jungle. Or go on a horseback ride along the beach.
Self-contained, luxurious, and ever-evolving, the all-inclusive properties in Puerto Vallarta are a vacationer’s dream. From boutique luxury properties to family-friendly beach playgrounds, they offer a variety of experiences at great rates—and just a short flight from many major U.S. cities.
For destination weddings and splurge reunions, Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is a favorite. It’s one of the most beautiful properties in the Dreams chain—all gleaming white, Mediterranean style, set against the most naturally beautiful backdrop there is, a deep blue sea. It’s also one of the resort brands that are equipped to cater to families while still giving honeymooners and business travelers its trademarked Unlimited Luxury experience. One tip: If you’re looking for luxe digs, make sure and get a room in the preferred tower, which is the latest addition to the property and has bigger, more modern rooms than the old tower.
The golf courses of Puerto Vallarta only rose to worldwide prominence in 2002, but many of them have become regular tournament and special event sites. Designed around the sandy, hilly terrain and situated to take advantage of beautiful Banderas Bay or other ocean vistas, these courses offer challenging play and gorgeous scenery—plus tropical weather and lush greenery (that’s tended in a sustainable manner, using all recycled water).
Before their development, much of the land in this area was jungle and marsh, with all kinds of wildlife flourishing, and loath to be disturbed. Flamingos Club de Golf is one development that decided not to move the native species any more than absolutely necessary. Thus, the prolific wildlife that make their home around the course remain one of its main draws today, more than 30 years after its opening. A recent three million dollar renovation ensured that this oldtimer remains a favorite among visiting golfers and local event planners alike.
One of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City is a place with awe-inspiring history, cultural wealth and international status as a commercial capital. It's also a little intimidating, with reports of poverty and crime. But what major city is exempt from such things? The truth is, while the sprawling metropolis of Mexico City overwhelms, its hidden neighborhoods will surprise you with their charming locals, pedestrian-friendly streets and welcoming atmosphere.
Coyoacan The relaxed feel of this historic neighborhood, with its old Colonial buildings and charming plazas, makes for a nice decelerated change of pace from elsewhere in the city. Its best-known landmark is the Frida Kahlo museum--actually it's the same gorgeous house where she used to live with Diego Rivera. Walking up, the first thing you notice is the huge outdoor terrace with a colorful profusion of flowers, plants. Walk around the house and see this fascinating artist's studio, plus all her home accents and original furniture-even the bed where she was bedridden after her crippling accident. Original works by Frida and her husband are around the house-not in formal museum displays, but closer to the original way their owner/creator might have placed them.
Lace up those boots: Verdant pine forests, superb hiking and biking trails, and great climbing are not only accessible, they're just a 30-minute drive from Mexico City. You can find all this in San Nicolas Park, in the heart of the Ajusco Mountains. The trail system is a novelty in Mexico, so don't miss taking advantage. And, as with most things in Mexico, the park's a bargain: The entrance fee is about $1, or a little more with guided service. There is no better Mexican example of a community-run natural park than this one, and it's already inspiring other nearby communities. Something to come back for: Soon the Ajusco Mountains will be honeycombed with well-marked hiking and biking trails.
Photo Credit: Ajusco Mountains, Mexico City (Wikipedia)
There's no way to imagine the sense of awe that overtakes you when a 50-foot baleen whale emerges with a mighty splash from the sea right next to you, its exhale a salt-spray explosion, its tail flipping gracefully before disappearing surprisingly slow beneath the waves. No picture or video can do it justice. And you can't really get the full effect from a large cruising motor yacht where you're peering out from a viewing deck, shoulder-to-shoulder with 30 to 80 other people.
The smaller the craft, the better the viewing. That's the consensus between whale-followers. I don't call them "whale watchers" because the whole point of going out in a small craft, whether it be a motor-powered raft or a fishing boat, is to follow like a faithful pet behind the whales, stopping as close to them as safety guidelines permit. The whale watchers, on their big motorized craft, are slow to arrive and stuck far away from the prime viewing area.
Looking for the perfect wave on your trip to Mexico? San Jose del Cabo is a tight surfing community overshadowed by nearby Cabo San Lucas' tourism and nightlife. That distraction, along with a population of around 50,000, and plenty of waves, makes this low-key city ideal for the envied surfer lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Surfer, Los Cabos, Mexico (Bruce Herman/Mexico Tourism)
