The Mexican Mayan Riviera (Cancun South) is, in short, a public relations dream of a name. First and foremost, let’s get the geography lesson out of the way. Quintana Roo is a state in Southeastern Mexico on the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula with a population of 1.3 million. The Caribbean Sea is to the east and the nation of Belize is to the south. If the name Quintana Roo is not familiar, look at some of the cities contained within the state; Cancun (800,000), Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel enhanced further by the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, Coba, Oxtankah and Kohunlich among others.
In the late 1960’s the Mexican government built the city of Cancun from a small fishing village to attract more American tourists to the area. In 2012 there were over 1.6 million visitors from the US. The hotel zone spans approximately 16 miles with more than 34,000 rooms in Cancun and 40,000 in the Riviera Maya (the largest number in Mexico). There are condos and resorts facing the Caribbean, plus over 2,000 stores. On the island side is Laguna Nichupte with marinas, restaurants, shopping malls, two golf courses (there are 13 in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area) and a few islands. There is only one road so you can’t get lost. Forty minutes southbound and you are at the airport, which is the second busiest in Mexico (after Mexico City). The "Party Zone" is halfway between the Hotel Zone and downtown and it is filled with nightclubs and discos.
Ten Best Hotels-
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach- a 40,000 square foot Gem spa with 10-step hydrotherapy ritual & 26 treatment rooms and an extensive fitness center. Huge breakfast buffet- Le Basilic Restaurant (AAA 5 Diamond)- 602 suites, all ocean view- lagoon-style pool featuring waterfalls & stone bridges. Across the street from the Convention Center.
Ritz-Carlton Cancun- 5 Diamond AAA- The only Ritz-Carlton property in Mexico featuring a 5-story atrium with stained glass domes. 365 rooms with special club level amenities. Two pools and whirlpool as well as a Kid’s Camp Program.
JW Marriott Cancun- 5 Diamond AAA- Mayan-inspired three-story health spa and fitness center. Indoor and outdoor spa tubs- 448 room in the heart of the hotel zone. An indoor pool sheltered by a two-story pavilion as well as a lagoon-style scuba-diving pool.
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita- 5 Diamond AAA- set in a 14-acre property with 90 oceanfront suites. 22,000 square-foot Thalasso Spa with outdoor therapeutic, saltwater pool. 5,000 bottle wine cellar. One-hour catamaran sunset sail included.
Live Aqua Cancun- Voted best hotel in Mexico by Travel & Leisure Magazine 2012. 371 rooms- All-inclusive Adults only (over 18). Same ownership as Coral Beach. Unlimited domestic drinks by the glass. Aqua Club members have private check-in, concierge, breakfast & snacks. Across the street from the La Isla Shopping Mall.
Le Blanc Spa Resort- 5 Diamond AAA-Adults-only, all-inclusive. All-suite hotel. Three outdoor pools, including two infinity pools with swim-up bars. Five international restaurants.
Azul Sensatori- By Karisma- All-inclusive 438-suite hotel caters to kids and teenagers with oversized suites perfect for families. All suites feature in-room Jacuzzi. There are beachfront Gazebo massages.
Hyatt Regency- Located on Punta Cancun with sky-lit, dome-topped atrium and split-level pool with waterfalls and garden cabanas. The pool has sunbathing chairs in the water. 295 guest rooms and suites with private balconies.
Secrets The Vine- Opened August 2012- adults-only- all-inclusive. 495 guest rooms with balconies. Complimentary greens fees at Playa Mujeras Golf Club. 3,000 wines on list. 12,800 square foot Spa by Pevonia. Seven restaurants for dining. Top-shelf spirits included.
Paradisus Cancun- Located in front of Aquaworld Marina . 678-room all-inclusive suite hotel. Rebranded December 1, 2012. Nine-hole par 3 golf course and lighted tennis court. Beach volleyball, 5-acres of swimming pools, water polo, paddle tennis and two lighted tennis courts.
Ten Best Restaurants:
Le Basilic (Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach)- 5 Diamond AAA- Romantic setting with piano player and original artwork on the walls. French haute cuisine with impeccable service. Lounge outside is perfect for a nightcap and live entertainment.
