Mexico´s new golf academy will be located at El Camaleon, the Greg Norman-designed golf course in Riviera Maya that hosts the PGA Tour’s Mayakoba Golf Classic event every year. This brand new Riviera Maya golf academy will be one of the top Cancun attractions during a Cancun vacation, offering all types of teaching programs to guests and visitors using the latest technology in golf analysis, computer software as well as highly personalized instruction programs taught by certified Jim McLean Master Instructions.

El Camaleon Golf Course in Riviera Maya opened in 2006 which is owned by Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A. (OHL) and operated by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Like its namesake, the Greg Norman-designed 7,000 yard par 72 El Camaleon Golf course in Riviera Maya changes and blends with the environment. Enormous limestone canals winding through mangrove forests, vast stretches of Caribbean beach and other stunning natural wonders make this one of the top golf courses in Cancun vacation area.

Jim McLean is the 1994 PGA National Teacher of the Year and owner of the Jim McLean Golf Schools which include: Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida, PGA WEST in La Quinta, California, La Quinta Resort in La Quinta, California, and Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan. The Jim McLean Golf Academy in Cancun, Mexico is the second international location for McLean.

Golfing in Cancun is a great experience for any golfer and will be an excellent addition to your Cancun vacation!   Golf is a favorite Cancun attraction and there are many courses to chose from!   You are sure to find a course that will be exactly what you are looking for whether you are a beginner or pro.   You are sure to find all of the courses availiable in Cancun in your Cancun Travel Guide.

Source: www.examiner.com

As you stroll the famous 5thAvenue in Playa del Carmen, you will find out that the top Riviera Maya attractions that keep visitors coming back year after year are also a great selection of exquisite Italian restaurants in Playa del Carmen such as Pizza Rolandi and Casa Mediterranea will serve you fabulous dishes that go from the most original recipe to the latest ultra chic Mexican-Italian fusion.

Thousands of Italians have made the Riviera Maya and Cancun their beloved home.  A great example of this well-renowned Riviera Maya population was admired at the recent “Ferragosto” celebration that was enjoyed this past weekend in Playa del Carmen. This successful Riviera Maya event, allowed approximately 200-300 members of the Italian community of the Riviera Maya to gather for a festivity of food and cultural entertainment. “Ferragosto” is an Italian celebration that takes place on August 15 and is one of the most important summer holidays in Italy, a religious festivity for Roman Catholics which is devoted as the day the Virgin Mary ascends to heaven.

The Italian Honorary Consul in Playa del Carmen, Andrea Sabbia has recently confirmed that the Italian community in Riviera Maya has grown up to 10 thousand inhabitants that work in this Cancun vacation destination. In the whole Mexican state of Quintana Roo there are approximately 5,400 registered Italians; of which one percent of these live in Cancun. The total 99 percent of the Italian population of the state lives in the Riviera Maya and Tulum, which have turned them into magical places where culture, language and art mix to create the best vacation experiences for visitors.

During your Cancun vacation, you will notice that Cancun is a collection of many cultures and people.    This can make your Cancun vacation even better because you will find anything to your tastes!   Cancun restaurants are very varied due to this wonderful mix of cultures and you are sure to find anything to fit your pallate!    There are many Cancun attractions that are also here due to the varied cultures here in Cancun and these are but a few for you to enjoy during your Cancun vacation!   You can find these and many more in local Cancun Travel Guides!

1. Snorkeling Tours. The top tour to do in the Riviera Maya with your loved one. Enjoy the most precious underwater world of the Mexican Caribbean at marvelous coral reefs that form part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest coral reef barrier in the world. Snorkel tours take you to see beautiful tropical fish, coral formations and many marine creatures such as rays and starfish that live in the crystal clear beach.

2. Couple Parasailing. Couples can have an adventure in the sky gliding effortlessly above the fantastic long sandy shorelines of the Riviera Maya. One must choose to depart from the hotel dock or from a marina, where you will continue to board a speed boat for a relaxing ride in the Caribbean Sea. When turns are up, guides will offer safety tips and modern equipment necessary for a wonderful parasail experience.

