Riviera Maya Jazz Festival 2010 | Summer Edition

On May 29th at the Mamita’s Beach Club in Playa del Carmen, R&B singer-songwriter Phil Perry, platinum-recording artist Brian McKnight and the renowned Mexican jazz singer Caro Montes performed live on a stage located just by the sea shore.  Hundreds of attendees, locals and tourists, gathered for an unforgettable evening of jazz and R&B music in the Riviera Maya Jazz Summer Festival.  The 4-day festival is scheduled for November 25-28 this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pack a Bag, Change a Life

Pack a Bag, Change a Life, is what Stuff Your Rucksack would like you to do and so would we. This online community of UK travelers, writers and journalists are interested in promoting the idea of giving back at the grassroots level in all travel destinations. They have inspired us to do the same.
The majority of you reading this have already been to this region or you are planning a trip to Cancun or the Mexican Riviera Maya. Upon first sight, there appears to be no need for charity. However, looks can be deceiving. While in Cancun, step outside the hotel zone and you will find a fully functioning city. Venture a few blocks from the infamous 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen and you will find yourself in the real Mexico; a country ever emerging into development.
Originating in the early seventies, this popular and visually-stunning region has been in constant growth. Although it is loved by all and is utilized primarily for vacation, this area is like all others throughout the world. There are communities, schools, businesses and governments. There are rich, there are poor, young, old, sick and healthy. There is and always will be need for charity.

Here are some ways you can give back:

1. Kanché is a foundation that promotes alternative tourism and sustainable development throughout the Yucatan peninsula. Just north of Cancun, Kanché offers educational tours and actively re-evaluates natural and cultural resources for the betterment of local communities. To learn more about this foundation or offer to help, visit Kanché at www.kanche.org.

2. Centro Ecological Akumal or CEA is located in Akumal, a small beach community located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. CEA promotes scientific research, environmental education and social outreach. Their goal is to serve as a model for sustainable tourism. CEA can be found at www.ceakumal.org. 

3. Angle Notions in Playa del Carmen is dedicated to raising funds to provide education, medical aid and serve the less fortunate of the surrounding community. This organization is always looking for donations or volunteers. If you are a translator, social worker, MD or nurse that would like to volunteer, more information can be found at www.anglenotion.org.

So, on your next trip to the sunny white sand beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, stuff your rucksacks, put on your backpacks and help us give back to a community and the environment that has already given us so much.

About the Author

Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her.

Finding Love in Mexico

by Stacey Marcus

72 hours later and there I was in Mexico, alone and not knowing which direction to go, where I would sleep that night, or how I would get to this unknown magical place. The trip had come about very spontaneously; to be exact it was a last minute  cheap fare that was irresistible. Hopefully traveling in a foreign country, by myself, with the warmth of the sun, the beautiful beaches and a friendly welcoming by the locals would do the trick of forgetting my woes and gaining a new perspective on life. The woes of nursing a broken heart – a failed relationship of course, and the recent loss of a job would hopefully be a thing of the past.

I found a wonderful room to rent for the week and was amazed that my time and worries flew by as I was enveloped by a rich culture, a beautiful language, friendly locals, amazing beaches, spicy food and of course some margaritas. On my last day in my new found home I was cruising around the local craft market soaking everything in when I was invited by an unknown fellow American to join him and his friend for a drink. I through caution to the wind and accepted the invite. Over the course of the night, and a few bonus days (I missed my flight), I fell in love with this invitees’ friend. Over the past year and a half my new love and I have been brainstorming about merging our lives together, back to the place that brought us together, Mexico. We have our sights set on the West coast of the Yucatan. Tulum! Playa! Cancun! We want to spend more time in this area and find our new home! You can visit us when we do….

 

About the Author

Stacey Marcus is an avid tele-skier, mountain biker and hula-hooper living in Boulder Colorado. She is currently looking for work opportunities and a new home in Mexico with her novio y perra.

Dreams Come True in Yucatan

by Paola Sofia Moreno

Why pick Yucatan for your next vacation trip?
I’ll tell you why…
Yucatan has everything for any kind of traveler.
Let me put it this way…… Your dreams come true in Yucatan.
From the simplest backpacker get-away trip to the most luxurious livable experience, unique for the endless adventurer and enchanting for the most demanding taste; Yucatan is for all and for everyone that craves for that unique escape that will stay in your mind and your heart for ever.

