Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade 2010

With a commitment to be in tune with the world’s ever-increasing social topics, Yucatán Holidays attended this years’ Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade promoting gay-friendly vacations and an open environment in the Riviera Maya and Cancun.

In its second year, the Gay Pride Parade drew about 30,000 people to Ocean Drive in Miami Beach for the festivities. In its historic inaugural year, organizers planned for approximately 5,000 attendees, but the PRIDE event drew more than 24,000 people last year, marking the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade the city’s largest one-day event.

Yucatán Holidays had a display table with information about Cancun tours and attractions, Riviera Maya resorts and hotels, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Several lucky winners took home their 5 day, 4 night free Cancun vacations and among them, a Riviera Maya all inclusive vacation to Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort was awarded.

As one of the top travel destinations in the world, Mexico was named in 2007 the Gay Destination of the Year by the PlanetOut Travel Awards, which recognizes gay-friendly tourist destinations from around the world.

This part of Mexico is working hard to accommodate the gay and lesbian travelers and become a more gay-friendly tourist destination.

Beautifully decorated by the best of Mexico’s beaches and its impressive Mayan Ruins, the lure of the Yucatan Peninsula and Riviera Maya is irresistible and a prime choice for that memorable gay-friendly vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yucatan Holidays Travel Writers’ Quest

The Travel Writers’ Quest has begun and we are eager to receive all you travel articles, stories and blog posts. We are looking for our next Yucatan Holidays Travel Writer and it can be you! Remember we are giving away 10 fabulous Cancun Vacations and you’ll only have to be our fan on Facebook to participate! Remember to invite your friends, because in the end, their votes (“Likes” in Facebook) will make you the winner! Good Luck!

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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

The Yucatan Peninsula: Beyond Cancun | Part Two

In part one of the Yucatan Peninsula: Beyond Cancun series, we introduced you to the magical appeal of colonial cities in Mexico and some of the wonders created by man. With this post, we would like to take you through a journey back in time to discover the beauty that can only be present in the untouched natural environments of the Yucatan Peninsula.

 

Holbox

A pristine paradise of white sand beaches untouched by industrial development, Isla Holbox is one of those rare secrets that no one wants to share. For years, Holbox was an off the beaten path favorite. Now, the 7-mile long island has entered the 21^st Century through tourism and its placement as THE top place in the world to swim with the ocean’s largest fish, the whale shark. The tiburon ballena gather just off the coast of Holbox each May through September, opening the doors to the tourism industry since the discovery of this gathering place 6 years ago. The main economic sustainability of the island is fishing, which can be seen and felt in the picturesque scenery of the island that time left behind. The only mode of transportation is rented golf-carts, bicycles and foot traffic through the sand-filled streets of Holbox. Without an ounce of asphalt in the whole island, this destination beyond Cancun is made for ultimate relaxation, amazing fresh fish, and nature gloating at its finest.

 

Mahahual (or Majahual)

Mexico’s newest upcoming tourist destination, Mahahual—like most beach towns in Mexico—used to be a small fishing village that is growing thanks to international and national tourism.  Mahahual, is the heart of the Costa Maya which runs from the Sian Ka’an to the town of Xcalak. About a 25-minute walk from the town there is a major cruise port in Costa Maya that draws thousands of visitors to this area of Mexico. Part of the appeal besides the beautiful beaches and luscious tropical Yucatan Peninsula jungles is the scuba and snorkel in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The second biggest barrier reef in the planet, 400 m away parallel, is the perfect spot to see a diverse collection of underwater life. But the real charm of Mahahual is found in the rugged vegetation and feel of its town and beach roads, a major magnet for travelers looking to get out of Cancun  to explore and discover.

 

Bacalar

The only town in the state of Quintana Roo to meet the qualifications of a Pueblo Magico (Magic Town) by the Secretariat of Tourism standards, Bacalar is the home of mystery, adventure, and bloody tales of pirate attacks all engulfed in the beautiful natural surroundings of the green, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula and the blue-turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Located in the southern part of the state, this small paradise nestled in the Yucatan Peninsula is home to the Bacalar Lagoon—also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors for its distinctive beauty—and the Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote)—rumored to be the largest. Scuba fanatics have adopted the cenote as a favorite spot because of its intricate passages and mysterious caverns. Part of the appeal, of course, is the rich history that surrounds this town, especially the battle scars left by pirates in their quest for treasures. The most attractive factor in Bacalar, however, continues to be the vivid colors in the natural environment and the ever-so-present hospitality and kindness of people in Mexico.

 

Punta Allen

With only 500 inhabitants, Punta Allen is truly a secluded, little paradise where the only things sitting on its beaches are the palm trees of the Caribbean and the few lucky people who have discovered this Yucatan Peninsula secret. The road to paradise is a sandy coconut road about 30 miles long through the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. The 2 ½ hour drive is aligned with the incredible beauty of Caribbean beaches, pristine mangroves, and serene quietness. Few people have the tolerance to endure the rutted road that leads to this haven, but the virgin beauty of these preserved beaches are a true testament of the gift nature can offer.