3. Sunset Lobster dinner. This tour takes place at the spectacular Maroma Beach. Guests board on a comfortable Trimaran for a romantic journey through the crystal clear waters of Maroma Bay. Sparkling wine, stunning Caribbean views and relaxing ocean sounds all make it a dreamlike voyage. Couples continue having a great time with an exquisite five-course lobster dinner, with romantic live music and dancing by the ocean.

4. Horseback Riding. A great way to get close to nature and admire the views of the jungle and the beach. Couples can spend quality time with each other as they ride peacefully in a natural environment ridding past open cenotes and the beautiful trees of the jungle. The tour continues on the beach to see the most wonderful Caribbean landscapes and for a lifetime moment horseback riding in the turquoise waters.

5. Coco Bongo Nightclub in Playa del Carmen. A smaller version yet just as exciting as the one in Cancun´s Hotel Zone, perfect for a night out clubbing in Playa del Carmen. Couples can toast their love with a daring tequila shot in the most entertaining disco of the Riviera Maya. Shows, dancing and celebrities make the night out in Coco Bongo, a step into the world of Michael Jackson, The Mask, Spiderman and Madonna.

The ancient Mayan priests came up with a system of enumeration based on the position of values and the use of the mathematical concept of the “zero”, one of the greatest mathematical advancements in history.  The number system of the Mayan culture was based on 20, which is the total number of digits on human’s hands and feet, or simply the double of our own decimal counting system (10). This 20-based system helped them use bigger and longer numbers that we use.   

The Mayas use to count by dots and lines. The zero was represented by a shell, and the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 were made out by dots depending on the amount; 1 (one dot), 2 (two dots) until reaching number 5, which changes into one line. Dots would be made out of pebbles, and lines out of short sticks.  

Number 6 is one dot plus a line underneath; number 7 is 2 dots plus a line; number 8 is 3 dots plus a line; and number 9 is 4 dots plus a line. Number 10 was made out of two lines, and 20 instead of being 4 lines was the starting point of a new count above the first one. Like zero is a shell, number 20 is a single dot above a shell and the following numbers continue from the bottom to top in two rows vertically.

Travel Tip: If you head to the Mayan archaeological sites in your next Cancun vacation or to the Riviera Maya don´t miss the symbols and hieroglyphs inscripted on the temples.

Selecting a honeymoon destination is not easy, but when thinking of Riviera Maya there is no other place that gathers natural beauty, exclusive services and top five star hotels that pamper guests day and night with the most romantic atmospheres.

Here are 5 Romantic Riviera Maya Honeymoon ideas for those planning to spend the best days of their life in this amazing destination.  

1.    Stay at a 5-Star Resort. Go for the best, reserve a five star resort in Playa del Carmen on the beach. There are many options that go from intimate suites, to fully-equipped luxurious villas. The most enjoyable are those with terraces and Jacuzzi’s facing the ocean.  

2. Relax at a Mayan Spa.  Couples should not miss being pampered together at the Spa. Most hotels in the Riviera Maya provide sanctuaries that take you back to ancient Mayan healing treatments for the mind and body. Indulge in massages on the beach that will bring you into harmony with yourself.    

 3.    Tour the Riviera Maya. Concierge services help visitors choose from a great selection of tours and activities that depart from the hotel or in the Riviera Maya. Choose from eco tours, Mayan ruins, fishing trips, sunset cruises, private yacht charters, eco parks and snorkeling adventures, you can do something different every day.

 4.    Dine on the beach. Most hotels offer romantic candlelight dinners for honeymoon couples right on the beach.  Dinning under the stars with the soft sound of the ocean as you enjoy the cool softness of the Caribbean sand is one of the unique treats of Riviera Maya honeymoons.

5.    Spend a night out on the 5^th. Playa del Carmen is the heart for night entertainment in the Riviera Maya. The famous 5^th Avenue is home to bars and restaurants steps away from the beach that feature music from all over the world. The options go from intimate corner bars to the loud crazy party discos and electronic lounges.  

The director of Tourism of the municipality informed that the hotel occupancy registered a 50.6 percent rate that may also rise this summer up to 70 or 80 percent. He also added that last Friday on June 26^th, Playa del Carmen closed with a 52 percent rate, and the Small Hotels with 42.5 percent.

