Travelcomm - Mayan Riviera


	Sunset Fishermen Resort

Located in the heart of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve about an hour's drive from Cancun, the Mayan Riviera includes a large portion of the Great Mayan Jungle, which holds millennia-old cenotes (sinkholes) and the ancient Mayan cities of Coba and Tulum. The area offers more than a dozen archaeological sites, reserves and ecological parks, plus a blossoming infrastructure of hotels, from five-star resorts to rustic beach bungalows.

The small town of Playa del Carmen is the center of the Mayan Riviera... once a small sleepy fishing village, it has developed into a lively and charming town offering much to do for its guests. Playa, as it is now affectionately known, is the perfect base from which to explore the fascinating sites along the Cancun -Tulum Corridor of Quintana Roo ( now called Mayan Riviera ). Playa del Carmen is blessed with miles of unspoiled white sandy beaches and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. It's a place for those in search of the real Caribbean. Experience Playa del Carmen and the endless adventures it has to offer.

A 1961 visit by Jacques Cousteau first brought attention to Cozumel's spectacular diving and its incredible water clarity. Its fringing reef system is fed by warm, fast-moving Yucatán currents (a part of the Gulf Stream) as they sweep through the deep channel on the west side of the island. These currents bring a constant wash of plankton and other nutrients that support thousands of exotic fish. Immense rays and jewfish populate the spectacular drop-offs and wrecks on the outer reefs; sea turtles nest along the beaches from May to September. And, visibility remains a constant 100 to 150 ft year-round. While in Cozumel you should also visit the Chankanaab National Park. South of town, it may have some crowds but is a great place to snorkel, sun and see a botanical garden.

Tulum is the largest Maya construction built on the coast. Today it is Mexico's most visited pre-Hispanic site. Tulum was a very iimportant center of commerce and a place of pilgrimage in the past. This royal city, perched on limestone cliffs, is worth a visit because of the magnificent view and the charm of its buildings. Only 131 km (78 miles) south of Cancun, the walled city of Tulum was the first Mayan community reportedly sighted by the Spanish in the 16th century. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, it is Quintana Roo's most famous and well - restored site.