Cancun / Riviera Maya

Mayan Ruins………

The Yucatan Peninsula is primarily a very large (180,000 square miles) low-lying, flat, limestone rock shelf located in Mexico's south-east region separating the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico. It comprises the states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo, Mexico; the country of Belize; and part of Guatemala. Most of the residents of this region are the descendants of the ancient Mayan tribe. The area has a very hot tropical climate with dry and rainy seasons.

More visitors come to the Yucatan Peninsula than any other part of Mexico. This is not surprising given its numerous luxurious resorts, ancient Mayan culture, gorgeous beaches and dramatic landscapes. While most of the visitors head for the beaches of Cancun, a major resort city in the northeastern part of the Yucatan, many others visit the area for its many Mayan archaeological sites.

The peninsula is dotted with numerous Mayan ruins some of which were once great ancient cities covering several square miles. The following describes a few of the more popular archeological sites where you may experience the wonders of the ancient Mayan ruins.

Calakmul: This archeological site is located about 30 miles from the Guatemalan border, has more than six thousand structures covering an area of about 75 square kilometers and is almost wholly covered by jungle. It is believed that at one time Calakmul was the largest city of the Mayan region. Calakmul is a walled city with the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán.

Chichén-Itzá: This site is the location of the famous El Castillo Pyramid. The pyramid has 91 steps to the top on each side and has 52 panels on each side representing the 52 year cycle of the Mayan calendar. At sunrise, on the spring or fall equinox, the nine pyramid levels cast a shadow on the staircase edge producing the image of an undulating snake.

Palenque: The original builders of these ruined structures carved histories in stone which scholars have only recently acquired the ability to decipher. One of the events carved in stone is the account of an elaborate ceremony in A.D. 683 when King Pacal was buried in a secret pyramidal tomb. This tomb remained undiscovered until 1952.

Tulum: The site is located near Cancun. It once served as a major seaport for Mayan traders and was built around 900 A.D. It occupies one of the most beautiful seaside locations in Mexico and the sight of the Mayan stone walled fortress against the backdrop the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean ocean is magnificent.

Uxmal: This site was built between 700 A.D. and 1000 A.D. and lasted until the Spanish conquest. The main attraction of this site is its many ornate stone carvings including a stone rattlesnake that undulates across the facade of the Nunnery complex. Also of interest is the Pyramid of the Magician, the largest structure at Uxmal. 

Xel-Ha  Ecological Water Park

The most refreshing adventure of the Riviera Maya consists of experiencing the cool and crystalline waters of Xel-Ha while you gently float down its River and Cove. Adventures include:

Snorkel- Submerge in the amazingly blue, warm and crystalline waters of the Xel-Ha inlet with your snorkel equipment and you will have an unforgettable encounter with colourful fish and exuberant flora.

Snuba - A combination of snorkelling and scuba--it's is a Xel-Ha park main attraction. Permiting divers to descend safely to the reef zone without breath-hold diving.

Sea Trek - Getting a closer look at the treasures of the marine world calls for a Sea Trek water adventure! Step into a world of fish - the biggest and most splendid in Xel-Ha Park.

Aquaventura - Aquaventura is a water tour that is lead by our professional guides to all the best marine and underwater sites in the ecological theme water park reserve.

Kayaks - Combination of snorkelling and scuba & is another Xel-Ha park main attractions. Permiting divers to descend safely to the reef zone without breath-hold diving.

Swim with dolphins-Xel-Ha offers several phenomenal programs you can choose from.  All the activities are truly unforgettable and are definitely experiences you don't want to miss. Xel-Ha has taken special care in the design of the natural reserve's dolphinaria by providing the dolphins an environment much like their own. This provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the dolphins in an ocean like setting as if they were wild and free, making the experience a much richer event. 

Flight of Mo - Feel the adrenaline of flight by jumping into the river from a rope and feel refreshed as you plunge into the beautiful cenotes.

The Courage Cliff - One of the park's most extreme water activities, located next to the river's bridge it stands alone, a 5 meter jump to the river below.

River - Fed by a labyrinth of tiny, underground fresh-water springs, and flowing gently through the mangroves as it approaches the Bay of Caprices, making possible the existence of a variety of aquatic species.

Floating Bridge - The 80 meter floating bridge is an opportunity to get face to face with nature and to relax in the calm breeze that enters from the sea.