The occupancy rate in the Riviera Maya from June 1 to 26 was an average of 38.7 percent which only marked a difference in Playacar with a high average of 48.3 percent.

The government official also added that the promotional packages that were included in the “Viva Playa” campaign offering discounts of almost 20 percent off will end this month.

By another hand, the government official informed that Carnival cruises announced that the cruise that would arrive in Playa del Carmen, the Holiday, with a total capacity of one thousand seven hundred passengers plus crew, will be a no-show because it will be under a maintenance program.

But in its place, the company will send Fantasy, a bigger cruise ship of almost 70 thousand tons and with a capacity of two thousand seven hundred passengers plus crew, and will arrive every three weeks days more often than the Holiday cruise ship use to which is expected to attract a greater amount of tourists to the destination.

Source: Grupo Sipse/ www.sipse.com

In a wide ranging speech, flanked by several key ministers including those from finance and the environment, the Mexican president said the country would voluntarily cut global warming gases by 50 million tons a year.

The announcement came as thousands of people around the planet celebrated World Environment Day, from remote villages to sprawling capitals. On every continent, children, companies, mayors and heads of state came together to unite to combat climate change under the banner of the UN event, heeding Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call that Your Planet Needs You.

President Calderón said Mexico – the host of the main WED ’09 celebrations – would double this cut under its new Special Programme for Climate Change if the right kind of financing arrangements are in place—by some estimates the announcement equates to an eight per cent to 16 per cent reduction in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said people from over 100 countries around the world were today sending a clear signal to their politicians and world leaders that action was urgently needed—Mexico had heard and responded to that call.

“The challenge in Copenhagen is to bring over 190 countries, at different points in their development together in common cause where each understands they are gaining rather than losing by combating climate change,” said Mr Steiner.

On June 5th, President Calderón underlined Mexico’s rapidly evolving leadership on climate change—its determination too to be part of the solution despite the country having no formal, legally-binding commitments under the Kyoto Protocol,” he added.

The Mexican leader, speaking in the theme park of Xcaret on the site of a Mayan settlement, said that climate change was among his top priorities as it represented a “true danger to humanity”. He also announced five new protected areas including a biosphere for the whale shark in Quintana Roo.

Later in the day Mr Steiner was among guests taking part in a Mayan ‘Healing of the Earth’ ceremony held in the ancient Mayan tongue.

Shamans conducted the healing while drummers and players of haunting wood instruments looked on with costumed, body-painted symbols of Mayan spirits in attendance. The ceremony ended with a traditional corn-based drink, designed to cure the earth of ills made with ingredients of honey and cinnamon.

Source: United Nations Environment Program/ www.unep.org

Riviera Maya has its own magic as a vacation spot, just like Playa del Carmen does. Therefore if you are coming for vacations, you should consider staying right in front of the beach and in one of the top resorts of this destination.

Maybe you´re planning a second trip to the Mexican Caribbean, or it may be your third, but you still can´t say you´ve seen it all, until you´ve stayed at The Royal Haciendas, one of the best kept secrets of the area.

Here we will give you a brief description why this hotel in Playa del Carmen, is number 1 in our list of the most exclusive resorts in the Mayan Riviera.

Great Vacation Deals

For a fabulous summer in Playa del Carmen, The Royal Haciendas is offering a great vacation deal that includes 5 Days and 4 Nights, a shopping tour to Playa del Carmen, one breakfast or lunch for the whole family and a private luxury yacht tour for only $399 USD. It can´t get better than this!… click here to read more

Five Star Resort & Private Club

The Royal Haciendas is a five star resort and the newest addition to the Royal Resorts private club collection. All six resorts that make out the Royal Resorts family have been awarded the prestigious Five Star Interval International status.

