The Caribbean is synonymous with wide beaches with turquoise waters and white sand, and palm trees that shelter visitors while they enjoy a refreshing coconut whilst gazing out to sea. It's a dream vacation for many, eager to forget about months of lockdown.
But the Caribbean can offer you much more. Especially if the area you are visiting is the spectacular Riviera Maya. It is a destination that has a rich thousand-year-old culture in addition to its beauty and lush vegetation. This is probably one of the aspects that most differentiates the Mexican Caribbean from other destinations in the area.
There are endless choices, and they are all very authentic. Depending on what kind of trip you envision for yourself, you can choose to visit impressive Mayan ruins such as Chichen Itza, for which you will need a whole day, or visit the archaeological site of Tulum, which will only require one morning.
If you are interested in history and want to know in detail what this enigmatic and influential pre-Columbian civilization was like, we recommend that you go on an excursion with a professional guide. Try to arrive early to avoid the lines, and don't forget to bring a hat, water, and plenty of sunscreens, since the visit to Chichén Itzá can involve many hours in the sun.
Follow your guide's instructions and enjoy a visit to a magical city presided over by the Kukulkan pyramid, also known as El Castillo, brimming with fascinating sights such as the spectacular Juego de Pelotas, the Observatory, and the Sacred Cenote, among many other attractions. Put yourself in the shoes of the ancient Maya and enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience in an enclave that has received two important international awards: World Heritage Site, according to UNESCO; and, since 2007, Wonder of the World.
Another way to delve into the Mayan culture, but also into the great ethnographic richness of the Mexican people, who have received influences from many countries throughout their history, is to visit Xcaret Park.
It is an ideal place to spend the whole day, especially if you are traveling with your family, and combines leisure activities such as bathing in cenotes, a walk through a butterfly farm or swimming with dolphins. You can also partake in Mexican cultures, such as the reproduction of the Day of the Dead in a recreated Mexican cemetery, or a musical show in which folkloric groups from almost all the states of Mexico perform, among many other things.
Book your excursion in advance and, when you arrive at the park, check the schedules of all the activities so that you can be properly organized and have time to see everything. Don't forget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent for the night. It will be a long day but one full of excitement.
But the Riviera Maya is so much more. You can enjoy conventional and commercial tourism strolling along with the 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen; or perhaps active tourism is more to your taste, practicing scuba diving in Cozumel. Would you rather just relax in Isla Mujeres? What about a luxury show at the Cirque du Soleil, and polishing it off with some of the best cuisines in the world?
Just a few years ago, what used to be a road connecting different resorts and small coastal towns such as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, or Tulum, among others, has become a consolidated tourist area, where you will find absolutely everything, and for all ages.
You can even explore colonial history, visiting, for example, Valladolid, considered one of the magical towns of Mexico, filled with curiosities such as the unique Casa de Los Venados, the Calzada de Los Frailes that leads to the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, the Municipal Palace or the beautiful Church of San Servacio, with the soul of a Cathedral, but without a proper name, since it is not located in the capital city.
While you're in the area, come and discover Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya! A luxury hotel in the Riviera Maya, perfect to enjoy unforgettable moments. Relax on our beaches of crystal clear waters and white sand, while you reunite with your loved ones. Our paradisiacal oasis is specially designed for couples and friends who want an exclusive getaway to the Mexican Caribbean, we are waiting for you with open arms!
