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Published: September 30th 2008
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Quintana Roo
~ the Mayan Riviera
We visited various places in the state of Quintana Roo in June and December of 2005, January and April of 2006, January of 2007, and again June of 2008.
Many people who have been to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo went to and stayed in the tourist area of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera.
I suppose this is to be expected since the area was developed by the Mexican government as a tourist destination.
The name Mayan Riviera is actually accurate.
The area was home primarily to people of Mayan descent.
Before the 1970s there were no paved roads, no all-inclusive resorts, no theme parks, no golf courses, and no tour busses to Chichen Itza to climb up the pyramid.
It was not even until 1932 that the last battle of the Caste War was fought between the Maya and the Mexican military in what is now Quintana Roo.
Certainly much has changed since the 1930s and the 1970s.
Cancun and much of the
Mayan Riviera to the south is filled with all-inclusive resorts that have taken over the beach.
Because of this the beach is nearly inaccessible in Cancun, unless of course you are staying at one of the all-inclusives.
Actually the one time we stayed in Cancun (for two nights and not in an all-inclusive) we spent the first afternoon determining how to leave and the following day we left on a ferry for Isla Mujeres.
Of course all people have their own ideas of vacation, some are tourists and others are travelers.
We are travelers.
The Mayan Riviera is, without a doubt, a beautiful area.
We too, enjoy a day on the beach and Cancun does provide some nice deals on airfare and car rental prices.
Even still, when we fly through Cancun, we rent a car and leave.
Our last day though, we like to spend in Playa del Carmen.
It is less hectic than Cancun and the beaches are easily accessible.
The closest we get to staying at an all-inclusive is at Las Palapas.
Located on the
Our Cabaña
Las Palapas beach in Playa del Carmen, Las Palapas is a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.
Rooms at Las Palapas are cabanas, most with thatched roofs and all with hamacas, either in the garden or on the beach.
Las Palapas features a look-out tower, gardens, dining, drinks, a pool, beach palapas, a library, parking, a gift shop, wellness center and computers with internet in the lobby area.
They also have a sister property, Eco Paraiso, on the opposite coast of the peninsula just north of Celestun. We have stayed there as well.
Both are absolutely beautiful!
Playa del Carmen has a combined Mexican-American-European character.
There are many shops and restaurants.
One of my favorite place to eat is at the south end of Fifth Avenue, here there is usually a food cart where you can buy freshly made tortas, tacos and tamales.
Get your food and go sit on a bench in the park or on the beach; very cheap and very good.
At the nearby pier you can ferry over to Cozumel. The ferry ride can be described as either a little rough or
Azulik
hot tub on deck; overlooking the Caribbean a lot of fun; usually there is one person with their face in a bag, sick from the ride.
For our ten-year anniversary we stayed for one night south of Tulum at Azulik.
The price for a night is quite spendy, but this place is truly gorgeous!
Like Las Palapas the rooms at Azulik are cabanas, only here they are available perched on a cliff overlooking the beach with private decks.
Inside the cabanas the beds are hanging from the ceiling and there is a bathtub made from carved out trees.
Outside on the deck, overlooking the beach is a hot tub, well of sorts, it is a tub and the water comes out warm.
Much more time than a day at the beach and we become bored.
When we travel we like to step off the beaten path and opt instead for the road less traveled.
We have driven through most of the state of Quintana Roo.
Once beyond the resort area, it is entirely different; more like the Yucatan.
We went through the town of Felipe
Bacalar Lagoon
Lagoon of Seven Colors Carrillo Puerto, named after the socialist governor of Yucatan who ended his term when he was assassinated.
There is a Caste War museum in Felipe Carrillo Puerto but we were here New Years Day so it, and most everything else, was closed.
Instead we headed south to Bacalar.
Bacalar is a town on a lagoon of the same name; another beautiful area.
Because of the mixing of different sediments and fresh and salt waters, the lagoon has seven different colors.
In Bacalar there is a Spanish fort; the only one on this side of the peninsula.
The Fort of San Felipe was built during the 1700s to guard the area.
It was used to protect from pirates, as well as during the fight over Belize and again during the Caste War.
Also in Quintana Roo is the Mayan site of Coba.
Coba is located about half way between Valladolid and Tulum.
Coba was built between 600 and 900 CE.
This site, unlike others on the Yucatan peninsula, is situated in proximity to nearby lakes.
From the top of a
pyramid at Coba one can oversee the lakes.
Coba has a more remote and rustic feel.
The remains, or structures, at Coba were not restored.
However the grounds surrounding the ruins have been cleared for accessibility.
If you are not in the mood to walk when visiting Coba, “Mayan limousines” are available for hire; actually three-wheeled bicycles with a bench seat in the front.
Another Mayan ruin site in Quintana Roo is Tulum.
This site is located on the coast and overlooks the Caribbean.
Tulum is one of the few walled Mayan cities.
The word tulum in the Yucatec Maya language means wall.
Tulum was occupied as early as the 500s CE and as late as the 1500s when Spaniards first arrived to the peninsula.
Tulum is another site that receives an abundance of daily visitors because it is easily and quickly reached from the Cancun and other Mayan Riviera resorts.
The state of Quintana Roo, more popularly known as the Mayan
Ceiba Tree
Quintana Roo Riviera is without a doubt a beautiful place to visit.
There are stretches of endless beaches, Mayan ruins, remote areas, culture and history, and of course numerous all-inclusive resorts with pre-arranged tours, activities and excursions if one so desires.
Whether you are a tourist who wants to be pampered or a traveler who wants to be immersed in culture and history, Quintana Roo and the Mayan Riviera will leave you feeling fulfilled while also wanting to return for more.
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Thelmy Terrats
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Felicidades leila
Hola Leila soy Thelmy de Suites del Sol en Merida, Yuc. Nos gusto mucho tu sitio de internet y esperamos verte pronto