Join me as this month we explore the mysteries and beauty of the Riviera Maya.The waters of the Caribbean lie calmly and peacefully here under the brilliance of an awakening sky in this place chose by the gods for the enjoyment of man. The plants, beautiful and aromatic flowers, the plethora of wildlife, bask in this unending paradise under the bemused gaze of the heavens that offer the warming gifts of the sun by day and, by night, the most romantic moments created by the constellations of a starry sky and the pale light of the moon.Mayan WorldIt is a universe of cosmogony; this sacred land that has been venerated for generations. A universe filled with knowledge and wisdom that never fails to surprise you with impressive edifices, its reminders of how a multiplicity of gods were honored by the sacred temples built in their name, gods that still, today, have not completed telling their stories, recounting their history. There are totems that bear inscriptions still to be deciphered and, perhaps, forever undecipherable. There are thousands of canals in this universe, created by man to connect the communicating vessels along with observatories from which to study the rest of this vast universe.The Mayan civilization has been a thing of wonder for the whole world. All of its extraordinary accomplishments have been remarked upon by scholars and scientists in untold numbers; their perfect mathematical calculations, its numbers system, its way of predicting the cycles of the seasons and the proven ability of its members to navigate the seas. All true marvels, even today. Tours Ecology / AdventureECOLOGYThe spellbinding atmosphere of the water's edge and the star-filled skies, bear witness to the magic rituals by candlelight with the sound of the waves breaking on the shore and the moaning of the sea shells taking your breath away…that being only an example of the incredibly romantic ambiences that can surround lovers who venture forth to this most romantic paradise on earth. ADVENTUREThe sinuous paths wind their way through the heart of the jungle, through the remaining vestiges, the temples and cities of an ancient, extraordinarily advanced civilization. The subterranean rivers flow through the earth's entrails and the sacred underground pools are surrounded by lush vegetation that will restore your desire to live life at its fullest.Taut cables connect the treetops so that you can fly with the wind and sense how the birds enjoy the majesty of nature from way up high. Here, too, you will find and marvel at the coral barrier that protects the shore and offers a cornucopia of marine treasures for you to view and enjoy.On and Under WaterBeautiful beaches bathed by the warm, turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea it is quite natural to expect that the Riviera Maya will offer a wealth of nautical activities to engage the interest of visitors. But there is much more in the way of aquatic endeavors for visitors to enjoy throughout the region. There are subterranean rivers and ponds to swim, dive and explore, beautiful lakes and lagoons to sail and more. In fact, there is hardly a water-borne activity that cannot be experienced in the Riviera Maya.DIVINGThe Riviera Maya has become a Mecca for divers of all types and levels of skill. The Mesoamerican Coral Reef that stretches from just a bit north of the Riviera Maya all the way down to the islands off Honduras, to the south, in Central America, protects the Riviera Maya shore.This living organism offers an extraordinary diving experience for expert divers. SNORKELINGSnorkeling allowing for some beautiful exploration of marine life. It is such a safe aquatic sport that even the children can participate, making for a fun family experience. Many lovers of this sport make it a point to snorkel in the underground ponds called cenotes, of which there are hundreds in the region, or explore the subterranean rivers that feed those ponds. FISHINGThe Riviera Maya's 130 kilometers of coastline provide an excellent place for sports fishing, including big-game fishing on ships, sailboats or launches. Many species can also be caught directly from the shore.5th Avenue & Shopping5th AvenueLa Quinta is the Riviera Maya's addition to that list of unique streets in population centers around the world that have become part of the lexicon of reporters, authors and others. Those are the streets that are used as a sort of descriptive short cut for specific concepts. ShoppingShopping is a major activity for travelers, no matter what their destination. Those who choose to visit the Riviera Maya will find that shopping is a key element, as well, of the offers it provides that make it one of the most desirable destinations for those traveling on vacation or business. The opportunities for shopping go well beyond the availability of souvenirs. It includes special tax breaks for some luxury items as well as for international travelers who make moderate purchases.Night LifeIn the Riviera Maya is replete with music of just about all genres and from all parts of the world. There is music for dancing and for listening. There are Mexican rancheras and light and heavy metal rock. There are classical music concerts by extraordinary musicians and jazz and blues clubs for lovers of those musical concepts. There are strolling musicians in restaurants and cafés and others playing in open spaces.Parties and Special EventsThroughout the year there are many special events that take place in the Riviera Maya that can prove to be fun and even exciting for visitors. There are festivals that range all the way from the extraordinarily successful and acclaimed Riviera Maya Jazz Festival through international movie festivals, food festivals and even a Tequila Festival.
Music:
"Jurame" Music and lyrics by Maria Grever. Sung by Jose Mojica
