Your travel specialist for this trip, Becky Roberts, has kindly shared Suzie’s raving review of the Rivera Maya.
Hi Becky!
Trip was FABULOUS! Can’t thank you enough. I think we’ve talked several friends and family to join us next year. We had perfect weather. Probably 30 seconds of rain(in one cloud) and that was that. Not enough to get you off the beach.
We spent most of our time at the beach rather than the pool. The beach was our front yard. We drank Banana Mama’s by 10 am every morning. Now that’s a vacation. Water was beautiful! The resort was beautiful! I already have a photo album together.
I’ve been telling everyone that I went on vacation with Ron but came home with Juan. He got so dark! Only left the resort twice. Once to X Caret to swim with the dolphin and stayed there all day. What an experience that was!! Ron watched and took lots of pictures. He bought the whole package. DVD of the actual swim, all the professional pics they took and 2 5 x 7’s which I think were included in the “swim” cost.
Had our favorite bartender, name is Alfredo. What a character he was.
The pool was beautiful. It was fun to watch all the people and the “goings on”. Our last day we decided to spend it there and get Henna tattoos. Thought we’d fool lots of people back home into thinking we had too much tequila one night and the tattoos were the result. I think the only one who really thought we had the real thing was Barb.
Not a problem with the flights. All on time and more importantly, all the luggage arrived with us. Boy, did I bring way too many clothes. Live and learn. If we go there next year, I’ll know better. Thank you again Becky! Maybe after your trip to Africa, we can get together. Or we could possibly run into you some weekend at Barb’s before you leave for Africa. If not, have a wonderful time.
The fairways are perennially green in Riviera Maya. This is especially true of the Playacar Spa & Golf Club, designed by the esteemed architect Robert Von Hagge. Ready yourself for the challenges of this championship field. Practice increasing your drive to conquer 7,144 yards of green, and hone your putting skills for this par 72 course.
* Includes round trip transfers from the hotel to the course.
Transportation available
Every player must have a complete set of clubs.
Twilight is good for as many holes that you can play.
No Rain Checks in Twilight.
If an adventurous streak runs through your very being, then consider taking a dive expedition into one of the many cenotes dotting the Riviera Maya. There are plenty of options available, more experienced divers might consider cave diving, where you swim beyond the reach of natural sun light. Both novice and advanced divers will enjoy cavern diving, where you stay within sight of the cavern entrance inside the realm of sun light. The following video shows an example of cavern diving.
The following cenotes are near the Grand Palladium Colonial:
Chikin Ha
Location: 5 km south of Puerto Aventuras just before Xpu-Ha/Across from Barcelo Maya Hotel/Long way down bumpy road.
Description: Footpath through jungle will take you to some other cenotes – one is big & almost dry with lots of fossils.
Facilities: None.
Swimming: Can swim through tunnel to underground air chamber.
Entrance Fee: Yes.
Kantun Chi
Location: Just past Chikin Ha Cenote.
Description: 4 mostly half dome cenotes (Kantun Chi, Zaskaleen, Uchil Ha, Zazil Ha) along a series of light jungle trails. Most remote one has ancient looking Mayan temple next to it. Several tours stop here.
Facilities: Restaurant, bike rentals, horseback riding, small zoo.
Swimming: Not very inviting.
Snorkeling: Yes. Rental equipment available.
Entrance Fee: $10 US.
Cristalino
Location: Just past Kantun Chi/Close to highway.
Description: Beautiful, very primitive & rarely visited. Good for hanging out. Will probably have place to yourself. Likely to see more locals than tourists.
Facilities: None.
Swimming: You can dive into cenote from 3.5 m (15 ft) tall ledge.
Entrance Fee: 25 pesos.
In the past three posts you’ve explored the Mayan jungle by mountain bike, swam in refreshing waters of the cenotes dotting Riviera Maya, and flew through the canopy by zip line. You can do all this in half a day, making memories which will last a life time. Download a PDF copy of the Mayan Expedition. If you would like to set up this outing for your group, contact our travel agent, Becky Roberts at 585-256-1680 or broberts@brobertstravel.com.
What You Need To Know:
Includes:
transportation
entrance fee
ecological guide
light lunch
snorkeling equipment
Not Included:
No alcoholic drinks
Gratuities for guides & driver. Average of $3.00 per / person
Beverages on board the vehicle. $5.00 per / person (3 sodas or purified water per person)
Cenote Dip is the last post in the three part Mayan Expedition Series
photo courtesy of Ron Hay After a 1 mile bike ride through the lush jungle, and exhilarating rides down the zip-lines its time for a relaxing dip in the crystalline waters of the Xtabay cenote.
Much of the bedrock in Riviera Maya is porous limestone, meaning any rainfall seeps through the top soil into underground passageways connected to the sea. Centoes (say-NOH-tays) are formed when the roof of a cave system collapses, exposing the warm, turquoise colored water underneath.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience while in Riviera Maya, a swim in a cenote ranks right up there. Besides, with inner tubes and snorkeling gear already in hand it will be hard to resist not jumping in.
Wrapping up your journey is a visit to a mysterious dry cenote, believed by the Mayan people to be home to magical sprites, known as Aluxes. Here you will witness a traditional Mayan purification ceremony, learning the religious and cultural importance of the cenotes to the Mayan people.
