| In the early 1970s, what we know as the | | | | Next stop south is Xcaret an aquatic theme park |
| Mexican Caribbean coastline today would be barely | | | | with an amazing night show. Keep driving and you |
| recognisable, with only small fishing towns and the | | | | will see signs for Paamul, now a small RV and |
| odd hotel dotted here or there. But in 1974, | | | | beach camp park run on generators, it also has a |
| Mexico's government tourism development | | | | small hotel. Well worth a stop, you can cool off in |
| agency decided to put a name to this beautiful, | | | | the pool or take a dip in the ocean after a bite to |
| and the Riviera Maya was born. | | | | eat. |
| This was followed by a new highway parallel to | | | | Just south is the gated community and marina of |
| the coast which helped lead to today’s | | | | Puerto Aventuras, with Dolphin Discovery at its |
| booming infrastructure of roughly 150 hotels in | | | | heart, surrounded by restaurants and bars. |
| Cancun with more than 24,000 rooms and 380 | | | | Offering catamaran sailing trips, speed boat tours, |
| restaurants. This is without taking into account the | | | | parasail and fishing this is a great place to stop for |
| 37,000 hotel rooms the Mayan Riviera has of its | | | | activities. Take in all the boats on the marina, |
| own, a number projected to double by 2025. | | | | some you can charter for fishing trips, some |
| Thirteen million people pass through Cancun’s | | | | privately owned, a must-see place on the Riviera |
| airport annually and it caters an average of 190 | | | | Maya. |
| flights daily. | | | | Just a little further down the coast and you come |
| With the white pristine, pure sandy beaches that | | | | across what some say are the best beaches in |
| run virtually unbroken for 81 miles (130km) south | | | | the south of the Riviera Maya at the bay of |
| of Cancun, the Riviera Maya delivers you luxury | | | | Xpu-Ha. White, plush, uncrowded expanses of |
| real estate, hotels, spa’s, restaurants, | | | | sand with great beach clubs such as Al Cielo, with |
| marinas, shops, bars and golf courses as well as | | | | a fantastic Mediterranean and seafood menu, |
| romantic unspoilt hideaways. | | | | massage therapists and shaded beach beds. You |
| The Mayan Riviera is not just Cancun as many | | | | may have found paradise. |
| people may perceive it to be, driving south from | | | | Nearby on the coast you will come to Akumal, |
| Cancun you will find luxurious, often more intimate | | | | famed for its turtle sanctuaries. In the summer |
| retreats, with more space and fewer people than | | | | months, you may be lucky enough to visit the |
| the bustle and bright lights of Cancun. | | | | Half Moon Bay area to see the turtles come up |
| The Riviera Maya starts roughly 12 miles (19km) | | | | to the beach and lay eggs. |
| south of Cancun airport in one of the coast’s | | | | In August, you can take a boat trip or swim out |
| last fishing villages, Puerto Morelos. The shoreline | | | | from land and see these magnificent creatures |
| is not as impressive as that of the white glitzy | | | | inches away from you. |
| beaches found deeper into the region with turtle | | | | The snorkelling in Akumal is second to none. The |
| grass underfoot and a less clear turquoise Ocean, | | | | reef is home to some beautiful parrot fish, turtles |
| but Puerto Morelos should not be overlooked. | | | | and puffer fish and the beach is small and busy, a |
| It has some excellent restaurants, good | | | | great stop for aquatic culture as a day trip and |
| handmade crafts and artisan products. Add to | | | | with many bars and restaurants you will not be |
| that the world’s second largest barrier reef, a | | | | disappointed. |
| dedicated marine reserve, which lies less than a | | | | Our last main Riviera Maya stop is at Tulum, the |
| mile offshore. Puerto Morelos is a great stop for | | | | only Mayan city built on the sea with the |
| relaxing after the night life of Cancun. | | | | breathtaking ruins and home to some of the |
| 18 miles (30km) south of Cancun airport you are | | | | finest beaches. |
| into the Riviera Maya’s gold coast. First | | | | Leading British newspaper paper, the Daily Mail, |
| discovered by the upscale Maroma hotel, Maroma | | | | included Tulum in their top 10 beaches for 2009, |
| beach has perfect talcum powder white sands | | | | calling it a “sight to behold; a temple perched |
| and turquoise tranquil water with a jungle | | | | on cliffs above the Caribbean Sea.” |
| backdrop. | | | | The famous ruined Mayan citadel on the east |
| Keep heading south and you will come to 593 | | | | shore of has lost none of its glory. |
| acre (240 hectare) development shared by three | | | | Travel + Leisure magazine also gave Tulum’s |
| hotels, hugging a mile-long stretch of coast: | | | | Wellness Retreat and Spa second place in their |
| Mayakoba. With a 7,000 yard (6,400m) Greg | | | | survey of the worlds best destination spas, in |
| Norman signature golf course and the strip of the | | | | September 2009. Tulum is a fantastic place to |
| mangrove lagoon just behind the beach dunes, | | | | stay with the history, culture, beach clubs and |
| the newly constructed 128 room Rosewood | | | | spas. |
| Mayakoba hotel has a beauty worth exploring. | | | | We come to the end of the Riviera Maya at the |
| Further south down Highway 307 is the lively | | | | 1.5 million acre (0.6 million hecatre) Sian Ka'an |
| vibrant beach front town of Playa Del Carmen. | | | | Biosphere, a national park and UNESCO World |
| With its dedicated pedestrian zone of Fifth | | | | Heritage Site, with jungle walks, mangrove |
| Avenue one block from the beach you have your | | | | lagoons and unexcavated ruins and the 22 mile |
| choice of cosmopolitan shops, markets, local | | | | (35km) Boca Palia peninsula. |
| artisans and crafts, multi cultural restaurants, | | | | A small entrance fee allows you to explore this |
| jewellery stores, vibrant night life and magical | | | | unspoilt paradise. It serves as a model for |
| bars. | | | | sustainable development in sensitive tropical |
| ‘Playa’ has well established white linen | | | | ecosystems. The revenue generated through |
| beach clubs, from Mamitas, with the DJ spinning | | | | tours, fishing, beautiful accommodations, and |
| funky tunes, a laid back vibe of fusion, a fantastic | | | | various on-site activities is used to fund |
| menu and fire dancers, to neighbouring Zenzi, | | | | conservation and education programs within the |
| offering live bands, movies on the beach and a | | | | Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. |
| Sunday barbeque. On top of that is the famous | | | | The center operates using ecologically responsible |
| Blue Parrot night club and Coco Bongo. | | | | technologies, including systems for wetland waste |
| Playa Del Carmen has something unique to offer, | | | | management, rainwater collection, solar and wind |
| so much more than those looking for an all | | | | energy generation. It also operates educational |
| inclusive with a swim up bar, although it also | | | | outreach programs and biological research. |
| boasts top hotel chains such as RIU, Iberostar and | | | | Here ends your whistle stop tour of the Riviera |
| Occidental. | | | | Maya, there is plenty to keep you busy, for a |
| An 18 hole golf course always seems to be within | | | | day, or for a lifetime. |
| walking distance, or a very short taxi ride away. | | | | |