Tia & Brad

May 5, 2018 • Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Tia & Brad

May 5, 2018 • Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Small-Group Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour with Personalized Maya Calendar

Picture of Small-Group Chichen Itza Deluxe Tour with Personalized Maya Calendar
, Cancun,

Take advantage of a 2-hour guided tour of the iconic Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, complete with free time to explore the temples on your own. Don't worry about waiting in line, thanks to a private entrance that gives you quick and convenient access to this incredible historic site.

Get started with a ride from your hotel in a 16-seat Mercedes-Benz van. At the Mayaland Hotel, your base for this excursion, you can enjoy the swimming pool, the Xtoloc Cenote, and the tropical botanical gardens.

A private entrance lets you head directly to the Chichen Itza archaeological site, where a certified tour guide takes you on a 2-hour tour to explore the secrets of ancient Mayan civilization. Learn the historical significance of all the most important constructions, such as the Observatory, the Nunnery, La Iglesia, and Akab Dzib.

Next, visit the main plaza to see some of the site's grandest structures, including the famous pyramid of the Temple of Kukulcan. You have time to discover the site on your own, so move at your own pace, admire the monuments, and take some terrific pictures.

After your first visit to the ruins, you can leave and reenter the site as many times as you like, and relax at the Mayaland Hotel. During lunch, you can choose between restaurants offering Mexican, Yucatecan, or international cuisine along with traditional music and dance performances, and then kick back or do some more exploring ahead of your return ride.

Sparkling Pink Lagoon

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pink-beach-mexico-las-coloradas_us_57acb147e4b069e7e504070a

Pink waters and white sand meet off the coast of Las Coloradas, a small fishing community on the Yucatán Peninsula. This rosy beach is part of the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, which protects nearly 150,000 acres of beaches, forests and dunes.

While the pink-hued estuary may seem like the product of a magic spell, the reason for its coloring is actually quite ordinary. The lagoon gets its unique color from tiny marine microorganisms that contain beta carotene - a reddish orange pigment.

This is not the only body of water on Earth to trade up for that coveted pink hue. Koyashskoye Salt Lake in Crimea alternates between pink and red because of its high concentration of microscopic algae and brine shrimp. Several lakes in Australia are pink for the same reason. But of all the pink paradises, Las Coloradas might be the prettiest.

Las Coloradas has miles of pristine, empty beaches, making it an ideal private getaway. One look at the breathtaking pictures below and you'll be planning a rosy road trip in no time.

Xcaret Park Tour

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Cozumel Main Pier, Cozumel, Quintana Roo

Discover the trails of Xcaret eco-archaeological park and experience a celebration of Mexican traditions and history. This magical location is surrounded by lush jungle, underground rivers, and the spectacular Caribbean Sea, and features more than 40 attractions and activities.

Prepare for a day full of surprises as you make your way to the main pier of Cozumel. You're at Playa Del Carmen just 35 minutes later, onboard your transfer to Xcaret (pronounced SHCA-ret). As soon as you walk in this mystical place you feel the Mayan presence, perfectly blended with the natural jungle and the post-Hispanic Mexican culture.

Consult your map as there are so many places to see, including the Hacienda Henequenera, a colorful traditional plantation, the Folk Art Museum, and the impressive Chapel of Guadalupe. At the aviary admire more than 44 species of tropical birds, such as pink flamingos or scarlet macaws, or head to the butterfly pavilion to feast your eyes on these heavenly creatures, flying freely in the tropical setting.

Check out the underground rivers for a refreshing detour, or swim, snorkel, or sail along the park's cerulean waters. Visit the Mayan Village to witness this ancient civilization come to life before getting ready to witness "Mexico Espectacular." A great way to conclude a fun-filled day, the musical celebration exhilarates while telling tales from Mexico's history with incredible costumes, rituals, and dancing.