Whether you are looking for colonial architecture, walking down the most beautiful street in Merida City (Paseo Montejo) or visiting Valladolid City and getting transported to that colonial time, you will be able to taste a piece of Mexico’s history, or even way back in time, because you are more attracted to one of the most advanced pre-Hispanic cultures, the Maya and their majestic architecture which will astound with its ruins from the coast in Tulum, through all the Yucatan Peninsula, with endless archeological sites to be visited. Guided by experts, you will walk through the time and era of the Mayas.

Perhaps you are looking for a culinary experience? Picture unimaginable exquisite flavors, unique in ethnicity and preparation, from a little palapa in the beach to the most sophisticated restaurant, the variety is out there.
But maybe you are just awed by the most amazing nightlife and endless fun and party with live shows, exclusive night clubs and wide variety of contemporary music in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Or maybe, just maybe, you are just like me, and just can’t get enough of Yucatan: from its white sand beaches to the natural reserves such as Sian Ka’an, from the mystical cenotes (sinkholes) like Dzitnup and underground caves (Balankanche), Yucatan is all of this and much more for you and I to discover.

 

About the Author

Paola Sofia Moreno Ordorica AKA Sofia Quast is a 32 year old Mexican Biologist is passionate about outdoors and travelling around the world. She enjoys good food, good wine and good company and loves long walks with her husband.

Hidden Treasure in the Riviera Maya: Paamul

by Susie Albin-Najera

Located on pristine Mexican coastline, the exotic Riviera Maya is a true paradise with its vibrant turquoise waters and white, sandy beaches lined by picture-perfect palm trees. Gentle warm breezes and soft melodic sounds from the natural environment channel positive energy to your senses. In the Riviera Maya, one can experience ancient Mayan cultures blended with modern amenities complemented by nature parks, award-winning gourmet cuisine, eco-friendly surroundings, water activities, abundant sea life and wildlife and beaches with views like no other in the world.

Forty-five minutes south of Cancun International Airport, just past the beautiful beach town of Playa Del Carmen sits a quaint, cove-shaped town known as Paamul. The area is nestled in between Xcaret and Puerto Aventuras and offers scuba diving, snorkeling through Scuba-Mex Dive Shop, a restaurant, accommodations and a pool available to residents, locals and visitors. Paamul is perched on a white sandy beach, amid tropical lush surroundings with an uninterrupted view of Caribbean turquoise waters. The location is secure, serene and quiet, and the only real sounds you’ll hear are the sounds of laughter coming from the scuba diving boats arriving back to shore from a day out under the sea. And as Paamul is so picturesque, many commercials have been filmed in this location.

Just south of Paamul, visitors can experience the Dolphin Excursion in the gated area of Puerto Aventuras or travel further south to the ancient Mayan archeological ruins of Tulum. This breathtaking monument is one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan sites and a must for any visitor to the Yucatan Peninsula, set on the cliffs of the magnificent blue waters.

There are dozens of excursions, tours, exhibits and activities for you, your friends, colleagues and your families to experience in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Riviera Maya.

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About the Author:

Susie Albin-Najera is a freelance writer and editor for several travel, leisure and lifestyle magazines focusing on Mexico. She is also a public relations and marketing professional and editor of The MEXICO Report.

Some Ideas to Travel Green | Earth Day 2010

From turquoise blue oceans to exuberant vegetation, Mother Earth has given us striking, beautiful places to visit, one being Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Unfortunately, as travelers our visits tend to strike the environment in a negative way.

Responsible, sustainable tourism is necessary if we wish to preserve the sustainability of the environment and the beauty of the colorful coral reefs of the Caribbean, the white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya, and the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are certain actions we can take as responsible visitors to compensate for the damage we have caused and prevent further deterioration of our ecosystems.

Making these small gestures will help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats, while still ensuring an exceptional vacation as we enjoy the natural wonders of the Riviera Maya.

Before you leave for your Riviera Maya or Cancun vacation, make your home eco-friendly to help save the environment and help you save money.

*Turn your water heater to the lowest setting.

*Adjust air-conditioner or heater thermostat to the lowest level.

*Turn water off from the outside connection.

*Unplug appliances and switch off surge protectors.

*Discontinue your newspaper delivery during your vacation.

Environmentally conscious hotels and resorts with “green” policies such as Hacienda Tres Ríos in the Riviera Maya are contributing to a more responsible, sustainable tourism industry. When arriving to your resort, make these small gestures and you’ll l help decrease the impact we have on natural habitats:

*Request your room towels and sheets not to be changed everyday.

*Turn off AC, heater, lights, and TV when you are not in the room.

*Take shorter showers and shut-off the water while you apply soap and shampoo.

*Open shades for natural light, but shut them when you’re out to maintain the room temperature.

