{"id":52448,"date":"2014-09-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-09-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalresorts.com\/blog\/the-mexican-caribbean-the-most-interesting-tropical-vacation-destination-in-the-world\/"},"modified":"2021-11-16T05:57:47","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T05:57:47","slug":"the-mexican-caribbean-the-most-interesting-tropical-vacation-destination-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.royalresorts.com\/blog\/news\/the-mexican-caribbean-the-most-interesting-tropical-vacation-destination-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mexican Caribbean: the most interesting tropical vacation destination in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

Comprising Cancun, Puerto Morelos (a traditional fishing village), Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal (boutique resort communities) and Tulum (free spirit beach village), as well as the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Holbox, the Mexican Caribbean offers endless attractions for visitors, and even more wonders lie within easy driving distance. In the neighboring state of Yucatan visitors can explore the world-famous archaeological sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal and the 16th<\/sup>-century cities of Merida, Valladolid and Izamal, nature reserves, cenotes and haciendas. Further afield, natural treasures, ancient Mayan cities and timeless traditions await discovery in central and southern Quintana Roo.<\/p>\n

Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the Mexican Caribbean lured by its heavenly beaches but they soon find that it offers an unsurpassed array of attractions and that there really is something for everyone. Here\u2019s a quick guide to the amazing travel adventures available. Discover the possibilities.<\/p>\n

Amazing Once in a Lifetime Wildlife Experiences<\/strong>
\nSwimming with whale sharks (summer season)
\nSnorkeling with sailfish (spring season)
\nSnorkeling with sea turtles (all year round)
\nSwim with dolphins
\nSwim with nurse sharks
\nSwim with manatees
\nGolden ray migration
\nWatching sea turtles nest
\nCave of the Hanging Snakes in Kantemo (Maya Ka\u2019an)<\/p>\n

Mayan Majesty<\/strong>
\nChichen Itza, UNESCO World Heritage Site, also voted one of World\u2019s New Seven Wonders in a 2007 global online poll
\nTulum
\nCoba
\nEk Balam
\nUxmal, UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible evening light and sound show
\nKabah, Sayil, Xlapak & Labna, Mayan sites on the Puuc Route near Uxmal
\nDzibilchaltun
\nMuyil
\nChacchoben (central Quintana Roo)
\nKohunlich, Dzibanche and Oxtankah in southern Quintana Roo
\nCalakmul in southern Campeche, UNESCO World Heritage Site
\nEl Rey & El Meco in Cancun
\nCancun Maya Museum
\nSan Gervasio on Cozumel<\/p>\n

Incredible Nature<\/strong>
\nGreat bird watching year-round in the area\u2019s jungles, wetlands and reserves.
\nThe Yucatan Peninsula is also on one of the world\u2019s great bird migration routes and an estimated 150 million birds fly south from the US and Canada to escape the winter cold.
\nSian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
\nContoy island bird sanctuary
\nR\u00edo Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, home to thousands of flamingos
\nPunta Laguna community nature reserve near Cob\u00e1, a haven for spider and howler monkeys
\nPuerto Morelos Botanical Garden, second largest of its kind in Mexico
\nCelestun Biosphere Reserve (longer excursion)
\nCalakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (longer excursion)
\nBacalar Lagoon (known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors)
\nEcological tours through the mangroves
\nCrocodile watching
\nNight walks in the jungle
\nWildlife photography classes (occasional)<\/p>\n

