Adventures in America: Riviera Maya

I have started my series on traveling in North America. While much of my traveling has been contained to the United States, I have journeyed beyond the border. One of my favorite and most memorable trips was the first trip I took with my husband to Mexico. We were supposed to stay in the heart of Cancun, but unfortunately, our hotel was booked and we were blessed with an even better adventure: the Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya is on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. There is a lot to do when you visit the Riviera Maya. Most people believe this area is just for drinking and partying, but the truth is that there is so much more to do than be drunk for a week. Of course, we did our share of drinking, but we also were able to experience the local culture.

When we visited the Riviera Maya, we were originally supposed to stay at the Cancun Palace, but we ended up staying at Aventura Spa Palace. Both resorts are gorgeous and offer the best in services. The Cancun Palace sits just about 200 feet from the Gulf of Mexico and offers beautiful beaches and cabanas. The Cancun Palace is an all-inclusive resort which is great so you do not have to make arrangements to eat out. The Cancun Palace is great if you have children. They offer childcare and other amenities.

The Aventura Spa Palace is a spectacular resort. I would recommend this resort to couples who are traveling alone for a honeymoon or just a getaway from the kids. The Aventura Spa Palace is an all-inclusive adult only resort. This means no kids and just nice adult fun. The rooms all come with double Jacuzzis and balconies, which have a hammock. There are four restaurants, a dance club, and plenty of bars, inside and out, for you to enjoy. There are gorgeous lagoons and pools all throughout the resort. If you and your significant other choose to visit the Riviera Maya, this is the place to stay.

While visiting the Riviera Maya there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. If you are a history buff, try visiting some of the Maya ruins. These are very spectacular and they often give you a great feel for the culture of the area. Remember to bring a camera as these ruins are sights to remember!

Even if you are not the partying type, I would recommend taking a tour on one of the party boats. We went on a nice party boat and of course, they pushed the drinks the whole night, but it was fun. At one point, our boat was taken over by pirates. The party boat took us to a private island and we had to eat dinner and enjoy a show with them. At the show there were several little boutiques where you could buy Maya artwork and other souvenirs. This trip was very family friendly, other than the drinks. The show is one of my most memorable moments in the Riviera Maya.

If you are a true party animal, the best way to have some fun is to go on a "bar leaping" tour in Playa del Carmen. You will visit Carlos N' Charlie's where you will be able to dance and drink as many drinks as you like. Just don't get too tipsy because this tour lasts for several hours. The second stop is the famous Senor Frog's bar, which is basically a restaurant and a club all in one. Senor Frog's features a live band and they are pretty good. Mambo Café is a great stop on this tour. You are considered V.I.P. and able to live like a celebrity for a few hours. They have a live show, and it is magnificent. This tour is sure to appeal to the partier at heart.

There are other activities which you can participate in while visiting the Riviera Maya You can take a nice boat across to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) where you first stop at a private island for lunch. After lunch, the boat travels to Isla Mujeres for a shopping trip. There are fabulous jewelry stores and many tourist shops on the island. This is the perfect day trip for the shopper at heart, just don't spend too much!

Another activity you can do while visiting the Riviera Maya is ride ATVs through the jungle. I heard about this from other guests at our resort and they had fun. I just didn't have the heart to brave the jungle for my fear of snakes and other creatures. Following the ATV ride, there is a tubing expedition which should really be fun.

There is so much to do in the Riviera Maya that nobody can go bored. Just remember to pack your swimsuit and camera. The Riviera Maya is sure to please anyone.