Top 10 List For Fun, Adventure And Culture In Playa del Carmen – Part 1

After four years of calling Playa del Carmen home, I have met two people that were actually raised in this magical city. There is a common thread woven within the storyline of most residents here. Often what began as a one week holiday turned into twelve years, or what was to be a one year cultural experience in Playa became a full decade’s worth of existence in tropical bliss.

Blooming into a metropolitan city from what was once a sequestered, fishing village thirty some years ago, Playa del Carmen developed from of a diverse collection of sun-seekers in search of a simplistic way of life by the sea. Located on the Yucatán Peninsula in the entrancing Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen is a cultural, gastronomic and nature-enthusiasts’ hub. European and North American expats have converged with citizens from all regions of Mexico to form a dynamic, multi-cultural community within a paradisiacal setting.

With new developments and attractions sprouting up along the alabaster shores each year, the Mayan Riviera offers a limitless variety of family friendly, adventure-themed activities as well as hundreds of virtually untouched natural wonders to explore.  May we present Part 1 of our #top10 list of things to do in and around Playa del Carmen!

1) Stand Up Paddle Boarding Yoga In Tulum

SUP Tulum is the Mayan Riviera’s first and only Boga Yoga floating studio. The class takes place on the stunning, turquoise waters of lagoons and cenotes near Tulum, which is only a 45 minute drive south of Playa del Carmen. The company offers a 3 hour class for groups of 3 or more which include transportation to and from the Tulum meeting point, a cold pressed juice, a raw vegan energy ball, a paddle board, instruction class, a Boga Yoga floating yoga class and a photo session. SUP Tulum also hosts Boga Yoga retreats at various times throughout the year. For more information, please visit http://www.supyogatulum.com

2) Golfing

The endless summer climate in the Riviera Maya presents over three hundred glorious sun-filled days, perfect for those who enjoy polishing their skills on the links. There are dozens of scenic, championship quality courses in and around Playa del Carmen which offer all-inclusive options and special summer pricing. To view a list of impeccable courses in the area or to book a tee time, please go to http://www.playgolf.mx.

3) Eco-Adventure Parks

There are four adventure parks near Playa del Carmen in which families, honeymooners, or thrill-seekers alike can partake in a memorable day amidst the surreal beauty of this fascinating region.

Xcaret is mystical park featuring shows and events depicting the culture and traditions of the Mayan people. Swim through caves, learn about local flora and fauna and witness an elaborate spectacle in which the performers sing and dance their way through various aspects of Mexico’s colorful history.

Xel-há is a natural wonder where visitors have the opportunity to commune with nature during an unforgettable day of snorkeling, zip biking, cliff jumping, and floating down a lazy river on rafts.

Xplor is an adventure-themed park consisting of six lengthy zip lines which stretch over the jungle’s canopy. This exhilarating journey includes riding an amphibious vehicle through the remarkable underground caves, swimming in seemingly glowing aqua waters and beneath waterfalls, floating along the subterranean river and exploring the impressive stalactites.

Go Native’s Park is a protected natural reserve with jungle paths which lead to stunning cave formations, crystal clear cenotes and the property of one of the area’s original settling families.

4) Cenotes

The Yucatán Peninsula is made up a shelf of porous limestone. Thousands of years ago, the underground river system which runs beneath the surface of the region, caused the limestone to collapse in some places resulting in hundreds of fresh water sink holes throughout the area.

Each cenote is unique in size and formation. Some are open, while others are hidden gems within caves which display impressive stalactites. The blue-green waters are crystal clear and are appealing for both swimmers and divers.

There are several a short driving distance from Playa del Carmen with very reasonable entrance fees varying from $40 to $80 Mxn pesos per person. Cenotes are an excellent way to spend a memorable day in the Mayan Riviera.

5) Diving, Fishing and Sailing

Just off the pristine shores in the Mexican-Caribbean is the awe-inspiring Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. In the early 1960s, Jacques Cousteau and his team declared Cozumel one of the best diving sites in the world due to the superb visibility and healthy variety of marine life.

There is an abundant selection of dive centers in Playa del Carmen including http://www.abyssdivecenter.com and http://www.mexicobluedream.com. For additional options for an extraordinary day of fishing or sailing on the open sea, visit http://fatcatsail.com or http://rivieramayafishing.com.

Stay tuned for next week’s post where we continue on with our top 10 list for fun, adventure and culture in Playa del Carmen!

Planning A Destination Wedding? Love Is In The Air In Playa del Carmen!

There is a reason why thousands of couples cross oceans and continents to get married in this paradisiacal region of Mexico known as “The Heart of the Mayan Riviera”.  Playa del Carmen offers pristine beaches, world class accommodations and top-notch wedding planning services at a fraction of the cost you would pay  elsewhere in the world. This sublime area receives on average, over 300 sunny days a year and offers a vast range of magical encounters with an adventurous, ecological or historical twist for the entire group of family and friends to partake in.

And if your travel tales do not yet extend to the land of tequila, white-sand beaches and sunshine, you are probably not aware that Mexicans know how to throw a party!  Due to a seemingly ingrained sense of hospitality and warmth, this culture delights at any opportunity to celebrate a special occasion. Creativity flourishes within a congenial setting and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

I have been fortunate to attend several weddings here in Playa del Carmen over the years, some extravagant and some simplistic, but each so enchanting they have etched a permanent mark in my memory bank.  With so many superb locations from which to hold a romantic ceremony, the Mayan Riviera offers a truly unique wedding experience.