As a conscious, eco-friendly company, we would like to end this post with a special request for locals and visitors of the Yucatan Peninsula: to continue to care and respect the natural resources and ecosystems that make places such as Holbox, Mahahual, Bacalar, Punta Allen, and so many others the attractive and beautiful tourist destinations we all admire.

Yucatan Holidays Facebook Contest | The quest is about to begin

We have been looking for the perfect moment to show our gratefulness to our loyal followers in the different social media connections. We found that now was the right time and we decided to start with a Facebook contest. Although the details are a well-kept secret for now, I can say in advance that we are looking for 5 things:

A) Shout our Facebook Fans a noisy: THANK YOU!

B) Reach 2000 fans in our Facebook Fan Page (We are less than a hundred at this point)

C) Find the best TRAVEL WRITERS out there.

D) Give away 10 FREE* 5 days / 4 nights stay in Cancun.

E) Make sure more and more people around the World discover the natural beauties and rich history of the Riviera Maya, the Yucatan Peninsula and beyond.

So if you are not a fan already, join our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and stay tuned for the details that are coming very soon.

 

 

 

 

 

*Accommodation only. Taxes may apply

Two of the best Mexican Football players visit Cancun

Ramon Morales (AKA Ramoncito Morales) and Javier Hernandez (AKA El Chicharito) two of the best players in the Mexican Football League spent the weekend in Cancun and stayed at the Royal Sunset Hotel in the Hotel Zone, where they enjoyed the newly recovered beaches.

Ramoncito Morales is currently a free agent but played a long time in the Mexican Guadalajara F.C. as the captain. El Chicharito, only 21 years old, is considered today one of the best players in Mexico; playing with the Guadalajara F.C. and the Mexico National Football Team, he recently became the first Mexican player to sign a contract with the Manchester United F.C, one of the best football clubs in the world. 

If you want to visit Cancun, the Riviera Maya or any other destination in the Yucatan Peninsula like they did, just visit our website.

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.

Chichen Itza and the Spring Equinox | Yucatan Holidays

Visit Chichen Itza next March 21st to witness the magic of the Spring Equinox.

Seen in different indigenous cultures throughout Mesoamerica as a feathered snake, Kukulkan, will make its descend on the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula this March 21^st during the spring equinox at Chichen Itza.

Kukulkan–or Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec tradition–represents a mystical deity surrounded by a number of legends and stories. In the Yucatan Peninsula, Kukulkan ruled over Chichen Itza during the 10^th Century.

One of the many legends that surround the feathered snake is that of Quetzalcoatl of the Aztecs who arrived to the Yucatan Peninsula after he was exiled from the Toltec capitol of Tula. After promising the Aztecs to return, he arrived on a bed of snakes to rule the Mayans of the Gulf of Mexico.

Every year, thousands of people travel to Chichen Itza—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—to witness the symbolic descent of the deity. This incredible example of the Mayan’s architectural intelligence is created when the sunlight bathes the western part of the pyramid’s main stairway. Seven isosceles triangles are formed and compose the body of the 37 yard-long serpent that creeps downwards until it joins the serpent’s head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. Kukulkan—the feathered snake—descends twice a year during the spring and autumn equinox.

An equinox occurs when the sun, in its orbit around the earth, passes directly over the Earth’s equator making the length of daylight and evening hours equal. The word equinox is derived from the Latin word for equal “aequus” and “nox” meaning night. The fall equinox happens on September 22. The snake descends from around March 19^th to the 23^rd, but its effects are most dramatic on the actual day of the equinox.

The Mayan archeological zone, Chichen Itza (on April 3rd, Elton John will be performing live from there.) is composed of a number of Mayan ruins, the most prominent and famous being El Castillo or the grand pyramid.

Kukulkan’s pyramid was built for astronomical purposes. The staircase on all four sides is made of 91 steps on each side totaled with the last step on top equal the 365 days in a solar year. The event is the most dramatic display of Mayan astronomical knowledge encoded into architecture.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience only has a 72-year time window—from 1976 to 2048—so book your vacation with Yucatan Holidays to witness the spring equinox in Chichen Itza.

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.

Passport needed to travel to Mexico | Yucatan Holidays

Visitors from Canada and the U.S. will now be required to present a valid passport when entering Mexico as part of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Mexican immigration authorities say the new measure, which began March 1^st, is intended to unify documentation rules and travel procedures for all of North America.  Travelers within 20 kilometers of the border, those who remain in the country for less than 72 hours, and those aboard cruise ships will be exempt from the new rule.

Around 95 percent of Canadians and 100 percent of U.S. citizens already travel with their passport as both countries require their citizens to present proof of citizenship upon their return. Non-citizens will need the same documents their country requires as proof of residency such as a permanent resident card or a refugee card.

Visitors to southern parts of Mexico like the Riviera Maya and those remaining in the country for more than 72 hours will require a tourist card and will be granted one when they arrive to Mexico.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was initiated by the U.S. government in response to 9/11 and has included several measures that have been instituted since 2007.