A FEW THINGS YOU MUST DO WHEN YOU VISIT
THE RIVIERA MAYA

1. Swim by the only archaeological sight located by the sea- TULUM. Tulum is best known for its ruins, which overlook turquoise colored waters and soft sandy beaches on the Caribbean coast about 80 miles south of Cancun. Tulum was build during the dying days of the Mayan empire and was actually a fort. It's quite tame in comparison to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, but it does have one overwhelming attraction: its location next to the sea. There are no resorts or fancy hotels nearby- you can come here for a day, enjoy the ruins and then walk down to the great beaches and crystal-clear water for sunbathing, paddling, swimming or snorkeling.

2. Spend a day of amazement interacting with Mexican culture in one of the most spectacular theme parks in the world- Xcaret Eco-Archeological Theme Park. Most of us associate Cancu, Mexico with Spring Break, and really, this location has so much more to offer than a party atmosphere! Xcaret Theme Park is a unique and interesting underground geological formation that includes pools, lagoons, fresh water sink holes, and a beach to bask in the sun and rest your tired body after a long snorkel through the crystal clean waters of the Riviera Maya. One of the featured attractions of Xcaret is the underground river float- other water activities at Xcaret include wimming at the beach and snorkeling in a warm lagoon, and dolphin encounters, scuba, sea trekking and excursions to the coral reef.

3. Snorkel in the largest natural aquarium in the world at Xel-Ha. Xel-Ha is a 22 acres of snorkeling wonder! Underground rivers feed the lagood where the fresh water mixes with the sea. Explore the world's most beautiful natural aquarium and snorkel next to a variety of plants and hundreds of fish in the warm Caribbean.

4. Get the perfect suntan on Akumal's silky beaches. Akumal is located 62 miles south of Cancun in the heart of the Mayan Riviera and boasts a beautiful main beach and is an excellent location for snorkeling.

5. Explore the mystery of the Mayan caves in Aktun Chen- a Mayan name that means "natural well inside a cave"- which is located 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen. One of the park's main activities is a walk inside a 640 yard long dry cave, a large example of stalactites and stalagmites with incredible formations sculpted by time, ending in a beautiful crystal clear natural well. A canopy zip line is the perfect mix between adventure and nature, and the park also counts a six acre wildlife zoo with local flora and fauna as another of its attractions.

6. Stroll along "La Quinta Avenida" of Playa del Carmen and enjoy the wide variety of bars, restaurants, and shops. La Quinta Avenida translates to Fifth Avenue and this pedestrian walkway runs parallel to the ocean. The shops in this area sell everything you can think of, ranging from trendy clothes to Mexican handicrafts to Cuban cigars. The avenue radiates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, similar to that of carnival. And, if you're lucky, you may even chance upon wild animals, fire breathers, mimes, clowns and a hodgepdge of other characters parading down the street.

7. Return in time and discover a Mayan Village. For millennia the Maya lived in what is now the lowlands of Guatemala, Mexico, Belize and Honduras. For reasons still not fully understood, around 900 AD their society collapsed and cities were abandonded. While their social structure disappeared, the Mayans did not. To this day millions of Mayans live in southern Mexico and Guatemala; however, it is in the highlands of Guatemala where the greatest number of Mayans live. Most Mayans speak one of 21 Mayan languages and live an essentially traditional way of life.

8. Get in touch with one of the greatest biodiversities in the world at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Sian Ka'an is a Mayan phrase for "Where the Sky is Born". As the third largest protected area in Mexico, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is comprised of 1.3 million acres of tropical ecosystems in the State of Quintana Roo. Consisting of lowland forest, flooded savannas, mangroves, and a portion of the world's second largest coastal barrier reef- the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef- the Reserve is home to 800 plant species and provides habitat for 350 species of birds, as well as jaguar, puma, ocelot, spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles, and may types of turtles. Additionally, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is home to 23 different archaelogical sites of pre-Columbian culture.