So if you stay at The Royal Haciendas it means you are a Royal Resorts guest, and by this you will have access to the other five resorts (Club International de Cancun, The Royal Sands & Spa, The Royal Mayan, The Royal Caribbean and The Royal Islander) where you can enjoy all the services, pool areas, beaches, restaurants and bars. They also provide you with transportation to each one of the resorts, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Fully Equipped Villas

Luxury villas instead of standard rooms. How can you compare a fully equipped villa with a normal hotel room? It´s quite easy and surprising; actually the 181 villas at The Royal Haciendas sleep up to six people for the price of a normal room. The master bedroom as a king size bed, flat screen TV, telephone, hair dryer, closets, iron, ironing board and a safe. The master bedroom bathroom has double sinks and granite counter tops.

The second bedroom includes two beds, flat screen TV, telephone, hair dryer, safe, kitchenette, private bathroom and balcony.

The villas include a spacious living area with two Murphy beds, flat screen TV, DVD player and phone. They villas also feature a dinning are for six, a large ocean view terrace, and a whirlpool tub for two. The kitchen is equipped to prepare breakfast, a light lunchtime snack or even a three-course meal. So this way you share a fantastic space that fits 6 persons, for the price of one room.

Beachfront Location

The Royal Haciendas is situated in the heart of the Riviera Maya, just five minutes north of the district capital, Playa del Carmen, and 30 minutes from Cancun International Airport. Its beachfront location is so incredible you can even walk to Playa del Carmen by the beach. The waters are calm, great for families with small children, for kayaking and snorkeling. If you try to imagine the biggest beach, it´s still quite small compared to the one here.

Luxurious Services

Everything at The Royal Haciendas is brand new and luxurious. Four large pools including Infinity pools with a swim up bar, two kid´s pools, four large whirlpools, and shaded areas with hammocks make those holidays truly fun. Two restaurants, pool bars, lobby bar, take-away food counter and pizza service for informal villa dining.

Other services consist of complimentary wireless internet access in public areas and even a market convenience store for Internet access, Xbox 360, DVD rentals and more. You can feel safe with a doctor on call 24 hours, and daily maid service and guest laundry are also offered.

Spa Resort

In addition to all the services, there is one that is everybody´s favorite: the Spa. The Royal Haciendas Spa has the latest in body treatments, massage services, and an exclusive collection of the finest facials and body wraps by Thalgo, Eminence and Murad, three of the world´s leading skincare companies. Other indulging treatments include the Dermocosmetics, Organic and Marine collection.

Apart from a massage you can also get a new look at the Salon, or enjoy more than 8 different massages that feature the aromatherapy, relaxing and the hot stone massage,

Daily Family Activity Program

All the family has fun at The Royal Haciendas. At the air-conditioned Activity Center you can exchange books, play ping-pong, and it also has a spacious kid´s play area.

This resort provides guests with a daily activity program for children and adults, including kayak tours, snorkeling lessons, beach volleyball, ceramic painting, an exercise room and a sports desk for free use of beach towels, snorkeling gear, kayaks and golf clubs.

The Royal Haciendas also includes three lighted tennis courts, and a tour desk for excursions, water sports, dolphin swims, horseback riding and car rental.

Walk through a gorgeous tropical flower garden in Puerto Morelos; or choose to meet the friendliest exotic reptile. Go snorkeling next to colorful corals and fast-swimming fish, or stay up late to experience a musical journey of Mexican traditions…there are lots of things to do.

We have compiled a list of the most visited eco-parks in the Riviera Maya which are recommended as fun day tours and activities for those staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. For more information, please contact your travel agent.

CROCO CUN Zoo

Croco Cun Zoo is a crocodile farm, dedicated to the breeding of crocodiles based on a sustainable program to protect and promote the conservation of endangered species. A zoo guide will help you interact with animals, so you can touch, hold and feed them. Some of the species you can meet at this park include macaws, spider monkeys, snakes, deer and crocodiles. The facilities of Croco Cun Zoo are designed for baby trolleys and wheelchairs, and also feature a resting area with a kid´s playground, a gift shop and a store. Your guide will assist you throughout the visit, so feel free to ask him any questions.