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Trip

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, Cancun,

Cruise away from Cancun's sun-soaked coast to head to the pristine shores of Isla Mujeres. Enjoy a relaxing ride on a luxurious catamaran with plenty of room to stretch out, do some snorkeling in the island's brilliant blue water, and swing through the charming town to do some leisurely window shopping.

Board an elegant catamaran at the dock and set your sights Isla Mujeres while the crew casts off your mooring lines. Grab a seat on the open-air deck and let the gentle breeze cool you as you cruise. When you reach the edge of the Great Mayan Reef—the world's second largest—don a snorkel and mask to do some underwater exploring. Spot schools of tropical fish, look for graceful sea turtles, and watch delicate coral sway in the ocean current.

Afterward, dry off quickly in the Caribbean sun and grab a drink from the open bar before you anchor up at a quiet, secluded beach club. Tuck into a tasty lunch before heading into town, where you can spend the afternoon working on your tan at beachfront bars, or shopping in the colorful shops that beckon visitors away from the surf.

Xplor Park Full-Day Adventure

Picture of Xplor Park Full-Day Adventure
, Cancun,

Gear up for an action-packed day of thrills and exploration at the incredible Xplor Park. Equipped with 2 zipline circuits, an underground river, lush jungles, and lavish buffet spreads, this natural adventure park is sure to bring out the adrenaline junkie in you.

Work your way from the sky to the underground, starting with a soaring zipline. Clamber to a platform at the top of the jungle to zoom down one of the tallest ziplining courses in Latin America, crisscrossing 14 different lines on your high-flying adventure. As the wind rushes past your face, take in the breathtaking views and splash your feet in the river below.

Next, climb aboard an amphibious vehicle and set off for an off-road adventure around the jungle before heading to the underground river. Here, you can leisurely float through astounding rock formations by raft, or dive in and swim among the stalactites and stalagmites.

If you start to work up an appetite, peruse the park's all-day, all-you-can-eat buffet, stocked with snacks, fresh fruit smoothies, and hot chocolate—a perfect treat after those cooler underground activities—to round out your day of adventure.

Day Trip to the Walled City of Tulum & Zacil-Ha Cenote

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, Riviera Maya,

Travel back in time during a day trip to the mysterious Maya ruins of Tulum. Uncover the secrets of this ancient civilization as you tour the archaeological site with a guide, enjoy some free time to dig your toes into the sand of Tulum's picture-perfect beach and then take a refreshing dip in Zacil-Ha cenote.

After you're picked up from your hotel, ride along jungle-fringed roads to Tulum, a walled Maya city perched on the coast above the crashing waves of the Caribbean. En route, your guide shares facts about the ancient Maya and the trade routes that crisscross the Yucatan.

Once you arrive, enter the archaeological site to explore the mysteries of this fascinating and well-preserved city. Listen to theories about Maya rituals, worship, and daily life as you walk around the site's clifftop Castillo.

From the site, you can look out over the coast and Tulum's famous stretch of long white sand. After your tour, have some free time to take photos, go for a walk along the beach, or take a dip in the balmy turquoise waters of the Caribbean before the return ride to your hotel.

Maroma Jungle ATV Tour

Picture of Maroma Jungle ATV Tour
, Cancun, Quintana Roo

Glimpse lush jungle vegetation, glistening turquoise waves, and pearlescent strips of secluded beach during an ATV adventure along the Mexican Gulf Coast. Climb aboard a powerful quad and take off, clambering through the emerald forest toward the shore during an unforgettable excursion.

Get picked up from your hotel and head straight for the ATV launch site. Allow your guide to teach you about your speedy 4-wheeled vehicle, and then climb aboard. Rev the engine and race behind your guide, marveling at the way the quad devours the rough-hewn forest track. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including darting grey foxes and languid iguanas sunning themselves on exposed rocks.

Finally, motor toward the coast. Feel your heart race as you catch sight of the vibrant aquamarine surf. Navigate a masterful course along the brilliant seashore and find the perfect spot for a break. Savor a zesty snack of refried beans, tortilla chips, and hot sauce before preparing to return to your hotel.