Riviera Maya

RIVIERA MAYA

THERE IS NO MYSTERY TO THE MAGNETIC APPEAL OF THE AWESOME RIVIERA MAYA IN THE STATE OF QUINTANA ROO – IT'S THE STUNNING SUN, SEA AND SAND.

Riviera Maya is a peerless paradise for anyone who is seeking all the most appealing aspects of a beachside holiday – without any of the drawbacks.

The weather is rarely anything but perfect; the beaches are long and wide, the sand is white and clean. Meanwhile the water is warm and crystal clear – and has majestic treasures hidden beneath, waiting to be discovered.

There are palm trees with hammocks strung between them. There are lagoons, golf courses and spas – and some of the country’s most luxurious accommodation in which to base yourself as you explore. The whole area is family friendly, so visitors of all ages can indulge in a wide variety of activities, or simply sit back and relax in one of Mexico’s most stunning oases.

The Riviera Maya stretches from the town of Puerto Morelos in the north to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in the south, a strip of coastline that once featured nothing more than a smattering of small fishing villages and miles of untouched beach.

Thankfully the serene atmosphere of the region has been retained even as the secret has gradually escaped. It is an ecotourism destination, with all the local resorts making commitments to preserving the region’s exceptional natural gifts.

The Riviera Maya supports a particular ecosystem and is home to some especially delicate animal species, both on land and in the water. Many of them can be observed by simply grabbing your snorkel and hopping on a boat.

This is one of the best areas in the whole of Latin America for underwater exploration. Not far off the coast of the Riviera Maya lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, and supports more than 500 species of fish and shark, at least 100 corals, plus both loggerhead and green turtle. There are diving centres along the coast, as well as on the nearby island of Cozumel, equipped with everything you need to take the plunge.

This area also boasts the longest underground river system in the world, accessible via natural sinkholes known as “cenotes”.

Divers can visit dramatic underwater landscapes of caverns and caves, viewing spectacular stalactites and stalagmites – an adventure like few others in the world.

There are too many beaches to count in Riviera Maya, from the five bays of Akumal (meaning “the Place of Turtles”) to the extraordinary Tulum beach, over which peer the 13 th -century Mayan ruins. A wooden staircase leads down from the citadel to the beach and the turquoise sea.

It is never too difficult to find a kayak to rent, or a boat tour to join all the way along the coastline. Visitors can strap on water skis or hop on a paddle-board or windsurf. You can also view the entire beauty of the area while parasailing high above the ocean.

The largest city on the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, has grown from a tiny village sustained by the fishing in- dustry to become one of Mexico’s most fashionable tourism hubs.

By day, it is a thriving beachside resort, with ample sandy shores on which to relax and soak up the sun. By night, there are a multitude of high-quality restaurants, bars and nightclubs to explore; holidaymakers from across Europe and North America mingle in well-appointed hotels and apartment complexes.

It is possible to do yoga on the beach at dawn, eat brunch in a beachside cafe, then spend an afternoon exploring the wondrous depths of the Caribbean, before returning to dry land to begin eating, drinking and partying.

The only question is when – or perhaps whether – to sleep.

But if you must put your head down, there are a host of the finest options to choose from. The five-star Banyan Tree, for example, is set among freshwater lagoons and mangroves, with its own golf course, and guests can stay in a variety of villas surrounded by their own private swimming pool. Similarly, some of the suites at the Mandarin Oriental are set around “art courtyards” featuring installations by local artists. Hummingbirds buzz through the surrounding vegetation; while lagoons and cenotes are incorporated into the hotel designs.

Other options include any number of cabanas all the way along the Riviera Maya, with doors that open on to the beach. At dawn, you can watch the pelicans going about their early-morning fishing. At night, the stars shine with amazing brightness in the pitch-black sky, glinting off your cocktail glass.

If they ever tire of the beaches, children will love the Xplor or Aktun- Chen Adventure Parks, or any of the zip-lines that offer an adrenaline rush in the forest canopy. Parents – or any couples on a romantic break – can pamper themselves at the area’s many wellness retreats, where treatments often make use of the same organic, indigenous ingredients once so sacred to the Mayans.

Everything that is most spectacular about Riviera Maya comes together in Sian Ka’an, which became a designated biosphere resort in 1986 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site soon after.

You can snorkel along the barrier reef, explore the Mayan ruins, venture into the wetlands and maybe even glimpse sight of a crocodile, then take a bird-watching tour at sunset.

And whatever you choose to do, you’re never more than a few yards from a beach, a hammock and perfect relaxation.

Set on the stunning white beaches of the Riviera Maya, the UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya is an adults-only, all-inclusive hotel that immerses guests in the culture of the region.

Rather than relying on tradition and heritage, UNICO 20°87° embraces contemporary culture and connect guests to the real version of México, as it is today. The hotel staff embody the brand’s muse, “The Proud Local,” allowing guests to experience different regions from a true local’s perspective.

With exteriors designed by Artigas and interiors conceptualized by AvroKo, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya features 448 guestrooms with predominately ocean-views, boasting semi-private swim-up pool and double hydro spa tub options, and an in-room mini bar stocked for guest preference.

Signature guest experiences include art for purchase from local artisans both in-room and throughout the property, and the Esencia Beauty Bar, where guests select their own personalized in-room amenities made with local ingredients.

Food and beverage offerings foster a sense of regional celebration. The Executive Mixologist infuses local flavours and ingredients to craft specialty cocktails throughout the hotel, and the annual rotating chef restaurant concept has a focus on emerging talent and flavours.

Embracing a more local approach, UNICO 20°87° offers all guests a unique “Host” for their stay, replacing the traditional butler service. From arriving in a custom-scented lobby where guests are introduced to the UNICO 20°87° Experience App – which features information on each week’s activities – to gastronomy and libation mixology, every touch point and interaction has been crafted and curated with an extraordinary list of unique features and options.

Equal parts international outpost and local getaway, UNICO 20°87° fully immerses its guests through exclusively developed private excursions, such as exploring the region’s lesser known alcoves with native hosts and dining at local tastemakers’ preferred restaurants and bars. On property, culturally inspired activities include cooking classes taught by renowned regional chefs and impromptu popup programming, from mezcal tastings to Art Attack competitions and acoustic sunset jams.