An incredible range of overflowing landscapes and nature characterize the Mayan Riviera

forests, rain forests, jungles, archaelogical deposits, beaches with an exquisite beauty open to the majestic crystal waters of turquoise color. We are dealing here with a destination located in the state of Quintana Roo, bordered by the magnificent Caribbean Sea, a place that is bathed by a delightful tropical warmth that during past times sheltered the development of the millennial mayan civilization.

Abundant tropical forests grow in this flat territory, while in the beaches, available along various kilometres, lie with smoothness the white tone of soft sand, giving way to coves, bays and mangrove swamps of exceptional beauty.

And between the greenery of such a rich vegetation found in the Riviera, for the admiration of mankind, are the lagoons and cenotes of such beauty that they achieve to evoke the idea of being in paradise.

Some mayan settlements took place precisely here, around the cenotes which are bodies of fresh water: a culture which possessed a notable wisdom quite close to mysticism and to the sacred. The cenote, a mayan term, is a structure formed in the calcareous soil with the characteristics of a cavern, rich in calcium carbonate due to rain water filtrations.

Some of them were stages for sacred rituals, for example the Xtoloc in Chichen Itzá, Yucatán. Copper utensils, necklaces, plates, masks, and earrings... and even human remains! have been recovered from that place.

Economically speaking, the Mayan Riviera subsists due to the exploitation of wood found in forests, obtaining fine mahogany and cedar woods, or that of the chicozapote, a tree from which chewing gum is extracted.

To this activity we must add the fishing of lobster, huachinango and couch?Ĵs sea bream, among other species, as well as the small proportioned agriculture and livestock. And, without a doubt, tourism is the activity with the greatest development, attracting great investments for the constant growing infrastructure.

The Mayan Riviera is a strip of 130 kilometres that comprises deserted beaches to modern architectural compounds with hotels, yacht clubs, sports centres, restaurants, etc.

Playa del Carmen, for example, formerly a calm fishing town, nowadays lodges hotels of international prestige.

In the old days it was known as Xaman-Ha and it used to be the departure point to the sacred island of Riviera Maya, a place dedicated to the goddess Ixchel,

fertility goddess, reason why women from all over Yucatán used to come here in canoes in order to worship the goddess of the island. Nowadays some of the mayan structures are preserved in Playa del Carmen, being the most accessible temple in Playacar.

Not very far from there is the the main ecological reserve of the area, Sian Ka?Ĵan, an habitat with a very rich flora and fauna.

And the diversity is probably the main characteristic of this tourist destination: one may choose from adventure sports, the practice of golf or tennis, strolls along the forest either on foot or on horse, water sports, as well as a journey along the indescribable cultural richness and the archaelogical legacy by the mayan world.

One of the most preferred activities by the visitors is diving, since the Great Mayan Reef is located here, the second longest in the entire world.

Or would you rather observe the marine turtles from up close? In various areas of the Mayan Riviera, such as Tulúm or Xcacel and Xcacelito, declared in 1988 as the Marine Turtle Sanctuary, one may observe the laying of eggs of the Verde or the Caguama species (Caretta caretta or Loggerhead).

The archaelogical zones that stand out in the Mayan Riviera are those of Cobá, located 40 kilometres from Tulúm, anchored in a jungle that is surrounded by lakes and which was distinguished formerly as the capital of the empire of the southern lands.

The most important building is Nohoch Mul, the Great Pyramid, the tallest pyramid of the peninsula (with 40 metres of height).

Ecological Park Three Rivers. It offers guided tours on horseback by beaches and trails in the jungle, and riding lessons for different levels and ages. Xcaret. It is located 8 km south of Playa del Carmen, for the No. road. 307 Cancun-Tulum.

This park offers ecotourism attractions, archaeological remains one of the most important ceremonial centers of the Mayan culture, as well as numerous natural beauties as pools, caves and underground rivers full of colorful fishes characteristic of the Caribbean Sea, and an aquarium reef.

Open every day from 8:30 to 22:00 pm. Tel.: (998) 883 0470. www.xcaret.com You can look back a horse in its facilities, taking the Caribbean Sea as a main stage.

Cenotes of Pac Chen. They are located near the archaeological site of Coba, 42 Km. Northwest of Tulum.

In this area are the "Cenote of Life" and "Cenote of the Jaguar", ideal for practicing rappelling and the Tyrolean, because you can get a unique view, not only the substance of the cenotes, but of the whole the adjacent jungle.

Ecological Park Xpu-Há. It is located 93 km south of Cancun and 25 miles south of Playa del Carmen on highway No.. 307.