*Use biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

*Do not feed or disturb fish, animals, plants, and other living creatures.

*Do not buy souvenirs made out of animal or plant parts.

*Do not litter and use recycle bins when available.

*Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions to counterbalance the emission from your vacation, otherwise known as carbon offsetting.

Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, one of Yucatan Holidays world-class resorts, developed a set of Best Environmental Guidelines as a foundation for its planning, construction, and operation. The Green Team—composed of engineers, architects, and scientists—is in charge of following the Tres Ríos’ mission for sustainable luxury tourism in Mexico; this means ensuring the conservation of the area’s jungles, mangroves, and dunes without sacrificing luxury and comfort.

Visit the Yucatan Holidays website and discover how the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort offers you a real green travel experience for this Earth Day 2010

Riviera Maya Jazz Summer Fest 2010

WHAT: Beachside concert with internationally-renowned artists hosted by the acclaimed Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
WHEN: Saturday evening, May 29, 2010.
WHERE: Mamitas Beach Club—a Playa del Carmen’s popular spot just steps from the Caribbean Ocean.
WHO: R&B singer-songwriter Phil Perry, platinum-recording artist Brian McKnight, renowned Mexican jazz singer Caro Montes, and YOU!

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Phil Perry and Brian McKnight will headline a free beachside concert this May hosted by the Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday evening, May 29 at Mamitas Beach Club in Playa del Carmen.

Organized as a precursor to the November Jazz Festival, organizers hope the summer concert will enhance the tourists’ experience in the Riviera Maya.

“Music is an integral part of a vacation experience; there’s nothing like sitting on a beach listening to great music under the stars,” states Javier Aranda, general director of the Rivera Maya Destination Marketing Office.

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival drew 50,000 visitors to the popular Mexican tourist destination last year with jazz artists Herbie Hancock, Spyro Gyra, Al Jarreau, Sergio Mendes, and many local jazz musicians. In its eighth season this year, the 4-day festival is scheduled for November 25-28.

Come experience the rhythm of jazz in the beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya with Yucatan Holidays.

A quick guide to Playa del Carmen | Yucatan Holidays

The always busy Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation spot for visitors looking for a relaxing and trendy atmosphere.

LOCATION: Playa del Carmen is about an hour south of Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

ABOUT: The name “Playa del Carmen” was given by the Spaniards in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of Cancun. The Mayan name of Playa is Xaman Ha, which means “waters of the north.” Most locals just call it “Playa.” It has a population of about 100,383 and it has become one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico.

TOURISM & TRADITION: It wasn’t until the late 1990s that Playa Del Carmen began to place itself among the ranks of Cancun and Cozumel as an important tourist destination. There are more than 70 hotels, small cabins, and luxury resorts throughout Playa. The city has an ordinance stating no building can exceed the 3-floors-limit, ensuring Playa conserves the sleepy fishing village and small town atmosphere that differs from Cancun’s busy lifestyle.

ARRIVING: There are two ways to arrive to Playa del Carmen: Cozumel International Airport and Cancun International Airport. In Cozumel, the ferry to Playa leaves every hour and will arrive to Playa in about 30 minutes. From Cancun, visitors have several different options to travel to Playa—taxis, colectivos—or communal vans, or charter buses. It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to get to Playa.

HOTEL ZONE: The tourist zone is considered 5^th Avenue—La Quinta Avenida or La Quinta. The white sand beaches and blue, turquoise oceans of the Caribbean are just 500 meters from 5^th Avenue. This cobbled stone pedestrian walkway is lined with shops, art, crafts, cafes, restaurants, and bars that fulfill a call for a diverse and international atmosphere.

TRANSPORTATION: Playa del Carmen is ideally built to walk just about anywhere with interesting, beautiful, or unique sight-seeing opportunities from your point of departure to your destination. Playa also offers all the comforts of a mayor city with taxis, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles to move around the city. For excursions to the archeological sites, Cozumel, Cancun, and other attractions, visitors and locals travel in colectivos, car rentals, ferries, and buses.

ATTRACTIONS: Shops, restaurants, and beaches are Playa’s most attractive attributes. This once-small fishing village offers the delights of a small town and pristine beaches with modern, cosmopolitan shops and restaurants. Located in the middle of the Riviera Maya, Playa is also close to the Mayan ruins of the region such as Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. It is also a ferry away from Cozumel and 45 minutes away from Cancun.

LANGUAGE: The official language in Mexico is Spanish. Most of the people who work in tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula speak English. Playa del Carmen is visited mostly by Europeans while Cancun draws more visitors from the United States.