Underwater world<\/strong>
\nDive or snorkel the world\u2019s second longest reef, the Mesoamerican Reef
\nWall dives in Cozumel
\nDrift diving in Cozumel
\nNight diving
\nDive trips to Banco Chinchorro (coral atoll accessible from Mahahual and Xcalak in southern Quintana Roo)
\nBOB (Breathing Observation Bubble) underwater tours
\nCancun Underwater Sculpture Museum
\nAtlantis Submarine in Cozumel
\nCancun Aquarium
\nXcaret Aquarium
\nUnderwater trek (Snuba)
\nCave and cenote diving
\nSnorkeling in cenotes
\nSwim or float along underground rivers
\nUnderwater photography classes
\nParks for the Whole Family<\/strong>
\nXcaret (Eco-archaeological Park)
\nXel-Ha Natural Aquarium
\nGarrafon Reef Eco Park (Zip lining over the Caribbean)
\nCrococun Park
\nAdventure Parks & Trips<\/strong>
\nXplor Park
\nXenotes, Oasis Maya (four different cenotes in one day)
\nJungle zip lining and canopy tours
\nHidden Worlds (Snorkeling, cenotes, zip lining, cave diving)
\nAktun Chen (nature park with cenotes, caves, zip lining)
\nJungle multi-sport safaris
\nIsland Hopping<\/strong>
\nIsla Mujeres
\nCozumel
\nContoy
\nHolbox
\n16th<\/sup>-century Colonial Cities<\/strong>
\nMerida
\nValladolid
\nIzamal
\nConvent Route
\nYucatan\u2019s Henequen Haciendas<\/strong>
\nLearn about the history of henequen cultivation in the Yucatan by visiting an old hacienda or estate. Used to make ropes and sacks, this native plant fuelled an economic boom in the late 19th<\/sup> century and was known as \u201cgreen gold.\u201d
\nHacienda Sotuta
\nHacienda Teya
\nHacienda Yaxcopoil and many more
\nMeeting the Maya<\/strong>
\nMaya Ka\u2019an \u2013 small group trips to Mayan communities in central Quintana Roo and Sian Ka\u2019an (including Tihosuco, Se\u00f1or, Chunhuhub and Noh-Bec)
\nPunta Laguna
\nMayan Temascal experience (traditional sweat lodge)
\nPueblo Maya in Xcaret
\nMomentos Sagrados Mayas, community theater showcasing Mayan traditions and village life in X\u2019ocen near Valladolid every Sunday at 4 p.m., January to March.
\nWater Sports<\/strong>
\nSailing
\nWindsurfing (lessons available)
\nKite surfing
\nPaddle boarding
\nFly boarding
\nWater skiing
\nJet surf
\nPaddle board yoga
\nWave runners\/Jet skis
\nSpeed boats
\nTiny speed boats through the mangroves
\nLuxury yacht\/catamaran cruises
\nKayaks
\nFishing<\/strong>
\nBig game\/Bill fishing
\nLarge pelagic tarpon fishing
\nFlats\/fly fishing
\nSurf fishing
\nSpear fishing
\nCatch & release dock fishing for children
\nSports & Activities<\/strong>
\nSpa relaxation
\nTennis
\n14 Golf Courses
\nHelicopter ride along the Mexican Caribbean coast
\nATV Jungle Tours
\nJeep Safaris
\nGo Karts
\nExotic luxury cars to drive such as Ferraris
\nSegway scooters
\nParasailing
\nUltralight flights
\nParachute jumps
\nHorseback riding
\nPolo
\nCamel riding on the beach
\nWatching baseball (Mexican League), basketball (Triple AAA level) and soccer (Mexican Second Division) in Cancun
\nSports events such as boxing, Mexican lucha libre, triathlons, marathons, cycling races
\nWinter quail and duck hunting in Yucatan
\nNightlife<\/strong>
\nDining, starting with Mexican cuisine which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
\nXoximilco Park (Mexican evening of great food, live Mexican music and a ride on a traditional trajinera or Mexican \u201cgondola\u201d)
\nXcaret Park\u2019s famous evening show
\nCoco Bongo, Latin America\u2019s hottest nightclub
\nPirate\u2019s Night Parties on a pirate ship
\nLobster dinner cruises on a Spanish galleon
\nSalsa classes
\nKaraoke evenings
\nRomantic dinners on the beach
\nBeach bars
\nLive music, Mexican and world music
\nCirque du Soleil (coming this November)
\nCancun Planetarium
\nConcerts by world-class musicians\u00a0\u00a0 (Occasionally)
\nShopping<\/strong>
\nDesigner brands
\nMexican Handicrafts
\nLocal art
\nMexican Traditions<\/strong>
\nMexican cooking schools in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Merida and Valladolid
\nLearning Spanish
\nLearning Maya
\nCharrer\u00eda, traditional Mexican rodeo events
\nBullfights
\nEvents during the Year<\/strong>
\nMany events during the year attract visitors or make a vacation even more enjoyable.
\nMerida Festival, January (month-long cultural festival starting on January 6, anniversary of the founding of the city)
\nDia de Reyes, Mexican Tradition, January 6
\nMomentos Sagrados Mayas, community theater showcasing Mayan traditions and village life in X\u2019ocen near Valladolid every Sunday at 4 p.m., January to March
\nMexican Caribbean bill fishing season begins, March
\nCancun & Riviera Maya Food & Wine Festival, March
\nSpring Equinox at Chichen Itza, March 21
\nMexican Caribbean fishing tournaments, April \u2013 August in different locations
\nIsla Mujeres Regatta (late April)
\nCopa del Rey Polo Tournament, El Rey Polo Club, Puerto Morelos (late April-May)
\nMexican Independence, September 15
\nMerida Autumn Cultural Festival, September – October
\nDay of the Dead, Mexican tradition, World Heritage, November 1 & 2. Day of the Dead is called Hanal Pixan in the Yucatan Peninsula.
\nXcaret Festival of Life & Death, Oct 31, Nov 1 & 2
\nOHL Classic PGA Golf Tournament at Mayakoba, November
\nRiviera Maya Jazz Festival (late November, Playa del Carmen)
\nFurther Afield<\/strong>
\nTrips to destinations in the Maya World
\nSeeing more of Mexico \u2013 flights to Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Palenque and Leon, jumping off point for Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende.
\nDeparture point for Cuba
\nVoluntourism<\/strong>
\nConservation projects
\nSea turtle conservation
\nReef health monitoring
\nJaguar census
\nBird counts
\nFlamingo ringing
\nCommunity projects
\nTeaching English
\nAsk at the tour desk in your resort for more information. See unikgo.com for videos of many lesser known attractions in the Mexican Caribbean and Yucatan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Comprising Cancun, Puerto Morelos (a traditional fishing village), Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal (boutique resort communities) and Tulum (free spirit beach village), as well as the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Holbox, the Mexican Caribbean offers endless attractions for visitors, and even more wonders lie within easy driving distance. In the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\r\nThe Mexican Caribbean: the most interesting tropical vacation destination in the world - Blog<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.royalresorts.com\/blog\/news\/the-mexican-caribbean-the-most-interesting-tropical-vacation-destination-in-the-world\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Mexican Caribbean: the most interesting tropical vacation destination in the world - Blog\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Comprising Cancun, Puerto Morelos (a traditional fishing village), Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal (boutique resort communities) and Tulum (free spirit beach village), as well as the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Holbox, the Mexican Caribbean offers endless attractions for visitors, and even more wonders lie within easy driving distance. 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