Cenote Cristalino: Peaceful Getaway.

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping from everything? Get away from work, school, responsibilities… or even better, going on an adventure with friends or with that special person. Now, imagine yourself escaping to the Riviera Maya! That’s better huh?

The Riviera Maya is so much more than crowded beaches and nightclubs; there are hidden places in this paradise that promise to be perfect to find that calm and peace that you are looking for. Yup, I’m talking about a cenote, the Cenote Cristalino.

Cenote Cristalino (Crystal-clear Sinkhole) is located on the Cancun-Tulum highway, 3 km away from Puerto Aventuras (a 5 minutes car ride). You need to be very cautious because its sign is a bit small and hidden, so be careful or you might miss it.

The entrance fee is 100 pesos for kids (6 USD) and 150 for adults (8 USD). You can take your snorkeling gear and life vest or rent them for an extra 50 pesos (3 USD). Besides the cenote, you’ll find convenient facilities including a changing area and very clean bathrooms. Also, you are free to bring your own food along and have lunch, but if you forget to do so, you can buy some snacks here.

The cenote is pretty wide and you can swim freely without being worried about the crowds. As its name says, the water in this sinkhole is crystal-clear, allowing you to see the many fish living in it. If you stay quiet enough for a while, they will approach you and suck on your skin giving you tiny kisses that will make you tickle. They are very friendly!

Last but not least, for the adventurous travelers, you will find a 4-meters cliff (12 feet) where you can test your courage and dare yourself to jump into the water. It is very fun!

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But wait a minute, is the cenote safe?

Yes, it is! The water is not very deep at some points, and there are some rocks that you can step on if you don’t want to swim. Plus, there are lifeguards around that are always alert.

Is it good idea taking kids?

Of course! Cenote Cristalino is 100% familiar. They’ll be completely safe and have a great time.

Can I go any day of the week?

Yes, it is open all week from 9 AM till 6 PM. However, Sunday is the day people visit it the most, so if you want to avoid big crowds, we recommend you go on weekdays.

Visit this paradise and enjoy a day filled with fun and rest! If you need a ride to get there, contact us and we’ll give you a quote.

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Ruins in the Riviera Maya and Yucatan

There are many kinds of travelers: those who prefer to spend the whole day at the beach, shopping at the malls, or taking the sun at the hotel pool; and those who rather go outside and find some adventure. If you belong to the second group, then the Riviera Maya is the perfect place to be! 

Everybody thinks that this destination is just beautiful beaches and fancy hotels, but there’s another side to it, THE RUINS SIDE!

The remains of ancient Mayan cities are now perfect places to take long walks, listen to amazing stories, and overall, have fun! These are the four ruins you must visit on your next vacation to Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

1.- Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is located in Yucatan, just two hours away from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The most popular building among this group of ruins is “El Castillo,” one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it’s supposed to be a temple built in the name of Kukulkan. This temple has 18 terraces that represent the 18 months in the Mayan calendar and, on specific dates, a shadow in the shape of a snake is formed on its sides.

If you are interested in the whole story, you can go on a trip with an expert guide. He will tell you everything about this event and the history of this place. You can also find some near caves and cenotes, as well as restaurants and shops where you can buy some souvenirs.

2.- Coba

This ancient Mayan city is located in Quintana Roo, 76 miles from Playa del Carmen. It’s surrounded by a dense jungle and two large lagoons that you can watch from the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. Climbing this building is the main attraction in Coba, but not the only thing you can do. There are guides who can give you a tour through the site and you can rent bikes so you can have a more comfortable trip.

3.- Ek Balam

Near the city of Valladolid in Yucatan, 30 min away of Chichen Itza, you will find the archaeological site of Ek Balam. A beautiful and well-preserved group of buildings make up this place from which only the central portion has been completely discovered. The most important structure here is “Acropolis” or “The Tower,” an impressive palace with over 500 ft of height.

The name Ek Balam comes from the Mayan language and is usually translated into “Black Jaguar,” although, some experts also translate this words into “Jaguar Star.” It’s the less known ruins site in the surroundings, but it has as much beauty and interesting information as any other.

4.- Tulum

Tulum is one of the most known Mayan ruins in the Riviera Maya. The translation of Tulum is “wall,” making reference to the three walls located around this city. However, the original name of the town is “Zama,” which means “dawn.” The combination of beautiful beaches and amazing ruins offer an amazing landscape that you won’t find in any other place. This site is the only Mayan city built at the edge of the beach.

The ruins in the Riviera Maya and Yucatan are just stunning and filled with beauty, but sadly, many people don’t know the history behind those amazing structures. So, when coming to the Riviera Maya, don’t miss the chance to visit those wonderful places and learn more about the Mayan culture. You won’t regret it!

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Festival of Life and Death Traditions

The Day of the Dead is a very special Mexican holiday in which, every November 1st and 2nd, Mexican people celebrate the life of their relatives that have passed away. Something peculiar about Mexican people is how they embrace the death in a funny and colorful way, and the Day of the Dead is the perfect example of this particular characteristic.

This holiday comes from the prehispanic Mexican ancestors, and it’s celebrated differently across regions of Mexico. In the Yucatan Peninsula, the celebration is called Hanal Pixan ("food for the souls" in the Mayan language), and during these days people make altars with the food and things that their dead relatives used to like when they were alive.

Nowadays, every year this celebration is honored at Xcaret with the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, an extraordinary event that takes place from October 30th through November 2nd. During this festivity, you will be able to experience the Hanal Pixan, taste the great regional gastronomy, assist to workshops, art exhibitions, theater, dance and concerts. Also, you can enjoy the paradisiac Xcaret park and live a unique experience where you can learn about the ancient traditions of the Mayan culture and the beauty of the Riviera Maya’s nature. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this event.

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