MONEY: The Mexican Peso is the official currency in Playa del Carmen. Exchange rates can vary, but has been steady at 13 USD. Some stores and restaurants accept US dollars, but offer a lower exchange rate. Exchange houses, banks, and even some hotels will offer the best exchange rates.

CLIMATE: With a sub-tropical climate, Playa del Carmen is almost always warm. The average temperature year round is about 27 C or 80F. This tropical climate offers great beach days and warm oceans. There is more rain during September and October and temperatures drops slightly during the winter months.

A quick guide to Cancun | Yucatan Holidays

LOCATION: Cancun is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. Its name means “Nest of Serpents” in Mayan. It is the entrance to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

NUMBERS: There are about 150 hotels, 24,000 hotel rooms, 380 restaurants, 120 attractions, 14 miles of white sand beaches, and 600,000 inhabitants in Cancun.

ARRIVING: The Cancun International Airport is the busiest airport of the Caribbean with 12 million passengers per year. In high season, the airport receives up to 800,000 passengers per month from all mayor airlines in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A valid passport is required to enter Mexico.

HOTEL ZONE: Most beachfront hotels in Cancun are located in the narrow 7-shaped island called Boulevard Kukulcan better known as the hotel zone. The trendiest, most popular discos, finest international restaurants, and largest entertainment venues are located along the 21 kilometers of hotel zone strip.

DOWNTOWN: Downtown Cancun, or “El Centro,” is connected to the hotel zone by two major bridges. The city’s main streets and avenues are named after Mayan cities. Additional restaurants, hotels and hostels, shopping centers, and supermarkets are located in downtown Cancun.

TRANSPORATION: There are four buses that connect the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. R1 will travel down Tulum Ave. R2 and R15 will go to Wal-Mart and Market 28, a mayor flea market in downtown. R27 will go to Plaza Las Americas, one of the major shopping centers in downtown Cancun. Cancun buses are frequent, safe, and clean. The rate per person is $7.50 Mexican pesos. Taxis are also available in the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. For day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum, and surrounding cities, charter buses depart from the ADO bus station in downtown Cancun, but many tour packages will provide everything you need for your trip, including transportation. Take a look at our How to move around Cancun post.

ATTRACTIONS: Mayan ruins, Caribbean beaches, and Cancun nightlife are just a few of the things to do in Cancun. Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba are the most visited and famous Mayan ruins nearby. Other activities to enjoy are swimming with dolphins and whale sharks, exploring luscious Yucatan jungles, horseback riding, and snorkeling among other attractions.

CRIME: Tourist areas are generally safe all day and late at night. General precautions should be taken. For emergencies, 060 is the equivalent to  the 911 emergency services in the United States.

LANGUAGE: The official language in Mexico is Spanish, although the majority of people who work in tourism speak English.

MONEY: The official currency is the Mexican Peso. Exchange houses or “casas de cambio” are located all throughout Cancun. Most banks, located on Tulum Ave. in downtown Cancun, will exchange dollars into pesos.

CLIMATE: The climate is tropical, hot and humid all year round. The annual average temperature is 26 C (79 F). There are over 3,000 sunshine hours a year, making it one of the sunniest places in the Caribbean. The hurricane season is from June to November. The state of Quintana Roo is recognized worldwide for its leadership in hurricane emergency assistance.

Chichen Itza to Bacalar in 10 pictures|Yucatan Holidays

“An image is worth a thousand words” and that’s why we collected 10 of the most beautiful pictures from around the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya area to give you an idea of what you can enjoy: Chichen Itza, Holbox, Cancun, Nichupté Lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Bacalar. Some are ours, some are from other passionate travelers, but all are worth seeing and sharing. 

The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza – the Mayan culture at its best 

Holbox in the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula: peaceful and unspoiled.

Cancun, an aerial view of the all-time travelers paradise in the Mexican Caribbean.

Colorful sunset at the busy Hotel Zone in Cancun.

Besides the amazing beaches, the Nichupté Lagoon in Cancun is worth visiting.

Isla Mujeres, few kms from Cancun is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Playa del Carmen, with beautiful landscapes and an exquisite relaxed atmosphere.

A magical sunrise at Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in the Riviera Maya. Breathtaking

Tulum, the magic of the Mayan ruins and the beauty of the Caribbean Sea

The Bacalar Lagoon, the “Lagoon of the 7 Colors” is amazingly romantic. 

Do you need any more reasons to come down here? Take a look at our brand new beaches in Cancun:

Recovered Beaches in Cancun

Visit our  Yucatan Holidays website and start planning the vacation of a lifetime in Mexico.