Imagine exchanging vows overlooking the breathtaking turquoise sea, or amidst a lush tropical garden surrounded by the ones you love most. For those of you looking for a one-of-a-kind event, you might even consider performing intimate nuptials by candle light, within one of the many underground caves of the region’s subterranean river system.

Whatever your vision, the professional team of Bric Vacation wedding specialists can assist you with bringing that dream to fruition.  From securing the ideal venue, to transportation, photography, music, decor and catering, our staff will work in unison with you, the happy couple to arrange every detail of your momentous occasion.  Our experienced wedding and event coordinators will be in contact with you every step of the way to ensure that all facets of your vision are seamed together flawlessly.

Bric Vacation Rentals is arguably the most convenient route when planning your destination wedding. Our boutique hotel is centrally located within the heart of Playa del Carmen and serves not only as an option for accommodations, but a venue as well.  Additionally, we offer several ocean-front and luxury condo-retreat style accommodations around the city.

Our team of ambassadors are Playa del Carmen experts and can suggest and facilitate an itinerary for your group’s entire stay.  Whether your party consists of golf enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, water-sport fanatics, beach bums, or all of the above, our friendly concierges are able to create a customized list of sublime locations and excursions in which to indulge in the area’s remarkable natural beauty.

The young city of Playa del Carmen pulsates with a fresh and effervescent vibe, yet it is a land in which a fascinating, ancient civilization once trod. It exudes sophistication and modern amenities, yet still manages to remain true to its humble beginnings as a quaint fishing village. It is cosmopolitan city which offers world-class entertainment, yet it charms visitors to succumb to its laid back vibe. There is an alluring force that beckons travelers to return time and time again.

We invite you to allow us to design a wedding day you and your guests will fondly remember for a lifetime.  Let us exceed all your expectations and fill your important day with extraordinary moments, where all you are expected of, is to fill it with love and laughter.

For more information, please contact our events department at Kristen@bricrental.com.

Cenotes – A Whole Other World Beneath The Yucantán Peninsula

The Yucantán Peninsula’s beauty spreads over a region enveloped by lush, tropical jungle and bordered by the  Caribbean Sea with its awe-inspiring shades of turquoise, aqua and deep blue.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive each year to embrace the exquisite, natural splendor in the glorious Mayan Riviera.  Yet so much more enchanting wonder still lies beneath the surface of this area, waiting to be explored.

An estimated 10,000 cenotes, or open, access points to the world’s largest submerged cave system speckle the Yucantán Peninsula.  These surface connections to the slow-flowing, subterranean river system were created naturally millions of years ago.   Originally, this peninsula was admidst a giant reef system.  However, during the Stone Age, when ocean levels decreased, parts of the reef were left exposed and the coral was not able to survive.  As a result, a massive shelf of limestone, formed by the corals’ skeletons, emerged. Due its porous nature, slightly acidic rain waters seeped through the alkaline limestone rock and created the extensive underground waterway with its many caverns.  After the final Ice Age, ocean water levels rose, saturating the subterranean cavities, collapsing some, resulting in sink holes known as cenotes.

Some cenotes showcase fascinating cave formations boasting various sizes of icicle-shaped stalactites and stalagmites.   Others are protected by the Mexican government and have become important archeological sites.  While still others are considered to be sacred, and even haunted, by past and present Mayan civilization.

It was common for ancient Mayan cities to be built surrounding one or multiple cenotes as they were the residents’ primary source of fresh water.  Sacred ceremonies often took place around these wells which were thought to be gateways to the underworld.  Sacrificial offerings (some human), were presented to Chaac, for example, the god of rain, in times of drought. There is one famous cenote, Sac Uayum, 25 miles south of Mérida (the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán) which legend has it, is guarded by a feathered serpent with a horse’s head, keeping fearful Mayan locals at a distance. Up to last year, marine archeologists had discovered 15 human skulls lying on this eerie cenote’s floor and more are believed to be burried within the sediment.

Some interesting archeological finds include fossilized remains of camels, giant jaguars and mammoths, fine jewelry, textiles, pottery, sculptures, as well as the oldest human remains ever found in the Americas, dating back to at least 10,000 years ago.  These significant artifacts depict the innovativeness and immense richness of the ancient Maya culture.

Cenotes have varying water depths ranging from a few meters to over 100 meters. The majority have cool, crystal clear waters with a stunning turquoise tone. The water itself has an upper layer of fresh water overlying a layer of salt water. As the rainwater filters down towards the cenote, it has a tendancy to flow out horizantally along the water table to eventually reach the ocean.

To have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive within these natural wonders is an experience to truly appreciate forever. The refreshing translucent waters remain at a constant 25 degrees celcius or 76 degrees farenheit year round. Many of these magnificent swim holes have jumpable cliffs, averaging about 3 meters, which present oppotune moments to face fears of heights!

In the following video, I am leaping off the ledge at Cenote Eden, located just 20 minutes south of #playadelcarmen.  After I had silenced a few demons chattering back and forth in my head, I plumeted into the pristine waters. When I eventually bobbed to the surface, I heard my 8 year old, (who had just completed his 40th jump), call out “Can’t you just try it without screaming?!?”

Most of the dive shops in town offer day trips with transportation to the 100’s of nearby #cenotes. However, you can also gain some valuable insight and directions by speaking to the friendly locals here in Playa!

#comeplayinparadise