Mayan Riviera
To Mexico with Target Travel is my favourite. Located about 45 mins’ drive south, but a million miles away in style from the Benidorm-like Cancun. We have sent many clients here and all have returned very happy. The Mayan Riviera, Mexico with Target Travel is a nice combination of things to see and do, with now the added convenience of non-stop flights from the UK.
- Fine beaches
- The warm Caribbean Sea to bathe in and coral reefs for diving and snorkelling on
- A large variety of things to see, such as the historical Mayan ruins. The most famous is the vast city complex of Chichen Itza; there are also the coastal temples at Tulum which is the closet, plus the huge pyramids poking out of the forest canopy at Choba. Due to the limestone of the peninsular, there are also caves and cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) to explore, plus a number of eco-theme parks.
See below for some links to these
- Post Covid there is now only British Airways flying daily non-stop, they are still year round. These flights can also be combined with other trans-Atlantic destinations such as Orlando. Virgin Atlanic have not resumed their services. There are also weekly charter flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Doncaster Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow, but these are not year round
- Quinto Avenida is a delightful two-mile-long pedestrian street in Playa Del Carmen, the perfect place for an evening stroll, both safe and vibrant. One end has some stylish boutiques, then, further along, are a mixture of T-shirt shops; silver jewellers; bars; cafes and restaurants with strolling Mexican musicians, especially in the evenings there is a carnival atmosphere
- A good selection of different styles of accommodation
- A family-suitable ‘all-inclusive’ resort within walking distance of Playa Del Carmen. It is an unusual design with a jungle-like middle with its own wildlife; a large pool complex; a good beach and separate restaurants to eat in rather than the buffet every night. Not luxury, but of very good quality and a very nice all-around combination. We have had many clients come back from here extremely happy.
- There are a number of very luxurious small resorts along the coast. Many offer private thatched villas and bungalows with their own pool, often these feel like you are on a desert island hideaway. There are quite a number of properties, a good selection, some very small, others with up to 90- odd rooms and each with its own character. We would be delighted to discuss these with you.
Please note – as with much of the Caribbean, The Mayan Riviera suffers from the influx of Sargasso Seaweed in the summer months from May to September, but is generally free from it in the month’s Oct to Apr.
Add on
For an authentic few days, you may want to consider Holbox Island (hol-bosh). In contrast to the rest of the Mayan Riviera, this is very underdeveloped. A paradise with beautiful beaches*, pristine waters, sandy streets, colourful houses, great food and charming boutique hotels. It is also famous for being able to swim with the gentle giant whale sharks from May to Sep.
*In the summer it doesn’t suffer from the Sargasso Seaweed and is also usually sheltered enough around the peninsular from the summer hurricane season
As another quiet underdeveloped area, there is also the Grand Costa Maya, an area about 2½- 3 hours south of Playa del Carmen, which centres around Mahahahual, Bacalar & Chetumal. Fab beaches*, quiet coves, great food, super sunsets, beutiaue rather than resort hotels, Mayan ruins, cenote swimming and trips into the jungle.
*Bacalar & Chetumal are located in a big bay and so are not generally disturbed by Sargasso Seaweed in the summer
Links