Lindsay Taub

Exploring Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Cobá

2012-04-28 by Lindsay Taub

Maya performance

A recent trip to Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula was heavenly. The time of year was perfect to visit – hot, yes, but not yet so humid or buggy that it was uncomfortable. I had been to Cozumel and Cancun previously, but never to the Riviera Maya or the various Mayan ruins around the peninsula. They were stunning to see, surreal even, and well worth the trek to visit. The trip as a whole was a nice combination of exploration and luxury, from the accommodations at Blue Diamond Resort and the magnificent spa at Rosewood Mayakoba to the delicious Yucatecan cuisine in Playa del Carmen and beyond. Here is some of my most recent coverage. I’ll keep adding to this as additional stories get published…

Green Living Magazine:

The Luxurious and Green Mexico 

If asked to name a handful of countries aggressively taking steps to solve climate change, would Mexico come to mind? Probably not. But it should. Here’s why.

Although Mexico may be keeping many tourists wary of visiting amid headlines reporting increasing crime, there’s a silver lining not being widely reported. The country is beginning to be recognized globally for its commitment to tackling climate change…

JohnnyJet.com:

The Mundo Maya: Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

When certain people heard I was headed to Mexico recently, their responses were a mix of “awesome” and “be careful,” along with questions like “where” and “are you sure it’s safe?” To answer them all, I replied, “yes it is awesome, yes I will be careful, the Mayan Riviera, and yes, it’s safe.” Here’s the deal…

Why the Maya calendar does NOT mean the world is coming to an end in 2012

There has been a tremendous amount of hype surrounding the year 2012 and predictions that the end of the world as we know it is upon us. Movies have been made, books have been written, and hysteria has been created. But rest assured, the Maya calendar did NOT predict the end – at least not Armageddon.

Xocempiche Cenote

Blue Diamond Resort, Riviera Maya

The Blue Diamond Resort in Riviera Maya is located 40 minutes south of Cancun international airport and just 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.  The property (formerly the Mandarin Oriental) is stunning. All of the resorts along the main stretch of highway have impressive gates and walls to identify them, then a security gate so only guests and people who have reservations can get in.

Blue Diamond Resort

Chichén Itzá

My Mundo Maya excursion in the Yucatán began at the pre-Hispanic world’s most celebrated archaeological site, . Possibly one of the most complex Maya sites, it was originally built by the Maya and later conquered by Itzás and Toltecs, and ultimately defeated by princes of Mayapán. Having seen so many photos of the site makes arriving at the Castillo surreal.

Chichén Itzá

Tulum: Maya Heaven

The Mayan ruins of Tulum are located about an hour from Playa del Carmen, and have undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking settings of any Mayan site. In fact, it is the only significant Mayan ruin that lies on the coast, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum

Exploring the Mayan Ruins of Cobá

Cobá is less than two hours from Playa del Carmen, and is different from the other major Maya sites in the Yucatán for three reasons. One, it is not as fully excavated as sites like Chichén Itzá  and Tulum, and excavation is still in progress on parts of the site. Two, it is located near four natural lakes, which are believed to have given the city its name – “waters stirred by wind”. And three, it has one of the few Maya pyramids that you can still climb.

Ruins at Coba


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Blue Diamond Resort, Chichen Itza, Coba, Ecotourism, featured, Green Mexico, Maya, Mayan Ruins, Mexico, Mundo Maya, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Tulum

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