Location: A 30-minute drive from Cancun, 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

YA´AX´ CHE Botanical Garden of Dr. Alfredo Barrera

This 65-hectare park was founded in 1982 to help preserve the jungle and protect the regional flora of Quintana Roo. Ya´ax´ Che is a wonderful botanical garden, one of the largest in Mexico, located at the entrance of Puerto Morelos. Ya´ax´ Che offers 12 special areas that include regional plants, hundreds of birds, insects and spider monkeys. View ornamental plants, palms, medicinal and fruit plants, and an archaeological site are only some of the things you will enjoy, including a camp of “gum” that takes you to the time when the Mayans discovered this precious natural resource, or take a walk on the hanging bridge.

Location: A 30-minute drive from Cancun, 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

XEL-HA Park

Xel-Ha is a water park that offers a natural aquarium and a river with fresh water springs perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving. This eco-park is famous for the snorkeling you can enjoy in different sites such as a turquoise water inlet, a river, Mayan caves and cenotes (sink holes). When you get tired of swimming on your own, you can swim with dolphins, or visit a plant nursery that features an apiary and thousand species of plants and flowers. Xel-Ha also includes a path in the tropical forest where you can encounter birds and small mammals, or have fun in a bicycle trail that connects the 200 acre-park.

Location: 1 hour 45-minute drive from Cancun, 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Looking for great Xel-Ha Park deals?… click here to read more

XCARET Park

Xcaret is a world famous park where families, couples and adventurers have fun learning more about Mexico. This eco-park is offers water, land and cultural activities, plus night entertainment. Here you can meet thousands of animals such as flamingos, butterflies, turtles, jaguars, manatees, macaws and monkeys. Visit the Coral reef aquarium, Mayan village and archaeological remains. At Xcaret Park you can swim with dolphins and sharks through a series of interactive programs in their habitat. At night, a live Mayan Ball Game and a folklore show will represent different historic stages of Mexican history.

Location: 1 hour 20 minute-drive from Cancun, 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Looking for great Xcaret Park deals?… click here to read more

Playa del Carmen´s beaches are quite an experience if you are looking for something more than a suntan and castles made out of sand. Chill out music, lounge beach décor and exclusive bar & cuisine services are offered at many beach clubs in Playa del Carmen.

Guests from hotels and local residents visit Playa del Carmen´s beach clubs to meet with friends and enjoy a fun ambience with live music, massage treatments, gourmet cuisine and tropical cocktails served all day long on beautiful beach scenarios.

We have gathered Playa del Carmen´s most famous Beach Clubs for you to enjoy in your next Riviera Mayan vacation. Don´t miss the fun!

Mamitas Beach Club

Mamitas is the place to be for a day on the beach with your friends where you can dance until sunset. Mamita´s lounge hosts local and international events such as FTV Beach, Djs Festival, Jazz Festival and Winter Beach, gathering thousands of visitors. Mamitas Beach Club features an international restaurant, lounge area, pool, sushi bar, private beach beds, dj booth and massage services. Address: 28 Ave., between 5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen.

Kool Beach Club

This beach club is located next to Mamitas beach and includes a lounge area, Bar with Premium cocktails, restaurant offering Fusion Gourmet Cuisine, first class services, a VIP area with a swimming pool, a Diamond Bed area, sun- beds and music played by a DJ in front the spectacular Caribbean Sea and where the sunset calls for relaxation and entertainment till late. Address: 28 Ave., Playa del Carmen.

Blue Parrot

The Blue Parrot Beach Club has been a “must-do” for visitors for over two decades. Located on the white sand beaches of the turquoise Caribbean; the waves literally break just feet from the dance floor. During the day, you can lounge on the beachfront area and soak up the sun while the daytime DJ guides you through a gentle sensual journey. There is full service food and beverage from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm. 12th Street North, Playa del Carmen.

Zenzi Beach Bar & Restaurant

Zenzi Beach Bar & Restaurant has everything for a relaxing day at the beach. Sunshine, turquoise Caribbean Sea, cool tunes, international scene on one of the most famous beaches on the Mayan Riviera. Full bar and restaurant from 7:30 am to 02.00 am. All day great sounds from our selected music. Soft laid back chill out starts the day, with the pace picking up as the sun passes through the brilliant blue sky. Address: ZFM Y 10 Ave. Playa del Carmen, Mexico