Vacations MAX Blog

Although there are many areas in Riviera Maya to shop, the beach community of Playa del Carmen is probably the largest single concentration of boutiques, shops, stores, restaurants, nightclubs and other vendors. Homesick visitors will take comfort in knowing there’s a McDonald’s and a Johnny Rockets in Playa, but to tell the truth, I didn’t see many Americans in either place. The majority of diners at both restaurants sounded European.
Playa’s main drag is called 5th Avenue, and unless you’re a marathon shopper, you won’t be able to see it all in one visit. It seemed to me that many people came for an early supper and then spent the rest of the evening strolling up and down the streets. After a while, I started to recognize some of them, and each time they were carrying another bag! Surprisingly, many merchants along 5th Avenue maintained fixed prices in their stores. The […]

Original post by blog@funjet.com (Funjet Vacations) and software by Elliott Back

For people who love to browse in markets and boutiques, Riviera Maya offers an endless array of places to do just that. When you need to get out of the sun for a few hours, you’ll find a number of opportunities to go shopping.
As you leave the archaeological park of Tulum, there’s a fun little enclave of merchants who operate an open-air arts and crafts market right along the road that leads in and out of the historic district. Some of the goods are unique to the area while others can be purchased at a number of places. Wood carvings, native jewelry, serapes and blankets are in abundance. As in all other areas of Mexico, prices fluctuate from item to item, and you may find one thing is cheaper here while another is more expensive. Let the bargaining begin!

Original post by blog@funjet.com (Funjet Vacations) and software by Elliott Back

In addition to its allure as a vacation destination, Riviera Maya is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for weddings and romantic vacations. In a recent survey, 57,000 travel agents nationwide were asked to rank the other most popular destinations for weddings and romantic getaways. Not surprisingly, Cancun topped the responses, along with Las Vegas, the Caribbean and Hawaii.
Although just a short distance from the nightclubs and nonstop fun of Cancun and Cozumel, brides-to-be are attracted to Riviera Maya because of the solitude and tranquility. “There are 80 miles of unspoiled white sand beaches,” says Tammy Lee, Vice President of Marketing for the Mark Travel Group, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based firm that books destination wedding packages for thousands of brides and grooms each year. “After you’re done partying in Cancun, Riviera Maya offers peace and quiet.”
Many Mexico resorts have full-time wedding planners on staff to handle all the […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

One of the nicest things about Mexico is the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that is permanently embedded in the local landscape. In the United States we’re always on the go, always multi-tasking, because, hell, time is money. We make appointments to meet people at an exact time, in a certain place and always with some kind of expectation of achieving a goal or outcome. In the vacation destinations of Mexico, that kind of pressure just doesn’t exist.

Here’s an example: The hotel concierge has you set up to be on the 9:00 a.m. ferry to Cozumel in the morning. She’s told you to be in the lobby at 8:00 to meet your taxi or bus driver for the ride to the docks at Playa del Carmen. Like any good American, you show up 10 or 15 minutes early, because that’s what we do. So where’s the driver? Shouldn’t he be here […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Affordable US Beach Vacations - Special Tips for over 50, Retired, and Senior Travelers. “Cheap” Vacation Condo Rentals, Travel Bargains, and Attraction Discount Tips.

Original post by US Beach Vacations Blog (mini)- RSS - Affordable US Vacation Beaches NEW Info and Tips - Eastern Florida - Coastal Oregon - Virginia Beach and software by Elliott Back

Affordable US Beach Vacations - Special Tips for over 50, Retired, and Senior Travelers. “Cheap” Vacation Condo Rentals, Travel Bargains, and Attraction Discount Tips.

Original post by US Beach Vacations Blog (mini)- RSS - Affordable US Vacation Beaches NEW Info and Tips - Eastern Florida - Coastal Oregon - Virginia Beach and software by Elliott Back

The private beach complex at Maroma provides visitors with a morning or afternoon of fun and relaxation. This secluded beach area is right in the heart of Riviera Maya and easily accessed from all of the hotels. In addition to being a fabulous place to swim, Maroma offers a number of fun activities. The tropical reef offers some of the region’s best underwater snorkeling. Those who enjoy horseback riding will love the ability to ride right on the beaches and into the surf.

For the action lovers, Maroma offers speedboat and jetski rentals. ATV Jungle Tours go away from the ocean and into the dense jungle that covers much of the region. ATV riders can expect to see Mexican wildlife such as exotic butterflies, iguanas and birds. Maroma also offers deep sea fishing charters from their private dock.

Full and half-day excursions take avid fishermen far out on the Caribbean Sea to […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Anyone who’s been to Riviera Maya recently knows that the reports of damage from Hurricane Wilma were exaggerated. The people of the region made sure the area rebounded quickly and efficiently so tourists could feel comfortable about coming back to this exciting vacation destination. But some travel agents who hadn’t been there lately were hesitant about sending their clients to Riviera Maya.

In an effort to better educate the agents and other travel professionals, Funjet spent a week on the island of Cozumel doing daily Internet broadcasts. The television production crew set up their computers, cameras and editing equipment underneath a tent in Plaza San Miguel. From this base they generated a one-hour live show each day that was broadcast to thousands of travels agents across America. Tammy Lee, Funjet’s Vice President of Marketing, hosted the broadcasts.

The response was amazing and swift. Travel agents saw the broadcasts that featured […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

Playa del Carmen is the debarkation point for the tropical island of Cozumel de San Miguel, also known as “The Island of the Swallows. The UltraMar and Mexico WaterJet ferry lines make the 40-minute trip across the Caribbean Sea approximately every hour, and for a small charge visitors can travel to this island paradise via one of these high-speed boats. Most passengers seemed to gravitate indoors to an air-conditioned seat with TV monitors playing Spanish-language music videos. I opted to ride on the upper deck with the folks who enjoy salt breezes and the open sun. It’s a fabulous trip all by itself.
The ferry docks at the main pier leading into downtown Cozumel. Diamonds, fine jewelry, watches, cameras and electronic devices can be purchased at one of the many shops along the Malecón, the island’s seafront boulevard. Cozumel is a duty-free port, and as such, is an international shopper’s […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

At the center of the Riviera Maya is the port town of Playa del Carmen and the neighboring beach resort community of Playacar. Playa del Carmen is the region’s number one shopping district. In the evening, Avenida 5, or 5th Avenue, comes alive with strolling musicians, singers, street performers, artists and more. The multitude of sidewalk cafés, bars and restaurants hum with activity long into the night.

Carlos ’n Charlie’s is just one of the many hot spots along the strip. Americans are usually in the minority here and it’s common to hear conversations in German, Italian, Portuguese and other languages in addition to Spanish. Playa del Carmen is also popular with travelers from South America. This is also where you’ll find an unparalleled assortment of imported cigar stores, dive shops, international boutiques and vendors selling items from local artisans that include jewelry, black coral, pottery, masks, wood carvings, […]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back