Le Chique (Azul Sensatori)- Adult’s only restaurant as well as lounge areas which are perfect for enjoying cocktails and nightly entertainment. Eight courses that can be paired with wines. The hotel is an all-inclusive and there is a $25 per person surcharge to dine here.
Tempo (Paradisus Cancun)- Michelin Chef Martin Berasategui opened March 2013. Try the mussels poached in wine and fresh ravioli stuffed with lobster. Open wine cellar available for private dining.
Fantino (Ritz Carlton)- 5 Diamond AAA- Try the chef’s tasting menu paired with wine. Or, the watermelon & goat cheese salsa, pear salad and the porchini crusted filet mignon. Elegant attire suggested.
The Club Grill (Ritz Carlton)- 5 Diamond AAA- Seafood, steak and game dishes, along with local Yucatan and Caribbean favorites. Try the roasted duck. Live jazz music in the adjoining lounge.
La Habichuela Sunset- Sister restaurant to the original downtown version. Maya-themed décor and overseen by Armando Pezzotti Junior. Outside dining overlooking the water and sunset. Try seafood ceviche, chilled avocado soup or whole steamed fish.
Labna- Nearby La Habichuela Downtown (same owners)- Authentic Yucatan cuisine “comidas yucateca”. Try the lime soup, pork & chicken pibil and the grouper molinera. Luncheon buffet.
Harry’s Prime Steakhouse & Raw Bar- USDA Prime dry-aged beef and chops as well as Alaskan king crab and Thai tiger prawns. Ask for the cotton candy after your meal. Live music nightly.
Thai Lounge- Dining cabanas create a romantic ambience. Thai chefs and servers make for a sense of authenticity. Try Chicken satay, Pad Thai and shrimp and chicken curry.
Puerto Madero Steakhouse and Fish Marina- Leather placemats on wood tables and nautical artifacts on the walls. Choose ahi tuna, empanadas, Kobe beef and New Zealand lamb. If the weather is nice dine on the terrace.
Ten Best Attractions:
Cancun Underwater Museum- Snorkeling amongst 400 life-size sculptures off the coast of Isla Mujeres. Take a high-powered speedboat to and from the museum. Part of the Cancun National Marine Park.
Aquaworld- A dive center with scuba classes. One can swim with dolphins and during the summer season swim with whale sharks as they migrate to waters north of Cancun. Explore Punta Nizuc coral reef and marine life from the comfort of your own yellow submarine, the Sub See Explorer.
Cancun Maya Museum- Opened September 2012 with 350 artifacts including a 14,000-year-old skeleton. 55,000-square-foot area located in the Hotel Zone. Next to the San Miguelito Archeological area.
Crococun- Interactive conservation zoo located 19 miles from downtown Cancun. Learn about local flora and fauna. Feed spider monkeys; hold a baby crocodile; walk where crocodiles roam free.
Talum & Xel-ha- Located two hours from Cancun Tulum is a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city on the banks of the Caribbean. See the Mayan site The Castle, Temple of Masks, City Square & God Chaac. Ten minutes from Tulum is Xel-Ha Aquarium & aquatic theme park with its turquoise lagoons, marine life and tropical flora. The underground river flows into the Caribbean.
Isla Mujeres- Cruise on a trimaran (sailboat with 3 hulls) to Isla Mujeres, which is 4.6 miles long and half a mile at its widest point and sits in an imaginary line between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Great for snorkeling and swimming.
Coco Bongo- Nightlife central as Vegas meets Cancun. In the middle of the Hotel Zone with non-stop performances, dancers, gymnasts, movie clips and impersonators. It is not your typical nightclub. You have been warned.
Selvativa Canopy & Cenote Diving-- Thirty minutes south of the Hotel Zone with 12 zip lines that whisk you over the jungle. A cenote is a freshwater-filled limestone sinkhole filled with clear fresh water connected to an underlying cave system. You have to be Open Water certified to dive here but can swim and snorkel without any certification.
Chichen Itza- The ancient capital and most important archaeological zone of the Mayan Empire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site located 2 1/2 hours from Cancun. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Xcaret- Eco-archeological nature park with an aquarium, aviary, mushroom farm, orchid garden, butterfly pavilion and a replica of an authentic Mayan Village. There are zip lines and subterranean river swims. Try to stay for the spectacular night show.