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

Xcaret. It’s part zoo, part aquarium, part adventure park. This fabulous place on the Riviera Maya defies description only because it’s so unique. Xcaret is located on a caleta, or natural inlet, off the Caribbean Sea. Imagine spending the day in a series of fabulous natural swimming pools or snorkeling along a trail inside an ancient underground river. Xcaret was once a Mayan city, and the ruins are everywhere you look. Seamlessly intergrated into this historic site is a man-made aquarium like nothing else you’ve seen.

Wind your way through natural rocky caves and view giant sea turtles, sharks, hundreds of brightly colored tropical fish and more. See manatees in their natural environment and butterflies the size of a pie plate. Encounter the sacred jaguars of Quintana Roo. Enjoy lunch or dinner in this tropical eco-park and spend some time relaxing on one of the area’s most beautiful unspoiled beaches. In [...]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back

With attractions such as the underground Mayan Cave, Dolphin Swim, and unlimited snorkeling in the huge inlet, Xel-Ha is truly one of the world’s most amazing natural water parks. It’s a 190-acre natural aquarium with more than 75 kinds of marine life for visitors to encounter. It’s not unusual to see hundreds of brightly colored tropical fish while snorkeling around the inlet.
At Mundo Delphines, the Dolphin World, participants spend a full hour in the water with these amazing animals. Xel-Ha has 17 highly trained and extremely visitor-friendly dolphins that will swim right up under a swimmer’s hand and beg to be petted. Other activities include the ability to feed the dolphins and be taken for a wild ride around the lagoon on their backs. This up-close and personal encounter with these gentle, intelligent animals is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Xel-Ha has several nice restaurants and areas where visitors [...]

Original post by Funjet Vacations and software by Elliott Back