This heavenly ecological park among its attractions with a system of 61 cenotes (water bodies connected to form underground) which stresses the cenote Manati, located north of the bay and which can be practiced diving. Inside the park there is also an area of mangroves inhabited by herons.

Finally, near the line of reef there is a gap of about 200 metres in length with 2 m deep on average, which also can practice free diving.

Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. It is located 47 km southwest of Tulum on the highway No.. 307.

It is one of the most important ecological reserves in the world, with an area of 527000 hectares. In which inhabit many endemic species of flora and fauna.

For its invaluable biodiversity was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

In this place can go diving in the 47.5 km of coastline that stretches along its coast, because here is part of the second largest barrier reef and important in the world, inhabited by hundreds of species of fish multicolored, sponges pink snails, urchins, starfish, spiny lobsters and many more.

Xel-Há. It is located 47 miles south of Playa del Carmen on highway No.. 307 Cancun-Tulum.

It is an ecological park where you will find creeks, cenotes, lagoons, caves fed by underground rivers and springs that are connected with the sea.

Open every day from 8:30 to 18:00 pm. Tel.: (984) 875 6000. www.xel-ha.com

In this place can go diving and snorkeling, either in the lake or as an underground river or perform an impressive tour to admire the life underwater caverns along rivers with crystal clear water or take the route submarine Sea Trek.

Ecological Park Three Rivers. It is located 11 km north of Playa del Carmen on highway No.. 307 Cancun-Tulum.

It is an eco-park located in a zone of subtropical forest where you can experience a memorable experience of contact with nature.

For remodeling, the park will reopen its doors until summer 2006.

You can go scuba diving in its eight cenotes (water bodies connected to form underground), which can be visited with experienced guides.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to take classes diving with advisers who will tell you the best strategies to fully enjoy this experience.

Xcaret. It is located 8 km south of Playa del Carmen, for the No. road. 307 Cancun-Tulum.

This park offers ecotourism attractions, archaeological remains one of the most important ceremonial centers of the Mayan culture, as well as numerous natural beauties as pools, caves and underground rivers full of colorful fishes characteristic of the Caribbean Sea, and an aquarium reef.

Open every day from 8:30 to 22:00 pm. Tel.: (998) 883 0470. www.xcaret.com

It is an excellent place where you can practice snorkeling and diving along 600 m of caves and tunnels, where you will find loopholes blue-green pool and underground rivers full of colorful fishes characteristic of the Caribbean Sea.

Playa del Carmen. It is located 68 km south of Cancun on highway No.. 307.

It is one of the most attractive destinations in the Riviera Maya, thanks to its extraordinary combination of resorts, cultural centers and natural areas.

In its coast can go diving among the corals of the Great Mayan Reef, as well as in some of the systems that connect the underground cenotes Chac Mool, The Ponderosa, Two Eyes, Nohoch-Na-Chich, the Grand Cenote, Car Wash, Has Chikin, Taj Mahal and Angelita.

Majahual. It is located 145 km northwest of Chetumal on the highway No.. 307.

This peaceful village of fishermen with a series of ecological huts, built with materials of the region, which will allow you to rest in the middle of a lush vegetation.

In its coast waters find high visibility that will allow you to practise diving and discover the extraordinary life that inhabits between underwater coral reefs.

The most common species that are observed starfish, seahorses, dolphins, turtles, sponges and fish reefs.

Natural Park Aktun Chen. It is located at km 107 of the highway between Cancun-Tulum and Xel-Há Akumal.

The park is the largest cave system in Quintana Roo, which are open to the public.

Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 pm.

This site will discover among other wonders, a cenote of 12 m depth of crystalline water, as well as thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and formations carved in the rocks along their entire length.

Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. It is located 47 km southwest of Tulum on the highway No.. 307.

It is one of the most important ecological reserves in the world, with an area of 527000 hectares. In which inhabit many endemic species of flora and fauna.

For its invaluable biodiversity was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Within this reserve is Boca Paila, a natural area where you have the option of camping, which has open spaces where they carry out this practice.

The vast infrastructure of the Riviera Maya invites you to live an experience of great fun, since bars and clubs live music, tropical rhythms, rock, reggae and lounge. Here the party seems to take forever, especially if you are going to Playa del Carmen, where he lives an atmosphere even more bohemian than in Cancun.

Among the best places where you can enjoy during their stay are La Placita, Agora, the Papaya Republique, Mr Frogs and Venice Coffee, as well as in the famous Fifth Avenue will find establishments with various musical groups as mariachi, romantic trios and marimbas creating a cheerful atmosphere among diners