Travel Reviews around the world
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Paradise is
Forever”                    
By Sandy Zimmerman
The Riviera Maya is so exciting, I
was amazed to find the region is
very different from what most
people know Mexico has to offer.  
As Javier Aranda, the General
Director of the Riviera Maya
Tourism Board expressed his
feelings, “We have the motto
“Paradise is Forever”.  Once you
have seen the Riviera Maya, you
will understand what we mean,
with the sun, the beach, jungle,
nature, eco-adventures, history,
and culture, you have everything!  
It is that combination which
makes us the Riviera Maya a
completely different destination
compared to the rest of Mexico.  
We are privileged first, to be a
part of the Quintana Roo state,
the only state in Mexico that
neighbors the Caribbean Ocean,
which gives us a completely
different experience compared to
being near the Pacific Ocean or
the Gulf of Mexico.  The Riviera
Maya is where the Mayan
civilization created amazing
construction and villages
thousands of years ago.”  
If anyone wants to do business,
which may be difficult in this
beautiful setting and with so
many diversions, the Riviera Maya
has many possibilities for
meetings, conventions, incentive,
and other types of groups.  
Aranda explained, “In the Riviera
Maya, we have around 350 hotels
with 37,000 rooms offering
European or all-inclusive plans.  
Most of these hotels are equipped
for groups.  Visitors will find a
diverse selection from beachside
cabanas, inns, small two star
hotels, boutique hotels, fishing
lodges, apartments, to luxury
resorts.  Playa del Carman has a
population of 100,000 and Tulum,
not only an ancient
archaeological site but a city with
20,000 people. You can come with
your friend, couples, families, or
seniors, the hotels can suit
everybody’s needs.  I am sure if
people come one time, they will
want to return.  There are so
many flights from the United
States and such ease to travel
here; you will find paradise as
fast as you want, in just a few
hours.”
The stunning colors of the water
which you seldom see anywhere
else, meeting the friendly Mayan
people and seeing how they live,
all add to your experience.  Yes, I
agree, “Paradise is Forever” is a
perfect motto for the Riviera
Maya.  Whether you want to build
sandcastles on the beach, go
fishing, disco all night, play golf,
indulge in a spa treatment, or do
nothing, you can do it all so well at
the Riviera Maya.  
www.rivieramaya.com
RIVIERA MAYA FESTIVALS
Sacred Mayan Journey, May 21-
23, is a recreation of the rites
from Xcaret to Cozumel in honor
of the Goddess Ixchel.  Fourth
World Soccer Tournament, June
20-29; Mexican and International
Designer’s Fashion Show,
September 9-20;  Third Gourmet
Festival, October 11;  
The event of the year includes
some of the biggest names in
international and national JAZZ
artists are appearing at the
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
November 27, 28, & 29.  This is
one of the main chances to see
these jazz greats and you DO NOT
HAVE TO PAY ANY ENTRANCE
FEE.   For three special evenings,
you can enjoy the festival.  

THEME TOURS
Because Mexico has so much to
offer, the Mexico Tourism Board
suggests many different ways to
travel and attractions to see on
your vacation or business trip.  
Some of their Vacation Themes
include the sun and beaches,
cultural sites, nature and
adventure tours, sports,   eco-
tourism, senior tours, family
vacations, youth tours, getaways
for couples, luxury spas, golf,
archaeological zones, scuba
diving, snorkeling, and much
more.  Perhaps you can suggest
a theme like “Cooking classes”,
“Learning How to Make Mexican
Handicrafts”, “Learning to Speak
Spanish”, or whatever suits your
interests.
Tourism is a top priority in Mexico for the
next six years.  As part of the plan to
develop tourism, Mexico’s Secretary of
Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, announced
historical investments of $115.3 million
dollars to improve and promote projects
in different states and destinations
throughout the country.  These
restoration projects in tourist
destinations are important, but will also
produce jobs.  These funds will be used in
the first six months of 2009.  There were
22.6 million visitors to Mexico in 2008, 18
million were Americans. This represents
5.9 % increase from the following year.  
Mexico is the tenth most visited tourist
destination in the world.  Elizondo feels,
“We want to turn Mexico into a point of
reference in the world’s tourist map not
just for its multiple attractions but also for
its sustainable development and
identity.”           
Mexico’s average temperatures range
from 77-86 degrees F, the hottest time of
the year is from May to September,
especially on the coasts, and it gets
cooler from October to April.  For
information, call (800)-44-MEXICO.  The
Mexican Tourism Board can advise about
settings for weddings, theme and other
tours, restaurants, accommodations, eco-
adventures, business meetings,
attractions, and will be happy to answer
your questions about Mexico.    
www.visitmexico.com